The Problem With "Steal the Glass" Promotions

A popular event at many pubs is the deceptively named "Steal the Glass" night. There's usually a few beers offered from a featured brewery, and the patron gets to "steal" a special glass, featuring the brewery's logo. Often that glass is a simple shaker pint, other times the glass can be unique or interesting in some way. 

The fallacy of the promotion is that with few exceptions, the drinker isn’t "stealing" anything, they are actually paying extra for the beer, in order to keep the "free" glass. I have dozens of glasses I’ve acquired at Steal the Glass events, but often times I simply don’t want the glass, and I certainly don’t want to pay extra for a glass I don’t need. And therein lies the rub.

We went out for dinner at a local pub the other night. I had seen a post on Facebook that the restaurant was "featuring" SweetWater Brewery, and pouring their 420 Pale Ale and SweetWater's 20th Anniversary Imperial Hash IPA. However, when we arrived we learned the beers were part of a "Steal the Glass" promotion. In addition, there were actually no SweetWater Brewery specific glasses being offered. Instead we would pick from leftover glasses from previous events — it was a "garage sale."

Wanting to try the Imperial Hash IPA, but not wanting to buy a random piece of glassware not even related to the featured brewery, I inquired if I could get the beer at the regular price and not pay the premium to "steal the glass." As I knew it would be, the answer was in the negative. I knew that because I had asked in the past, with the same answer. I didn't need or want the glass, so I ordered a different beer enjoy. Fortunately, I did have a very tasty Heavy Seas Loose Cannon IPA served from a cask.

We end up at this establishment on Wednesdays often, so we happen to hit their "Steal the Glass" nights with some regularity. And indeed, there are often interesting beers being offered. On occasion I even opt to pay to "steal," and take home an interesting glass. However, on more than one occasion we have been refused the featured beer for not wanting to pay extra for a glass. A pub should have glasses in which to serve beer without requiring the patron to buy one.

I wonder, could I bring back some purchased glasses and get refills at a discount?

Too much 'extra' glassware already

Congrats to Virginia Brewers

The 2012 Craft Brewer Conference was held May 2-5 in San Diego, California. The biannual Brewers Association World Beer Cup competition was held in conjunction with the conference. Five Virginia breweries won awards this year.

Devils Backbone – A Gold Medal in the Vienna-Style Lager Category for Vienna Lager.

Great American Restaurants (Sweetwater Tavern) – A Silver Medal in the Extra Special Bitter Category for GAR Pale Ale.

Hardywood Park – A Bronze Medal in the Herb and Spice Beer Category for Gingerbread Stout.

Rock Bottom Arlington – A Bronze Medal in the Coffee Beer Category for Coffee Stout.

Blue Mountain – A Bronze Medal in the American-Belgo-Style Ale Category for Blue Reserve.

Congratulations to the breweries and the brewers for bringing more recognition to the Virginia craft beer scene.

You can see the compete awards list here.

Sweetwater Tavern - Centreville

Last week we visited a friend in Centreville and stopped in for a quick lunch at the Sweetwater Tavern there. I was looking forward to having a Great American Restaurants Pale Ale. The GAR Pale Ale won a Gold medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

The restaurant was quite busy with the holiday week lunch crowd. When we pulled into the parking lot I was concerned as we had limited time for lunch. But, we had no reason to worry, there is plenty of seating and indeed we were seated right away. The server was prompt and attentive. I ordered my beer as we perused the menu, quickly settling on the Cheddar Cheeseburger. The GAR Pale Ale was quite enjoyable. The aroma was bready malts with a slight citrus aroma. I immediately noticed the distinct grassiness flavor of dry hopping; and indeed the Sweetwater web site mentions dry hop in the description. The beer left behind a pleasing bitter aftertaste. Since I was just having one beer, I had to nurse my drink to last through the meal. My burger was cooked to perfection with a hint of smokiness.

While I regret not being able to stay longer and try out the other four house beers on tap, I am glad we made the trip. I caught a glimpse of brewer Nick Funnell in the brewery. Just like seeing the chef in the kitchen, knowing the brewer is there hard at work makes the beer all the more appreciated. I do think I'll get back soon for a more extensive dining and drinking experience at Sweetwater Tavern.

Local GABF Winners

The winners at the Great American Beer Festival were announced today.

Congratulations to the Virginia winners!

Devils Backbone Brewing Co. : Gold Leaf Lager : Gold : International-Style Pilsener
Devils Backbone Brewing Co. : Natural Born Keller : Silver : Kellerbier/Zwickelbier
Devils Backbone Brewing Co. : Danzig : Silver : Baltic-Style Porter
Devils Backbone Brewing Co. : Vienna Lager : Silver : Vienna Style Lager
Great American Restaurants (Sweetwater Tavern) : Crazy Jackass Ale : Gold : Rye Beer
Great American Restaurants (Sweetwater Tavern) : Wit's End : Bronze : Belgian-Style Witbier
Rock Bottom Brewery - Arlington : Dude! Where's My Vespa? : Gold : Coffee Flavored Beer
Starr Hill Brewery : Dark Starr Stout : Gold : Classic Irish Style Dry Stout

Special kudos to Jason Oliver at Devils Backbone for the impressive showing of 4 medals!.

Our friends at Clipper City and Flying Dog were among the Maryland Breweries bringing home medals.

Brewer's Alley Restaurant and Brewery : Brewer's Alley India Pale Ale : Bronze : English-Style India Pale Ale
Clipper City Brewing Co. : Clipper City Marzhon Vienna Lager : Bronze : Vienna Style Lager
DOG Brewing Co. : Pub Dog Black Dog Stout : Bronze : Classic Irish Style Dry Stout
Flying Dog Brewery : Horn Dog Vintage 2007 : Gold : Aged Beer
Flying Dog Brewery : Dogtoberfest : Gold : German Style Märzen
Flying Dog Brewery : Gonzo Imperial Porter : Gold : Imperial Stout
Flying Dog Brewery : Barrel Aged Gonzo : Silver : Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer

In addition to the 4 medals, Flying Dog Brewery, and brewer Robert Malone, also won the award for Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year.

North Carolina breweries were well represented on the winners' podium as well.

Foothills Brewing : Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout : Bronze : Imperial Stout

The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, Inc. : Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter : Gold : Baltic-Style Porter

The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, Inc. : Duck-Rabbit Barrel Aged Baltic Porter : Bronze : Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer

I'll be sure to look for some of those North Carolina beers next weekend at the World Beer Festival in Durham.

You can see all the GABF winners here.

Photos ©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com :

TOP: Aaron Riley (bartender @ DBBC), Jason Oliver (head brewmaster @ DBBC), Charlie Pazian (President of the Brewers Association), and Steve Crandall (owner of DBBC) accept their awards at The Great American Beer Festival.

BOTTOM: Mark Thompson (brewmaster @ Starr Hill), Jason Oliver, Steve Crandall

Photos by Heidi Crandall.

Update, September 29: Draft Magazine has posted an interview with Jason.