What's your beer buying strategy?

Pretty much, yep. Although I'm not saying I wouldn't like to have people following me around trying to foist beer on me in my personal life too!

Well, to be fair I was being slightly facetious...but while there's plenty of stuff that my reps tell me about that I end up turning away, I do try to make a point whenever I bring a new product into my store to be among the first to try it. I do a lot of hand-selling, and if I don't know the beers I can't exactly sell 'em, y'know?

 

I look for two things: something I've never had before and anything that is on sale that I've already had and enjoyed...like Upland Double Dragonfly for $4.79 a bomber.

 

I always have something in mind. I buy something else if the store doesn't have it.

 

Don't overthink it, it's just beer.

 

Its amazing how fast that falls off

 

At this point, I'm sure I'm not offering up anything new in the thread, but here's my two cents:

1. Top priority is the limited releases. If it's gonna hit in limited quantities, I don't wanna miss out.
2. New releases are next. Meaning, brand new or just new to my area (like, when big name brewers like Great Divide, Evil Twin, and Crooked Stave show up, I'm paying attention (Bell's is coming next )).
3. Seasonal releases, especially if its gonna sell out, is third on the list - I really look forward to reliable faves from favorite brewers and would hate to have not grabbed a bottle.
4. New beers in general always get a glance. Like, hmm? Do I wanna try it or is there something else...?
5. I also keep a list of low-interest top beers that I haven't gotten to - if I haven't already found enough beer at this point (and I always seem to have found enough beer ), these are beers that are relatively highly-rated and always seem to be on hand but aren't compelling enough for me to buy instead of something else...

 

i buy whatever is trending on BA at the moment and pretend like i have been drinking it for years

 

I usually do this too. friendly with the beer managers though so usually end up talking for 20 of those mins. I'll get the scoop on what's new, what's coming in soon and let them know stuff I'm looking out for. If nothing else I'll usually grab something I haven't had before on the manager recommendation.

 

It depends on which people I go see. But, here's my general strategy.
I go in to the store.
I browse.
I buy.
I leave.
Somewhere in between, I may or may not chat with the counter dweller.
If it's Freddie. Of course I have to rap with him a bit. But if it's someone else. Nah.
If it's Pete. We chat a bit, but sometimes, he's busy or whatever.
If it's Chris, who I need to see more. We generally chat a bit.

 

Walk in and do a complete lap trying to see everything before I start grabbing.
Go back to the start and pick the ones that I've never had that I want to try.
If I am not to my limit, do another lap filling up on things I've had that I know are good.

Ultimately, I am usually looking for top rated (D)IPAs that I've never had before.

 

This is basically my approach too, but I never seem to get past 3.

 

I just mill about looking at everything until the wife gets bored and wanders to some other part of the store. Then I get what I really want and she can't see what it costs until after it's been paid for.

 

Pick what looks interesting, try to stay within a price range, and use this site as a good rule of thumb for what to buy or not buy.

 

I love that you used diacritical marks in "Creme Brulee" but you spelled "best" as "beat" and "you" as "u." Classic.

 

I have enough BA Stouts to last me for year, so when I go I'm looking at replacing hoppy brews and IPA's in particular. Simple enough, HDR or Two Hearted Ale usually, might grab a bomber of something interesting, quite un scientific and predictable..

 

I'm always busy, trying to keep up w/what's new or seasonal, so I don't get shut out of either! As a result, I neglect my "bread and butters"!

 

I usually am in the mood for a particular style, so I go looking for that. I'll look for something I know I like, or I'll look for something new (to me) in that style.

 

I have no method to my madness. When I'm in a beer store I'm like a kid in a candy store. I could spend hours. I just look around and if I see something I haven't tried before and it looks interesting to me I'll pick it up and give it a shot.

 

I don't have one.

 

Strategy for buying? Cash, so whatever insane amount I've just spent can't be traced back to me by anybody with an interest in my finances (girlfriends, IRS, financial institutions, bookies, whoever)