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Author Topic: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores  (Read 7410 times)

Offline jeffy

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #15 on: March 11, 2013, 03:25:14 pm »
We have had growlers for a couple years at breweries and brewpubs, but Florida still has a funny container size law, too.  Anything between 32 ounces and one gallon is illegal, which includes the standard size all the other states use, 64 ounces. 
I believe there is a bill being discussed in legislation to change that right now.  Maybe Gary Glass should send out an action alert.
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Offline majorvices

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2013, 03:38:57 pm »
Unfortunately i see way to people that are not responsible with their alcohol consumption.  I agree that most normal/responsible drinkers will at least wait until they get home to crack open the growler and enjoy, but there also a good number of people that would be coming multiple days a to get a refill (especially if the Coors or similar started offering their beers) and not being responsible . In today's society it seems like it only takes a few bad apples to ruin it for the rest of us. Like i said before the logistics for a small corner store like mine would make this idea nothing but a hassle. This concept would only be viable for the bigger stores and even then would probably present a challenge in-terms of the extra storage needs.
As a store employee I'm technically liable for accident that involves a customer, just as bar tender is technically liable for serving an intoxicated person, so i guess i see too many negatives in this idea.

Aside from the extra work, how are growler fills any different than 30 packs?  Someone can dig into that on the way home or come back every couple days for another.  I don't get the logic that the container has anything to do with the behavior.

+1. I'm in the middle of fighting against these kinds of stupid regulations of container size and abv limits. Drives me crazy to see suggestions that we should put more in place!  There is nothing in this world that should stop me from being able to purchase a gallon of beer, especially when I can buy a gallon of wine or pure grain alcohol!

Offline csu007

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2013, 06:36:45 pm »
I'm not saying that you shouldn't be able to buy that amount of beer. my main issue would the additional space require to hold the kegs to fill the growlers and the growlers them selves. for small store space is very limited it's hard enough to find room for all the new beers let alone the 40ish from Sam Adams, then have to try and squeeze in room to fit kegs (they may not sell/move as fast) as a 30pk thus it would not be creating income and also the beer would not be "fresh" if it didn't move. for many small stores they would have to decide if they wanted numerous kegs of the bigger breweries and also their beer on shelves vs trying to stock the most diverse product they can. there is only so much room in store.
It pains me to say this but making money is more important than what the beer is being sold in. A store needs to make a profit and having dead weight in the store is no good.
I would rather drive to the brewery and support them directly than the convenience of a gas station or liquor store. 
another potential issue with the growler in Colorado and i believe many other states would be the "open container" laws.
in general i agree that there are way too many regulations in our daily lives and many should be thrown out or reformed.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2013, 06:50:39 pm by csu007 »
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Offline a10t2

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #18 on: March 11, 2013, 06:53:12 pm »
another potential issue with the growler in Colorado and i believe many other states would be the "open container" laws.

I think all you'd have to do would be secure the cap somehow (duct tape or shrinky-dink), same as a brewery.
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Offline csu007

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #19 on: March 11, 2013, 06:59:17 pm »
i know of many breweries that do that. I have also heard of people getting in trouble because it's "not factory sealed", not that a bottle cap is more secure  ;)
“Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drank, I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn’t drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, “It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #20 on: March 12, 2013, 06:56:47 am »
another potential issue with the growler in Colorado and i believe many other states would be the "open container" laws.

I think all you'd have to do would be secure the cap somehow (duct tape or shrinky-dink), same as a brewery.
In many states, open-container laws only apply to single-serving containers. No worries in Delaware though, we don't have an open container law for cars (passengers can drink, not drivers). 
 
I completely agree that growlers sales won't make sense for many liquor stores. Space, setting up taps, keeping draft lines clean, training staff are all complications for the store. But nobody is forcing the store to do this either. This is legal in NY, but I know of only a few places that do it (actually, only one).
 
I'd hope that any store doing this would only offer craft beer that isn't available any other way. I'd be pretty disappointed if this were legal and someone offered growlers of 60 Minute IPA.  It would really be for stores that want to showcase a great selection of beer.
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Offline majorvices

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Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #21 on: March 12, 2013, 07:04:29 am »
The stores in AL that sell draft to go also sell liquor and sixpacks. I don't see it being an issue at all. These places do a really good job and you can buy beer by the quart, half gallon or gallon. The distributors in the area have deals with establishments to maintain taps and keep lines clean. The tops of the container is shrinkwrapped or taped before leaving building.

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #22 on: March 12, 2013, 07:35:34 am »
another potential issue with the growler in Colorado and i believe many other states would be the "open container" laws.

I think all you'd have to do would be secure the cap somehow (duct tape or shrinky-dink), same as a brewery.

You can also do this with un-finished bottles of wine from restaurants (in some areas).  I think they are supposed to seal it up somehow other than just jamming the cork back in, but I do know it's legal to take home/away from the restaurant.  How the police would deal with it if you got pulled over is a entirely different question and not necessarily related to the legality of the packaging.

With the space requirements and hassle of draft to go, I have to think that the establishments selling it would have to be pretty dedicated to craft beer.
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #23 on: March 12, 2013, 08:00:54 am »
another potential issue with the growler in Colorado and i believe many other states would be the "open container" laws.

I think all you'd have to do would be secure the cap somehow (duct tape or shrinky-dink), same as a brewery.

You can also do this with un-finished bottles of wine from restaurants (in some areas).  I think they are supposed to seal it up somehow other than just jamming the cork back in, but I do know it's legal to take home/away from the restaurant.  How the police would deal with it if you got pulled over is a entirely different question and not necessarily related to the legality of the packaging.

With the space requirements and hassle of draft to go, I have to think that the establishments selling it would have to be pretty dedicated to craft beer.
I think folks are usually a little paranoid about open container laws, but a little tape doesn't hurt.
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Growler fills at Delaware liquor stores
« Reply #24 on: March 12, 2013, 01:15:18 pm »
another potential issue with the growler in Colorado and i believe many other states would be the "open container" laws.

I think all you'd have to do would be secure the cap somehow (duct tape or shrinky-dink), same as a brewery.

You can also do this with un-finished bottles of wine from restaurants (in some areas).  I think they are supposed to seal it up somehow other than just jamming the cork back in, but I do know it's legal to take home/away from the restaurant.  How the police would deal with it if you got pulled over is a entirely different question and not necessarily related to the legality of the packaging.

With the space requirements and hassle of draft to go, I have to think that the establishments selling it would have to be pretty dedicated to craft beer.

In Iowa the wine has to be recorked and sealed in a specific bag.
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