Two-thirds of craft beer drinkers say ‘Screw Walmart’
Well, maybe not in those words exactly…
Beernews.org readers voiced their opinions about last week’s news that Walmart would seek to add more craft beers to its selection. Walmart obviously carries beer in its stores already though the selection is typically limited to large domestics and a handful of regional craft breweries.
So, what was your response?
With nearly 450 votes coming in…
65% of you said you would still not buy beer at Walmart.
31% of you said you may buy some there but still shop at other liquor stores.
4% of you said you buy/will buy most/all of your beer at Walmart.
The only vote that really matters is made at the cash register. I will still always depend mostly on local bottle shops for my beer needs, but I disagree with the “I will never buy there” attitude because they simply tally the votes and stock what the customer wants. *Refusing* to buy there tells them that customers don’t want craft beer.
Having craft beer at Walmart would be a huge step in beer advocacy because it would make great beer more available to the average consumer who has no intention of making extra stops to a liquor store to experiment with craft brews.
Say what you want about Walmart, they are certainly not any beacon of morality. But I think that too many people get hung up thinking they are shoving some agenda down customers throats when it’s really the other way around: if customers want to pay more for craft beer or organic yogurt, they will try to provide the option.
Walmart is essential the supermarket version of a free market. All they care about is getting people to there stores and selling the products that people want for the lowest price. The fact that Walmart is trying to pick up more craft beer is a good indicator that a) We are making a noticeable impact b) its broad and permanent enough to make supper corporations change there practices. Though I don’t enjoy Walmart much its a very good sign to me.
“walmart: helping rednecks leave craft beer cans in fire pits since 2011”
Every large food store in now making changes to the way their inventory of beer is displayed. You still see the large marketing by the big guys, but look at the shelves! More room is being set up for craft beer. I noticed my local store, who’d totally dropped the ball on getting craft beer in their has now devoted a larger area to good beer! Walmart is just doing the same. The chances of a red-neck shopper buying beer that costs more than a buck a can/bottle is slim, but for some who go there to get camping/bbq supplies, it is nice that the availability is there! I will still shop at my local small craft liquor and wine store, but in a pinch on time, I am stoked to have walmart carrying something good to drink! Cheers!
Craft beer is in high demand but still a low supply in most states. There are many small shops that would like to carry more craft offerings but distributors (and breweries) cannot fulfill the orders. Walmart will come in and push the distributors around. Demanding lower prices than the competition and more (or all) of the already limited supply.
Ranger IPA is a tremendous IPA. I never pass up a chance to buy an IPA I’ve not had, and Ranger holds its own very well. The freshest I find is at a Walmart one mile from my work.