The Brewery Creek Liquor Store

Store

3045 Main St
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 3G6
Canada

(604) 872-3373 | map
brewerycreekliquorstore.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.3
Reviews:
20
Ratings:
36
pDev:
9.77%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by olradetbalder:
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Rated by olradetbalder from Sweden

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

Dec 15, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of Anvita
Reviewed by Anvita

2.66/5  rDev -38.1%
vibe: 1 | quality: 4 | service: 1 | selection: 3.5
I have consistently had a bad experience over the past 2-3 months, particularly with the newer cashiers on a power trip. One cashier in particular has made a big fuss of questioning my ID's validity, implying I look different from my photo, and looking questioningly at my face. For what it's worth, I am well over 19 years old. When I called her out on her behaviour, she replied in a sarcastic and demeaning tone. I will note that I am a woman of colour, and my white male partner was treated far differently with more respect from the staff.

I'm a neighbourhood local and have been a regular for years. I usually have had a wonderful experience with the great selection of beer and friendly, knowledgeable staff. However, I will not be bringing my business to this cohort of potentially racist staff again.
Sep 12, 2021
Photo of Eric_Standard
Reviewed by Eric_Standard from Canada (BC)

4.08/5  rDev -5.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3 | selection: 5
Best beer selection I've seen in Vanvouver, overall. Lots of great local and local-ish stuff, very solid range of international beer, both from over seas and over the border. Vibe is solid, service is normal - but I'm there for the selection.
Mar 01, 2020
Photo of westcoastbeergeek
Reviewed by westcoastbeergeek from Canada (BC)

4.18/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5
This is one of the best liquor stores in terms of beer selection in Vancouver. Most of their beer is kept refrigerated and they often have some nice bottles in stock of better quality beer. The pricing is a little high compared to other places, but they manage their stock well and keep the beer cold. Free parking at the back for short visits!
Dec 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.14 by kristinc from Canada (BC)

Nov 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.43 by Beervana from Canada (BC)

Sep 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.4 by SDRedDevil from California

Jun 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.23 by Rutager from Canada (BC)

May 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.93 by Svingjo from Canada (BC)

Apr 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by smekermann from Canada (BC)

Dec 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by TurdFurgison from Ohio

Oct 17, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by AdamNowek from Netherlands

Sep 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by blue-dream from Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by YamagamiTravis from Canada (BC)

May 20, 2014
Photo of flagmantho
Reviewed by flagmantho from Washington

3.96/5  rDev -7.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.25
I was in Vancouver on business today and dropped in at the Brewery Creek Liquor Store to pick up some Canadian craft brew that I can't get in the USA.

It's a good little booze store, with a reasonable layout and a clean, inviting atmosphere. Beer is laid out broadly by region: local Canadian crafts, American crafts, and imports by country. They employ little flags on the pricetags of imports, which is maybe a little corny but a touch that I personally enjoy.

The selection seems pretty good to me, with even some French and Belgian beers I don't see around the Seattle area. It's not huge, but covers a pretty broad spectrum of styles and breweries that should work for most people.

Service was fine; they didn't have staff walking the floor -- the place was pretty busy and everyone was operating a till. Prices seemed a little high for me, especially for American beers, but the local craft brew was pretty reasonable. It's close to where I go for work, so I will probably return here on my next trip up to BC.
May 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.27 by souvenirs from Canada (BC)

May 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by KStark from Canada (BC)

May 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by yancot from Canada (ON)

Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Kurmaraja from California

Mar 16, 2014
Photo of JasonLovesBeer
Reviewed by JasonLovesBeer from Canada (BC)

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
For such a small footprint, there isn't better beer selection in Vancouver. Beer is #1 over all other liquor types at Brewery Creek, which is pretty unusual (and awesome).

Staff are friendly and helpful but may seem aloof at first glance sometimes. Plenty of very knowledgeable folks here.

The flipside on the selection though is that Brewery Creek is usually the first to sell out of very limited or highly anticipated beers. Not for lack of bottle limits either - it's mostly due to their active social media presence.

Touch more expensive than most competitors, but usually by a nickels.
Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by ZachT from Canada (BC)

Oct 21, 2013
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

4.43/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Of all the Vancouver shops, this one seems to be quite obviously the most knowledgeable and focused on craft beer. It's fairly convenient to the city centre as well. These facts also presumably mean that it gets picked over quicker than other stops.

Cantillon / shelton brothers selection was OK, but much less than 16th street. The selection of BC locals was exceptional though - much of it chilled. There was also a lot of random US stuff like Logsdon and the Commons, which was funny to see.

Will definitely return.
Sep 11, 2013
Photo of barleywinefiend
Reviewed by barleywinefiend from Washington

3.6/5  rDev -16.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
A: Strolled in on a Saturday afternoon, perhaps ten people in the store but traffic was steady.
Walked in three female employees were chatting with a patron. I asked one of the employees if the bathroom was available, nope. I had to walk across the street and then come back to complete my shopping. Wine upfront with the beer coolers in the back. Some of the best beer, like Cantillon, Fantome all on the shelves with local sixers and Pike Brewing beer in the cooler and out of sight. That made zero sense.

Q: The quality of beer was good. I have never consumed a beer from here to date so I can't speak for quality issues.

S: Average. I asked for a good, local IIPA besides Fat Tug and the staff was happy to make a recommendation. Another staff member(hipster girl) at the counter who rang me up was not so pleasant and one for convo at all.

S: Good but I was disappointed given the ratings of this place. There was alot of stuff but beyond the Shelton Brothers stuff and locals I was underwhelmed. Perhaps my expectations were to high.
Jun 10, 2012
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Reviewed by DaftCaskBC from Canada (BC)

4.44/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
The Brewery Creek Cold Beer and Wine Store is a cozy place on Main Street that has a rustic feel to it. What stands out about this place is the staff. Very friendly and informative, the staff are some of the best I have encountered at a beer store in terms of customer service and knowledge.

In regards to selection, the store is often a bit of a victim of its own success; as more often than not the more popular craft beers are out of stock. Since Nigel of The Alibi Room often sends people there to find some of the beers he has on tap, it is no surprise.
Sep 27, 2011
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Reviewed by psiweaver from Washington

4.6/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
This place is really convenient as they have parking behind the store.

This is one of the two must hit places in Vancouver for craft beer purchasing. They both tend to have a slightly different stock.

Brewery creek generally has some rare barrel aged Mikkeller stuff as well as a great selection of Japanese craft beers that they seem to import, they also have Epic Ales from Seattle and a few other things that they seem to import or request themselves.

They have a huge selection of BC craft Cider some of which are absolutely amazing.

They sell a little bit of glassware but nothing terribly hard to find.

Overall a great store. as others have mentioned the staff will wait a bit before asking if you want help. I always like stores like this as I don't want someone all over me as soon as I walk in. The staff are also very knowledgeable and will gladly help you out if your looking for something good or have questions.
Apr 23, 2011
Photo of pnkHoody
Reviewed by pnkHoody from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
This is my favourite beer store in BC. Housed in an older building with lots of old wooden furnishings, the store has the murky, well-trodden atmosphere so conducive to evaluating and purchasing brews of quality.

Their range is sensational, leaning heavily toward west-coast and, predictably, Canadian stuff. But also covering a good selection of British, Belgian and even Japanese craft brews. I picked up a Southern Tier Unearthly IPA, the Loki IPA (from Paddock Wood), a Rasputin XII Imperial Stout, and the Green Flash imperial IPA -- choices I could only dream of on Vancouver Island. I felt the prices were generally fair (I can only hope the $12 price tag on Hopsickle IPA is the brewer's fault...).

As another reviewer mentioned, the staff did leave me alone until I solicited some advice. The advice was sound and warmly offered, and resulted in my choosing the Unearthly, which has become one of my favourite beers.

If you need to buy a beer in Vancouver, there is no better store. Highly recommended.
Feb 02, 2010
Photo of Derek
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
This used to be a hole-in-the-wall with a surprising selection.

In the last couple of years it has expanded, to more than twice that size. They've got plenty of wine, but more importantly, there's even more refrigerated beer.

This is THE bottle shop in Vancouver. If they don't get something in, I doubt other places will either.

Lots of locals, some pacific northwest micros and a few selections from around the world. They've got the styles covered (I've even picked up Faro & Brut here).

Staff is friendly, but generally hands-off.
Oct 13, 2009
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Reviewed by stagger from Canada (AB)

4.55/5  rDev +5.8%
A simply beautiful selection of beer. The first time I went I couldn't even buy anything, I was so overwhelmed with the selection.

BC microbreweries are very well represented, although I noticed upon my return that a number of the better BC beers were sold out. Tons of US West Coast microbrew stuff here, as well as a goodly Belgian selection. Jolly Pumpkin! A full line of Moylan's! Bear Creek! Southern Tier! DFH singles! I've crossed quite a few wants off my list since visiting here.

I love that you have to walk past all the good beer to get to the Coors and Molson stuff, then walk the gauntlet out again.

You have to ask staff for service (pretty typical) but they seem reasonably knowledgeable.

Best selection of BC craft ciders I've ever seen, as well.

The only other Vancouver store I made it to that was comparable was Viti, but prices between the two were about on par, and I think Brewery Creek has them beaten for selection, especially in the BC micros department.
Aug 07, 2009
Photo of Graham5161986
Reviewed by Graham5161986 from Canada (BC)

4.65/5  rDev +8.1%
Pound for pound, Brewery creek is the best beer store in Vancouver (by a longshot) and probably in BC.

Gerry is the man! Always finding the good stuff and houseing an amazing selection of local/import craft beer. The friendly, knowledgable staff and outstanding selection make this place the go-to store in Vancouver. You can also find these guys at most, if not all, of the local CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) events around town.

Gerry even managed to score a few crates of Dieu du Ciel product a couple months back (even though its not even supposed to be in the province...yet). If it wasn't for that, the illusive, and delicious, "peche mortel" would still be on my to-try list.

Way to to Gerry! Keep up the excellent work!
May 20, 2009
Photo of canucklehead
Reviewed by canucklehead from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
Ok it is time I wrote a review of this place since I go there all the time. By far the best beer selection in Vancouver. Everytime I walk in here there is some new beers to buy. The small size of the store is being taken care of as the store in front is being converted to enlarge the store. Gerry himself is a beer geek like the rest of us and his love of beer has brought among others a full line of Half-Pint beers and Speakeasy into the shop. I couldn't find any other store with the full line. The pricing can be higher sometimes than other private shops but I guarantee you will find things to take home. ( for you US BA's there is lots of local craft beer with special releases in stock).

As of August 08 the store is about 3 times as big with one whole room for beer. More beer and more coolers plus more room to move make this a welcome change.
Apr 04, 2008
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Reviewed by thatleetboy from Canada (ON)

5/5  rDev +16.3%
I wouldn't even have walked down the hallway into the store if it hadn't been for the great reviews this place has. An amazing depth of selection when it comes to BC micros, and some interesting imports from south of the border. For such a small store, he's got a lot going on! Gerry was hard at work in the office, but dropped what he was doing to come out and spend some time talking to me about various local brews. Now that I've found the place, I won't come to Vancouver without going there to shop...
Mar 02, 2008
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.94/5  rDev -8.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Gerry the owner is himself a bit of a beer geek, and makes good use of a limited space. There are rows stacked up high of beer. Yes, mostly local stuff but the nose is pointed up as he gets private orders in of US and Belgiums. Elysian, and some Belgiums not available Northeast US or Eastern Canada. Conenient in the downtown area if you have a car.They are right there for service and Gerry gave me insightful guide to where to go pub wise.
Rerate 3 years later: A lot better US and import selection, and full selection of local stuff
Feb 21, 2008
Photo of CBA
Reviewed by CBA from British Indian Ocean Territory

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
Gerry has definitely made this the go-to-store in the lower mainland. You can tell he's passionate about beer, and does his damnedest to get quality product onto his shelves (everything from decent Belgians, to Brooklyn, Speakeasy, Rogue and many excellent regionals). A must stop when in Vancouver, and if you're not in town and want to order over the phone, he'll gladly put your beer aside to be picked up at a later date. Ensure to give them your business, as it's places like this that make our local beer culture that much better.
Jan 28, 2008
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Reviewed by colebenoit from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
One of the better places to get beer in Vancouver, and the only place I've seen a lot of American micro's such as Rogue, Pike, Fish Tales, etc. They also carry Coopers (more than just the sparkling ale), the whole line of Brooklyn, Alhambra, and Saison Dupont (among others from the same brewery), as well as a bunch of other stuff BC Liquor Stores don't stock. The store is small but selection is great for its size and there always seems to be something new each time I go which is always a bonus in this province. Staff is usually friendly and helpful and I've scored a few free glasses through out my purchases there which is always a plus.
Mar 17, 2007
Photo of Hornet2003
Reviewed by Hornet2003 from Canada (BC)

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
This is a little store located on the south end of Main St. It's tough to find but once you do, you'll be happy you did.

The selection at this tiny little store is phenomenal for the size. This is the only place I know of in BC where you can find beers from Rogue, and Pike. Gerry does a great job bringing in the highly prized American craft beers for his customers as well as some of the harder to find Canadian ones.

The staff is great. Each time I've gone in there they have been warm and helpful. They seem to know more about beer than even the BC liquor Stores product consultants. Very friendly.

As has been mentioned, the prices for stuff you can get from the government stores are higher for sure. But that is not why you visit Brewery Creek. You go to pick up the brews that the gov't stores haven't bothered to supply. The prices for the unique beers are not unreasonable. Brooklyn Black Chocolate is $3.75/bottle. Not bad by any means.
Feb 19, 2007
Photo of BDTyre
Reviewed by BDTyre from Canada (BC)

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
Mention to Gerry, the manager, that you're on BA and he will not hesitate to strike up a conversation.

Considering the geographical location in Vancouver, Brewery Creek has to be one of the best cold beer and wine stores around. Gerry is very helpful and goes out of his way to secure new brews, domestic and imported, for his customers (though I have yet to see the shipment of Rogue, damn Canada Customs!)

Selection is above average for this style of store. Howe Sound, Mission Springs, expanded Brooklyn Brewing, more than the average offerings from Big Rock and Merridale....

The staff are even willing to go the extra distance, for example, exchanging a chipped glass out of a gift set.

Selection varies at times, but part of this comes down to the brewers, the reps and Canada Customs. Its not always the staff's fault :)

Prices can be a bit on the high side, especially when comparing the same product to a BC Liquor Store; even more so when you consider there is a gov't liquor store a few blocks down, and a very good one (39th and Cambie) within driving distance. However; much of the selection is chilled, and often you get stuff you don't get in a gov't liquor store (especially Mission Springs, Howe Sound and Merridale, all BC products not stocked in gov't liquor stores.)

Overall, a very nice place to visit and definitely worth stopping by if you're from out of town. Just to visit Brewery Creek for me is a full hour, minimum of driving (round trip)...and it is certainly worth it.

Update 01-29-2006: While the BC Liquor stores now offer beers from Howe Sound, Gerry still has a better selection!
Dec 08, 2006
The Brewery Creek Liquor Store in Vancouver, BC, Canada
Place rating: 4.3 out of 5 with 36 ratings