Beer Store A-Holes

Lol, I don't know of any that went to another bottle shop. The best one I've known now works for a distributor. I don’t think working in a bottle shop pays well and if their good they get offered better jobs.

 

This man speaks the truth. There is something to be said for loyalty. I have come to know my Wegman's Beer guy very well over the year and a half. Hell, I see him more than most of my friends. We chat, make small talk. Probably help him get through his day dealing with kids playing tag in a part of the store with thousands of bottles of glass.

As a result, I get tips on when the limiteds come in and he does everything in his power to make sure I get some. Do I think this is shady? No. Honestly, I have come to enjoy my beer talks with him, and I'm sure it goes both ways. Know your local beershop people and they will help you out.

 

The thread should end right here. Every time this topic comes up your response should be first one and thread closed.

 

Earlier this year, I sought a case of Weyerbacher SMS. My first trip ws to the distributor where I scored a case last year. One of the guys there told me they received only a few cases and they were gone but also noted that their other location had received much more than they expected.

I immediately called the second location and confirmed that there were cases available. I asked that one be held for me but I was told that there was a no hold policy. I was also told that they still had a number of cases remaining. So, I got into my car made the 20 minute drive.

When I arrived and inquired about a case, I was told that there were none left and that they sold their last cases the day before. When I mentioned that I called only 20 minutes before and was told there were cases, I got a series of defensive questions that ended with "well I don't know who you spoke with but we sold all we had yesterday."

I had two choices - argue with the guy who was obviously lying to me and start a ruckus or walk away. Either way, I knew that I was going to leave empty handed. I just walked away knowing that I was being bullshitted.

Such is life in many things. It's great when you are an insider and it sucks when you are on the outs.

The silver lining is that I eventually got my case and I now have a new favorite distributor where I will spend my money. The hell if I will ever buy anything again from the other place.

 

I see a Pattern here. We have party 1) The Modest Consumer. Then 2) The Greedy Consumer. Then 3) The Jaded Consumer. As I observe Human Nature I am just Curious on why Brewers will still do a limited release even though they are aware of the Greedy Consumer. As a punishment I believe Every Brewery in the World should just sell Core Beers until we as a Kind can Learn to Behave.

 

I guess I must be one of those greedy A-holes. I walked into a run down liquor store in a not so nice area and the guy sold me an entire case of KBS!! score!! It was $150.00 $15.00 a 4 pack. He actually wanted me to buy it all. He had no idea what it was.

 

im not a mathematician but somethings not right there...
15*6=90?

 

Looks like he sold the whole case at cost just to get it out the door!

 

Yes, we should compose some commandments: Thou Shalt not do Greed at Retail. Thou Shalt not Chase Whale Delivery Trucks. Store Owners Should do as I wish with their Business Practices.........Beer Store A-Holes Should Repent and Walk the Way of Beer Fairness to Me Alone.......

 

First come -first served. Money talks. This is America dammit.

 

Last fall, I got lectured by a bottle shop owner about "not being regular enough" after popping in to ask about a limited release (I honestly felt I was a regular there). Vowing never to chase down a release again, a month later a new and decent enough bottle shop opened up around the corner from me. Now I'm the original regular. Most fortunate beer thing to ever happen to me.

 

First, I like the Humor. On a serious note, this brings to my point or my philosophy, if you will. Human Kind, we are so Wise, yet in the end we are not, (If We Were there would be No Rules or Laws). Not everyone reaches Maturity after Highschool, they just get Older.

 

Did you take philosophy courses?

Cheers!

 

I did stay at a Holiday Inn last Night...

 

You mean Holiday Inn Express, right!?!

Cheers!

 

Beer is still sold from the Brewer (or distrib) the same way it was 100 years ago...


...by relationships.


Beer is sold by store owners to consumers the way it was 100 years ago...


...by relationships.


Put down the phone and iPad and have an actual conversation with someone. The results will amaze you.

People don't care what you know until they know that you care.

 

Knowing I would never be that guy, I still believe that stores should set up some kind of reward program whereby whoever spends the most money on products gets the first choice at stuff.

 

Woo-Hoo! One mo' philosopher!!

Cheers!

 

I did the same with my local spot. Have gotten Abraxas, Sump, Framboos, Fou Foune, more. It's nice to not have to trade for everything.