Glenville Beverage

Store

96 Freeman's Bridge Rd.
Scotia, New York, 12302
United States

(518) 374-4615 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.08
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
19
pDev:
7.11%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by tubeman:
Photo of tubeman
Rated by tubeman from New York

4/5  rDev -2%

Jun 08, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of emquilxy
Reviewed by emquilxy from Pennsylvania

4.31/5  rDev +5.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
My new go-to spot. Travel through this area for work--they have the best selection of singles I've found! All of the standards, but a nice selection from upstate NY, VT, and New England. Plus a growler-fill station in the back; 6 decent selections on tap when I was there tonight.
Sep 12, 2017
 
Rated: 4.11 by dd43 from Connecticut

Jan 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.52 by mseeger from New York

Aug 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by timoteo833 from New York

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JKV96 from Massachusetts

Mar 31, 2014
Photo of manwich
Reviewed by manwich from Connecticut

4/5  rDev -2%
For where this place is (somewhat out of the way of anything interesting) it has an excellent selection of foreign and domestic craft beer, including some very hard to find beers, growlers, and pretty much every macro-brew you could want if you're looking for something for a party. Lots of British and German beers in regular bottles and also in full pint or liter bottles, which is nice. They've even got some Italian, Japanese, Russian and Austrian beers as well. I haven't seen a selection quite as good with so many single bottles available anywhere but at New Beer Distributors in New York City. They also do a flat rate mix-and-match six pack you can assemble yourself from a selection of beers, which is a good way to try a bunch of different beers.

It's pretty much a help-yourself atmosphere, though I haven't had to ask any of the employees for anything, and the prices are quite reasonable and what I expect when I'm buying specialty beer, not pricey but not necessarily a great deal.

They do a pretty big business in kegs, so the store is kind of warehouse-y and smells strongly of beer, but it doesn't matter once you've found the import/domestic craft shelves in the back.
Sep 12, 2009
Photo of AndyAvalanche
Reviewed by AndyAvalanche from Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
I like this place, it's pretty close to my in-laws so my wife and I will usually take a trip over there if we're visiting. They have a place in the corner where you can fill up your own growler, I thought that was pretty cool. All in all the quality is pretty good. But they do however have a mix a six on an end cap where you can put any of the available beers and make your own six pack, where you have to be careful of the labels to see whats up to code. Sometimes they run a bit close. The service all in all is pretty good. Most of the store clerks are generally pretty helpful and have a fairly broad knowledge of the products available. The selection is very good, I've seen them carry things that I generally don't see all that often. They had almost everything of all the heavy hitters like Stone, Rogue, Dogfish, and plenty of NY brews like Brooklyn, Southern Tier, Saranac, Middle Ages, and plenty more. A fair amounts of imports at the end of the store as well. The prices are pretty reasonable overall, I always feel like I spend too much, but I usually get quite a bit too.
Sep 08, 2009
Photo of drseamus
Reviewed by drseamus from New York

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
This was the closest beverage center from where I grew up but I haven't been back in a while. Time has treated this place well.

One thing that hasn't changed is that no one there helps with anything except bottle returns. At most stores someone asked me if I need help within a minute of walking in. Not here.

Right as you enter, the craft beer is almost impossible to see at the back of the store. As you get closer though it becomes quickly apparent that it is an impressive selection. The nice thing is that the have a lot of beers from each brand they carry and they're displayed very nicely. On the back of that shelf are the imports arranged by Belgium, Germany, England, and other. Pretty impressive selection, especially the trappists. The german selection is the best in the area.

A good place all around. One note however; don't go there during rush hour traffic.
Dec 12, 2008
Photo of nmbeerfan
Reviewed by nmbeerfan from New Mexico

3.4/5  rDev -16.7%
I wasn't expecting much when I first walked in as the regular big name beers (i.e. Bud, Coors, etc.) were located in the front of the store. However, as I looked to the back wall, I saw a huge array of microbrews and imports and I started humming the song "I'm in Heaven". I've seen better, I've seen worse, but from what I can tell from a small town store, this is the place to go when wanting something different. The different types of beers have been mentioned by other reviewers and that hasn't seemed to change much. However, I noticed that the prices seemed to be a bit pricey compared to the stores I've visited in the south and in the west. But, this IS the northeast and prices tend to be a bit higher on everything.

The service is nonexistent, at least it was on this night. And the young man at the register didn't speak much even when I asked him a question. All in all, next time I'm visiting this town, I'll make my way here.
Jan 24, 2008
Photo of yourunclewalt
Reviewed by yourunclewalt from New York

3.7/5  rDev -9.3%
Ah Glenville Beverage. Glenville was the first place I was introduced to after I turned 21 that sold a wide array of microbrews. They have a wonderfully stocked make your own six pack wall, which I believe is around 8 dollars a 6 pack; the selection, while limited, includes Middle Ages, Brooklyn, Flying Dog, Sierra Nevada, Magic Hat, Saranac, Sam Adams, Cooperstown, Mendocino, Sea Dog, Clipper City, Wolavers / Otter Creek, etc. Apart from the 6-pack mix rack, they keep a fairly extensive selection including Trappists, the entire Rogue, Stone, Dogfish Head, etc. collections. Probably the best reason to go, though, is for their growlers. First, they sell their own painted growlers for a few bucks, but, to my knowledge, will fill any growler. The selection is usually impeccable, and above all else, cheap. Arrogant Bastard, Saranac Imperial IPA, SN Celebration, Brooklyn Smoked Weissebock, Magic Hat Ravell, all for between 6.99 and 7.99! They've even been known to have Oaked Arrogant Bastard for similar prices. They go out of their way to completely fill your growler to overflow, and to vigorously seal it with electrical tape for added storeability. The service is reasonable, as one reviewer noted, the staff is usually high school / college kids, some of whom react like a deer in the headlight when you try to chat them up on beer knowledge, others enjoy it. Regardless, well worth the trip for your money, great growler fills, mix your own 6 pack specials, and a healthy selection of microbrews and imports.
Apr 16, 2007
Photo of Atron67
Reviewed by Atron67 from Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
I love their selection its my favorite beer store in the area

I like to pick up random things and see how they are, and this store hasbeen exceptional for helping me expand my horizon into new areas of beer,
however sometimes the beers look a bit dusty which worries me for beers that arent spossed to store, but its not often.
They have a great selection almost a whole rack for just rogue
some good beers on tap
some great imports that are hard to find too.
they even sell a couple glasses for the the conesseur.

I go their everyweekend to pick up something new and they have worked out great
Feb 24, 2007
Photo of Stimack
Reviewed by Stimack from New York

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
Was able to stop in as we where up visiting my wife’s family for the weekend. Very impressive place. Definitely not as many brews as Oliver’s but the selection that they had was very solid. Huge selection of Rogue ales along with a good representation of NY State brews, Belgians and many mainstay Micro brews. Some harder to find stuff as well. What really impressed me was the taps, as they had 8 on line. Only one I would consider a crap beer, the rest where very nice. Had 4 IPA’s, a porter, a scotch ale, and a Southampton (Can’t remember which one). Very clean and well organized. Even though they had some younger “kids” working there they seemed to know the ropes pretty well.
Mar 13, 2006
Photo of cooter
Reviewed by cooter from New York

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
A gem of the capital region for beer lovers. Excellent selection of English ales, Rogue ales, American (especially NY) microbrews, and even Belgians. Consistently excellent growler selection (usually 6-8 lines ready, with titles like Hennepin (Ommegang), Sierra Nevada, specialty Sam Adams, et cetera. High quality choices and at the expected price. If you can't find something there, they'll get it--or you're too damn picky. Should keep one occupied with variety for several years.

I like that they have a friendly "help yourself" policy for the fridge, and their bottle return is nice. Informed, knowledgable dude at the counter every time I go. Good kegs--well kept and well priced.
Jul 07, 2005
Photo of Starchild
Reviewed by Starchild from New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
Glenville has a nice selection of beer, especially from the surrounding area (read Middle Ages, Cooperstown, Etc). I was surprised they had Rogue aquarium bombers. The tap selection was solid (the did have some Stone, Victory, Sierra Nevada), but nothing that shocked me. Aside from the NY beers, Belgium and the rest of the US were well represented.

I ended up with a growler of Keegan Ale. The case prices seemed very reasonable. Really great beer store, but I don't agree with All About Beer that it's the best in the state.
Jun 28, 2004
Photo of Shiredave
Reviewed by Shiredave from New York

4.31/5  rDev +5.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4
This is a surprisingly good beer store. A bit out of the way through the tortuously twisted roads of Schenectidy, Glenville Beverage offers one of the widest selections available in NY.
All About Beer magazine voted Glenville top honors in Best Beer Stores of NYState.
Owner Mr. Crounse and son Andrew take pride in offering the best selection they can and keep prices very reasonable. Andrew knows his beer and is capable and pleased to help customers with questions and special requests.
6 or more fresh draft beers are available for growler fill-ups featuring such unique offerings as McNiel's Ales and Middle Ages keg only specialty brews if your timing is right. A huge cooler holds just about everything thats available on the shelf. Excellent selection of Belgian, German and UK specialty bottles and an equaly impressive choice of US craft brews in stock, as well as all the mainstream euro-nadian lagers and domestic macros.
Bottles dont get very dusty here, and people in the area know to come here to find the good stuff so you rarely find a beer beyond it's freshness date. Well lit, clean, fair prices with a friendly knowlagable staff. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a store like Glenville Bev. near by.
Jan 28, 2004
Photo of Charthepirate
Reviewed by Charthepirate from New York

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%
Fantastic place, fantastic selection, fantastic service. I buy all my beer from here now because the selection and service is so fantastic. Lot's of great local, semi local, and flat out import brews. It's strong points are the imports from england, germany and the regional american brews. I was very glad to find some of the Rogue brews that i fell in love with on the west coast, and some i couldn't even find. Basically all styles of beer are represented here, it's a truly wonderful thing. Staff is also friendly and helpful.

Prices are not spectacular, but not horrible either. They sell kegs, and normally have some pretty decent kegs for sale too.

A fantastic, absolutely fantastic store.
Jan 12, 2004
Photo of RocketWidget
Reviewed by RocketWidget from Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
Well first the good. WHAT A SELECTION! Never been to a beer store with so damm many micros and imports. A fair amount of the beer is refrigerated, but most is on shelves. I picked up a mixed six pack (unfortunately the custom sixers choice is not that great, but then again I usually buy more than one brew anyways) and a big ol bottle of Chimey. They also have a rotating tap selection for growlers. I know I'll be happy shopping here for quite some time. The bad is that you pay a little extra for such a selection. Sad but true. Still, I can't argue with the location/availability.

For all my beer shopping in the Schenectady area, I have found THE place to go.
Jan 05, 2004
Photo of sponberg
Reviewed by sponberg from New York

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%
Located on Freeman's Bridge Road in Scotia, one of those "not convenient to the highway" locations. Take I-890 from the west (not from the east - it's important to be heading eastbound on I-890 if you want to find it), get off on the Erie Blvd. exit, follow the signs around the roadway massacre that is the GE circle and head north on Erie Boulevard (you'll know you're on the right road if you see a Wendy's on the right). Go about 3 miles. Erie crosses the Mohawk and becomes Freeman's Bridge Rd. Go about another 3/4 mile and it's on the right.

A fins selection of micros, everything from Bear Republic to Keegan's at prices typically 50 cents to a buck less than at Oliver's, as well as a fairly extensive import section with some lesser known offerings. Eight tap lines for growler fills, usually with Brooklyn, Victory, Middle Ages, and McNeill's on four of the lines and occasionally kegs from local brewpubs and one offs from elsewhere. The staff is friendly and helpful, and will tell you what's new without you even asking and if it's available and they don't have it, they'll get it. Good amount of micros in the cooler. Rarely if ever do I find outdated brew. Not the sheer volume of beers that Oliver's may carry, but this place's prices and service put it on at least equal standing.

For those who like to pick up some snacks with your beer, they stock Gibble's potato chips. This is huge for me - I've driven to southern PA to get these chips by the case. They're THAT good.

The only detriment is they only take returns for the brands they sell.
Jan 29, 2003
Glenville Beverage in Scotia, NY
Place rating: 4.08 out of 5 with 19 ratings