You're standing in a release line when.....

I stay in line and get the beer, I'll hang with my friend later.

 

If I know her that well, I'd have her number, so would text her.

 

Wave hello.

 

Maybe make notice that you may be the last to get some and sign to your friend that you have his back and that we'll talk later.

 

It's basically asking to decide between beer and human interaction, so I guess it would depend how much you like the beer/person. Sure on one hand you might not get the beer if you go back, on the other hand you're standing in line for a while so it would be nice to have a friend to talk to. Or alternatively you could ask someone to save your spot for a couple minutes, go back and chat with your friend, then offer to share your haul with them if their spot in line doesn't make it to the front.

 

I don't like talking to people, so your predicament sounds like good fortune to me.

 

If I was good friends with said person they would be waiting In line with me, so I would give the head nod and get back to my solo whalez share bro.

 

I signal him to move up, and together we cut the line fifteen people further forward

 

If we were good friends he would have my cell number.

 

I put "talk over the crowd like I'm standing next to him", but I wouldn't do that to the annoyance of the people we'd be talking over.

I wouldn't move back and wouldn't let him cut with me but I wouldn't forget he exists (what option 1 suggests -- the Seinfeld "Bania Treatment").

 

I'm definitely not inviting him up to me or moving back in the line of people. Talking over the 10 people would be my choice because it's simple street chatter that they can get over. Plus knowing myself, the conversation wouldn't last long. Its their fault for not getting to the brewery earlier.

 

"Someone you know fairly well"

Then, assuming this is a highly sought after triple dry hopped DIPA, they're getting the stone cold blank until beers are in hand.

"Oh shit dude didn't see you there. And shit you missed out? Ah sorry the whole case is spoken for....by my belly"

 

As others have stated, knowing them fairly well doesn't mean they are a close friend of mine. So, I'd wave and stay in my spot. Even if it was a close friend of mine (who happened to get back there instead of in with me) I'd still wave, but probably give them some of my allotment if they couldn't get any.

 

Say hi and then catch up with the later.

 

There's many variables here but my thoughts are if its a really good friend he/she would have known I was there or been with me already. If its a casual friend and there's a real chance of getting shut out I'm staying out - and in no way would I talk over a group of people.

 

Ask the guy behind me if he minds holding my spot until the live gets moving. Head back do the small talk and get back in line once it starts moving.

 

Never stood in line for beer, never will. It's just beer..

 

You can easily hang out after you both get your beer. You wait in line. I'm very disturbed that the 2nd most popular option is to talk over the 10 people between you. It really shouldn't be that surprising though, most people don't understand or care about etiquette anymore.

 

I'd be obnoxious enough until the other 10 people in the line let my friend join me. Inspired by The Gang on Always Sunny.