Consumer’s Beverages

I have only been to this, or any, consumers a few times and I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of beer they carry. If you are looking for large quantities of cheap and «mid» range domestic or practically domestic Canadian beers consumers is probably going to have the best price, but that is not what I was looking for. Their huge craft beer selection and growler fill station is worth the trip for any beer lover. And it seems like you are able to get any of the beers they carry cold, which is a huge deal if you are heading to somewhere or even just home for the night.
Their support of local and NYS beers is what has brought me in and they have a huge selection. As long as you are not looking for something to exotic or specific you will leave consumers with a beer you can enjoy for a fair price.

Best place in buffalo for your beer! Great people and a wide selection of beer. The staff knows their beer and are able to make suggestions based on your tastes. The growler fill station changes weekly and has 14 taps.

Extremely rude staff. Angry big african-​american lady on the counter almost ate me for dinner. I am 34 but I was stopped, bullied and asked if I’m over 30? Wait a minute whats the right age to drink in America? Never going back there again! Dear management train your staff to be polite and customer wont stop coming back! Staff that bullies customers will do bad for the company! Coming from a 600 employee business owner…

As far as Consumer’s go this is a good one to stop in at. They have a big beer selection like the Orchard Park and Clinton St. locations. Plus they also have the home brew supplies like OP store. Usually a good tap selection to fill your growler at this location as well.

Would be a four star store, except for their policy on ID. So, I rolled in to Consumers on my bicycle to stock the beer fridge. My drivers license had mysteriously disappeared out of my wallet, which left me with my US Army FEDERAL GOVERNMENT issued ID– which they wouldn’t accept. What?! Really?! So, I walked out minus my Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Southern Tier Old Man Winter– and pedaled on over to Wegman’s where they graciously accepted my military ID. With a smile :)
Three stars for the selection, one star for complete disrespect and unwillingness to accept a completely legitimate form of identification. BOOOOO!!!
If you need NY micros, this is the place to go (IF you have proper ID). Other brands: Allagash, Shipyard, Victory, Redhook, Harpoon, Flying Dog, Sam Adams, Anderson Valley, Rogue, Lost Coast, Bear Republic, Sierra Nevada, Anchor, Leinenkugel, the list goes on and on and on…
Cheers: Walk in and get treated to a micro onslaught. Sensory overload, make sure you get a hallway pass before entering. make sure the utilities are payed before venturing in, otherwise you will leave maxed out and broke. At least drive a E85 vehicle in case you spend your gas money here– I am sure any of the Southern Tier Imperial Series can double as flex fuel. Blue and Bud is in the back of the store, separated from it’s high class cousins. Calorie burn time: You have to go to the rear of the store to find the coolers with the swill. Bi-​weekly buy one get one free 6er specials. Cheaper than Premier. Return empties with ease. 50 cent single cans if you’re broke or need a quick roadie. Front shelves feature big ass bombers and an array of Belgians to get the old passport stamped (which they will not accept as identification). Going to the other high end locale on Transit Road in East Amherst could net you a weekend in the lock up. Located in the second safest town (over 100,000) in America.
Jeers: There is always WT present. Customers overheard making fun of the «funny looking expensive beer» (they were buying Bud 18 packs). Parking lot is somewhat confusing, especially after drinking a sixer of Great Lakes Christmas Ale on the way. Could not find a dumpster to take a whiz on making it necessary to pee in an empty vitamin water bottle. Lighting is to bright for pasty western New Yorkers– I believe I may have gotten a UV ray burn while wandering the aisles aimlessly and drooling.

I thought this place was pretty cool with fair prices, but I don’t really have any interest in shopping there anymore after my last incident. Maybe I am out of the loop but I think there’s something wrong with the situation I am about to elaborate on. I had friends visiting from England and France (both over 21) and we grabbed a few 6-​packs for a party I was throwing. The cashier asked to see everyone’s IDs, so we all showed him. He would not accept the British guy’s passport, so he took out his student ID, license and military card — ALL of which had his birthday on them, clearly stating that he was of legal age — and the cashier still would not let us buy the beer. I mean, come on. What more proof do you need? Did he honestly think all of these IDs were fake? So basically if you don’t have a US license you don’t stand a chance. What about international students? It doesn’t really seem fair to me. I’ve never encountered this problem in other countries, so why are international visitors having this problem here? It really made me embarrassed while introducing my friends to this country. Pro tip: Head to Wegmans instead. International consumers are welcome there.

Consumer’s is a beer only store with above average selection. Prices are good to fair. They have a growler filling station as well with 15 taps of good beer. I didn’t notice a make your own six pack option, but I could’ve just missed it. I have an out-​of-​state ID & they did do a hard core check of it (i.e. wanted multiple cards with my name on it). So, if you forgot (or «forgot») your wallet then you might as well go home.