Before You Go Liquors

A couple blocks away from my house, I had to tick this place. Very skeptical of its high score and terrible looking sign. Glad I went because this is a solid place. Its located at a bad intersection of Elston and Fullerton, not far from the cluster fu#* that is Damen, Fullerton, and Elston. Anyway, take the back way by coming up Elston and avoid the mess. The store is part of a strip mall, from the outside doesn't look like much but on older run down liquor store. As I walk in, pretty shocked as its new looking, nice, and very spacious. The beer is located to the right in 6 coolers. The middle of the store has 3 rows of hard liquor, good selection... Immediately I'm happy with the beer selection as its a tickers dream as this is one of the only Chicago stores that sales beers normally only available in 6packs as singles. The beers are almost exclusively midwestern stuff, but high quality. They had sixers of Alpha King, Gumballhead, and Pride & Joy, along with Drie Oude Gueze, and lots of Grand Teton. There is definitely space for this place to grow and add a ton more beer. I can't imagine that it gets the foot traffic to do that though. Despite liking this place I can't really imagine going back there as there are so many other stores just as close with much bigger selections. I would maybe come back if I just had to get some Alpha King or I just happened to be right there and wanted a quick tick. A good place, just hampered by location and selection right now.

 

 

 

 

 

2016: Under new ownership. Smaller selection, watch out for old stock. Selling last years infected BCBS for $18/bottle. No thanks. Won't be back.

2012: Recent staff turnover and less focus on new releases lately. Seems like more empty spots on the shelves unfortunately. Hope it turns around soon. Edit: Better communication and occasional seasonals, seems to be doing better.

6/11: Expanded singles selection, 2 full cooler doors, close to 100? Rotating fresh seasonals, always something new here. Volume is fairly low, so they tend to move through stuff quickly. Current list is updated frequently on beermenus. They recently started doing beer tastings, and will always try to special order if you ask. Great small shop with a solid beer-centric focus. Bigger isn't always better... support the little guy.

4/10: Recent developments include a full cooler door of singles, (2011: 2nd door of singles planned) Many solid craft brews such as Expedition, Flossmoor, Dark Horse, Half Acre, Firestone, and others. Stone has recently arrived, Lost Abbey, Jolly Pumpkin, FFF seasonals. Seems like they are stocking more craft beers every day... check it out if you haven't already.

01-20-2010
This is a brand new store that just opened last week, they are just getting started, but already stock a nice selection of craft staples, with a focus on local/regional brewers. Store is clean, organized, well lit, and they use BA shelf talkers. The guy working there was really friendly and mentioned they will order beers for you. I asked for Hopslam, and it was there a couple days later. Awesome!

Sample list of the beers they carry:
Three Floyds (Blackheart, APW, Black Sun, Dreadnaught, + sixers), Abita, Allagash, Arcadia, Avery, Bells (Hopslam, Expy), Breckenridge, Coniston, Dark Horse, Delirium, Dogfish, Flying Dog, Founders, Goose Island, Great Divide, Great Lakes, Green Flash (West Coast IPA sixers + bombers), Lagunitas, Left Hand, Lost Abbey, Magic Hat, Metropolitan, Moylans, New Belgium, New Holland, Port Brew, Rogue, Ska, St Louis, Two Brothers, Victory, Wells, Koningshoeven, Kulmbacher, Leffe, Pauwel Kwak, Saison Dupont, Tripel Karmeleit. New this week: Half Acre lineup, Daisy Cutter & Big Hugs plus the 2 standard sixers.

They have plenty of room to expand, and are off to a good start with the beer selection.

It's a little hard to find, it's behind the subway/dunkin donuts, facing Elston Ave. There's a small parking lot in front. Look for the neons in the window... a hidden gem!

Stopped in BYGL today for the first time. It's really clean, well organized, and friendly. They have a very nice selection for a brand new place, even if they don't have a lot of everything. Owner was knowledgeable and helpful. They clearly have a vision and are craft beer guys at heart.

They don't yet have the impressive inventory that Armanetti's or West Lakeview Liquors has, but they certainly have room to expand. Sounds like they are in line to get Stone products as soon as they come to Chicago.

Overall: a place worth checking out and getting to know...highly recommended.

Maybe its a bit early but they are already showing tons of promise. Definitely a local store I would like to support. It is very convienently placed right off the fullerton exit on elston. Great selection for only being open a week or two. Very interested in getting deep into the craft beer following but also into the favorites and quality spirits and wine. Bells, Three floyds, allagash, stone(when it hits the market), and many more. I can't wait to see them in full swing (this is why i couldn't give them above a 4 in selection quite yet). Sounds like they are hooked up with all the right people and have a few resourceful and dedicated owners. They are all ears to suggestions on what to bring in, and I'm sure it will serve them well considering the Chicago BA's!

New store, impressively stocked with cold craft beer right from the get go...should only be a matter of time before the selection increases even further and some more "rarities" show up. But for just starting out, a great selection of craft beer (100+ varieties) all cold and nicely displayed along the back wall of coolers...

Good array of premium liquor as well and plenty of room for expansion in the future.

The owners/employees are very friendly and knowledgeable and are willing to order beers for you that they currently do not have. Make sure to check out "Before You Go Liquors" if you are in the area.