Would you buy a beer at Starbucks?

News / Poll
Posted by Brian Stechschulte on 19, October 2010 with 4 Comments

Coming to a store near you?

The recent announcement that Starbucks would start serving “regional wine and beer” made me curious about the public’s response? In general, its an effort to attract more customers after 2:00pm and a revamped store in Seattle is the first location with this option. I have a bunch of questions about this endeavor but I was curious what everyone thought?

Update: (10/20/10 @ 4:45pm PST) Results from my unscientific poll indicate the majority of people either favor the beer option at Starbucks or are at least open-minded to it depending on available options. Here are the percentages:

  • 24% Yes! I love this option.
  • 58% Maybe? Depends on what they offer.
  • 18% No, I’ll stick with my local bar.

Voting is closed.

  • Chesley

    I enjoy the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere that Starbucks has, and I wonder how that would change once beer and wine are offered. Many local coffee houses have been driven out of business by places like Starbucks, and there aren’t many options when it comes to relaxing with a cup of gourmet coffee. I would prefer to keep our coffee houses and our bars separate.

  • http://pedalsandpints.blogspot.com Jen

    For me, it absolutely depends on the selection and the location. In the same way that I’ll grab a Starbucks latte if there isn’t another coffee shop around, I might stop in for an afternoon beer if there wasn’t another bar around. The beer selection certainly matters too – I cannot imagine a world where I drop in to a Starbucks for a Miller Lite, but if the Starbucks between me and BART suddenly has Pliny on draft, it might be a different story.

  • http://alloverbeer.wordpress.com All Over Beer

    @Chesley: The dynamic would certainly change and I think that’s why they redesigned the store in Seattle where they’re test marketing the concept. It seems to me they’re making an effort to become more of a European style cafe. It would become a hybrid, not quite a bar or coffee shop.

    @Jen: Beer selection is definitely critical. I just can’t imagine they would go the mega brewers route. Yes, customers would be more familiar with those products, but it would conflict with their brand identity. They just released a “reserve” coffee line and putting that next to a Miller Lite would send mixed messages. I’m wondering if Starbucks is going to simply sell existing products, develop their own brand or collaborate with local and regional breweries on specific styles that would compliment food?

  • http://www.yeastboundanddown.com Paul

    I tend to avoid Starbucks because my dad owned a coffee shop in the late 80s to the mid 90s. I have that indie pride I guess. As far as buying beer there, I like it inasmuch as it goes to reduce the stigma of beer and wine. Ubiquity is never a bad thing when it comes to gaining mainstream acceptance of craft brewing, as well.