Variety packs - any value in them?

This. Because of PA case laws, I often buy variety pack (12 or 24) cases. I get my balance of beer styles for the competitive pricing of a case... win/win to me. I'm not a beer industry insider, but I feel like offering a good variety pack is one of the keys to cracking PA's case market.

Interestingly, I bought a variety case of Sixpoint beers (four different 6-packs) a few months ago at a local distributer, but based on what @Sixpoint is saying what I bought was probably repackaged by the distributer. During the same beer run I noticed one of this distributer's Sixpoint variety cases had an expired beer in it (I did not buy that one). So, it seems to me that if breweries don't make their own variety cases they run the risk of retailers/distributers creating their own, further complicating control over checking dates and pulling expired product.

 

The costco mixed 24 cases from New Belgium, Two Brother, GLBC, and GI ect are excellent fridge stuffers in the summer time and usually run 22.99-29.99.

 

"Mix n' Match" 6 packs are excellent ways to try new beers (especially if there is a discount envolved) but pre-packaged mixed 6 packs are something I rarely buy. The last Mixed 6 I bought was a St. Bernardus Pack and the only reason I bought that was due to the fact that St. Bernardus isn't available any other way here in New Brunswick

 

It is a rare thing to find a variety pack that perfectly suits my needs. I think Sierra Nevada gave a nice rounded selection with their summer pack (pale ale, kellerweis, kolsch and nooner). Victory's summer pack missed the mark for including Whirlwind Wit, which is not one of the greatest. Otter Creek's is great if it weren't for the fact that every one of those beers is available seperately - plus it's a bit hop heavy on the selection.

An ideal by season for me would be

Spring: Hellesbock, porter, pale ale, saison
Summer: Pilsner, kolsch, berliner weiss, wheat variety
Fall: Vienna, Stout, IPA, Doppelbock
Winter: Coffee stout, DIPA, Holiday Ale, English Mile/Pale

 

I do occasionally purchase a variety pack, the SN 12packs have on sale from time to time at publix for $14, a good deal. I recently passed on the New Belgium pack, I wanted the blue paddle pilsner, but the snapshot and slow ride were in there too and I walked. I liked it better with Ranger in there. Haven't seen the Victory pack in Tampa yet but will go for that.
funny but I have not really gotten into the mix-a-six, maybe i'll try that again, the selection of singles seems to be getting better , and 1 clerk told me grab a single from any sixer in the store

 

Every time I hear an American talk about buying a 24 for $20-$30 it always makes me shake in jealousy... I'm lucky if I can get a 24 for under $50 here (albeit there is a slight difference in currencies).

 

If it was indeed repackaged by the retailer/distributor then they were risking losing their license for breaking PA law that stipulates it has to be sold to you as it comes to them as packaged by the brewery. Some do do that and seem to be getting away with it, but I'd be extra careful with anything purchased at that place.

 

I think variety packs can be very good value in terms of trying multiple beers from one brewery without having to invest in a whole 6 or 12 pack. I probably would not have tried Old Fezziwig from SA without their winter pack (although that may be a bad example for some; I enjoy it). It's also a good way to expose your palate to multiple types of beer, especially as someone new to the beer world, or to one brewery's version of them. As others have said, if the packs include beers that are otherwise unavailable, that's an even better deal.

 

Funny that I tend to avoid variety packs that are all hoppy beers. That's not what I would call variety, but to each their own.

Although, a year ago Dark Horse had a fun variety IPA case (I don't know if they are still doing it) that had their Crooked Tree IPA, and 3 other IPAs made with the same recipe, but with a different single hop (citra, Cascade, and Falconer's). It was a great way to try the different hops.

 

Mix-a-Six in a beer store? Buy them occasionally, especially if the spread is good. Often a lot of the beers are out-of or close-to code. I usually stay away from hoppy beers in a mix-a-six for this reason. Honestly, I prefer buying these in places where store owners are oblivious to beer value, as you can often snag a good deal e.g. spending 9.99 on a mix-a-six and filling it with the same beer - 6 16oz cans of a beer that is usually $8.99 for a four pack. Conversely, sometimes stores will try to throw $7.99/6-pack beers in the $9.99 mix-a-six spread. Dig the places that throw in a free glass or something when you buy 2 and the one's who refrigerate their selection.

Variety/Pub pack from a brewery? Love them! Great way to get a good variety for a party, bbq, beach, etc. Usually a bargain. Check one date on the 12 pack and you know the whole thing is fresh. It's always a bummer when there are 3 great beers and 1 dud or when breweries insist on throwing their 'keeps the lights on' beer in with a bunch of seasonals (looking at you, SNPA and SABL!). I get why they do it, I do! But still... Stone, Victory, and Two Brothers have some of the best pub packs in my opinion. A nice spread of styles and ABVs, and beers that are exclusive to the pub pack are turn-ons for sure.

What should go in a Sixpoint variety pack?
Dream: Seasonal, Resin, Rotating, 1 of the regular lineup.
Reality: Crisp, Bengali, Sweet Action, Seasonal.

 

When 6-point first came to Chicago I struggled to pull the trigger on beers I wasn't sure I would like - there is so much on the shelf, and there are always new things. A mixed 6 pack with 1 each of a breweries main beers? I would be all over that like flies on.... well, I would be all over that.

hardly anyone ever sells that though - it is almost always a 12 pack with 3 each of 4 beers, and I want the 'welcome to Sixpoint' pack which lets me try all the standard brews with perhaps a seasonal and really get to know a brewery all in one convenient pack.

Not enough stores break up the new beers on the pick and mix rack, and in Chicago at least, singles of every day beers are very uncommon. Would love a 'meet the brewery' sampler pack. I would probably by little else if everyone made one

 

I'm a fan. They allow me to get a bunch of different beers without committing to 6-12 each. I like the ones that have 2 each of 6 different beers.

 

It depends of the brewery of course but I enjoy the 12 bottle variety packs. Six Point should do a 2 bottles each of 6 beers at least 1 of which is new. (2 would be better)

 

I find that more often than not out of the 12 pack I may drink 3 possibly 6. Usually 1 beer I like or been wanting to try and the other is a toss up and the other 2 couldn't care about. Just buy 2 six packs of what you like and roll with that.

 

Its not always the best selection but like I said its nice to get a fridge stuffing 24 pack for 25 bucks and then supplement with one off bombers and seasonal 6ers. After seeing the price some people pay im never moving lol.

 

I used to buy variety packs on occasion prior to finding a good bottle shop that allows you to pull any beer out of a six-pack as a single. I just don't see the need for them now as I can buy what I want to try.

I just pulled out a couple of receipts from my recent visits to the bottle shop.......

Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale $2.09
Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat (can) $1.69
Sixpoint Bengali $1.99
Sierra Nevada Kellerweis $1.79
Oskar Blues Deviant Dales $3.99
Lagunitas Sucks $2.09
Brooklyn Summer Ale (16 oz can) $2.09
Victory Golden Monkey $2.49
Sixpoint Jammer $1.99
Bell's Two-Hearted Ale (16 oz can) $2.49


While I'm obviously paying a slight premium for each beer, it's worth it to me. I'm not required to buy in any specific quantity and I get any variety that I want. I always check the dates on the cans/bottles.

 

Also these are all one brewery mixed pack so for example it would be New Beligium, 6 fat tire, 6 ranger and 2 seasonals for the other 12. If I bought a case of mixed 6 packs from other breweries it would be about 40$

 

Yes, it was- that's why I bought it! Plus, Flower Power never disappoints.

To add more to the market research, I do agree I'd be more apt to purchase a variety pack with 6 different beers in it (2 of each); at the very least 4 different brews. Also, if you're thinking about something "limited" to stick in there, how about something Grapefruit-Sculpin-esque? Maybe Pineapple Resin?! (YUM)

 

I've never bought a store assembled mix-six, but I love shops that will let you make your own. Honestly, I think being able to buy by the single is going to be huge going forward.

When it comes to variety packs, I typically only buy ones with limited or exclusive beers. Are they a good idea? Well, I'm assuming they turn a profit, considering large breweries love putting them out. So that's something.