Buyer's recommendations--trust, ignore, question

When I'm traveling, I usually have a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for when I go to a bottle shop. If it's a particular style, I'll usually ask the staff for recommendations, then check them out with the experts on BA before deciding. Locally, we're fortunate to have BW&S managers who know their stuff. I know them, and I know I can trust their recommendations.

In any case, I'll usually try to get as much information as I can from various sources before deciding what to buy. And based on my average rDev, which is in the stratosphere, this strategy seems to be working pretty well.

 

A perhaps rare positive story - when staying in the greater Oakland CA area one summer (Monticello, pre COVID), I met a manager of the beer section at the Whole Foods. We discussed my interests and he told me the days Pliny arrived and when put out on cooler shelves (2 bottles per day). He then asked if I liked Cantillon? Yes! He had a couple stashed in his back walk-in cooler and sold me a bottle. It never hurts to ask…Cheers!

 

BA is my only consigliere when I'm in the bottle shop.



That's me on the left, with that same expression as I sift through endless cans of hazy DIPAs and cheesecake stouts, hoping to find a fresh brown ale.

 

Its always been this way, but especially the last 3 years. . .

Think about motive when someone is speaking to you from a position of authority and purported expertise.

Are they really looking out for you? Or might their agenda actually diverge from yours?

"I'm from the beer distribution network, and I'm here to help you."

Also, somewhat conversely, there is this seemingly prevalent trend of just running your mouth even if totally 100% factually wrong about something. Like there is no shame of being an idiot either. Having a voice is valued more than having informed humbleness or silence.

Guy at Total Warm(Wine) insisting to me that the Bruery makes Brewdog beers reference here.

 

There's nothing boring about having what you like.

 

In CO think 95% of the buyers just want every IPA and kettle sour in everyone's portfolio. Either that or the distributor is conning them into it. It doesn't matter if the brewery known for something else, if they're tiny, or even if their bottles/cans are going to be surrounded by 500 similar SKU's. It's like they read that IPA's and fruit flavored sours are the best selling craft beers without any context. It's getting really, really old seeing stores that are loaded with old stock that nobody is buying.

 

Generally, I do a bit of research and do my own thing, only a few times have I been approached approached by someone recommending something, I did pick up their suggestions. The only time that it did not work out was in the highest rated store in Chicago, the owner suggested Todd The Axe Man (a few years back), I picked up the case, took it to the counter and turned over a four-pack, the date was a year old, I showed him and took the case back. I thought about walking out, but the other stuff was legit. I have never seen such a nervous owner before or after, I did not say anything else and he knew better to keep his mouth shut.

 

I want to be left the fuck alone when purchasing beer any where. It's like therapy for me, getting into my beer hunting zone and finding a tasty beer. I don't need salesman disturbing that. I know what I like and am after the best. If I'm curious I look up details/reviews up on my own.

I do small talk with customers occasionally that are looking at the same beers and can tell are friendly, will consider a recommendation if I get the feeling they know what they are talking about. But I want nothing to do with any salesman talk.

 

But they might give you a map to find the good beers?

 

Owner say's to himself as he looked at you: "Maybe I can finally get rid of that old case of beer?".

Cheers!

 

As others have mentioned above, the objectives/tastes of the beer store/distributor rep (in the case they're in the store) may/may not be aligned with yours.

If you're a newb(ie), you'll probably be at their mercy. If you're more... uh... refined, take any advice with a grain of salt.

Either way... be vigilant. If new to the area, do a bit of research beforehand: check if they have an Untappd, and if they do, sort from new to old and see if you can grok when they got it in if possible. If hoppy, check dates. I repeat: check dates.

 

Good one!

 

As a beer buyer, I’ve gotten used to people not trusting me Kind of a bummer when I just want to have a fun beer conversation, but I do get it and I’ve been in that position where it feels like something is just being pushed on you for the sake of numbers so I don’t really take it personally.
I do take pride in my selection though, and often say “no” to reps that are trying to push whatever flavor of the week type beers they happen to be slinging in favor of quality beers that I know my customers will enjoy and come back for, as well as ensuring that I have a variety of styles rather than just hazies and kettle sours. I also take recommendations seriously and enjoy relationships that can be built, and still talk to many regulars I’ve met over the years. Again though, I get it. Cheers to better beer shopping experiences

 

It's the X-files (and others)mantra for me...trust no one when travelling, but at least listen. Fter all, I've got BA in my pocket and my own eyes in my head. In a rushed scenario, I'd just grab stuff I haven't seen before and take my chances. If you get sketchy advice, that's what's gonna happen anyway so it wouldn't be much worse.

Does seems as though nationally/ regionally distributed vs local should be pretty easy to answer, though. Other motivations involved as discussed.

I know some very good beer people at stores I frequent, but that's at home and it takes a while to build those relationships. On the road, I rely on BA and the regional forums.

 

Funny you mention that, I was holding a bottle up towards the ceiling looking at a date on a bottle once, and another customer came by and asked if I had X-ray vision…

We both got a kick out of that!

 

That's a good 1! I know I get looks like wtf is he doing. I hate dates that are hidden or hard to see, makes us look crazier.

 

Did you whip out those glasses that you bought through a comic book ad?

 

I appreciate your post.

As a beer buyer how do you decide what beer styles/brands to stock?

To borrow from an above post: "In CO think 95% of the buyers just want every IPA and kettle sour in everyone's portfolio." @Domingo

Or do you provide a wide variety of beer styles to appeal to a broader clientele?

Cheers!