When you go "beer shopping"

I don't feel obligated to buy anything when I'm at the packy but I often do because as it turns out I quite enjoy beer.

(Did anyone actually mention feeling obligated to buy something if they don't find what they're specifically looking for or has the thread just taken that turn on its own?)

This includes instances in which I'm looking for something specific and fail to find it at the initial store, but that's mostly because I'm usually a pedestrian and I don't want to hoof all over town.

 

Yup, I do both. Depends on the beer and if I know other stores will be getting it.

I mainly visit 2 stores these days. Both rarely get the same thing on the same day. So when one has a special release, I'll either buy nothing (in hopes the other store gets it soon) or grab a few things I've been wanting to try.

 

Yep, I almost always buy something at the shop I went to. But I'll usually hit up another if there's something I'm really looking for.

 

If I'm looking for a certain beer I call first to see if they have it.

 

It varies, there is no set answer for me. It all boils down to how bad I want it.

 

Yeah no shit. If my wife knew how much of our money I spend on beer she'd divorce me. Good thing I handle the finances.

 

Depends how my cellar is. Right now, my fridge is full, so I wouldn't buy anything. But if I'm getting low, there's surely something I'm interested in.

 

I rely on you good folks here to let me know what is released and how good it is. Podunk Alaska can get new releases before my part of Texas can! I see it here, and three months later it arrives. Tough distro.

 

Much more efficient for yourself in time and money to call the shop first. If they have the specific beer you're looking for, go get it. If not, call another shop. That way you don't waste your time (and gas money)and also don't feel obligated to buy something from the store, or get the "Squirrel!" effect and buy something else shiny that catches your eye. Hoarding/over-buying issues usually start this way. Phone calls are best way to avoid this.

 

I will usually browse for fun and often leave empty handed. I usually have a fairly large cellar going on, so I am rarely at the point of having nothing to drink on the weekend.

 

Yeah I have no problem coming and going and not purchasing something if they don't have what I was looking for. Like recently looking for Hopslam specifically.... I may stop at 4-5 different places and if it wasn't there..."thanks, see ya soon".

 

I can't imagine a scenario where I walk into my "go-to" shop and come out empty-handed.

 

My beer buying habits have changed quite a bit over the years. I've developed a nice cellar and typically buy my favorite seasonal releases when they come out (which typically includes local favorites from Short's, Oddsides, and Founders). These releases are usually enough to last me a while. Therefore outside of those specific releases, I rarely go into a shop with the need of buying something.

So when I do go into a bottle shop, it's for something rather specific, and if they don't have it, I move on - without guilt - knowing I'll be back in the store again soon.

 

Sadly, I come from province in Canada where alcohol sales are government controlled. We do have the option of purchasing directly from a brewery (but you have to be at the actual brewery, cannot be shipped) which is very limiting. Basically we have 2 options.... Option #1: The LCBO (Liquor Control Board Ontario) which sells wine, spirits and their selected micro brews. OPtion #2 is The Beer Store. This option is a joke. The Beer Store is a retail chain that sells nothing but beer. The Beer Store is a joke. 49% is owned by the Labatt arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev of Belgium. 49% is owned by Molson Coors Brewing Company. The other 2% is owned by Sleeman Breweries, an arm of Sapporo of Japan. So as you can imagine, these 3 giants aren't too keen on selling anything but their products. I would say 95% of what is available in The Beer Store is a product of one of these 3 multinational giants. So if you are in the microbrew crowd, don't waste your time. The Beer Store is for the Coors Light/Bud/Miller/Blue Light crowd, which to me is all garbage beer. So.... that leaves one viable option - the LCBO. Which, although they have good selection, are very limited. And unless the brew is on their preferred list, you cannot order it from them. It's very limiting and frustrating. One of my favorite brews (West Coast Green Flash IPA) was recently crossed of the list at the LCBO. So basically I cannot buy it ever again in Ontario. Oh the joys of living in a socialist province. Sigh.....

 

Same damn boat my friend.

 

Tired of chasing. Too many times I've found it's just not worth it. Time spent elsewhere is more valuable.

 

I'll buy something else at the first shop if I need beer at home, rarely will I go to another shop. If I don't need beer, I'll leave and come back/go elsewhere when I need more beer. That said, I'm not loyal to any particular shop, 90% of the time I just get beer when I get groceries. I don't care about beers that require waiting in lines, chasing trucks or taking off from work/family time/other hobbies.

 

There's always something there that I like.

 

I go into a package(beer,liquor,wine)store to buy beer. If I don't need beer or wine I don't go into a package store. I don't go into a grocery store to not buy groceries. I also order and sell beer. So I know when everything is released in the county I live in so going into other package stores in pointless. If I'm in another state however I would def browse their selection.

 

I don't usually have the time to hit up more than one decent bottle shop on a given day, the good ones are too far apart in Montreal. So I'll just look around and try to find something interesting that I've never tried or haven't had in a while.