Bringing Beers to Bars for Bartenders

Not sure about bars, but if you know the bartenders appreciate good beer, go for it. I've only done it at breweries. But they are already into good beers, so I know they'll appreciate the gesture.

 

I frequently do this at my craft beer bar! They love it there. Especially when it's good special release stuff, you sometimes can get them to walk into their cooler and they will pull out some from their own collection! I am actually doing this tonight with a few friends, we are bringing some Xmas beers up. And also did it last week with some HF growlers I just got.

 

I think the dudes at Laser Wolf would absolutely appreciate that.

 

If it is legal (which it isn't in my state) then I see no reason why they wouldn't let you or appreciate it.

 

If you know the bartenders well, and they're into good beer, they'll make it work. I've done it several times and it's always worked out well for me.

 

every bar I go to here people are always bringing in stuff to share... hell, going to a place tonight where the owner explicitly is asking for people to bring in stuff

 

I'm not saying we haven't done it, but it isn't legal here so we kept it on the down low, but if ABC caught wind and wanted to push the issue it could be bad times for the establishment.

 

I think it's more of a grey area not concretely established by the ABC.
the understanding is that it cannot be sold by the establishment.

 

Nah, it is straight up against ABC regulations. Only reason I know is dealing with bars and bottle shops trying to set up places for my tasting group to have events. They may treat it like jaywalking and not really enforce it, but it is certainly on the books.

From ABCs site

Can a restaurant conduct a private function and allow participants to bring in their own alcoholic beverages? Yes, only in a private room that is separate from the public. If the establishment has only one room then the entire restaurant must be closed to the general public.

 

that doesn't sound so straight up illegal...

 

Maybe my wording is wrong, I just meant against ABC rules, whereas the place could lose their license. Didn't mean illegal as in they come in and arrest everyone.

 

I bring homebrew and commercial beer to bars all the time to share so I'm glad to hear others do the same.

 

I do it all the time at my local beer bar. I only bring stuff that isn't distributed here. A couple months ago I got a bottle of FB No Crusts, I took it up and my buddy and I each had about 4 oz and I gave the rest to the bartenders to share. I thought they were going to shit their pants they were so happy. Just the other night I took one of my recently obtained Westy 12 bottles up to give to one off the bartenders who just got engaged. He wasn't working so I gave it to the general manager, she always takes care of me. Needless to say she was happier than a pig-in-shit. She let me go back into the cooler and choose a bottle from their 'stash. Beer karma is always a good thing to have.

 

i try not to bring bottles to often but when i do, it's just one and it can't be bought in the market. we always pour some for our server/bartender which is always appreciated. i will also order a nice bottle (last night i ordered a cascasde kriek) to help jusify the fact that i'm bringing alcohol to a bar. it really is nice to find a ba friendly bar that gives the impression that the enjoyment of beer in more important than profit.