Buying Beer By The Bottle: Is It Possible?

Whether or not you can buy individual bottles of beer depends on where you live and the retailer. Some states, like New York, allow the individual sale of beer, but that does not mean the retailer has to let you. Many retailers frown upon breaking up packs because it can be difficult to sell the remaining beers. Some stores advertise that they support the practice of selling individual beers, and they may even have a cooler of single beers available. If you are unsure, it is best to ask before you take it upon yourself to break up a pack.

Some retailers allow it, but it's frowned upon

Whether or not you can buy individual bottles of beer from a multipack depends on the retailer and the state. Some states, like New York, allow the individual sale of beer bottles and cans, but that does not mean the retailer has to let you. Many retailers frown upon the breaking of multipacks as it can be a huge pain to sell the remaining beers in the pack to another patron. However, some retailers do allow it.

If you live in a state that allows the sale of solo beers, your best bet to ensure you can buy a solo beer or two without feeling guilty is to shop at a store that advertises they support the practice. Often, they’ll even have a cooler of single beers available for purchase. If not, ask before you take it upon yourself to break up a pack, because no one likes to see a fight at the register.

Some stores that have been known to sell individual bottles of beer include Trader Joe's, which will take the cost of the six-pack and divide it by 6 to sell you a single bottle/can. Wallaby's Liquor Warehouse in Denver also has multiple full refrigerated sections of single craft beers for reasonable prices. Other stores in Denver that sell singles include Joy Wine and Spirits, Tipsy's Liquor World, and Applejack's.

Some stores also have a "make your own six-pack" option, where you can buy singles from a selection of beers, but you still have to buy six beers.

It's illegal in some states

In some states, it is illegal to buy individual bottles of beer. For example, in Missouri, it was previously illegal to purchase a single 12-ounce bottle of beer from a package store, with a minimum of three bottles being required. This means that if you only wanted one or two beers, you had to buy an entire package containing three or more. This law may have changed since then, but it illustrates that state regulations can dictate whether individual beer bottles can be sold.

The legality of selling individual beer bottles also depends on the retailer and their preferences. While some retailers may allow it, others may find it inconvenient due to the challenge of selling the remaining beers in the package. This is especially true if the remaining package is a mix of different beers, as it becomes more difficult to find another customer who wants the exact same combination. As a result, retailers may choose to dissuade customers from breaking packages to avoid having to deal with partial packs.

Additionally, the practice of breaking up packages can lead to issues with beer freshness. When customers create their own mix-a-six packs, the individual bottles may have varying bottling dates, resulting in inconsistent flavours and quality. This can be a problem for retailers, as they want to provide their customers with the best possible beer-buying experience.

To avoid any issues, it is recommended to shop at stores that explicitly advertise the sale of single beers. These stores often have a dedicated cooler for single beers, making it convenient for customers who only want to purchase one or two beers without worrying about breaking up a package. Alternatively, customers can also ask the retailer if they are open to selling individual beers before assuming it is allowed.

It's allowed in some states

Whether or not you can buy individual bottles of beer is dependent on the state and the retailer. Some states, like New York, allow the individual sale of beer bottles and cans, but that does not mean the retailer has to let you. For many retailers, the breaking of packs is a huge inconvenience as they then have to figure out how to sell a broken pack to another patron. This means that the remaining beers in the pack may get old and lose their flavour.

If you live in a state that allows the sale of individual beers, your best bet to ensure you can buy a solo beer or two is to shop at a store that advertises they support the practice. Often, they’ll even have a cooler of single beers available for purchase. If not, ask before you take it upon yourself to break up a pack, because no one likes to see a fight at the register.

Some stores that have been known to sell individual beers include Trader Joe's, Wallaby's Liquor Warehouse in Denver, and various craft beer places that advertise mix-sixes.

Ask the retailer before you do it

Whether or not you can buy individual bottles of beer from a pack is largely dependent on the retailer and the state in which you live. Some states, like New York, allow the individual sale of beer bottles and cans, but that does not mean the retailer has to let you.

If you are looking to buy individual bottles of beer, it is always best to ask the retailer before you do it. Many retailers frown upon the breaking of packs because it means they have to figure out how to sell the remaining beers. If you take it upon yourself to break a pack, you may find yourself in an awkward situation at the register.

Some retailers will be happy to sell you individual bottles of beer, especially if they have a large selection of singles or a "make your own six-pack" option. These retailers often have a cooler of single beers available for purchase, and their staff are usually knowledgeable about the store's beer operation and can point you in the right direction.

If you are unsure about a retailer's policy on selling individual bottles of beer, it is always best to ask. The staff will be able to tell you if it is possible and, if not, may be able to suggest alternative options or direct you to a store that does sell singles.

In summary, if you are looking to buy individual bottles of beer, it is always best to ask the retailer before you do it. This will help you avoid any potential issues and ensure that you are respecting the store's policies.

Buy from a store that advertises it

If you want to buy individual bottles of beer, it is recommended to buy from a store that advertises that they support the practice. These stores will often have a cooler of single beers available for purchase. This way, you can avoid any potential issues or guilt about breaking up a pack.

Some stores that have been known to sell single bottles of beer include Trader Joe's, which will sell individual bottles/cans from a six-pack by dividing the cost of the pack by the number of bottles/cans. Wallaby's Liquor Warehouse in Denver also has a large selection of single craft beers available at reasonable prices.

Craft beer stores are also a good option, as they often allow customers to buy any number of beers unless specifically marked otherwise. Additionally, some grocery stores like Whole Foods have a great selection of local and craft beers and are likely to have fresher options due to higher foot traffic and more frequent restocking.

When in doubt, it is always a good idea to ask the staff at the store about their policy on selling individual bottles of beer. They may be able to accommodate your request or direct you to a place that does.

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