Image Courtesy of BuffaloNews.com
Here’s something I never thought I’d say; I wish I lived in Buffalo, New York. Okay, so it’s not true – I’d kill myself in the winter – but life certainly just got a little more interesting for beer geeks in Western New York.
Twelve Sunoco gas stations in the region have been testing out growler filling stations at their APlus convenience stores. They call it the “Craft Beer Exchange,” and it’s been a hit so far, with one location selling over 30 growlers on the first day. One local summed it up well when first laying eyes on the Craft Beer Exchange, saying (with awe) “Woah, when did THAT happen?!” He may have later been quoted as saying “All right, Hamilton!”
Now you can now get your gas tank filled with premium and your growler filled with 64 ounces of Kona Longboard, Stone Arrogant Bastard, Dogfish Head 60, and a host of Western New York craft brews like Syracuse’s Middle Ages Brewing Co’s Wailing Wench and Buffalo’s Flying Bison Rusty Chain (the most popular selection on tap, which goes for $7.99 a growler). Once filled, the caps of the growlers get a sticker to “officially” seal them, making sure no one runs afoul of New York’s open container laws.
The growler bottles themselves will cost $3.99, but right now the stations are giving the bottles away for free when you fill up your tank. That has to be the best gas station promotion ever.
Sunoco says they will expand the program to other locations if it continues to be as popular as it has been in the early going. I say start planning now, boys and girls. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that you can sell craft beer just about anywhere. If you build it, we will come.
Tip of the pint to John King for sharing this story with us.
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Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
My brother, who lives in Easton PA, swears an Exxon gas station near him has growler fills; I always have my doubts because every time we ride there its closed. Interesting concept though because unlike New Jersey and New York, most states have beer sales in convenience stores and gas stations…so why not a growler fill?
Yeah, the fact that this is happening in NY is pretty interesting. Guess it’s a loophole…
Wow, I have several places in NC that would love to see this happen at their retail establishments. It’s odd to see a gas station taking this on!
It sounds like something a beer geek would do in an independent station, not something Sunoco would do. Very cool – it shows just how mainstream craft beer has become.
Thanks for posting. This is awesome! Now if we can replace these with those BEER CAVES!
Don’s all for that!
Oh please let this come to VA. I might just leave my car running in the parking lot and drink until it goes empty.
I don’t think that’s what they had in mind, Scott. Both you and your car are supposed to fill your tanks (in your case a growler, not yer belly) and hit the highway!
Wow, that’s a win for the good guys! Its not something we’re likely to see here in MD, but it could happen in my birth state of IL, where you can pick up beer & wine at the local grocery store.
Interesting take from Charlie Papazian.
http://www.examiner.com/beer-in-national/craft-beer-draft-at-gas-station-convenient-stores-a-bad-idea?CID=examiner_alerts_article
Buffalo is a great city with even better quality of people. Craft brewing and craft beer is huge here. Don’t knock buffalo until you have spent the night wandering the Elmwood village or enjoying one of the great restaurants.
Have you been to Buffalo before? Its a pretty nice town if you get to know it. If you’d ever like a tour by a real resident who knows the area beyond the cliched wings and Niagara Falls, drop me a line and I’ll show you a few great places to grab a drink, a bite, and have a good time.