Kings Contrivance Liquor Shop

A small/medium sized shop with a fair selection of craft beer. Unfortunately a good deal of it is kept warm. They likely cater to the convenience shoppers who want to pick something up on their trip to the grocery store. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just that there are some better stores around if you don’t mind driving a little farther.

Kinda reminded me of a small perfect pour, but mostly for wine. Beer selection is pretty good for such a small store. Left back wall has coolers with 6-packs. The immediate aisle has boxes of various craft brews, and then the shelf closing off the aisle has bombers and 6-packs. To the right of the register is a make your own 6-pack for $10.49 which is reasonable. Sadly, the make your own 6-pack selection was a lot smaller than the Wegman's store I usually go to when I visit Fairfax, VA. Some of the bottles I got had expiration dates of June 2015 and some had dust...so apparently they're either putting non-selling beer there or its just not popular.

The store no longer sells glassware.

Service was mixed. Guy was good to me, but girl was only okay when I asked where in the store the beer was. She also had trouble finding a lady blue moon, but she even admitted she didn't drink beer, which is a shame when 1/3 of your store is beer.

I like my making my own 6-pack. I still need to check out the total wines in Laurel. I keep hearing good things. That'll be my next review.

 

 

This is the closest liquor store to my house and has always been the "quick and easy" as far as getting alcohol goes. They have a good selection of wines and liquor, but their beer selection is only okay. The selection consists of a lot of American Lights and only a dozen or so craft beers.

The service is okay, but not super knowledgeable. I think they jack up the prices a little because of the wealth of the surrounding area.

Also, the store could use a little bit of an update, because I do not think it has had one since I have lived here (20+ years).

Another stop on my rotation, though not as frequent since I stopped smoking cigars.

Good selection, though personally, I think it's gotten smaller over the past few years. Nice selection of singles, focusing on British and Belgian.

Selection in the cooler tends toward the standards, but I can always find something to hit the spot.

Can't speak toward the wine and liquor selection.

Staff is nice, and has gone into the back to dig around for something cold that might not be on view at the time.

Prices are on par with Columbia.

One of my regular liquor stores when I lived in Columbia and Odenton.

Quality: The craft six packs occupy several coolers, with cases filling out an aisle or so. The store is clean and well-lit, connected to a cigar shop.

Service: An excellent staff, very friendly and personable. Following a purchase of St. Bernardus 12, they threw in a complimentary St. Berny snifter glass that sits in my collection today.

Selection: This store was my regular Rochefort 10 hook-up. The singles are decent, a nice selection of Belgian and English ales. They also devote space to glasswear, a rare find in a liquor store. Also, as with all MD liquor stores, it is one-stop shopping with beer, wine and liquor available.

Visited this place recently and going in with no expectations led to an enjoyable experience. Beer is not the main focus here but someone obviously cares enough to provide a nice little selection of single micros and imports. They carry several of the hardcore DFH brews, Southern Tier bombers, Belgians, British ales, some BrewDog, and more. Six packs are in coolers, including many current seasonals and full cases were piled on the floor at room temp. The store is a little cramped but not uncomfortable. Prices are a bit higher than I'm used to but if you're shopping at the adjacent Harris Teeter, it is convenient. Folks working there seemed friendly and there was an informal beer and wine tasting. Possibly one of the better selections in the Columbia area (besides Perfect Pour which is in a different league altogether).