Vintage Wine & Spirits

In a strip mall and very unassuming. From the outside you'd think it's a Bud Light, Miller Light kind of place, but there selection was outstanding. Lots of Pipeworks, Half Acre, and Three Floyds. Great smattering of other local brewers and a decent overseas collection as well. I was in on 27 Jun and was able to acquire a BCBBW, BCBCS, and a BCBS (despite the high risk of infection). There was also a huge selection of Pipeworks Grouper, which at the time was limited to one per person at the local Binny's - no limit at Vintage Wine & Spirits.

The older woman tending shop was part of a husband wife team that own the place. She was tremendously friendly and even said they were expanding their selection, so the future looks well for them. My folks live in the area and I use to work at the local Binny's, but when I'm home, from now on, I'll be stopping by here for my beers. Great little gem.

 

 

 

I visit this place fairly frequently since it's basically down the street from my residence. Beer section is not the largest but the selection is pretty solid. Continuous stock of 3 Floyds regulars and seasonals. Lots of Dark Horse, Founders, Revolution, Half Acre, Bell's, The Bruery, Firestone Walker. Also, lots of Central Waters 4pks (BBBW, BBS, Peruvian Morning). Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Prices are normally fair though certain limted releases can be a bit more pricey. Definitely the best place for beer in Barrington. Kind of hidden in a strip mall, a little diamond in the rough.

Edit: Pipeworks now delivers here. Best bet to find Wild Onion Drago 4pks.

Stopped in on Thanksgiving beer run 2.0.

Clerk said hello upon entering, and was frank about distributor woes at checkout, after I asked about some seasonal stuff.

The smell of cedar hit me first, there was a humidor section to the left, and wines on tap at a small desk past that. Walls were covered with beer mirrors. A free standing cooler of sodas and water, then the beer coolers. An island shelving unit in the corner held the bulk of the beer selection. The utilitarian shelving reminded me a bit of Sal's.

Selection was light on imports, though there were a few token quality things: Sam Smith, Chimay, Tripel Karmeleit, Hop-Ruiter.

American craft comprised the bulk of the selection: FFF bombers x4-5 including Alpha Klaus, Munsterfest, APW, Broodoo, Dread. Bells x4-5 including TCOA, GLBC x5, FW Double Jack, usual Left Hand, North Coast, Sam Adams stuff... some Founders, Breakfast Stout for $15.99? Pass... most everything else was reasonably priced though.

Overall a nice clean shop with a respectable, though limited craft selection. Would stop in again if in the area to check out the seasonals.

This place is less than a block away from my girlfriend's house, and since she couldn't tell me anything about it, I decided to scope it out for myself. As their name implies, their focus is on wine and liquor, with a beer selection in the back (along with some more in the coolers along the back wall). The size of the selection isn't likely to wow anybody, but it is all quality stuff. Three Floyds, Founders, New Holland, DFH, Bell's, Clown Shoes, Sam Adams, SN, Half Acre, Goose Island, and many others are represented, with both the usual suspects and some nice seasonal semi-rarities (they still had plenty of Alpha Klaus and the most recent batch of Rabid Rabbit, which was quickly gobbled up elsewhere). Joining the BMC stuff in the back wall's coolers are the craft-only coolers, which stock bombers, sixers, and cases. A bottle of the new Utopias batch even made an appearance, and at the lowest price I've ever seen at a store before. The employees are pretty friendly, and, though I didn't really test this, they seemed like they were pretty knowledgeable and more than ready to provide whatever assistance needed. This place may not necessarily be considered a definite go-to, but it serves as a nice local source of plenty o' goodness for those who either don't want to deal with bar pricing (there are many decent locations nearby) or don't want to make the drive to LZ, Palatine, or elsewhere. A nice gem in the rough, if you ask me.