How can we help the beer industry?

The only dumb idea I had in order to get exposure to all the donation options is stupid shit like the ice bucket challenge, where people post a picture of a beer they’re drinkin with a screenshot of a donation to a gofundme me or something? Virtual taprooms with donations instead of tips... Make am untappd badge you go with it or something. Something...who knows, stay safe, we’ll get through (where’s the govt plan for restaurants & bars!?!?)

 

We are doing well for now but your overall beer advocacy is great for all of us. I'm not sure what can be done for some of our friends. It's sad to see that a few places have already announced closing with no plans to reopen, or closing with what I suspect means they won't attempt it even if they haven't said so.

 

Our community has always been focused on helping out the local business. Sometimes to a fault. Recent events were a real rallying call.

Some strategies to ease the pain a bit for the drinks industry that are being implemented, in no order.

• Don't be afraid to promote tipping. Tipping culture is absurd in America sure, but now is no time to debate.
• Order online, pick-up curbside. Crowlers, 6 and 4 packs, cases*. Filling growlers is not appreciated and should be refused, so get the word out if needed.
• Home delivery. Some of my friends are pairing with deli's etc and agreeing to deliver beers and even liquor along with another businesses food. Or just the alcohol beverage.
• Gift cards. Pay now, use later. Business needs the income now.

We have also had some virtual happy hours, but once there are more than a few people in a video chat it is too cumbersome. Do your tastings, pairings, whiskey flights, anything, and have it sponsored by your local, as in everyone buys their beer/wine/booze from one brewery/tavern/store etc. And tip them too.

The rules governing sale of alcohol are notoriously byzantine so all of us need to be up on our State and local laws. NY has eased some of the restrictions. Just remember if 1,000 licensee's are doing it in your area you can ask for forgiveness later. And if your State is locked in (like NY), they are not out checking anyway.

*A local place were we recently installed a big draft system is selling pints to go, and I think these are not sealed but rather just a plastic cup and lid. Maybe a risk worth taking.

Drink local. Drink at home.
Cheers.

 

In my store we are buying pre filled crowlers from the local guys a little bit at a time (as they dont have great shelf life and they have already explained that they are unable to buy back any if unsold) as a way to help keep them afloat and provide another locale for customers to buy the product from so as not to crowd the breweries. The ABC has lifted a lot of restrictions on off-sale beer and that has allowed breweries to purge product that would have almost certainly gone off.

 

Another note: We need to teach people to order directly from the restaurant, pub or small brewery whenever possible.

Using DoorDash, Postmate’s, etc as those organizations cut into the profitability of our cherished local businesses.

 

We could all offer discounts on local craft beers to help the little guys stay afloat... At my store, starting later this week (on a 2 week ad), we are offering 10% off all (small) Massachusetts craft beer purchases. People are already stocking up on alcohol, we should convince them to support local while doing so...

 

Or from their local liquor store...

 

Yes! I think this is especially good for people that don't deliver themselves.

 

So various states are different, but this is an opportunity for us to ask our legislators to help us remove red tape. For example, in Missouri, a brewery cannot provide you with even one "free keg". This is huge in terms of restricting profitability. What costs them very little (compared to my price through the distributor etc.) represents hundreds of dollars in profit for us. If this could be removed it would be HUGE in terms of helping us run when we're able to reopen.

 

We (business owners) all are trying to cut costs as much as possible now that zero revenue is coming in. I pay a lot to Untappd each year. I would welcome a word from them. I can understand I don't get any money back during the crisis, but something like "at the end of your term you get three months extra for free!" - would be a great gesture. You know, something that genuinely helps in the overall costs of the business.

 

Thank you for that information Todd! I just reached out.

Logistically, this would not work...just spitballing though. If a brewery received an order for their beers to be shipped out, but they realize the area it's being shipped to already has a shop carrying their beers, maybe they could refer the customer to that shop. I understand the logistics of keeping tabs on who has what, etc, would be a nightmare.