Do You Have A "Beer Guy"

Of course, how else would i be able to get cases of Dogfish 120min all to my self? I give my guy football tickets of his choice.

 

I need a beer guy.

 

Sounds cool, but it sounds more like you've got the "Beer Fairy".

 

I used to work at a beer store and the guy that I would split six packs with to try all the new beers still puts some aside for me when he thinks I will like them. So yeah I guess I have a beer guy.

 

Nice. I do have a local shop owner who occasionally hooks me up with good beers- problem is, the shop is so small that they don't know how much of what releases they are going to get. For BCBS, they have no idea how many they are going to get, or what to do with any single bottles they get. They don't seem to have enough pull to actually order anything special, but I usually get a chance to buy the good stuff that comes in.

 

Yes (for real). But, I can't tell your more or I'd have to...oh, well you know.

 

I have several people I am friendly with at several stores. I can sometimes get "the hook up", but if I don't, then that's cool, too. Don't sweat it and be nice and the beer guy (or gal, as I have found) will find YOU.

 

I don't have "a" beer guy, but have become friendly with the beer shop owners & staff (because why not??!). I can honestly say I haven't run in to any jerks or snobs yet!!

 

i know 2-3 brewery reps in my area and one distibuter guy who stocks the shelves with new beer. they have some nice insight occasionally.

 

Befriended the beer guy at Yankee Spirits (HUGE craft beer selection) in MA and now he emails me/puts a bottle aside whenever they get a limited release in. Really good guy to talk, too.

 

Your beer guys sounds much cooler than the guy I consider to be my "beer guy". He works at a small liquor store that supplies a good amount of craft beer. We have good conversations about beer and sports, you know, the important things in life. He's put in a couple special orders for me before but his prices are usually significantly higher than other stores in my area.

As far as a gift goes, I would not get him anything beer related... he sells the stuff! If you have a brewery in your area you could always consider getting him a tour or tickets to a tasting (seeing the prices are reasonable)

 

Yeah- that's how it usually happens for me too. The relationship develops pretty organically, just friendly chit chat, but occasionally they will pleasantly surprise you. It can also be a two way street- some of the guys I talk with will find out about something from me that their salesman didn't tell them about. Plus, getting some latest special release is cool and all, but I consider it even better if the store will start carrying beers that I request.

 

I wish. All the stores near me with good beer are well known and busy places. It'd be hard to establish a relationship unless I visited every single day.

 

Try a place with a just ok beer selection. They usually appreciate the business and might surprise you with the beers have have sitting in their closet/office.

 

Good idea!

 

I frequent the same store in town and have gotten to know the beer buyer there. Him and I have very similar tastes in beer, so anytime I trade for something in multiples ( 6er of Jai Alai for example) I'll share that with him since it isn't available here. I'm at the store at least twice a week, and while I don't spend a great deal of money there, he appreciates the loyalty. Sure I get access to beer that doesn't make it to the shelf, but what I like more is he has recommended some great beer that I may not have tried otherwise.

 

Nah.

 

I think I am the beer guy. I'm always trying to keep people in the know and share any great beer I get.

 

I've got one, perhaps two.
Helps to also be a beer trader so that you can drop things that even as a "beer guy" he can't get.
Hooked my guy up with a Hopslam last year and he offered to let me know before he put special releases out so he could set aside as many as I want. Also the same result at a different spot when I presented him with a bcbs.