Starbucks Now Selling Beer In Select Markets

Starbucks, the world’s largest coffeehouse, announced plans to sell beer and wine in thousands of their U.S.-based shops. Whether you’re a fan of their $7 coffee or not, there’s no denying this a bold move that will open up an entirely new market for them.

You might be surprised to learn that Starbucks has been selling beer in several of their Seattle coffeehouses for years now. The company first began selling beer in a single coffeehouse in Seattle back in 2010, and since that time they’ve expanded into 26 different shops in the Emerald City. Apparently, Starbucks has made some impressive sales number with their beer and wine, as they are now planning for a larger rollout.

Last week, Starbucks announced plans to offer beer and wine in thousands of its stores. In case you were wondering, there are approximately 13,279 Starbucks coffeehouses in the U.S. and 20,891 worldwide. The company hasn’t stated exactly how many of these shops will offer beer and wine, but there’s a pretty good chance we’ll be seeing more of around local Starbucks throughout the U.S.

So, why did Starbucks decide to take a leap of faith by selling beer and wine? We can only speculate, but it’s likely a move to boost their profits. Coffee drinkers and beer drinkers are two very different groups of people, so offering beer could attract a new demographic to their 13,000+ U.S. coffeehouses (well, I guess they are now coffee/beerhouses).

“The concept is a natural progression for Starbucks as we seek to create a new occasion for customers to gather, relax and connect with each other in the evenings,” said Lisa Passe, spokesperson for Starbucks Corporation.

Of course, beer and wine will only be sold to adults 21 years of age or older whom provide a valid I.D. If you’re looking to buy a brew from your local Starbucks, you’d better bring along your driver’s license!

Starbucks isn’t the only establishment to experiment with new beverages. McDonalds recently introduced several fruit flavored smoothies and drinks to its lineup, which has boosted the fast food chain’s revenue.

But the move to sell beer does seem a little “off” for the coffeehouse. Starbucks is a brand name that’s known for premium coffee, so some people are asking themselves why they would even attempt to sell beer. If it worked at their test locations, though, there’s a good chance it will work in the larger market.

Would you buy beer from a local Starbucks? Let us know in the comments section below!