Grey Eagle Distributors — Local services in Fenton

Sad and pathetic to hear that a distributor already in an AB InBev populated territory is succumbing to the lure of financial incentive at the expense of customer service (c/o product availability).

Often traveling for business and respecting/appreciating fine craft beer, I enjoy visiting places that offer choice and ample selection of the only kind of beer I drink: Craft. However, the St. Louis area will be a sadder place because of the decision made by Grey Eagle Distributing. The decision was to opt in for a marketing program offered by AB InBev that could result in reimbursement of up to half of an independent distributor's contractual marketing cost for brands from AB InBev. The catch, AB InBev will only consider independent distributors if 95% of their sales volume is of their brands and the most sneaky and disappointing part: the distributor must not sell any craft beer from a brewer that produces more than 15,000 barrels per year or brewers that sell in more than one state!

So, while this maneuver by AB InBev is not forced, it must surely be enticing for an independent distributor to effectively "sell out" for marketing costs (oh by the way: costs that are only incurred because they're imposed by AB InBev in the first place as required marketing for their brands). Ironic that distributors like this opt to become so narrow-minded in product offering with a decision to let 95%+ of their sales become that of a single corporation, rather than offer customers variety and choice. Might as well sell your distribution company to someone else that believes in offering diverse product for the people.

Sure, you're entitled to decide what you want and suckle the financial marketing stream of the big beer company that essentially owns you, but at the expense of product availability in the marketplace!? This distributor is seemingly pro-monopolization and against choice - swooning for financial incentive from a company that mandated the marketing spending in the first place. It's as backwards as you can get in my opinion as a consumer. If you think you have to make a choice to go with the incentive program or retain support of craft beer offerings and craft brewers, there's no ethical or good reason to choose the incentive program - only a selfish one. Don't forget that AB InBev doesn't rely on the support of distributors as much as craft brewers do (otherwise they might be hurting enough to require a lower % sales volume than that staggering 95% for the incentive plan!). Small scale local brewers that do produce more than 15,000 barrels or sell in 2+ states will suffer significantly from self-centered distributors that relinquish contracts and partnerships with craft brewers in favor of incentives from AB InBev. Associated decreases in market presence and drop in the craft brewer's sales could strain their continued production capability and spawn layoffs or complete closures (if not disappearances in market areas).

So beyond my preferences to at least find quality, tasteful beers of my liking in the areas I travel, distributor decisions like these are much more significant and hurtful to the market and smaller brewers/businesses than they may realize. For all of these reasons, I am most disappointed in Grey Eagle Distributors and see them (their business model/practice) as an utter failure and completely shameful. If there's guilt associated with their decision, I do not know... but I implore others to avoid supporting their efforts by making your purchases from retailers that are not associated with Grey Eagle Distributors - or purchasing other products from distributors with...

Been here a couple of times now, and both visits were decent enough. If I HAD to pick something to critique, it would maybe be the unloading times (right now, I arrived at 11:32 for a 12:00 appointment, and I'm still sitting on a dock as of 13:41). Don't arrive TOO early for your appointment time else you WILL be waiting longer to be loaded/unloaded, so don't moan if you make that choice. Other than that, however, I had no problems at all. I can't believe one reviewer moaned he was here for only 2hrs!! Wonder what he'll be like for a drop/pickup that would take about 6 or 7 hours!!

The location is extremely easy to get to, being just off the I-44 in Fenton. Coming from the West, just take Exit 274A off I-44, left onto Bowles Ave, right onto Larkin Williams Dr, then keep going till you pass the main Grey Eagle Distributors building, and enter on East side of the building (marked on pic). Coming from East, take Exit 274, turn right onto N Hwy Dr, then right onto Assembly Pkwy, then left into entrance at East of the building. When exiting the facility after being unloaded/loaded, you leave by the West of the building. The area is fenced, but just press the button and they'll open up for you. The Receiving/Shipping office is clearly marked on the building on the left after you enter the facility.

An abundance of room to move around, easy docking, and clear instructions from office personnel. I honestly don't get what a good few drivers are moaning at in...

There is no overnight parking!

Do not arrive before an hour or so before your scheduled time. They are so busy with their own drivers and dedicated freight, it's would be a miracle to get unloaded early. I arrived to the shipping office at 0700 HRS and I left the premises at 1230 HRS. Mind you my appointment was scheduled for 1200 HRS. So they are extremely fast unloaders.

From what I hear, they work under an Union. Which simply means, they don't move fast for you and they can care less about your opinions and attitudes. So be nice and roll with the punches.

Everyone I spoke with was courteous.

Clean restroom for drivers, so keep it that way.

In summary, and reasoning for my score, I feel there should be more efforts, focus and available doors for owner operators. We should be able to move a bit faster. Especially when I get to the window and see a couple of members of the receiving team scrolling down a social media on the same computer they've just looked up load information for me. I'm ole school, and my motto will be, "LET'S GET THESE TRUCKS...