So you bought bad some bad beer...

[mr x]

What do you do?

I'd like to hear what people do when it happens (drink it, dump it, return it, etc...), and the results of your efforts. Either on tap or in bottle, anywhere in the world I guess as well.

[GuingesRock]

I think home brewers have compassion for fellow craft brewers. It's almost like they want to foster and support them.

Sometimes you brew a batch yourself at home that isn't quite good enough, and you quietly dump it. I think home brewers might be extending the same courtesy to fellow craft brewers on the commercial side.

[Jimmy]

I normally drink it if it isn't horrible, or dump it if it is. That's it

[Keggermeister]

It depends. If I only have a bottle, like the Hell Bay bitters I had the other night I will drink of dump it.
Last night I opened a case of One Hop EKG and a bottle had failed to seal leaking from the cap. I will take that one back to the brewery. I think it is important for them to know their equipment may need repair.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Quantity/cost is definitely a concern.. One off bottle and I usually just dump it. But a growler or 6 pack (or a pint on tap) that is way off, I return. Have gotten money back sometimes

[RobD]

I can't remember the exact details, but back when I hadn't learned my lesson, I picked up some Sea Level Blue Herron from Bishops Cellar. When I got to the cash, and the guy working saw what I was buying, he said something like "If you don't like it or find it flat, bring it back and we'll do x" (fortunately not mr. x) and this is where the details are foggy. "x" was either that they'd do an exchange for something else, or perhaps a refund.

It was bearable, as like a beer, the hops covered up a lot.

[mr x]

Have gotten money back sometimes

You have tried to return bottles without receiving a refund? What was the response?

[gm-]

If I buy bad beer at ANBL I return it, for refund/exchange. Has mostly happened with Garrison IIPAs that were full of gunk and tasted of cardboard.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Have gotten money back sometimes

You have tried to return bottles without receiving a refund? What was the response?

Now that I really think about it, that hasn't happened. I was thinking more about returning a pint and being offered something else to replace it (as opposed to a refund)

[Broob]

Few months back I had a bottle of Boxing Rock Vicar's Cross IPA and it was foul. I had one before and liked it but this one tasted like a wet dog had been swimming around in the fermentor. Not your typically "off" flavour. I chalked it up to a bad batch and didn't really do anything about it. I thought I would email them and let them know it was bad but didn't. I haven't had one since but probably will at some point.

[Jimmy]

I had the NSLC agency store close to me order in a couple bottles of the Vicars Cross for next week - I'm curious to see how they taste. I haven't had any issues with the previous bottles I've purchased.

[thehollowhead]

I picked up a bottle of Vicar's Cross at Premier last weekend and it was easily one of the best I've had from Boxing Rock...

Though, when I get a bad beer, I usually try to power through and I have no idea why.

[chalmers]

I've sent back pints, and the good bar I did that at tried the beer, and agreed with me that it shouldn't be served, took the keg off, and offered me another one. I've also done that at a different bar, and they did offer me a replacement, but did not pull the keg.
I've also commented on pints that I thought were "the first pull of the day", and lines not properly cleaned, and was given a replacement. That one I blame on the bar.

I didn't physically bring back, but mentioned a bad bottle to a local retailer, and was given a replacement bottle from a newer, better, batch.

So I've never been told to screw off. But I haven't told the retailer or brewer about every bad beer I've had. Maybe I should be more vigilant, as certainly both parties should know about it.

[NASH]

It was bearable, as like a beer, the hops covered up a lot.

Muthafocka! My beers are never flawed because I bury said flaws with stunning hops, no exceptions