Beer World

Store

2144 Ridge Rd S
Largo, Florida, 33778-1603
United States

(727) 588-1577 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.1
Reviews:
27
Ratings:
37
pDev:
11.46%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by AtLagerHeads:
Photo of AtLagerHeads
Reviewed by AtLagerHeads from Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -9.8%
This is basically a convenience store, but it does have a very good selection and lots of quality beer. While nothing close to the World of Beer just mintues northeast, still this store is credible and a great source of singles and chilled beers.

Cramped and crowded central storage area, designed to hold as much beers as possible, is made in a way to surround the shopper on the 3 sides. Mix and match is fine but not advertised as such. The small aisles mean lots of jockeying with other shoppers. Most of the good beer has uncooled sixers and fourpacks as well as single choices in the large coller.

The brews range from quality imports to flat-out macro cases, but the quality imports and micros are clearly favored here. The service is basically nil, with a single checkout station that always seems to have at least 3 people in line. Easy off-street parking and convenient to major thoroughfares, particularly Ulmerton.
Jan 18, 2004
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

Jul 13, 2020
Photo of Nostrodumbest
Reviewed by Nostrodumbest from Indiana

4.74/5  rDev +15.6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
Amazing selection of beer. I always make a few visits when in Fla. Yes, there's some old things on the shelves, but they're being aged for free. Lots of new stuff. Plan on taking some time to look.
Oct 16, 2019
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

3.96/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5
Mid sized store, just down the road from the highly enjoyable, multi use Taylor park and it’s high quality disc golf course...

The selection here is HUGE...on crowded shelves and in cooler units, they have everything...well worth a visit, just be super careful and aware of some seriously out of date bottles and cans...can work to your advantage with stuff like imperial stouts and barley wines -they have been aging them for you at no extra charge....

Worth checking out

About 20 mins from the Tampa airport.
Feb 10, 2019
Photo of Djsaturn1
Rated by Djsaturn1 from Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +11.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Found what I was looking for and some gems. Just had to ask as things are spread out all over.
Jan 17, 2019
 
Rated: 4.29 by Vette71368 from Florida

Nov 12, 2016
Photo of FyreStorm
Reviewed by FyreStorm from Canada (ON)

3.34/5  rDev -18.5%
vibe: 2.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.5
Funny place. Mostly cases but still manages to have a great selection. Found three singles incl. a Terrapin and Dogfish Head I'd been looking for...def capable and ironically in a spot the casual craft brew head would drive past...
Feb 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.18 by KensWorld from Florida

Sep 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.12 by TX-Badger from Texas

Mar 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.78 by baggedlunch from New Mexico

Mar 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by matt23j from Florida

Mar 06, 2015
Photo of rspauldi
Reviewed by rspauldi from Texas

3.79/5  rDev -7.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
Original 10/24/14 - Not the best organized place at all, but wow, a lot of beer to choose from. I recommend looking at the staked up boxes too since I found a couple of beers I wanted in the stacked up boxes that were not out on the shelves. Rating: 4.5

Edit 12/2/15 - The store is more organized now. Found several beers here that I wasn't able to find anywhere else. But then I looked at the prices and found out why they were still there. I left empty handed. Lowering my rating due to higher pricing than other stores in the area. Still a good place to go to find some harder to find beers but get your more common beers somewhere cheaper (like Total Wine). Rating 3.79
Oct 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by metalbassist1993 from Florida

Aug 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by GuttaMane138 from Florida

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by greenspointexas from Texas

Apr 30, 2014
Photo of Beechner719
Reviewed by Beechner719 from Florida

4.11/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This is a great store. It looks like a run down store and you would never go into it if someone didn't tell you about it. But when you go in it is a really good store. There is a great beer selection. There are massive amounts of boxes in the aisles. They have a lots of selections from all over the world and a great domestic selection. If your ever in largo head to the store. You won't be disappointed.
Sep 09, 2013
Photo of dBmV
Reviewed by dBmV from Florida

4.04/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
Drove by for many years now and finally stopped in. Looks like a convience store so i just expected bud light and maybe some miller or natural light. Wrong! HUGE PILES BEER! Stacks of different sam adams cases, a stack of cigar city cases, literaly a hundred ice cold singles from around the world. Bought my first pint of Abbot ale and it wont be my last, bought a croation beer Karlovacko. Had cold sierra nevada torpedo, bigfoot, pale ale singles. Asian's lets see, san miguel, singha, chang, well you get it. Best beer selection in mid pinellas that i'v seen.
Jan 23, 2012
Photo of sliverX
Reviewed by sliverX from S. Georgia & S. Sandwich Isls.

3.98/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
Visiting a friend in the area and this is where he took us. A bit worried pulling into the lot, not so much entering the door and seeing stacks of craft cases. Lots of things not in WNY Terrapin, Bell's, ballast point, hoppin frog, Cigar city of course, fort Collins and a few others is never heard of. Prices on some things were good while others we to me outrageous or maybe just normal for beers I never see. Bought some wake n bake in May, lots of out of date beers so buyer beware with ipa and such.15, 16, and 17 anny needs from every all on the shelf, 09 Smutty wheat wine, 08 killer penguin and I'm sure more. I'm happy with the experience and will go back anytime I'm down visiting.
May 10, 2011
Photo of pjcors
Reviewed by pjcors from Florida

4.61/5  rDev +12.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
I came here after reading the reviews. Let me tell you, this place lived up to the lofty praise and then some. I walked out with a six pack of Hopslam, plus another six pack consisting of 4 more bottle of Hopslam, DFH Palo Santo Marron, and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot. I was extremely impressed with their selection. As a previous reviewer had stated, I felt like the proverbial kid in a candy store. I actually giggled a little bit when I saw the 6-pack of Hopslam. The only thing lacking about this place is the atmosphere. It's very tiny and cramped and not all that impressive looking from the outside. But none of that matters when you go to the back of the store and lay your eyes on the unbelievable beer selection.

Word of note for those of you planning on visiting here anytime soon: Don't expect to find anymore Hopslam. I bought the rest of it. :-D
Mar 26, 2011
Photo of lordofthewiens
Reviewed by lordofthewiens from New Mexico

4.7/5  rDev +14.6%
Unless you knew what was inside this place, you'd never even give it a second glance. It looks like an abandoned gas station or something.
But inside there's a treasure trove of beer. Packed floor to ceiling down a narrow aisle is one of the most amazing selections of beer I have ever seen, beers I'll probably never see in Maine. The Bruery, Terrapin, Great Divide, Ballast Point, Bell's, to name a few. Also plenty of Stone, Sierra Nevada, and Rogue. German beers, Belgian beers. Huge selection, both 12oz bottles and 22oz bottles.
No real rhyme or reason to the arrangement, so you want to take your time going up and down the aisle. My wife and I spent half an hour browsing and buying, and I'm sure there are beers I didn't see on the first pass. Will have to just go back there again.
And they do take credit cards.
Feb 07, 2011
Photo of Blitzstyle
Reviewed by Blitzstyle from Florida

4.7/5  rDev +14.6%
Right across the street form Lowes on the Ridge rd. side. Looks like your typical kwicky mart from the outside, but looks can be deceiving. Inside this place is packed to the ceiling with good beer. Its so packed you can't walk two wide down the isles. Beer by the case, hundreds of 22oz bottles, hundreds of 12oz. Even have a wall of cold stuff. Imports, micro's, local its all here. Love this place makes me feel like a kid in a candy store! Its the best place for beer that I have found in the tampa/st.pete area. They usually have special rack right near the register with some cheap finds.
Nov 13, 2009
Photo of alankwak
Reviewed by alankwak from Florida

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%
What can I say. This little place carries allot and costs about what it should for premium beers. For domestics, the price is very good indeed. You pay no more than at the supermarket for US beers.
But the selection is very good for great imports! They carry beers from all over the globe, Europe, Asia, South/Central America as well as the local. I am thankful to have it near work. Lambics are also there as well as the best Microbrews from the US and Canada.
Many fine English Ales and Contiental lagers and Pilsners.
I recommend visiting this store and seeing for yourself!
Tip: I believe they only take cash!!
Nov 13, 2009
Photo of mothachugga6137
Reviewed by mothachugga6137 from Florida

4.85/5  rDev +18.3%
I moved to Tampa about two months ago and i'm glad I found a place like this, it's about a thirty minute drive for me but i've already made the trek more than a few times. There's a Total Wine right down the street from me but I still choose to go to Beer World, in fact I found that usually Total Wine's beer runs a bit cheaper than Beer World but I feel that Beer World has a greater selection and being a small place the staff and management are very helpfull and nice. I can easily kill an hour wandering through there, like i said it's a small place (about the size of a quickstop) but there selection is great they have alot of hidden nuggets of goodness throughout the isle's. And it's true what they say DON'T JUDGE THIS PLACE BY THE OUTSIDE! once you get in there you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Sep 25, 2009
Photo of TheFightfan1
Reviewed by TheFightfan1 from Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
What can I say.This place is exceptional. Sure the outside looks like it should be in the center of the ghetto, but once you walk in you are just overwhelmed with how much brew they really have. There really isn't a store like this, meaning that just about every square inch is covered boxes and racks of beer. I kind of walked around like a little kid in a candy store. When we finally decided what we wanted ( half-hour later ). We brought it up to the counter and the store clerk gave us a 10% discount. Absolutely amazing. I will definetly stop back again when I am around A+++ in my book.
May 05, 2009
Photo of maximum12
Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +4.9%
Visited Beer World during our recent vacation to Indian Rocks Beach.

This store is amazing. There's hundreds of beers I've never seen in the flesh in Minnesota, so my beer-brain kind of went into shock. The selection is absolutely amazing, & hands-down the best we saw in the area.

Service was fine. The first time in I saw no one, second time a man asked to help me & seemed to know what he was talking about.

The beers we got were top-notch, with the exception of a 2007 Barleywine from Mad River that had gone south. This could be a problem with the twist off cap, so I don't want to knock Beer World too much for it, but they did seem to have a lot of older stock. The one knock is their singles prices are pretty outrageous - we weren't paying close attention & ended up spending $50 on two six-packs & a single bomber the first time through (no DFH 120 or anything massive like that, either).

We walked out with beer for the week, & ended up bringing home a couple of Weyerbacher XIII bombers, Dunedin brew, & a few other things. I'd be a bit cautious about buying brews that fade fast, but all in all a great place. If we're ever in the neighborhood again, this is the first place I'd stop.
Feb 26, 2009
Photo of chrisemmons123
Reviewed by chrisemmons123 from Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +17.1%
I make an annual vacation trip to Largo every April to visit family. Beer world is about 3 blocks from where I stay. This place screams ghetto 40 oz beer carry out from the outside. Inside its the best beer selection i've ever seen!I am from Ohio so they already have brands i cannot get at home and also brands many people will not carry at home!! Great place, nice people working there and the Ciggarettes are cheap too!! Last year the owner put a 12 pk of the brand i was drinking in the cooler for me everyday so it would be cold and ready! Awesome!
Feb 25, 2009
Photo of apintofknowledge
Reviewed by apintofknowledge from Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -7.3%
Totally unassuming from the outside, with neon signs and sale ads for big brewery products (Bud, Miller, Coors) filling the exterior windows. But step inside, head back, and find almost half this small store devoted to the best selection of craft and imports I've ever seen for a store this size. Nice Belgian choices, including several varieties of Fantome and St. Bernardus. Good selection of British and German beers as well, along with a few meads. A Polish customer pointed out all his favorite Polish beers to me... and there were quite a few on hand. Domestic micros that I can't find at home in Jersey, including Sprecher, Bell's and Coney Island, along with other good stuff from Rogue, Ommegang, Dogfish Head, Weyerbacher, Brooklyn, Stoudt's and more... and most varieties from each brewery were on-hand, including some seasonals and hard to find beers such as Theobroma. And a shelf or two devoted to in-season Christmas beers, including several Belgians, Santa's Butt, Bad Elf, etc. And the prices for the most part were very reasonable.

A large cooler along the far wall is mostly devoted to singles where you can make your own six-packs. Very nice! I didn't ask for any help, but the service was friendly at the counter. My only warning is to check dates, as I found beers "best before Dec 07" on the shelf in Nov 08. Also, just on an odd note, on a catch-all shelf at the end of the wine aisle, you'll find ports, sherries, sakes, and STP!?! I'm still scratching my head over that one!

Unfortunately, I only discovered this place on the next to last day of my vacation in Florida. I could have stocked up on some great beer for enjoyment all week if I had only known. Always remember to check BeerFly before you travel anywhere!
Nov 30, 2008
Photo of nick76
Reviewed by nick76 from Florida

3.3/5  rDev -19.5%
This was the first beer store I ever went in the door took one look at all the beer and was blown away considering how awful it looked on the outside. That was years ago. I have seen the likes of many beer stores since but this one still holds a special place in my heart. They have cleaned up their stock in recent years but they still have some hard to find stuff. When I first stared going here there was a lot, I mean a lot of really really old stuff. You basically had to be careful what you were buying or you were getting really stale beer. Not so much anymore, they still have some old stuff but not like it used to be. They have also cleaned up the shelves a little bit. It used to be like going to a garage sale the beers were all over the store in no particular order. Not as bad today but they could use a little bit more in the way of decor. There are coolers as well as shelves but the good stuff is mostly on the shelf. The coolers are for the common stuff. As selections go this place has the best. Sadly it suffers from not so involved staff. The prices are slightly high. Although there are a few bargains. I recommend you check this place out you will find something you want!
Nov 26, 2008
Photo of justin7742
Reviewed by justin7742 from Alaska

4.55/5  rDev +11%
Let me be honest with you on this one. The first time I went to this place it looked like a run down gas station gone convenient store without the gas. But upon walking inside it was like finding the holy grail of beer! I could seriously hear angels singing in my head when I entered this place. It is small but so packed with imported beer that it is quite overwhelming at first. There is a cooler on the back wall for the domestics and a cooler on the side wall for the micro and import singles. Then in the two or three non-cooled isles there are so many beers from all over the world stacked all the way up above my head. They are somewhat sorted by country and brewery in mostly four or six packs. I have even found some Norwegian beers here which my brother really likes and are very difficult to find anywhere here in the U.S. They are stocked full of American micros and imports galore. I live fairly close to this establishment and now I am in there about once a week. Any time I go out for a beer and have one I enjoyed but have never heard of, this is the place I go to get it to bring home with me. They almost always have what I am looking for and I am a true Belgium dopplebock lover. So, if you are in Largo don't drive by this place because of how it looks on the outside. Stop in a feast your eyes! They also have a fine assortment of beer drinking glasses from all over the world. I must tell you though not to bother asking for help, they are very courteous and will give you a discount if you buy more than six singles but they do not know anything about beer.
Sep 11, 2008
Photo of PiecefulToker
Reviewed by PiecefulToker from Tennessee

3.65/5  rDev -11%
Like others have said, this place looks really sketchy from the outside, and there are some sketchy people on the inside, but there is some great beer here! Overall, the prices are decent and there are some good finds if you look carefully. I have not been able to get Jolly Pumpkin, Brooklyn, Oskar Blues, or Bell's in Tennessee, but this one shop has all of them in FL. Here is some of what I picked up on a recent trip to Florida at this store w/ prices:

Mixed Six Pack:
Bell's Oberon Ale $1.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/1094
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere Farmhouse Ale $2.69
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... 9897/28176
Duchesse De Bourgogne $3.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/641/1745
Saxo Belgian Blond Ale $3.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/753/2585
Unibroue Don De Dieu $2.39
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22/694
Theakston Old Peculier $1.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/359/926
Oskar Blues Gordon $3.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... /2681/8919

750mL:
Rodenbach Grand Cru $8.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/216/673
Affligem Dubbel $7.49
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/196/157

Bombers:
Lagunitas Luck 13 $4.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... /220/35397
Lagunitas Imperial Stout $4.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/1373
Lagunitas Gnarlywine $4.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/1579
Bison Farmhouse Saison $4.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... /609/37539

St. Bernardus Mix w/ 6, 8, 12, Tripel and Goblet $17.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/259/1856
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/259/1855
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/259/1708
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/259/722

Also, from the same place the other day, I picked up:

6-pack Bell's Hopslam $15.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... /287/17112
6-pack Bell's Two Hearted ?
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/1093
6-pack Dale's Pale Ale $9.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... /2681/6518
6-pack Old Chub $9.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... 2681/14712
4-pack Ten Fidy $11.99
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profi ... 2681/34483
Jun 05, 2008
Photo of doppelmeup
Reviewed by doppelmeup from North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -14.6%
Okay, so why are all the people reviewing this store in Florida from North Carolina??

This store is about 15 minutes from my sister's house. We are visiting, and when I arrived she said that there was a beer store close by, but she had never been before.

So we went today to see what was available. My sister is not much of a beer drinker, but she was willing to try whatever I wanted to bring back. Let the games begin!

This place is somewhat non-descript, pretty much the size of gas station convenience store.

Inside was very cramped, but there were cases and cases of beer everywhere, and three aisles were devoted entirely to beer. I don't know how this compares to other stores in the Tampa area, but this one had IMO a very good selection of beer. The breweries I saw represented were Brooklyn, Rogue, Avery, Bells, Great Divide, Mendocino, lots of Belgians, decent selection of Germans including Korbinian, Celebrator (only 9.00 a 4 pack) and quite a few others.

I did see quite a few Sierra Nevada IPAs from 2006, so be sure to check the age of the beer you select.

No service to speak of, other than the owner gave me a 10% discount because I bought more than 6 beers. All in all, I'd recommend this if you are in the area.
Nov 06, 2007
Photo of NCBeernut
Reviewed by NCBeernut from North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -7.3%
First of all, maybe prices are different in Florida, as I am from NC, but damn this I steep. I payed it because I haven't seen it in NC, but I payed 9.99 for a single 12oz bottle of DFH 120 minute IPA and the same for the WWS. Anyways, HUGE selection, mostly unrefridgerated, with a big selection of both single bottles and sixers, as well as some twelves. I didn't really see much from the staff, but they are at least friendly. 120 minute was bottled 10/07 and WWS bottle 10/06 (ok for an imperial stout). Beware though, as you can spend a looong time in here. Lots of good stuff to choose from. Great selection of DFH, Stoudts, Avery, etc. Just don't come here without a fat wallet.
Oct 14, 2007
Photo of Shaw
Reviewed by Shaw from Florida

3.85/5  rDev -6.1%
Jredner pointed me to this store and, boy, I'm in his debt.

As my wife and I pulled up both of us thought, "Pretty crappy-looking place." It's just an old gas station. But once you get inside it's beer heaven. Racks and racks stacked high with bottles, a big cooler, whole cases floor to ceiling, and a rack of dusty glasses for sale. The beers are mostly organized by country of origin and then brewery.

I'd say they stock just about every beer that's available, including hard to find Belgians (like Cantillion, Fantome, Thiriez, etc.) and the more esoteric craft brews (like Dogfish Head's Fort, Pangea, 120 Minute IPA, etc.). If you're looking for that special beer, I'd go here first.

As Jredner wrote, some of the stock is older, so check the dates carefully. But a bottle of Great Divide's Fresh Hop was wonderfully fresh, and their Dogfish head brews were quite new.

I spent about $50 on six beers! Of course, several of those were 750 mL bottles, like 2005 DFH Fort ($19) and Fantome Chocolat ($14) The man behind the counter informed me when I brought five bottles up that buying one more qualified me for a 10 percent discount! Nice. Total Wine in Clearwater has better prices, but you won't find half the stuff there that's here.

I highly recommend Beer World and wish it was closer to us in Sarasota.
Apr 12, 2007
Photo of Jredner
Reviewed by Jredner from Florida

3.3/5  rDev -19.5%
Ok you will find a LOT of old stock and the owners don't know beer and it is fairly dingy and unappealing to the eye...but

I love places like this. You really have to get in there and root around. Digging out the good stuff is fun and there are hiddem gems in this place. It's the kind of beer store I need to eat and have used the restroom before I go cause I can spend hours rummaging around looking for rare treats. Prices are decent to pricey, but they definitely have some stuff (old stuff mostly-but many Belgians that will age ok) that you can't get anywhere else in Florida. They also bring in more special orders than any other bottle shop I know of.

If you are visiting and plan on hitting World of Beer you might as well hit this place since it is close. Hit here and the Beverage Castle in Tampa (Temple Terrace) and you will have had one excellent beer shopping adventure.
Mar 10, 2006
Photo of JohnnyDuvel
Reviewed by JohnnyDuvel from Florida

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
Thanks for the heads up on Largo, Ron. Two stores within 5 minutes of each other. Add this to the World of Beer in Clearwater, and the Beveredge Castle in Tampa, and you have quite a selection in the area (I have to travel about 2 1/2 hours for these stores). Not the greatest store in terms of asthetics, but a great selection (I got 3 Westmalle tripels, which I haven't seen in months, a four-pack of North Coast old ale (one of my favorites), and a great Fuller's pint glass! Very large selection, and the prices weren't bad, either. If you're in the area, check out all four stores. You'll find a wealth of great beer.
Sep 01, 2003
Photo of BierReise
Reviewed by BierReise from Florida

2.95/5  rDev -28%
I just checked this place out the other day and although the selection is there I'm afraid much of it is old stock. This is unfortunate because as we know beer does go bad over time. Basically a little convienience store with lots of beers taking up the middle of the store. Funny, theres anothe place not 5 minutes from this one that has a similar selection. And problem.
Aug 20, 2003
Photo of lackenhauser
Reviewed by lackenhauser from Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!This non descript but not really out of the way store is amazing to say the least.The selection of Belgians boggles the mind.Theres also a huge selection of British beers,many that I have never even heard of.A fair number of Russian and Baltic beers too.The imports far outweigh the domestic micros but thats ok.Aisles are a bit crowded but with the variety of beers no wonder.Well worth the trip if you are in the Tampa area or visiting any of the Gulf beach areas.
Aug 10, 2003
Beer World in Largo, FL
Place rating: 4.1 out of 5 with 37 ratings