Single cans/mixed 4-packs at NY breweries?

Discussion in 'New England' started by brandnewcardock, Sep 25, 2018.

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  1. brandnewcardock

    brandnewcardock Zealot (504) Aug 23, 2017 New York
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    Is there a law against this? I've been to a fair amount of breweries all over the state, both busy ones and quiet ones, and none of them will sell single cans or do mixed 4-packs. It's completely different from New England, where every brewery I've been to will sell single cans.

    I get why places don't want to do it, especially when it's super busy in the taproom. Last thing you need is staff pulling apart 4-packs and rearranging them when people are waiting for pours. But I don't really understand why you wouldn't if the place wasn't busy. Wouldn't you rather sell 2 cans to somebody than none?

    As someone who doesn't go through 4-packs super quickly I find myself passing on buying new beer if my fridge is full, worried that if I was buying every 4-pack I wanted I wouldn't be able to get to it before it went bad. Not to mention, it's hard for me to commit to a 4-pack if I'm unsure you're going to like it.

    Thoughts? Curious if anyone had any insight as to why this isn't a thing in NY, but very prevalent other places.
     
    #1 brandnewcardock, Sep 25, 2018
  2. tinoynk

    tinoynk Pundit (800) Sep 25, 2010 New York
    Trader

    Threes has single cans, which in pretty sure includes singles of their own stuff, in their to-go fridge. That said I can't think of another brewery who doesn't sell cans by the 4-pack.
     
    #2 tinoynk, Sep 25, 2018
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  3. njcraftfan

    njcraftfan Zealot (708) Dec 18, 2016 New Jersey

    I'm the same way, and would rather buy singles, and as a result end up overpaying at placed like B&H for that reason. I can see why breweries wouldn't want to - as I think for the same reason (i.e. me or you not wanting a full 4-pk), they would ultimately sell less of their inventory than they would by requiring people to buy a full 4-pk.
     
    #3 njcraftfan, Sep 25, 2018
  4. ONovoMexicano

    ONovoMexicano Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2012 New Mexico

    Industrial Arts will let you mix a 4-pack and to do so, they break up a 4-pack of whatever beer you’ve asked for. Love that option.
     
    #4 ONovoMexicano, Sep 25, 2018
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  5. prettygood

    prettygood Initiate (0) May 27, 2016 New York

    I think these two thoughts kind of hit it on the head. As to wanting to try it before buying I've almost never been disappointed in a beer I've bought without trying(I mean there aren't many breweries turning out bad beer here). Even still most breweries have the canned beer on tap, or something comparable if it was your first time there.

    I used to think I'd want this, but I'm never going to a brewery for less than a 4-pack anyway. It would maybe be helpful if OH is going to continue to have 5 or 6 beers available at a time and even then I enjoy seeing how a beer develops over a couple weeks.

    Also, KCBC sells singles and depending on the beer it can be for a $1 markup compared to the 4-pack price.
     
    #5 prettygood, Sep 25, 2018
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  6. brandnewcardock

    brandnewcardock Zealot (504) Aug 23, 2017 New York
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    On the flip side, they might clear more of their inventory allowing people to buy less than a 4-pack. If two people buy two cans each but wouldn't have bought a 4-pack, that's a sale taking place that would have never happened.

    Just a thought. I'm not sure if this would actually happen in reality.
     
    #6 brandnewcardock, Sep 25, 2018
  7. rozzom

    rozzom Pooh-Bah (2,620) Jan 22, 2011 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah this is pretty much my exact stance as well.

    I usually only buy one or two 4-packs when I go somewhere (generally OH). Although I get why someone may want singles, I like having to think carefully about what I buy, as well as seeing how it develops as you say. Plus I feel like if I could walk away with a mixed 4 of a 4 beer release, I'd end up wishing I'd got a 4 pack of the one I liked the most
     
    #7 rozzom, Sep 25, 2018
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