Sometimes Plan B isn't always the best plan

I'm a big fan of Plan B.  They have yummy food, a great beer selection, and good service. I've never been disappointed in any of these things. That is, until my visit tonight.

The services was great as usual. Our server, Sam, was knowledgeable, attentive, and put up with all of our nonsense with good humor and smile.

The food was amazing. I had the special burger for the week. I got the Southern Bell Burger - a beef burger topped with candied yams, Kentucky style fried chicken, wilted baby spinach and maple sausage gravy - it was fantastic.

Even though they were out of the one beer I really wanted (Lagunitas Fusion 17), the beer selection was good. I had a Dogfish Head Theobroma and hubby had Dark Seas by Mission Brewery.







What was disappointing is that Plan B in Milford seems to have taken a cue from their competitor down the road - Prime 16 - and started serving their beers in similar smaller sized glasses.  I thought the point of competition was to outclass your rival and not sink to their level.

I understand that both of the beers we got are both high in alcohol - 9% and 9.8% ABV respectively - so I wouldn't expect to be served a full pint of either. However, I've ordered similar beers during previous visits to Plan B and I have never received such a small quantity. I was a little taken aback and more than a little dissatisfied.

Cases in point . . .

During American Craft Beer Week I ordered a glass of Bigfoot (9.6% ABV) by Sierra Nevada.  It was served full to the brim in a stemmed chalice, as opposed to the tiny brandy snifter this evening's beers were poured into. (see post here)

Another visit, 668 The Neighbor of the Beast (8.5% ABV) by New England Brewing and G'Knight (8.7% ABV) by Oskar Blues Brewery. Again, served in a stemmed chalice. (see post here)

And then before that I enjoyed a Double Stout Black Ale (8.8% ABV) by Green Flash Brewing. Again, served in a stemmed chalice. (see post here)

During bacon week we didn't get any particularly "big" beers (see post here) but the visit before that I shared a He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. on Rye (10% ABV) by Shmaltz. That one was served in a shaker pint. Me thinks someone used the wrong glass in this instance.  (see post here)

See my point?










When Sam asked how everything was, first I told her how much I enjoyed the food and how awesome she was.  Then I explained my disappointment in the beer serving size.  She explained that the glass size is determined by factors such as alcohol content, style and commonness.

I'm not new to the beer scene.  I know that. I get that. Still, I was feeling a little ripped off.

I'd like to think that whoever was pouring the beer simply selected the incorrect glass. That's a distinct possibility, but somehow I suspect poor decision making in the change of policy.  Which I don't get. Consistent quality and customer satisfaction are paramount.

The point is, I frequent Plan B fairly regularly. And, frankly, I go there for the beer. I don't go to their competitor - who also happens to have an excellent selection of beer - due to the fact that I don't feel like I'm getting what I'm paying for. I got a similar feeling tonight and I didn't leave happy.

For the record, I don't like writing bad reviews but I want to be honest and share my experiences openly.


In response to this blog post, I received a message from the marketing manager of Plan B.  

I am happy to report that the beer we received was actually served in the incorrect glass. It should have, in fact, been served in goblets as in all our previous visits.  She did, however, indicate that beers with very high alcohol content is served in the smaller snifter glass.

I appreciate the response and feel so much better about the whole situation. Sometimes Plan B is the best plan, after all.