Possibly dumb question re: bar beer distribution

Yes they are limite to what distributors carry except in some cases that they may get a special keg or something for a event

 

I'm not an expert on this (but I'm sure others who are will chime in) but I've seen many bars snag kegs from breweries that are otherwise not distributed in their area. My understanding is that it's a combination of the "prove it" short lived nature of a rapidly consumed keg and State law treating retail containers and "promotional" kegs in a different fashion.

 

So then theyre not limited to what their distibutors carry.

 

But they are, since the distributor must buy and receive the beer and then sell it to the bar, if the state grants the exception and allows the distributor to carry the beer on a one time only basis.

 

In order for a brewer to distribute anything within almost all states, there must be approval on the state level. Three tiered distribution also prevents direct delivery of products from brewery to bar, everything must go through a distributor. So yes, bars are limited to what their distributors carry.

If you want looser distribution restrictions, open a bar in Washington DC.

 

There is an exception to this in states where in-state breweries are allowed to self-distribute. There the bar and brewery can deal directly with each other.

 

Yes and no

 

Quite true