Bear World

Store

22093 US Route 11
Watertown, New York, 13601-5143
United States

(315) 782-0691 | map
bearworldnny.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.79
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
28
pDev:
19.53%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.02 by byronic from Canada (ON)

Dec 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.31 by paulb19801 from New York

Dec 12, 2015
Photo of TLWalsh
Reviewed by TLWalsh from New York

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This shop was one of the first of its kind to open up in the area. I must have spent hundreds, likely more on beers there over the past 4 years or so, shoot I have a t-shirt and pint class with the logo on it. I buy growlers a couple of times a month and use my growler card and after 9 fills I get a 10th free. The selection is second to none, seriously. They have just about anything you may have heard of and plenty you likely haven't. Depending on who's working you'll get questions answered knowledgably but don't count on it. Its best to have a pretty good idea of what you're looking for before going. The main issue I have with Bear World is most of the product on hand and sold is at or past the freshness date on the packages. Many of the cartons, Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA most recently for instance had the date code smeared out, looked pretty deliberate to me. OK, it is what it is but if you're going to sell stale product then discount it, that definitely doesn't happen here, you're paying full price. Bottle Caps product is always fresher even if they may not have quite the quantity or selection.
Jul 24, 2015
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Rated by 1upstate from New York

2.39/5  rDev -36.9%
vibe: 2 | quality: 1.5 | service: 2 | selection: 4
you have other choices in town now.
Apr 05, 2015
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Reviewed by Misterphinister from Michigan

3.69/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Definitely need to check dates and ask for prices on everything in this place. They are catering to the lotto crowd more than any of the beer customers.
Mar 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.26 by Statonxyb from Kentucky

Feb 17, 2015
 
Rated: 2.5 by DannyBoyDD from New York

Dec 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.76 by BukaBob from New York

Nov 25, 2014
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Reviewed by whskiman from New York

2/5  rDev -47.2%
Unfriendly and unknowledgeable staff. Hate going in there. If you have to go there make sure you know what you want and check the dates. They ruined the Heady Topper they had by leaving it out often he cooler and could have cared less. Go to Bottlecaps Beverages they know their stuff and are friendly.
Nov 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Cycle69 from Canada (ON)

Oct 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by trxxpaxxs from New York

Oct 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Jaybirdbrew from New York

Jul 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by boszormeny from Canada (ON)

Jun 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by j0hnc2468 from New York

Mar 18, 2014
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Reviewed by spinrsx from Canada (ON)

3.41/5  rDev -10%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4.25
**beware, lots of out of date beers on the shelves. Be sure to double check your bottles before purchasing.**

Definitely the best place to buy beer in the area based on selection. They have a ton of different beers.. I would say their selection is even better than the beer stores in Syracuse. Unfortunately their prices are what ruins it. Their whole '10% off mix 6 packs' doesn't make up for it all either. They really inflate the prices of their singles. This is why I appreciate stores like the Potsdam IGA that simply divide the total price of the 6 packs by 6 to give you a single beer price. Even the Watertown Sunoco right off Interstate 81 has a 'craft you own 6 pack' section for 9.99$ for 6. It's not just the mix 6 section that high priced either.. Stone Smoked Porter was 5.99$ at Bear World, a 4.49$ at the grocery store nearby.. Sam Smith Imperial Stout was 4.99$ at Bear World.. 3.89$ at the grocery store.. All of their beers were like this; at least 1$ more than competitors. Anyways, until their prices come down, I'll shop elsewhere.
Nov 14, 2013
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Reviewed by polloenfuego from Canada (NB)

3/5  rDev -20.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5
UPDATE: Jan 2014 -- Went in recently. There is a new competitor in Watertown that is putting pressure here. As someone else said the stock can really be old, I found some bottles that were over a year that should have been pulled long before. You really have to be careful. I found that since my last trip, they have really upped the prices on individual bottles.

Went to Bear World based on the reviews from BA and from some folks I know.

Being from Ontario, I was pleased to find brands like Founders, Smuttynose and Lagunitas available. These are pretty tough to get in my neck of the woods, so I grabbed a good number of them.

I wound up getting quite a load of beer...60 12 oz bottles and 6 22 oz as well. The total for this came to $120. I don't think that is completely unreasonable for some quality product.

While service was not stellar, it was friendly and courteous. The lady working there offered to get me boxes and a cart to help me carry my beer to my car. I was shocked that she asked for ID, given my obvious middle age, but she said its policy.

I noticed that they had glassware, but I found the selection a little weak...I needed a pint glass though and got one their house brand ones for $3.
May 08, 2013
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Reviewed by Knight

3.86/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
I don't think there's a better place in the local area if you're a beer snob. There are two gigantic walls of single beers (and wine cooler/Smirnoff Ice type drinks) to make your own six pack in addition to four giant aisles of six packs. The selection is a fantastic mix of beers from small breweries and all of the bigger brands, and European, Japanese, Mexican, and Brazilian beers, and for the most part, everything sitting on the shelves at room temperature can be found cold in the walk-in cooler as well.

They also have around 10 or 12 taps on the wall for growlers, although the selection for growlers is a little more basic. They sell a few different types of glasses too, just in case you need a new pint glass.

Highly recommended.
Feb 02, 2013
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Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
This is a medium size liquor store located in the older part of Watertown. Great selection of north east breweries with also a good representation of larger west coast breweries being available. I really appreciated the fact that you could build your own mixers from a large variety of singles. Price appears to be fair with some large bottle being somewhat pricey (Belgian, Dogfish). Staffs were helpful though not the most knowledgeable. Growler station had some semi-interesting stuff on though most of the beers were blond or amber ales. Good place to stop when in Watertown though not necessarily worth a stop depending which other part of the states you are visiting.
Jul 11, 2012
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Reviewed by BabyBastard from New York

4.16/5  rDev +9.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5
Very decent selection of some fine craft brews. The huge walk in cooler is great when you don't want to have to wait for your beer to chill out. Found some of my favorite beer here for substantially cheaper than what it costs near my house. Worth it to drive to Watertown just to pick up some six packs. Overall, a good beer store with good selection, I just wish that it was a tad bit closer to where I live so I could make the trip more often. Check it out if you're in the Watertown area. It's worth it.
Jul 05, 2012
Photo of jhmiv
Reviewed by jhmiv from New York

4.08/5  rDev +7.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Picked up a mixed six pack that my son arranged for me as a present. So, I don't know the price, but will say the manager was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They offer a great variety of American and some microbrewed brands. Huge walk in cooler. This was my first visit, but I will be back to purchase new offerings. To complete this review I have to type 500 characters. I think this format is unnecessary as I stated all I wished in just over 300 characters. Check out Bear World if you are in the Watertown area. Maybe this is enough characters.
Jan 19, 2012
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Reviewed by water1112 from New York

3.86/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
I thoroughly enjoyed the selection available. I happened to come threw on my birthday weekend. While i enjoyed the selection, I did not however enjoy the fellow at the counter talking up that he was one of four retail places in New York to get the dogfish pearl jam twenty ale from distributors. I asked him how much it was he said twenty dollars. In Albany it is 13. Ironically enough, I had been to at least 4 different places back home and saw it there.
How ever it is still the best selection in the area. And whenever I am home I do stop in to see if there are hidden gems tucked away on the shelf.
Jan 02, 2012
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Reviewed by jbonapar from Canada (ON)

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Drove all the away from Canada for a Trip. We can't get Dogfish, Rogue, ect in Ontario. A Great little place near the border. Had some excellent selection with a wondefull walk in fridge. Mainly US beers but a fantastic selection.. Couldnt ask for more. Sorachi Ace, Dogfish, TONS of microbrews. I was amazed by the selection of American Beers. I even found the Dogfish HellHound and Pearl Jam. My one critique is imports. Very minimal import section. Although they do have some great Canadian beers :) I'll be back, so get some more Europeans!
Dec 23, 2011
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Reviewed by bylerteck from Canada (ON)

4.16/5  rDev +9.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
I stopped in here after some Black Friday shopping.

Bear World is a convenience sorta store with a giant beer selection. The walk in cooler is huge with tons of sixes of American crafts with a good amount of Northeastern breweries represented.

You can mix your own six pack with singles outside the fridge as well, a great feature of the store. Big bottles are available as well with lot's of Stone, Firestone Walker, and Belgian imports, among many other great American micros.

I didn't interact with any staff outside of the cashier who was fine.

A great place to stop with reasonable prices and a great selection. The refrigeration element is a great bonus, I just wish the mix your own six bottles were a part of that.
Nov 25, 2011
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Reviewed by soju6 from Missouri

4.8/5  rDev +26.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Found this little gem of a beer store while working in the Watertown area. They have been open less than a year, but carry a large selection of craft beers from around the US and from overseas as well as offerings from the local and regional craft brewers. There is a large walk-in cooler full of beer ready to consume. If you are undecided on what you want there is a wall of single beers to build a six-pack mixer from. In addition to having Kegs available, there are normally 4-5 rotating beers on tap for growlers.
Oct 02, 2011
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Reviewed by ReservaPrivada from New York

5/5  rDev +31.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
This has become my go to spot. I work up in Jefferson Co, and I stop in at least 3-4 times per week on my way home. Amazing the evolution this place has took on. Really opened up and in my opinion this is a beer geeks paradise.

They have the best selection in the H20 area. The next closest beer store is potsdam and bear world puts them to shame. Syracuse beer store is pricey compared to bear world. Prices are reasonable and within range of a craft beer store.

Amazing owner. Very humble guy and always try's to get those special request. Adding more and more stock every week. Getting beers from California on thru.

If you enjoy good beer, or are a beer geek-enthusiast this is a most stop place. 10% discount on all mix 6 packs, and tobacco products are also cheap here.

Cheers! To the great personnel at Bear World! Thank You for choosing Watertown, this place has needed a beer store of your caliber for way to long!
Aug 22, 2011
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Reviewed by Cusebeer27 from New York

4.66/5  rDev +23%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I recently stopped by Bear World on my way to the 1000 islands from Syracuse. I was super impressed with their beer selection. No where in the North Country has anywhere near the selection. I picked up some Stone Imperial Stout, Rochefort 10, and Bear Republic Racer 5. All the beer was fresh and cold!!! Prices were very reasonable and the staff was very friendly. Great Place with a growing selection! Cheers to finally have good beer up North!!! Looking forward to stopping back on my next trip through.
Jul 14, 2011
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Reviewed by minchhoffb from New York

4.14/5  rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Bear World (no that isn't misspelled they have a paw on the sign) just recently opened and has brought a much needed beer store to the Watertown, NY area. Craft beer selection in the Watertown area has been very limited until Bear World. The selection was good for this area. They had beers from Sierra Nevada, Lagunitus, Stone, Southern Tier, Troegs, Sam Adams, Lake Placid, Smuttynose, Dogfish Head, Leffe, Ommegang, Chimay, Great Lakes, along with some others I am probably forgetting. They also carry all the regular BMC brands. The lady at the register was nice but not very knowledgeable on beer. She said they will try and order in any special beer requests. The prices were about 10% higher than the same beer in Syracuse but that seems normal for anything you buy in this area. They were cheaper than the Class Six on Ft Drum on most of the direct comparisons. The biggest complaint I had was almost all the beer was in a giant walk in cooler. I prefer to buy craft beer room temp because I don't have enough refrigerator space at home for my collection. I really don't want to purchase a Chimay 750ml at 33degF and then let it warm up in my basement. I also got cold browsing for what I wanted to buy. I have to stress that although Bear World doesn't yet compare to Wegmans or Brilbeck's in Syracuse it is a giant step in the right direction for Watertown.

They now have pricing on almost all their selection and have added a whole wall of individual bottles for a mixed six pack. I really appreciate that they included pricing. Becoming a go to place for craft beer.
Apr 01, 2011
Bear World in Watertown, NY
Place rating: 3.79 out of 5 with 28 ratings