Has 99 Bottles become outdated?

Well, I agree with you, there's also the other side of the coin. I'll use my local shop, Elizabeth Station, as an example. They currently have 5 rotating taps that they do growler fills and sell pours from. You can also pick any bottle out of the cooler and drink it there, for no additional corkage fee. Some tables, some food available. It's not at all unusual to see Mom or Dad, or both, stop in with the kids after a bike ride or a trip to the park. The kids maybe get a bowl of cereal, or a pop and some chips, Mom and Dad get a lovely beverage and perhaps chat with the neighbors, maybe grab some bottles to go. They have the cheapest draft prices in town. And here's what makes it work: a 3 drink maximum. You can't just go in and get all shitty. Plus, it's a great place to go with a friend or two and split a big and/or expensive bottle. Both models work well, you've just gotta find the one that works for a given spot. They are on my "must hit" list for folks visiting the 'Ham.

 

I love being able to sip on something while browsing the coolers, and I'm bound to spend more time looking and that probably causes me to pick up more stuff. Of the two bottle shops in town, one is set up for this and one isn't. I go to both, but guess which one gets more of my money?

 

Count me among those who think 99 Bottles is perfectly fine as-is. I can think of a lot of places where I'd rather drink a beer than inside a bottle shop; the ones that do have onsite consumption are usually pretty cramped, with limited seating/tables. Growler fills are great but I almost never do that either. So no, I don't think 99 Bottles is "outdated" because they've maximized use of their limited space to sell packaged beer. I'd visit that store a lot more often (as I also would Beer Junction) if I ever had any reason to go anywhere near their location.

 

I'm sure there's plenty of extra licensing they'd need to get first, and maybe they really don't feel like dealing with people every now and then who can't regulate their own behavior in public after a few drinks.

 

My favorite South End shop by far...wish the growler fill list was better at times, but they really seem to support small local brewers with their taps. Don't really pay much attention to the flights, but I am sure they aren't targeting the beer gurus as much as exposing the average consumer to a variety of beers to expand their palate etc.

Nice selection, Tiffany and crew are cool, pricing is in line to other private shops around the Sound.

 

Elizabeth Station!??? Sounds like it's worth checking out. Don't remember you mentioning this place before.

 

When I lived in Florida I remember getting free draft beer while shopping at the local Krogers. Don't know if the still do that. Was a long time ago.

 

They've been open since March/April '12. 3 buck drafts, best selection in town (but honestly, probably nothing y'all can't get down there), and a pretty chill atmosphere. It's just up the hill from Chuckanut. Time for a visit buddy!

 

As long as they'll give you a lil' sample of a beer that you're going to get a growler filled with, then I don't think it's a big issue.

 

Amazing selection with competitive pricing and a super knowledgable staff will never be outdated.

 

You sound like a company man.

What's with the location?

 

Sometimes a spade is just a spade

 

KEEP THIS UNDER YOUR HAT MAN! JESUS... YOU WANT EVERY BEERLOVINGFREAK TRYING TO MOVE HERE?

 

<-----Too late.

 

Totally agree with this. Plus, when I have a pint or two while shopping at SDM, I always spend too damn much!

 

Great beer, knowledgeable staff, sweet prices and growlers to go? Sounds up to date to me. However, 99 would be more awesome and would draw a crowd with an on- premise tap selection.

 

Nope. Still the best bottle shop in WA IMO. If traffic and gas were not an issue I would still visit all the way from Olympia. Besides, having been in there 1,000+ times I can say I would not want to drink there considering the crowds that attack the place on the weekends.