I think there will always be a market for "top shelf" beer. Granted It will never be a mass market. Which is a good thing. A PA base just means you would have to Market according to their laws. PA only sells by the case at distributors right? Living in NY about 75 miles from the line I have had the opportunity to make PA beer runs. One thing that would be nice is to be able to mix a case up. 24 singles would still be a case. I don't think I would worry about coolers. An ice machine and coolers may be a good sideline. The distributers that I have been to in Pottsville, and Lancaster had most of their products just out on the floor. I would sell the big names as a way to get folks in the door. Your specialty would be the higher end beers. Selling sodas both big names and the higher end also bring people in the door. You would have a true beverage center. I know of one really great beer store in Rochester called beers of the world. It has been around for years. It carries everything organized by country. Its advantage is that its located on one of the main drags of a large city with 3 colleges. It is a hub of activity for a large suburb population. It would pay to do lots of research

In Reply To #21 PA does allow you to sell bottles in singles. That's how i got the majority of mine. However, there is a catch. You must sell food, so that you're basicaly selling "take out" beer. So, The Foodery (my local place) has a counter that has like 2 types of cold cuts and cheese LOL. You can order a sandwich if you want, but I've never seen anyone do it. But they also sell other basic food stuff like chips and candy. It's sort of like a 7-11 that was hit by a beer truck. They have all their beers in beer inventory ina computer that you can use in the store. They're all sorted by country, as is the largest PA distributor which is also near me.

In Reply To #1 You may benefit by getting your finger on the pulse of the beer market in the former USSR ! The Ruskies are intent on becoming a first-rate world economic power. There is a very active and somewhat chaotic beer market going on there even as I'm typing this. I could even dig up some fairly recent websites in this regard...I was the theoretical CEO of a microbrewery in Leningrad for a Fall 2003 Business class. My "Directors" and I had to research the real life situation etc.

In Reply To #1 The beverage institute reports steady growth in the craft brewing industry. After a spike in the mid 90s, it has evened out to about 3% annually. But it is very competitive. In this area (northern VA, DC), I have seen lots of start-ups flame out. The ones that are surviving are not exactly making money hand over fist. The got in at a good time and are hanging on. The front page of today's Wash Post Business Section features the owner of Old Dominion admitting that the Bush administration tax breaks aren't helping him, because he isn't paying taxes--he isn't making any money. His profits from the 90s have dried up. So, I guess I'll load up the Dome Mobile, drive up to Ashburn, and help out by getting my empty growlers recharged! What are friends for?! Brewmaster of your own craft brwery--It would be such an awesome life. One needs deep pockets (or rich backers, but they can pull strings), passion for your art, loyal (and thirsty) customers, good timing, and lots of luck. Well, good luck, Oiz! Craft brewed beer is here to stay, because people that have tried it will not go back to BMC. But don't expect money and gold GABF medals to fall from the sky.

In Reply To #22 Dammit Flash, I STILL can't imagine what it's like to buy beer in PA. Here, if you want beer after work, you go to the convenience store or supermarket and buy a sixer of whatever. If you're having friends over for the game, you go to the same place and buy a couple cases (24 pks) of whatever. In PA, you have to say "give me 48 bottles of (whatever)" and they fill up a few grocery bags with loose bottles ?? What kind of prices for buying 48 single bottles instead of a couple cases ?? I live in one of the most TAX-crazy states in the Union, but even so it seems that the beer thing in PA is inconvenient and expensive. One advantage would be like another one on this topic said--you could buy 48 different beers, if the store had 'em, without the salesperson thinking that you're a jerk !

In Reply To #25 Hmm, I think there is some misunderstanding here. "In PA, you have to say "give me 48 bottles of (whatever)" and they fill up a few grocery bags with loose bottles ?? What kind of prices for buying 48 single bottles instead of a couple cases ??" You can't buy beer in grocery stores. You can buy beer at beer distributors, delis and take-out restaurants. You wouldn't say give me 48 singles because yes we can buy cases! We can buy singles and six packs as well! Just not all at the same place. They either sell cases or singles/sixers. I don't think PA is a bad place at all. As far as I know, we have one of the highest availability of beers of any state. My local store has "968 beers of 94 different beer types from 340 breweries located in 48 countries" in stock today.

In Reply To #26 OK then, I think I get the pitcher (guffaw!). I used the term 'grocery bag' loosely; I knew that you couldn't buy beer in a grocery store. I was picturing that those restricted establishments that COULD sell beer did NOT sell in quantity containers. Sounds like your local store has an outstanding selection. Am I correct in assuming that this is a STATE beer distributor store, and not a deli or take-out place??? (badger the website host, I always say...!) P.S. However, you do mention The Foodery as a favorite above...is THAT the place with 980 brews, etc. ?

This message was edited by surfsleez at 7/27/2004 9:09:51 PM.

20 years ago