How Important is an Updated Beer Menu Online?

Very important. I sent my dad to a beer shop in St. Louis that, per their online ordering, had Cantillon and a couple of Abyss variants (!) in stock. You could add it to your cart, you could check out, but what I didn't realize was that if you bought it online and it was out of stock, they'd call you and say "Sorry, this is out of stock." After letting you buy it. That was their system of keeping up with the stock for online orders.

I didn't do the online order, just sent my dad to ask about a few of the beers they had "available," and they laughed at him. Seriously, treated him like he was a dumbass, because I had the nerve to think that if their ecommerce platform allowed you to buy something, it would be in stock.

I checked the same beers I had asked about this week (probably a month since I had him go)... still says they're in stock. Still lets you buy them.

 

I usually choose a pub/restaurant based on their beer list. I love when they keep it updated.

 

Too many restaurants place as much thought on their selection of beer as they do garbage bags. At what poses as a fine restaurant they let the wine person select the beer and they generally do not do a good job. I also check a restaurant's beer list to see if the beer they have goes with the food I want to order - not an unreasonable request. So yes, I check the beer list and if it is good I go and if it shows little thought and less effort, I go elsewhere. Ditto for bars. Sometimes I am looking for a specific beer. If you have it but it is not on your list, fine, I am probably down the street drinking that beer at your competitor. dig it.

 

Used to care more before I realized that Untappd is a essentially real-time tap list for any bar or restaurant I might be going to. Just search for the venue and see what people are drinking there.