Getting stuck on the Alcohol Supplier quest in Of Ash and Steel is a common frustration. The stash is discovered, the location is correct, yet the stash chest cannot be interacted with, leaving the quest permanently stalled.
This guide explains what causes the Alcohol Supplier quest bug, how to confirm the correct stash, and what actions can fix or avoid the issue.
Quick Answer: Is the Alcohol Supplier Quest Bugged?
Yes.
The Alcohol Supplier stash chest not working is a known interaction issue. When it occurs, the chest does not trigger a loot prompt, and the quest cannot progress. There is no guaranteed permanent fix yet, but several reliable workarounds exist.
What Causes the Alcohol Supplier Quest Bug?
The bug occurs when the game fails to correctly activate the stash chest as a quest object. This usually happens due to quest order conflicts or interaction flag errors.
Key Causes
- Visiting the stash location before formally accepting the quest
- Looting alcohol containers early
- Interaction flags failing after save/load or death
- Known quest-object interaction bugs affecting the game
Because of this, the Alcohol Supplier quest becomes stuck even when all visible steps are completed.
Alcohol Supplier Stash Location (Correct vs Incorrect)
Many players encounter this issue because multiple alcohol containers exist in the same region.
✅ Correct Alcohol Supplier Stash
- Located near Woodcutter Camp
- Found behind the camp wall
- Positioned near broken tower ruins
- Two rats spawn when approaching
- Chest is outside the main camp
❌ Incorrect Alcohol Stash (Common Mistake)
- Liquor crate in a waterfall cave
- Contains alcohol but does not update quest progress
- Looting it does not complete the objective
Comparison: Correct Stash vs Wrong Stash
| Feature | Correct Quest Stash | Wrong Alcohol Crate |
|---|---|---|
| Quest progress updates | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Enemy spawn | ✅ Two rats | ❌ None |
| Location | Behind Woodcutter Camp wall | Waterfall cave |
| Chest interaction | Required for quest | Optional loot |
| Causes quest confusion | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Who Is the Alcohol Supplier Trader?
Another common search question is “who is the trader for Alcohol Supplier quest”.
The correct trader is:
- The merchant near the starting camp
- The same NPC from the missing four wheels quest
- Found near supply carts
Failing to talk to this trader before finding the stash increases the chance of the quest bug triggering.
How to Fix the Alcohol Supplier Quest Bug
There is no single guaranteed fix, but the following methods are proven to work in some cases.
Fix 1: Full Restart Interaction Reset
What it does: Resets stalled interaction flags.
How to do it:
- Stand near the stash chest
- Create a manual save
- Exit the game completely
- Restart the game
- Load the save from the main menu
- Check chest interaction again
Fix 2: Save-and-Reload Near the Stash
What it does: Forces the game to re-evaluate quest objects.
Steps:
- Save directly in front of the stash chest
- Reload that save immediately
- Attempt interaction again
Fix 3: Reload an Earlier Save (Most Reliable)
What it does: Avoids broken quest states entirely.
Recommended order:
- Read the logs near camp
- Speak to the Alcohol Supplier trader
- Travel directly to Woodcutter Camp
- Loot the rat-guarded stash behind the wall
Avoid looting any other alcohol containers beforehand.
Tips to Avoid the Alcohol Supplier Quest Bug
- Accept the quest before exploring Woodcutter Camp
- Do not loot alcohol crates early
- Save manually before approaching the stash
- Reload from the main menu if interaction fails
- Keep an earlier backup save when possible
These steps reduce the risk of the Alcohol Supplier quest getting stuck.
Is There an Official Patch Fix?
Currently, no patch specifically fixes the Alcohol Supplier stash chest bug. Developers have acknowledged related interaction problems, suggesting a future update may resolve it.
Conclusion
The Of Ash and Steel Alcohol Supplier quest bug where the stash chest can’t be interacted with is a known issue tied to quest order and interaction flags. Confirming the correct stash location, following the quest in order, and using save-reload workarounds are the only effective solutions until an official fix is released.
Frequently Asked Questions – Alcohol Supplier Quest Bug in Of Ash and Steel
1. Is the Alcohol Supplier quest completely broken in Of Ash and Steel?
No.
The Alcohol Supplier quest is not permanently broken for every player, but it does have a known interaction bug affecting the stash chest.
For many players, the quest completes normally when the stash is interacted with in the correct order.
For others, the interaction prompt never appears due to failed quest flags.
This makes the issue save-dependent rather than universal.
2. Why does the Alcohol Supplier stash chest have no interaction prompt?
The missing interaction prompt happens when the game fails to mark the chest as an active quest object.
This usually occurs if:
- The stash area is discovered before accepting the quest
- Alcohol containers are looted early
- The game is reloaded after death or transition
When this happens, the chest remains visible but inactive.
3. Does looting alcohol before starting the quest cause this bug?
Yes, in some cases.
Looting alcohol crates or hidden stashes before formally receiving the Alcohol Supplier quest can prevent the quest trigger from activating correctly.
This does not affect every playthrough, but it significantly increases the risk of the quest becoming stuck.
To avoid this, always accept the quest from the trader first.
4. Can the Alcohol Supplier quest be completed without opening the stash chest?
No.
Opening the correct stash chest behind Woodcutter Camp is required to complete the quest.
There are:
- No alternate objectives
- No dialogue skip options
- No automatic completion triggers
If the chest cannot be interacted with, one of the listed workarounds or an earlier save is required.
5. Should players wait for a patch or use a workaround?
Using a workaround is currently the best option.
There is no confirmed patch that directly fixes the Alcohol Supplier quest bug yet.
While future updates may resolve it, relying on a patch alone can leave the quest incomplete for long periods.
Players who want quest completion should attempt:
- Full game restart
- Save-and-reload near the stash
- Reloading an earlier save