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OIZNOP
14362

OIZNOP
14362

OIZNOP
14362

Do you all think that.....

General Beer Discussion by OIZNOP

.....the import, microbrew phenomena is a faze??...a fad???...that will go the way of the berry wine cooler at some point in time???.....Is there a future in this??.....I ask this because I am thinking about going into business for myself at some point and I would like to own a Specialty Beer Shop....One that sells the kind of beers we all seem to enjoy...one that downplays the commercial urine marketed to the masses......I realize in any business, there is a degree of risk....I just don't want to get into something that will wind up like the mood ring, or the pet rock, and be left with all kind of loans to pay back....Advice and opinions, please!... Oiz

This message was edited by Oiznop at 6/5/2004 6:32:47 PM.


19 years ago
# 20
# 20

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

19 years ago
# 21
# 21

FLASHPRO
49720

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.

19 years ago
# 22
# 22

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.

19 years ago
# 23
# 23

FOAMDOME
18340

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.

19 years ago
# 24
# 24

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 !

19 years ago
# 25
# 25

FLASHPRO
49720

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.

19 years ago
# 26
# 26

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.

19 years ago
# 27
# 27

FLASHPRO
49720

In Reply To #27 The state doesn't sell beer, but they do control liquor. So state stores are liquor stores and they don't sell beer. BUT stores that ONLY sell beer are called Beer Distributors and MUST sell by the case. I'd say every town has at least one beer distributor, so this is a common place to buy beer. The foodery, on the other hand, is a deli so they're allowed to sell singles. They advertise having 500+ different beers. The 980 beer place is a Beer Distributor called The Beer Yard. Their website is www.beeryard.com and you can view their entire selection online.

19 years ago
# 28
# 28

In Reply To #28 Pa is still that tight ass about alcohol? How bad do they treat ya'll for marijuana?

19 years ago
# 29
# 29

PKSMITH
7945

I know this dead horse has been beaten to a pulp, but here's some more info: In this tiny assed-limited selection-hick town, all people with discerning tastes know of ONE store to go to where they may find even an inkling of selection. It got to me by word of mouth, and I've certainly passed it along to others. When I first went to the store, the clerk said they'd be willing to take orders (of course, limited by this state's archaic laws regarding ABV.)

19 years ago
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