Bells, a class act.

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by jivex5k, Sep 25, 2013.

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  1. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    I gave them the location of the Crown and the bottled on date. I was also extremely polite, expressed my admiration for their quality, and told them I knew how good it could taste and that this six pack simply was lacking any hop character.

    They asked me for my address, and the batch number. I didn't have a batch number for them, I brought the beers to a party so I left them there when I left(real nice of me, huh? LOL, here keep my old IPA). I told them this and said I don't feel the need for any compensation, just wanted to let them know there was old product on the shelves.

    I didn't think they'd send me anything at all after hearing that the beer was drank (drunk?) anyways, but they certainly did.

    The funny thing is, the rep told me it wasn't considered expired yet, it was about 2 weeks ago and the bottles had the date of 4/16. I suppose if the beers were kept cold the entire time they could last that long, but they had no hop character at all.

    But damn, even when the beer was within the freshness requirement they still hooked it up. Nothing short of astounding customer service, and appeasing to a sometimes very hard to appease demographic.

    These stickers will proudly be displayed on the back of my electronic keyboard. (Ok I just said that for cool points, cuz you know how cool electric keyboards are :sunglasses:)
     
    #21 jivex5k, Sep 25, 2013
    ScottyG likes this.
  2. JCDenver

    JCDenver Zealot (586) Feb 8, 2010 Texas
    Trader

    You can add Odell to this list. Had a bottle of a Hiverrano that failed to carb up (they later recalled all of them). Emailed the brewery just to let them know, ended up with a refund plus a bunch of really nice swag. Very classy, and unexpected.
     
    #22 JCDenver, Sep 25, 2013
    EyePeeAyBryan likes this.
  3. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    Lost Abbey could learn a thing or two...or THREE from these posts.

    Two Emails and not a damn thing back.
     
    #23 EyePeeAyBryan, Sep 25, 2013
  4. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good deal. I received a Bells logo weizen glass for a present a few years ago. It unintentionally went through a dishwasher cycle, stripping off most of its paint. Called then spoke to the folks at the General Store (I was in town) to no avail. Still love 'em, but that stuck with me.
     
    #24 elNopalero, Sep 25, 2013
  5. misterid

    misterid Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2009 Wisconsin

    in the future? i've got one dozens deep already. my spare room is packed with chotchkies, letters from brewers and surveillance photos.... wait, i've said too much
     
    #25 misterid, Sep 25, 2013
  6. misterid

    misterid Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2009 Wisconsin

    that's mighty big of them. i'm surprised they'd respond at all.
     
    #26 misterid, Sep 25, 2013
  7. misterid

    misterid Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2009 Wisconsin

    can confirm Boulevard

    bumped in to two of their sales guys outside my hotel after the Great Taste a couple (3 maybe?) years ago. after some conversation they handed me 2 six-packs of beer and a few stickers.
     
    #27 misterid, Sep 25, 2013
  8. JamesShoemaker

    JamesShoemaker Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2012 Michigan


    Why'd you e-mail them?
     
    #28 JamesShoemaker, Sep 25, 2013
  9. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    NOT Founders. I do not think they care once they have your money.

    I have had great service from

    DFH
    Saranac
    Victory
    Philadelphia brewing
    Prism

    Enjoy
     
    #29 Giantspace, Sep 25, 2013
  10. Herky21

    Herky21 Initiate (0) Aug 7, 2011 Iowa


    That's exactly what the distributors get paid for. They rep the brand so the Brewery doesn't have to. They stock it, the build relationships with stores etc. If distributors are going to take their cut, and it is a substantial amount, then they should be in the store checking dates and taking product back when its old. The problem with the three tier system is that it is three tiers and everyone is always blaming someone else. The store will never be the one taking a hit on product and putting it in the back. The brewer wants to protect their brand so they should have the most motivation to do so, but they usually don't have the means. The distributors should be pushed into better product management and they shouldn't sell as much product to locations that won't turn it over. They have a relationship with the brewery and they are best positioned to do it.

    Also, yay free stuff. I want some stickers.
     
    #30 Herky21, Sep 25, 2013
  11. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    I wasn't complaining, I considered it a courtesy to Bells.
    When I was young, and first getting into craft beer, I experienced an old IPA. I believe it may have been two hearted, or possibly jai alai. I wrote off IPAs as a style I didn't like.
    It wasn't until much later that I had a fresh two hearted, and man it was so much better.
    I figure they would want to know when old product is sitting on the shelves, which they do, and apparently appreciate it as well. They don't want their product misrepresented.
    I didn't expect anything in return until they asked for my address, caught me completely by surprise and I even insisted I need no compensation.
     
    #31 jivex5k, Sep 25, 2013
  12. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    That's an interesting date, and I'm pretty sure that there was a similar complaint worded exactly like you worded your taste impression (or lack thereof) that was in a thread in the Great Lakes forum back sometime around June. (The reason I remember that is because I had some Two Hearted that was bottled the day before that was also kind of lackluster.) The outcome of that thread was that the OP sent the complaint description and the batch info to Bell's via e-mail (maybe also mailed a bottle?) and Bell's responded very favorably back then too.
     
    #32 PapaGoose03, Sep 25, 2013
  13. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    Interesting... maybe it was a bad batch then.
    On another note, where can you find the batch number information?
     
    #33 jivex5k, Sep 25, 2013
  14. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    It's on the rear label along with the Bottled-on date.
     
    #34 PapaGoose03, Sep 25, 2013
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  15. JamesShoemaker

    JamesShoemaker Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2012 Michigan

    #35 JamesShoemaker, Sep 25, 2013
  16. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    Special Double Cream Stout. You probably didnt taste the vanilla because there isn't any used in the beer. I'm not sure how your email would have gone over.
     
    #36 kzoobrew, Sep 26, 2013
    UCLABrewN84 likes this.
  17. Dweedlebug

    Dweedlebug Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I ordered a tumbler glass from Lost Abbey last year and it was taking forever for it to come. Never got a shipping confirmation email or anything. I sent them a couple emails that were never answered, but when the glass arrived, there was a hand written note with an apology for the delay and a 2nd tumbler was also in the box at no charge.
     
    #37 Dweedlebug, Sep 26, 2013
    EyePeeAyBryan likes this.
  18. regularjohn

    regularjohn Initiate (0) Feb 7, 2013 New Jersey

    i cant wait till bell's hits new york, i love everything i tried from them so far
     
    #38 regularjohn, Sep 26, 2013
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