Aficionados of Augusta

Store

307 8th St
Augusta, Georgia, 30901-2247
United States

(706) 364-0113 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.94
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
6
pDev:
14.97%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by bucklemyshoe:
Photo of bucklemyshoe
Reviewed by bucklemyshoe from Georgia

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
This place really blew me away the first time I went in. While it is mostly a tobacco shop and hookah lounge, it has a decent-sized beer area with three large 360 degree shelves in the middle of the floor with 5-6 levels full of beer.

One of the best things about the place is that they don't waste the buyer's time with craft beer that you can get at the grocery store. Nobody wants to go all the way to downtown for a sixer of SNPA afterall.
They have lots of stuff that you cannot find anywhere else. I've found Eggenberg Samichlaus regular and Helles, Pennichuck products, Hitachino XH, The Bruery products, Smuttynose Big Beer Series, Weyerbacher, all Stone products, Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour, and others.

Fresh beer is always rolling in, as I believe the owner has some hook-ups with distributors. Limited releases always show-up here and they seem to be the only ones who get them.

There is always some sort of deal going on as well such as "buy one beer get a glass for $.99". All in all, it's one of the better stores in the area.
Nov 02, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of Lederman40
Reviewed by Lederman40 from Texas

4.26/5  rDev +8.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5
Good guys here. Not a huge shop, but a good selection for what is there. Picked up some Evil Twin and some Terrapin. Jeff suggested I try the Gangway IPA as well. Will definitely hit these guys up again next time I come through town.
Jul 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.72 by kenoconnor from Florida

Sep 27, 2014
Photo of JeffreyEdwards
Reviewed by JeffreyEdwards

4.3/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Everytime I come into the store to buy beer theres always something new for me to try. The sales people are always super friendly and are very helpful in helping me make my beer selection. From what I have seen from the other stores in the area Aficionados has the largest craft domestic and import brews in the area. Now I usually don't drink heavy beer but they turned me onto a really good beer by the Stone brewery. If you have yet to try it I recommend that you pick up Double Arrogant Ale, but one of my favorite beers in the store is the Bacon Maple Ale which they are currently sold out of.
Sep 02, 2012
Photo of barronkr
Reviewed by barronkr from South Carolina

2.85/5  rDev -27.7%
This place is a smoke-filled head shop/bong retailer/small hookah lounge that happens to carry a couple of shelves of craft beer. There is no organization, and many of the bottles are dust-laden. Just about every offering is a bomber, only saw about 5-6 craft 6-packs.

On the plus side they have a good amount of regional and other nice craft brews. They still have dozens of Highlands Imperial Stout 2008 bombers?-sold out most everywhere else to my knowledge. Evidently Augusta does not have a lot of places to go for craft beer, so kudus for carrying Weyerbacher seasonal and rarer finds.

The service was not impressive; the stoned clerk pointed me in the direction of Bass ale and some other world-type-crap-lagers as their highlights. If in Augusta, stop by for beer, otherwise I wouldn't go out of your way.
Dec 03, 2010
Photo of Gyle41386
Reviewed by Gyle41386 from South Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
8th Street Tobacco has been a very pleasant surprise for me. After moving home to Aiken from Columbia at the end of the school year, I figured I was doomed. I was enjoying a delicious burrito at Nacho Mama's on Broad Street in downtown Augusta, when I saw a picture advertisement for 8th Street Tobacco. The pictures were of beers like Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Storm King, etc etc., with a caption about beers the locals like.

I love the selection at 8th Street. A majority of that comes from different distribution, and just seeing things that I never saw in stores in SC. Even though Dogfish Head isn't my favorite, it's still cool to see it on the shelves. I've been able to buy Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous, Stone 13th, Great Divide 15th, Victory Wild Devil, Smuttynose Imperial Stout, etc etc.

Freshness is sometimes an issue...I think 2008 bottles of Festina Peche are still on the shelves. I asked a guy who works there when they'd get 09, and he said whenever all of the 08 was gone. I've seen other beers, like Ruination or Smuttynose IPA or Sweetwater IPA, past their "Best By" date, but, for every old beer, there's a brand new one (like Stone 13th Anniversary) next to it.

They have a pretty good collection of logoed glassware. Dogfish Head shaped pints, Hop Devil pints, Smuttynose pints, Chouffe snifters, Sweetwater pints, etc etc.

Staff is hit or miss, as far as being knowledgeable is concerned. If you're there, ask for Nate. I can spend hours in the store talking beer with him. The others don't know much, but they're helpful, and seem interested in what I like and are quick to offer a hand. They also set up a suggestions notebook in the store. I really think they're making great strides.

Tons of bombers/750's for sale. They've got a few tables set up for regional/domestic six packs (though they've limited what can and cannot be broken up into singles) and some for imports. There's also a table set up with all of their glassware, and various other singles. The left wall is lined with coolers, featuring the same beers that are on the shelves. Prices vary...some things there are WAY more expensive than elsewhere (Stone 13th for $9.42, Pennichuck Pompier for $18), but some are cheaper.

Not really the greatest location in downtown Augusta. Store is open from noon-midnight Monday through Saturday, but I wouldn't even think about going in after dark. I guess you could call the store a head shop, as there are all sorts of glass pipes and whatnot for sale (remember, this is a tobacco store), as well as a hookah lounge.

All in all, best place to buy beer in the CSRA.
Jul 16, 2009
Aficionados of Augusta in Augusta, GA
Place rating: 3.94 out of 5 with 6 ratings