Why do all "Make your own six pack" Selections Suck?

I was basically running the craft section of a store few years ago. Any new release was broken up by me amd put into a singles section. Every week there was new options if i had the space. Nobody wants to throw down 13 bucks on a new sixer. Try it first. Come back. Buy a case. Happened countless time. I had no problem doing extra work to do all this.

 

Limited by the judgment of the bartender or server. Usually they pay attention to visible degree of inebriation and/or keep some track of amount and/or ABV consumed by the customer. (Just as they do in many states.)

In PA they are pretty careful about keeping track or limiting serving sizes since we are one of several states with a Dram Shop law which makes the establishment and/or person giving more alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person legally responsible for any damage that drunk person might cause after leaving the place where they are being served the alcohol. (Yes, that includes a private party where Ithe host serves alcohol.)

 

Most of the time it’s old stuff or things from a pack where someone bought a single beer. My local BevMo has nothing but dusty bottles and cans that are 6-9-12 months old.

You do find a deal once in a while.

One time, when I lived in NJ, I mixed a legit 6’er at Wegman’s of Sixpoint Resin and Hi-Res (3 of each). It was still fairly fresh and very cheap! Absolutely delicious!

 

There are liquor stores,grocery stores,convenience stores,and gas stations that have a make your own 6 pack. There are some good choices and some duds .You have to look. One liquor store chain has an average of 160 bottles to chose from. A few stores have a staff favorites selection. You have to look to find good choices.I was at a gas station/convenience store with a pick 6 section.

 

I just picked up a mix-six of beers from Sierra Nevada's Fresh Hop pack at my local Fry's grocery. I had passed on the pack initially for ~$20 because I don't need to buy ANY beer, let alone 12. So when I was able to grab 6 for $10 I was pretty happy. No mark up for singles makes me happy, and I was really surprised to find it broken up there, cold to boot!

 

Most of the liquors stores that I visit have usually break up six packs.....that usually cost ten bucks or less. One of local grocers just throws whatever in the shelf. I've been fortunate enough to put together a sixer of Central Waters Brewers Reserve beers for ten bucks......not always bad selections......timing counts....

 

A couple of years ago I overheard a store manager tell one of the older matrons who patronized his store to not buy the stuff off the singles shelf because is something was getting old on the shelf, they just busted up the six pack and put it on the singles shelf. After that I steered away from his singles shelf but i suspect that this is pretty common. They can also usually make more off singles than they can make off six packs.

 

Guess I'm lucky. Most HyVee (biggest grocery store in IA) pick sixes in my area are new releases. Or at least not more than 3 months old. They are all pay per bottle/can though. So they are between 1.99 and 5.99 for the most part.