Pizza Boy Intangible new batch?

Not to date myself, but it is possible I have been drinking long enough to qualify for this lol. Long enough to know that I have never seen a brewery that can't get a sample, how are you supposed to know what to fill or order. Long enough to know I want a sample.

It's bad something, maybe service or planning, and other things I have heard about service point at least to the possibility it is subpar.

Things can get better, and believe it or not speaking about them with businesses can have changes. Even reviews get noticed by the right people sometimes

I once gave a crazy poor and deserved review for service to a brewpub that is now my favorite brewpub on the planet, and the service/food is so much better. Believe it or not I was asked about that review by the new brewer when I met him at an event after he took over the operation, and they moved to a better spot, and things had improved greatly. Of course I updated it.

 

Ok, I'm gonna chime in. First of all I like Al's/Pizza Boy, might even call me a homer, turned many a MD friend on to Pizza Boy beers. Been going there almost 5 years and last week had my 115th different Pizza Boy draft. Pretty outstanding for a brewery not open even 3 years I believe. And not really a bad beer in the bunch. That being said, I live over an hour from Al's and many times would have liked to sampled some of the high ABV guest beers on tap, (usually for Pizza Boy I just go full size) but passed due to not wanting 2 or more full size pours of 10+ % beers. And it is pretty unheard of not to offer sample size pours or tastes, one or the other or both. I believe the whole sample/taste issue or lack thereof is based on how ordering is set up at Al's. I hate it. Lines can already be a nighmare and pouring multiple samples/tastes would make it worse. I often visit Max's in Bmore and while these two places are completely different entities they share a lot in common. Both have around 100 taps, both offer pub style service and comparing capacity of Al's to the main downstairs bar at Max's they're similar. Max's bar may seat 10-15 more people but is pretty close in size. Most days, unless it's a big fest Max's bar is manned by 2 bartenders, sometimes 3 in the evening. The difference is you can order anywhere at the bar at Max's instead of the 2 choke points at Al's, what a tremendous difference this makes. Max's will pour you a taste or several, 1 to 10 sample pours or a full size as well as serving wine and mixed drinks and hardly ever do you wait more than a couple of minutes for service. While at Al's I've been there numerous times where you waited 10 to 30 deep in line (and it's ridiculous at tap takeovers) to get a beer, order food or most maddening just to pay your tab! I don't understand why you can only order in 2 spots at such a large place. All of that being said Al has worked his whole life to earn what he's got and is doing it the way he wants to and is successful, more power to him. I'll keep going there enjoying great beer and food (although the menu hasn't changed since I've been going there either) samples or not. Just wish they'd rethink the whole ordering process.

 

LOL at someone telling telling an owner how he should run his business, and that he 'might' get in trouble with the PLCB over unlabeled bottles leaving the premise.

Hop behind the counter once and deal with everything from that side, my guess is you'll be singing a different tune rather quickly.

 

That's great, but the reality is a good business owner needs to jump across the counter and see things from a customer perspective. If he doesn't he most likely isn't doing as well for himself, his employees, and especially his customers as otherwise he might.

 

PA liquor law states that with a liquor license "YOU CAN NOT SELL OR GIVE AWAY ALCOHOL FOR LESS THAN YOU PAY FOR IT"
We do not have a brewpub license with which we would be able to give away all the samples our hearts desired.
we do not have the manpower or the space to fit the thousands of sample glasses. It would slow our entire process down pouring all of those flights. Its just been so busy, you know?

Sorry guys
No flights/no samples.

Thank you all for your concern, i am flattered by all the time you guys have spent worrying about me. I feel like like we are family now. This is year 13, can you believe it?

Now i have to go, someone wiped shit on the wall in the bathroom and I don't want it to stain.

thanks for your time

 

PA liquor law states that "YOU CANNOT SELL OR GIVE AWAY ALCOHOL FOR LESS THAN YOU PAY FOR IT'
we DO NOT have a brewpub license we have a liquor license where the beer is sold.

We do not have the manpower or the space to add thousands of sample glasses. We will slow down the entire process by pouring the flights. IT is just too damn busy.
I am sorry guys but No samples/no flights.

as for the credit card tips- our employees get paid REAL salaries not waitress wages like most bartenders. We discourage tipping as we would like to keep your experience with us affordable.

I am really flattered that all of you have such concern for my business and its future, i feel like we are family now. Thank you for caring. This is year 13 for us and our main focus is that we are a hole in the wall pizza shop that brews some beer. Heck yeah we do have a brewery on site but we don't even have a brewpub license.

In closing remember that if something in the industry bothers you this much, CHANGE IT! This is why I opened the restaurant in 2002. I was sick of seeing everyone else do it the wrong way. Don't hide behind some some bullshit screen name and yell bullshit in annanimity. Get out there and make some changes.

I have to run, as someone smeared shit on the bathroom wall and i have to clean it up.

Thanks for your time...

 

I make sure to spend ALOT of time from the customers perspective. Some things are just not feasible..

 

I'm presently in the middle of a two week, thirteen state road trip mixing history, sites, family, food, beaches, etc. I stopped at Pizza Boy last Wednesday night while visiting Hershey and Gettysburg and had a great time. The brewer took time to talk about his craft with me, and I had a stellar lambic. The guy serving me was so helpful that I went back to my car and brought him a Gumball head from my stop at FFF the previous day. Sometimes quality breweries can be pretentious, and that can really kill an experience. I do like to ask for a sample from time to time, but the prices are so reasonable there that my wife ordered a IIPA and we took a growler of the other to go. Nice work PeteSuphi from a first customer.

 

Can't we all just agree that Fantome sucks and move along.

 

<-----Untappd badge *****, Al's homer/fanboy, don't care about samples.

Be there about 5 today.

 

Funny. This is not the first thread about Al's to get all angsty. Or not so funny. Can't wait to check out Pizza Boy next month. See y'all there!

 

I had the opportunity to visit Al's last week. This thread got me all nervous about going there. I was worried about ordering from the wrong side. I felt like George Castanza in the the Soup Natzi Episode of Seinfeld.

First, and foremost, the beer was awesome! I purchased Suspension (sp) 2.0 and Lipslide ? .

The ordering was smooth. It was just after the lunch rush, so it was not too busy. I ate some great pizza while I deciding on what beers to try.

I came with one brown growler from home. It was not an Al's growler, but the gentleman behind the bar happily filled it for me. I did purchase one of their growlers so I could take home two different beers.

Overall, it was a great experience, I will be back next time I am in the area.

 

Glad you enjoyed the trip see not so bad, but just remember it was terrible customer service! It was conclusion 2.0 a great ipa! Also just an fyi for all the bas out there lipsilde is a dipa brewed by Al for charity to help a skatepark. He must be such an asshole because he didn't offer them samples!

 

What did you think of the Frontside Lipslide? Being for charity and donating proceeds is incredibly generous but I think it might have been my least favorite beer I've had from them.

 

I loved it!! I didn't even realize it was for charity. I'm ready for another trip back! Thanks again for helping me out last month! If you need anything in Philly that I can try and get you, let me know.

 

As someone who go to Al's about once a month, it sucks to see so much hate getting poured on the place. I have been going since they had the old place, and have only had one bad experience (when they stopped serving bottles for the short period of time). Is it inconvient/Pain in the ass that samples/flights arent allowed? Of course it is. Does it keep me from going there? Not at all. I can see how it would ruin the experience for someone traveling far or someone who will probably never get the chance to go back. It truely is a shame, because Al's is a great place.

 

I'll be there Saturday buying a bunch of growlers full of beers that just sound good. If anyone wants to meet me there or at the Orioles games Saturday or Sunday I'd be happy to share a sample from my purchase.

 

Well that is your first problem. Next time you go order a real pizza and then let us know your thoughts. I really like the pizza, subs, and wings. The Stromboli always looks good but I have never ordered it. The special pizza can be a bit greasy but I believe that is because it is loaded with toppings.

How many places use real garlic and real Parmesan on their wings?

 

The pizza base (crust, sauce, cheese) was pretty mediocre, IMHO, which makes me skeptical that loading a bunch of meat would improve things. But I'll certainly give it a shot. Maybe meat is the barrel aging of pizza.

 

I had The Wissler stromboli last time I ate there and it was really good. I have to say, I don't normally order stromboli, so I am no expert. But if that was a "bad" one, I can't wait to try a good one.