Is Beer Returnable?

It depends on state laws, but in Ohio at least I believe that off-date beer can be swapped out for a like item, if not exchanged for credit.

 

My local bottle shop has let me return beer several times for being out of date or skunked. He knows that I wouldn't bring it back if it wasn't bad and he doesn't want to lose all the business he gets from me. Luckily this is a rare occurance.

 

along these lines, what is your time limit on buying canned and bottled beer? i don't generally buy IPA's after 60 days (90maybe). i know some styles age for years. but what is your limit for styles that are best "fresh"?

 

I returned a beer to Total Wine because I accidentally got the wrong item, but as Vason said, it probably depends on state laws.

 

Every State has it's own laws. In GA it's illegal, even if the beer is bad (in date). Some places will allow an exchange but for the most part there's not much they can do within the law.

 

I believe it's legal in NH...

 

Apparently it is in quite a few states...but that was just me quickly looking on the interweb...

 

Can't hurt to try.

 

The retailers can return beer for credit or swap for fresh here in Mass, the wholesalers don't like to do it, but it is part of there job.

 

I once drank 13 Sam Adam's Summer Ales in about 2 hours.. Some of that returned..

 

I'll actually answer the question you're asking here:

Yes. Infact... all beer "past its prime" (date on the bottle) is sent back to the distributor. Breweries do not want a bad product of theirs sitting on the shelf.... Imagine you buy a pack of Torpedo thats 12 months old... hate it because its probably disgusting and never buy SN products again? Big picture, you gain a loyal customer by having fresh stuff on the shelf.

The store receives credit for the product from the distributor.

Believe it or not... A-B InBev and Miller/Coors are the BEST distributors at picking up "unfresh" beer. As far as I know, all their sales reps are salaried without commission for the main reason of making sure they provide the freshest product possible... Many smaller distributors that handle craft beer work on commission and often times try to blow in too much product for a store for a bigger paycheck... which leads to more dating issues.

Hope this helps.

 

Really? I had no idea. I live in Georgia, and as I mentioned earlier, the guy at my bottle shop has let me return beer on quite a few occasions. I'm talking already opened beer too. I don't know if he knows it's illegal, or if he makes an exception because I'm such a faithful customer, BUT I'm not going to be the one to let him know either way.

 

This is correct if in date. I have a 2 yr old 12 Pak of Cisco that I bought from Total 2 weeks ago and they will swap it out only. That's all I ask. If the package hasn't been broken my local shop has taken back a mistake buy (wife) couple of times.

 

I got a skunked Abitas once and called the brewery. They wanted to check it out so they sent me a fed ex label and I sent a bottle back. They then sent me 12 new bottles, a shirt, and a glass.

 

I have taken off beers back to the retailer for a refund. If they feature craft beer they are usually good at making things right but I don't know what they do with it.

 

Sums it all up, perfect answer.

#1

 

I return all my beer to the city sewer system

 

I find that if you are a regular, personable with the store clerks, and they know what you know what you are talking about they will let you return/swap beer that is actually bad, exposed cap, funky appearance, etc. Maryland of course...

 

I have had quite a few bottles that I have bought(usually mix a six) that have been too old. Most breweries that I have notified have been concerned and taken care of the problem and also sent me T-shirts and such. I appreciate that and I believe that they appreciate the heads up also, because it does affect their business...