Westy 12 Is In GA

Folks at Savannah are NOT happy!

 

Brad, if this is accurate, it speaks volumes for the integrity and business acumen of Savannah. Hats of to them!
For disclosure this is Michael Brawley and I own and operate Brawley's Beverage in Charlotte, a very small beer store 3 blocks from a monster Total Wine. Its amazing small shops like mine are still around with the system rigged in favor of the soulless big box corporations. After 10 years of selling Shelton Brother brands I cannot express the level of disappointment I feel on being excluded from possibly the most sought after beer release ever.

 

Just wanted to let you guys know,

Westy won't be hitting the shelves in Georgia, at least not anytime soon. Earlier today the Westy in our store was seized by the State of Georgia Department of Revenue due to a complaint.

I understand most of you don't like Total Wine, I'm not the biggest fan either. But, it saddens me to know that potentially one of the highest regarded Belgians in the World, won't be making it to our state now.

Brad, not everyone at Total Wine lacks product knowledge.

 

Woodsy, is there anything in the news to back up the 'seized' story? Are you at liberty to say what store you work for?

 

so somebody decided that if they couldn't have it to sell, nobody would?

 

kkipple - I don't feel comfortable telling you which store I work at, but I assure you it is out of our hands now.

shaujw - To my knowledge it was a retailer complaint, so yes that is the situation.

 

Nothing gets beer geeks madder then The Man stealing their Westy 12. This is going to be interesting.

 

ISO that evidence locker and a bolt cutter (you decide if I mean the tool or the beer )

 

I can imagine the headline on Beer Pulse now! Really sucks if this is true and I would be interested in more info.

 

It's my understanding that it is illegal in Georgia to have "exclusive rights" or a monopoly over an alcohol related product. The same reason the distributor for Trader Joe's can't refuse any liquor retailer from buying their goods to sell at their stores. Not that their wine is really worth selling. And I'll agree with you that not everyone at TW is a complete moron. Their perimeter store is actually where I find my hard to get items(bitches brew, 75 minute) when other stores run out. On the other hand, their Kennesaw store is full of morons in the liquor and beer departments. The people running their beer department have no idea what they are doing and have ZERO sense of customer service.

Anyways, sorry for the rant. I'm really bummed that this won't be around now. I was hoping to just get a bottle.

 

I'd be very curious to find out who lodged the complaint, it seems pretty petty considering this was a one time thing with Westy12. I doubt there'd be all the pissing and moaning about an exclusive deal if it had been hypothetically brokered by one of the craft beer stores or world-class beer pubs.

 

The truth of this story is being questioned. Someone apparently called Total Wine this morning, and they confirmed that the Westy was in-stock and was going to be released as planned. No mention of any seizure.

Could you elaborate?

 

Maybe it's a bait and switch? They lure you in under the premise of Westy, then offer you Blue Moon once inside?

 

and the plot thickens...

 

Interesting development. Kind of worrisome...if the DoR does indeed have it now...what happens? Is that it for Westy in Georgia?

 

Thought you guys would want to know the Westy gift packs are on sale at Total Wine Kennesaw. Just ask for them at the register. One per person. Just picked one up.


I had heard 12/12 as well, but I just called them up and they told me to come get it. My name wasn't on anything. Just asked the manager and was sent to the register by whispers!

 

Proof: http://instagram.com/p/Ss4oE8tnH-/

 

You think they'd sell a single? I want to try it but don't want to spend $80.