Ordering from Sam

[tCan]

Does anyone know if it's possible to get a delivery of Sam Adams, either to a store or to the house? I'm not a fan of lagers in general, but really enjoyed the Alpine Spring and would love to have some on hand for summer and spring. Their Black Lager in particular too.

 

[Zamial]

This will vary from state to state but there are places around here that will special order something for you as long as the distributor has/carries it. I would ask at a larger liquor store near you.

 

[TopherM]

In most states, the THREE TIER system would prohibit you from ordering anything directly from the manufacturer. Last time I checked, the THREE TIER system was in effect in 38 states.

Looks like you are in NC, which is THREE TIER state.

Even in these states, however, there's still hope. I live in FL, a THREE TIER state. Down the street from me, there is a mega-Total Wine store, a medium sized ABC Liquor store, and a mom and pop beer store called Sheps.

Back in June, I had a Sam Adams Latitude IPA Deconstructed Simcoe on tap, and was determined to find some bottles.

I went to the Total Wine.....they carried it, but were out of stock. They would not "order" me any more, but offered to give me a call when it came back in. Too slow for me.

I went to ABC, they didn't carry it, but offered to order me some if I would commit to at least eight 6 packs. Tempting, but a bit too much of a financial committment for me, so I said no thanks.

I went to Sheps, the mom and pop next door. The owner happened to be there stocking while I was there, so I asked him if he could get me some. He told me absolutely no problem, it would just take about 4 or 5 days to order some through his distributer. I ordered two six packs, and he called me 3 days later and had it in for $8.99 a six, which is a little higher than Total Wine ($7.99) had it, but not bad at all.

So I think that is probably what you are up against.

Note that Sam Adams, though, is easy, as they have a a distributership in most, if not all, states.

If you wanted something obscure, like say Pliny the Elder, your local distributership would have to already have a contract in place with that brewery in order to even start to get it for you. No existing contract at the local distributer = 0% chance you can get that beer.

That's just the way it works. Very arcane prohibition era bull-shizzz buerocracy, but it is what it is.

 

[A4J]

Have you tried BevMo? Sam Adams is ubiquitous enough that I'm sure they'd be able to special order for you. Plus, I just googled it earlier today and there was at least one place that carries the black lager that can mail to you.

 

[tCan]

Thanks guys.

 

[straycat]

hey tCan, you should be able to find plenty of sam locally at total wine.

 

[shelly_belly]

Walmart has Alpine Spring.

 

[tCan]

Walmart has Alpine Spring.

I hope so. I was mostly just trying to figure out if it was possible in case I find anything in the future that I can't get on it's own.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

worst case you'll have to find an online vendor that can ship to you. that's pretty easy unless you live in Tx. FWIW, i've mail ordered beers that you can't get in MN online, no problem. even the 'obscure' beers like Pliny are available on the internet. (thankfully, cuz Pliny's pretty nice! :rocking