Beer in Grocery Stores

[Gavin]

so we have websites we can use to find lcbo products and TBS products.. any way to see which beers each grocery store has in stock?

There's almost no way that would even be possible. It would require different chains of grocery stores to release their inventories to the public for another website to scrape the data. It won't happen.

[Lukie]

so we have websites we can use to find lcbo products and TBS products.. any way to see which beers each grocery store has in stock?

Even if it were possible, I don't think I'd be worth the effort at least for now. Has anyone actually spotted an excellent beer yet at any of these stores? I see mostly crap, and an occasional decent IPA or a Stout, pretty much eschewing international craft. This entire grocery store project - both in terms of selection and hours of availability - has been a total let-down for me so far.

[S. St. Jeb]

This entire grocery store project - both in terms of selection and hours of availability - has been a total let-down for me so far.

Just wondering what were you expecting? I don't recall reading much ahead of the start of sales in grocery stores that lead me to believe that the selection or hours would be different from what was generally available in LCBOs.

Personally, I've only purchased beer in a grocery store once. That was the Loblaws at Leslie/Lakeshore. Bought Sleeping Giant 360 Pale Ale. Not too special, perhaps, but it is otherwise only available in Thunder Bay.

[BlackRedGold]

so we have websites we can use to find lcbo products and TBS products.. any way to see which beers each grocery store has in stock?

Even if it were possible, I don't think I'd be worth the effort at least for now. Has anyone actually spotted an excellent beer yet at any of these stores? I see mostly crap, and an occasional decent IPA or a Stout, pretty much eschewing international craft. This entire grocery store project - both in terms of selection and hours of availability - has been a total let-down for me so far.

I've found the College Square Loblaws in Ottawa has a selection comparable to the LCBO next door and better than the Beer Store across the parking lot. Lots of Ontario craft, most notably Collective Arts which they've carried 5 or 6 of their beers.

[Craig]

http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2016/08 ... ry-stores/

Big Rig Alpha Bomb, among others, is coming to select grocery stores soon. Is this the first example of beers being released exclusively to grocers, or is there an LCBO or TBS listing coming soon?

[midlife crisis]

Isn't there a beer from Thunder Bay or somewhere up north that is in grocery stores but not LCBO?

[spinrsx]

I picked up alpha bomb at sobeys in ottawa about 4 months ago. They also had collective arts stash which is not at the lcbo.

http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2016/08 ... ry-stores/

Big Rig Alpha Bomb, among others, is coming to select grocery stores soon. Is this the first example of beers being released exclusively to grocers, or is there an LCBO or TBS listing coming soon?

[GtownRandy]

Yes there are about 6 collective arts ales and ciders that are grocery only, along with boshkung which i thought was easy drinking

[S. St. Jeb]

Isn't there a beer from Thunder Bay or somewhere up north that is in grocery stores but not LCBO?

Sleeping Giant 360 Pale Ale has been available in grocery stores (I bought some at Loblaws at Lakeshore/Leslie). It is in the LCBO, but only in Thunder Bay.

[midlife crisis]

Isn't there a beer from Thunder Bay or somewhere up north that is in grocery stores but not LCBO?

Sleeping Giant 360 Pale Ale has been available in grocery stores (I bought some at Loblaws at Lakeshore/Leslie). It is in the LCBO, but only in Thunder Bay.

Right, thanks, that is the one.

[Blasphomet]

It would be sweet if someone could compile a list of beers that are worthy and only available at groceries stores. I'm probably missing out on some good ones. Like, I have no idea what Collective Arts brews you are talking about that are grocery store only.

[portwood]

I need Costco to start selling beer in Ontario!
....... so, I sign up to flickr just to be able to post photos here and it doesn't work ... photo of: Allagash Tripel, Boulevard Rye on Rye (Sazerac), & Stone Imperial Russian Stout
(based on the selection I've seen in Florida and Virginia, if Costco also sold wine, I would never spend a cent at LCBO or Beer store ever again)

[sofakingdrunk]

I know someone who works at Costco and they said that they will start selling beer. Although I'm sure it'll be no different than normal grocery stores sell.
I wish we could get the wine/beer selection that American Costco gets. I do believe that Costco now has the greatest wine p urchasing power in the world, and I'm sure beer is much the same.

[sofakingdrunk]

I know someone who works at Costco and they said that they will start selling beer. Although Itll probably be no different than normal grocery stores sell.
I wish we could get the wine/beer selection that American Costco gets. I do believe that Costco now has the greatest wine p urchasing power in the world, and I'm sure beer is much the same.

[portwood]

I know someone who works at Costco and they said that they will start selling beer. Although I'm sure it'll be no different than normal grocery stores sell.
I wish we could get the wine/beer selection that American Costco gets. I do believe that Costco now has the greatest wine purchasing power in the world, and I'm sure beer is much the same.

If Costco is indeed going to enter the game, my bet is they will offer something unique in addition to some of the basics.
Their competitive advantage is:
1. value based on volume - this doesn't work for beer or wine in Ontario since they will be stuck with AGCO/LCBO mandated pricing (i.e. no volume discounting)
2. high quality goods that are not found elsewhere - this is where they can be of value to beer drinkers!
3. packaging not found elsewhere - example: exclusive brewery variety packs put together for Costo