I just bought a 6pack IPA at TW. The bottle says best by 4-24 but it's already dead...stale malt bomb. Will they accept a return?
The one in Springfield VA will. I grabbed a 6 of DFH 60 min there once and popped one top and it exploded, competely skunked, they took it back no questions.
You probably have a better chance if you just stick with the word 'stale'- going into how much of a 'malt bomb' it is will only make it seem like you just don't prefer that beer.
Fwiw, they took it back with no question. Super easy. I suppose that is one advantage of a big box store.
In my experience, they have always taken bad beers back. I think only once or twice they were already opened though. In most cases though, I had taken them back when I notice it is out of date before I pop the top.
I always take back expired beer, because our distributors have to give us credit for expired or faulty product. Thats only if I dont catch them before they leave. I always show people the dating that way they can start doing it themselves. Also, I work at TW.
They will probably exchange it for you and either write off the impugned bottles themselves or seek a credit for them from the supplier. Of course the latter option is available for you to pursue with the brewery but often it is just easier to deal with the retail store. As a former bottle shop worker, I am not a fan of the return.
