CSN Wine & Spirits

Store

1716 Centre St NE
Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2S4
Canada

(403) 296-0240 | map
csnwine.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.65
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
6
pDev:
7.12%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by CBA:
Photo of CBA
Reviewed by CBA from British Indian Ocean Territory

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
In the top 3 for beer selection in Calgary - would rank 3rd behind Kensington & Willow Park. Have made some improvements in the beer section since the reno's. Not a huge fan of the beer display to the left of the coolers - most singles are now stocked on their side in what looks to be an old wine rack. From my understanding esp. for non corked/caged beer this is not the best option. Also many of the beer seemed overly dusty - I question the condition of beer inside esp. some of the Unibroue's. I certainly do not think the storage has been tops. Anyway worth the stop.
Sep 26, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.34 by Beervana from Canada (BC)

Jan 16, 2016
Photo of presario
Reviewed by presario from Canada (AB)

3.35/5  rDev -8.2%
Moderate selection of beer. Not the least expensive store in Calgary. I guess it often comes down to location and this is a good one. The location is an old Alberta Liquor Control Board location that in this instance is it's original size. Other than that a big liquor store. I would put it behind Willow Park, Highlander and Crowfoot in terms of selection and emphasis on beer. 500 seems to be a lot of characters for a liquor store. It may be OK for a bar or brewpub but for beer stores you either have a great selection or you don't.
Sep 16, 2007
Photo of vanrassel
Reviewed by vanrassel from Canada (AB)

4/5  rDev +9.6%
(Revised review after some changes at the store....)

Although this store is a standby because I live so close, I had started going elsewhere to satisfy my desire for variety. I'm glad to say MANY things have improved since my original review of Oct. 2006.

The beer coolers provide a decent selection of imports and Canadian craft beers that I drink day-to-day — Wild Rose, McAuslan and Tree Brewing. There's a good variety of chilled four- and six-packs of Belgians (St. Bernardus, Gouden Carolus, Corsendonk) among a lot of European macros.

The store recently moved its impressive line-up of Belgians and other singles into coolers as well. Unibroue is also well-represented, and CSN has has one of the best selections of their wares in Calgary. Still plenty of Edition 2005, too!

By Calgary's relative standards, CSN has a good selection of U.S. craft beers: four or five Rogue brands, Lagunitas, Pike and He'Brew.

The store is bright and pleasant since the renovations were finished and manager/sommelier Andre is extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic about beer. Beyond him, however, I don't get the impression many staff members are too beer-savvy.
Oct 16, 2006
Photo of BigBry
Reviewed by BigBry from Canada (AB)

3.85/5  rDev +5.5%
I drive past CNS quite often but this was the first time I actually stopped to shop.
They are undergoing a renovation so the back part and some coolers were closed. South coolers have macros, and at the back are the 'good' beers.
Cwrw has already done the review and pretty much covered everything. Unibroue is well represented, and as mentioned 1837 and La Fringante are now stocked with lots of 2004 and 2005. All other brands he listed are there, plus a few fruit Belgians haven't seen anywhere else (bought a Mongozo Banana, FLoris Ninkeberry), a number of Flying Dogs, all of the Cannery line (Blackberry Porter). A few gift packs (Corsendonk, Kwak, Affligem).
Prices were a slight bit higher than Willow Park, but selection is worth it.
Worth the visit, will have to check back when reno is complete, hopefully they do another beer/cheese tasting event soon.
Mar 12, 2006
Photo of Cwrw
Reviewed by Cwrw from Canada (AB)

3.85/5  rDev +5.5%
Just north of 16 Ave N lies the CSN Liquor Store. A very nondescript building, not really eye-catching in the least, but quite a large store. Walking in reveals the centre of the store is all islands of wine, surrounded by quite a few coolers full of the good stuff, beer. Along one stretch is all the macros and unmentionables, whilst closer to the front of the store is about 6 coolers with what we are looking for. Unibroue is well represented, looking as though the staff want to stock the entire available range. When I went in I mentioned to a Dutch employee named Andre that Willow Park had 1837 and La Fringante, he immediately went to the computer and ordered them. Most of the Samuel Smith's were also there in the cooler, along with the usual Trappists, Chimay and Orval, and then all the new-to-Alberta Belgians: Corsendonk, Gouden Carolus, Deus, and St Bernardus. What I did not see was any Wild Rose, which was a little disappointing. This is the only store in Calgary where I have seen Delerium Tremens in 750ml corked bottles. Some other Belgians and British beers were also stocked. Regionally there was some Yukon Brewing and some BC beers. The shelves look very well kept. Service was allright--friendly once you can track someone down to talk to. The store holds tastings regularly, and Belgian beer and cheese tastings were in the agenda for November, I was told. Definitely a store worth seeking.
Aug 04, 2005
CSN Wine & Spirits in Calgary, AB, Canada
Place rating: 3.65 out of 5 with 6 ratings