Total Wine has arrived...

As it goes on, keep an eye on bottle dates. The one around here carries a good number of bottles that are not of an optimal date

 

(Not that I haven't also often warned folks about that problem in numerous retailer suggestions on the forums but, really----)

Where is that not the case?

I don't doubt that Total Wine's notoriety for it is desired (not that I've ever been in one) but I think I've never been in any beer retail shop where I couldn't find some out of code beer. Heck, it's not even a matter of "...as it goes on...", I've seen out of code beer with "best before" dates that long predate the day a new store opened.

Maybe, somewhere, there's a mom 'n' pop shop where that isn't the case; I've just never seen it.

 

Has anyone been yet? Is it a worthwhile visit? Anything "rare" that I wouldn't necessarily find at any other beer distro?

 

Quit teasing us PA residents.

 

I totally agree with you. This is more of a problem at some stores than others, but every store (that I've been to) that gets excellent praise here also suffers from this... which is funny given how judgemental people can be about where you shop. I'm very familiar with beer stores in the surrounding area of this new Total Wine, and you'd think that 70% of "craft beer" on the shelves throughout the county is from 2015.

 

Agreed. And if it wasn't for BA, I'd probably still be drinking these 2015 beers because I wouldn't know to check for dates lol.

At least in PA, I notice stores that offer a big variety of different craft beers especially suffer from this. My guess is either they have too much to check or they don't want to pull it due to loss of money knowing someone will come in 2 years later and buy it. I'm

 

The conventional industry standard in most states is that it is the wholesale distributor's responsibility to both monitor the freshness of their brewery partners' brands which they distribute and pull the old beer and replace it with fresh beer or refund the retailer for it. Few distributors fulfill that contractual requirement and most small brewers and their regional reps likewise don't have the desire or the clout to force it.

 

For what it's worth...I love the Total Wine by me for wine (buy 6 bottles and you get a discount. It adds up quick.); the beer selection is good but unfortunately the craft cooler section is very small so not only do beers tend to be on the older side, but they're also mostly stored warm (at least at the one by me).

 

The Total Wine on Naamans Rd in Delaware is like 1 mile over the border.

The beer selection isn't any better than most places in Southeastern PA. Just lower prices due to tax issues.

 

Sorry, central PA residents then.

 

Can proudly say that there was nothing out of code when I worked in retail. I was even more aggressive than some breweries pushing 6 months within bottle on date on hoppy beers, trying to keep it within 3 months.
It's honestly not that hard if you are vigilant about how much you order, checking cases at the point of delivery (and not ordering certain brands when they keep coming in old), first in/first out shelving, and constantly checking beers on the shelf and knowing when they will get out code.
Distributors were decent about it swapping for fresh beer, even when it was a mix and match of bottles as long as we got up to full cases.

 

Stopped into TW in Westbury tonight on the way to my sisters..beer selection was solid, but nothing crazy..nice amount of NY breweries represented and i picked up Barrier's Reverse Reverse for $12.99 4/pk..beer was dated 10/30..beer rated fine and i can' complain for the price..the wine and liqueur section was great thou..vast selection and amazing prices

 

If anyone goes to TW Westbury or has been recently, can they please post what local breweries are sold there, or other notable beers availble?
I got a buddy who lives near by, and couldnt find any of the recommendations I made....
Thanks

 

Beer selection kinda sucks.

 

Bourbon selection also kinda sucks.

 

I'm not surprised. The few TWs I've been to were far surpassed by "local" shops. The one I went to in Long Beach, CA was the best one but I had no local comparison because I was pressed for time while I was there.

 

Prices be insane there. $8-10 on whiskeys cheaper. Craft beer six packs at $8-10 vs. the expected $12 and more.

 

Total Wine does not price gouge, the problem is they missed all the amazing stuff BTAC and Van Winkle stuff because they didn't have their license in time to order, and will not get from other stores. womp... glad it's on long island though.