Suggestions on improving craft beer selection?

How is your local craft brew scene? Some BAs really get into sampling all of the local brews there are, especially if it comes from a brewery that they have visited and enjoyed. Personally, I hate my local brew selection, they suck, but most others are there opposite.

Bombers are nice, but I personally prefer "make a 6 pack". That way I can grab 2-4 of my favorites and 2 new brews at the same time. If you find that a particular beer is selling really well, say something like Bell's Two Hearted Ale, have the whole 6 pack available for sale.

 

I'd ask the people at the register who are regularly buying stuff you already sell. Maybe a theme will come up.

Not sure about your laws there, but here places are doing well with draft beer to go in growlers - gas stations and car washes, for example.

 

I'd like to see more stores around me go to the mix 6 option.

Of course bring in the good stuff (ie Bells), but have a look around and try to get some local options in there if possible. Get people excited about what is produced near them. Helps them feel a connection, and builds passion (IMO)

 

Well put and good post.

 

I find the bomber to be sort of a dying format. If it is more than 5.99 and not a special release, barrel aged, or wild/sour, its not a huge mover. I try not to buy too many 22oz IPA's, for fear of freshness issues.

Our store does very well with a focus on 6pks of craft beer with a heavy emphasis on variety, rather than always offering the same selection. I also heavily encourage you to get as many cans as you can. I love the can 12pks as it allows me to always have the most possible selections on the shelf.

 

One thing I'd say is focus on freshness. A major problem I have down here is that I consistently see brews far past their "best by" date still sitting on the shelves. As others have said, talk to the customers, especially the frequent ones, and see what they like. I agree that mix a six is a great option, and also prefer not to buy too many bombers.

 

since i don't live near you and have no idea what you can actually get i will just say that single bottles sell as well as cans rule. if i have $5 i know i can go to my local shop and get two "regular" beers for the evening which is nice since i dont always want 6 beers. freshness is mf'ing key, personally i wouldnt try to keep IPA's too stocked, play it tight and keep the brands random......variety is the spice of life

 

The mix a 6-pack and growler fills (if allowed) are the way to go.

 

Whats the name of your place in ATL?

 

As far as 4/6/12 packs, bombers, etc., I really value variety quite a lot. I understand there's business and logistics, but where possible it's good to mix it up especially because you'll have different customers who prefer one format over others. Mixed six packs are great for people always looking to try new things, though I've been to stores where it wasn't allowed by law. I'll second growler fills, too (if permitted), especially if different sizes are available.

 

As others mentioned, the mix-6 is a great option for folks -- especially when it pushes local breweries (maybe a $1 discount for a sixer made entirely of ATL brews?)

I know in Los Angeles, there aren't a ton of mix-6 options that I'm aware of. Total Wine does them, but it's not as if you're getting any sort of a deal by buying six different 12 oz. bottles/cans. Usually ends up costing you way more than any six-pack would. So getting prices closer to market would probably be a big part of your strategy there (IMO).

 

I used to work at a liquor store part-time for extra money. I would say that bombers definitely do not sell as well as 4/6 packs. Additionally, I'd like to add that customers (at least in maryland) were more likely to buy the beer if it was cold (therefore, we had a rotating shelf of craft beers that we were trying to move). They are also interested in buying local beers, so we had a whole section in the cold box dedicated to Maryland brews. Another way to increase your craft brew market would be to have regular tastings of a variety of beers. And of course, a mix a 6 option works really well if you stock good beers. It may be a little trial and error before you figure out what your customer base really likes. Social media is a great way to let your customers know what you have gotten in recently.

 

I must confess that when I'm in a position to look at a mix six I almost never buy one because I don't think I can get to know a new beer with just one date. (So I do some homework before buying... :-) )

I only buy a bomber (22 oz) or a 750 ml size bottle if that's the only way the beer comes and in many places I'll skip over the bomber format entirely and get some other beer.

Pay close attention to the inventory and if it doesn't sell within its shelf life don't bring it in again no matter what the beer geeks say they want. (If they really want a particular beer you can always offer to order a case for them. :-) )

What I consistently pick up would be mostly things I can buy fresh (which is one reason there's a fair amount hometown bias here):

a) Victory
b) Troegs
c) Allagash
d) Sly Fox
e) Stoudts
f) Yuengling Lager (for friends and neighbors at a party)
g) Straubs (for friends and neighbors at a party but pretty much impossible to find outside of PA)

Semi-regularly

a) Anchor
b) Flying Fish
c) Russain River (not available outside of CA, Denver, SE PA)

 

I don't think twice about bomber format, as it's all that some beers come in.

Fresh IPA's is key. I look at dates, on everything hoppy and seasonal. So if you stock a ton of IPA's you better move a ton of IPA's.

I like a store to have ALL my locals, and to be able to carry ALL of my locals seasonals and specials. If you cover sweetwater, redbrick, monday night, terrapin and whatnot, and carry their entire portfolio through the year, I'd certainly buy from you, or atleast come in.

If you can get popular local stuff, that keeps atleast a core customer in your doors. Some of the great new breweries are draft only at the moment, so it's a bit tough to get them all.

If you carried, Victory, Founders, Bells, 21A, Westbrook, Bruery, Stone, Ballast Point, Sixpoint, New Belgium, Green Flash, Boulevard, you would have a pretty solid start for easier to find, and a wide selection without being overdone. Expand to what you customers ask for, even if it's just a case here or there to try out.

Skip the mix 6.. I rarely, if ever do it, and I never see too many people doing so when I'm at places that do so.

With that said.. I'm outside of ATL, but still a "local" look at things.

 

I find myself buying a lot of founder's and great lake's, I'm not sure if either distribute that far south.