Stores selling beer that isn't distributed to them...

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by HomeBrewed, Nov 8, 2013.

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  1. joeebbs

    joeebbs Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2009 Pennsylvania

    oh, it was distributed to them alright.
     
  2. danscott

    danscott Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2006 California

    Recently, CA ABC has been going all out to identify and enforce absolutely everything against code and nail the perps.

    Example: A major non-profit in Napa Valley has been raising money for decades with an event to sell "homewine" which, like homebrew, is illegal. This year, ABC showed up and shut them down. As a result, we passed a bill legalizing the use of homewine and homebrew at non-profit events starting in 2014, woo hoo!!!

    But, the lesson is.... if a business has been breaking ABC law and getting away with it, even for decades, they had better think twice about advertising what they are doing.
     
  3. danscott

    danscott Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2006 California

    The brewers are more upset by this than consumers.
     
  4. ne0m00re

    ne0m00re Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2008 Ohio

    I can't speak for Illinois legislation, but in Ohio a brewery is licensed to sell their beer directly to a retailer in addition to distributors, so it's perfectly legal for an establishment with a liquor permit to purchase beer directly from those breweries (especially when they are in the same state).
     
  5. ediaz

    ediaz Initiate (0) Nov 23, 2011 Florida

    I can't imagine I'd be too upset with them. Majority of this site trades which is generally understood to be a no-no, so pot calling the kettel black. As long as I get my beer, I'm not terribly upset about how it gets here.
     
  6. juliusseizure

    juliusseizure Initiate (0) Feb 11, 2009 New York

    What you are suggesting is blackmail as well. Either you have a problem with this behavior and you report it. Or you let store carry on. Insinuating someone is doing something illegal in an effort to score free beer, is blackmail.
     
  7. Phunhog

    Phunhog Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2008 California

    You bring up an interesting point.....ABC is starting to try and enforce all these antiquated laws. I for one hope somebody DOES get popped for this. It will call attention to the bad laws and hopefully the law will change. Somebody needs to take one for the team!!
     
    danscott likes this.
  8. Stinkypuss

    Stinkypuss Initiate (0) Apr 7, 2008 Pennsylvania

    I enjoy trying new beers I would otherwise not be able to obtain, so of course I am in favor.
     
  9. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas

    Actually, the word you're looking for is probably extortion, not blackmail, and without a direct threat, its probably neither. Just saying "Hey, I see you're selling some beers we dont get disto'd here" is an observation of a fact, not a threat. Just to be clear.
     
  10. firkinhophead

    firkinhophead Zealot (731) Oct 4, 2007 Georgia

    So almost everyone on here thinks this is ok because it benefits you? I agree that many of the restrictions on alcohol sales are stupid, but you are forgetting that this practice is unfair to the many other retail outlets that abide by the regulations. As long as people want something they can't get, there will be a black market for it, but I don't necessarily see those who flaunt the system as some kind of folk heroes.
     
  11. olekern

    olekern Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2010 California

    Please define precisely what you mean by "three-tier system" and if this means a supplier/brewer selling directly to a retail store, then this is absolutely not true. I work for a distributor. Smaller suppliers/brewers sell directly to retailers all the time - especially when they are very small. When they get bigger, they just don't have the resources to distribute, then they contact a distributor.
     
  12. joeebbs

    joeebbs Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2009 Pennsylvania

    That brewer may have also set themselves up as a distributor. Here in PA Philadelphia Brewing Company self-distributes all their beers. (or at least all in the SEPA Market)
     
  13. olekern

    olekern Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2010 California

    And I'm pretty sure they CAN do this if they want in California too! It would depend on whatever is negotiated in the distribution agreement (i.e. exclusivity or certain exceptions). The vast majority of the time, the distributor has full exclusivity.
     
  14. frazbri

    frazbri Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2003 Ohio

    90% of this is related to taxation. States get mighty pissy when they don't get paid.
     
    keithmurray and dizztracted like this.
  15. Phunhog

    Phunhog Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2008 California

    If stores are selling beer that isn't distributed they should just go all in and sell homebrew too!! It would make a lot of us very happy!!
     
  16. odiedog52

    odiedog52 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2009 California

    Are you in Napa?
     
  17. everettsbeerguy

    everettsbeerguy Initiate (0) Aug 7, 2005 Illinois

    It's funny... but here is a poll... How many of you are actually Retailers.. It's illegal and wrong.. It hurts the Breweries, the distributors and retailers.. Which in the end hurts you the consumer...
    How? There is no control.. Who maintains it? Who ensures freshness? Just freshness alone.. But what do I know, I'm just a retailer..
     
    Vav, semibaked, maltmaster420 and 2 others like this.
  18. HerdNo1

    HerdNo1 Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2008 West Virginia

    I just want to know where the hell a store like that is near where I live. And I'm calling bullshit on the "it hurts the consumer" argument. The only person it hurts is the distributor and I have absolutely no love lost for them. Who ensures freshness? I do because I look at the damn bottle. And, at least with high gravity beers, I don't care if they've been on the shelf for a year. Or two.
     
    SoCalBeerIdiot likes this.
  19. rowingbrewer

    rowingbrewer Maven (1,420) May 28, 2010 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Actually i think the saying goes snitches end up in ditches
     
  20. flabeer

    flabeer Crusader (424) May 22, 2007 Florida

    Legalities aside, the retailers are paying retail prices for the grey market stuff. They are then adding on their markup, which in these cases, can be substantial. It's a loser all around except for the store scavenging.
     
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