Why do you call them "bottle shops?"

In IL there is no liquor separation laws, I say bottle shops to reference places that have a good selection of craft brews

 

When my wife moved to NY with me years ago, she was completely confused by our mile shakes. Apparently in RI it's actually some disgusting concoction of milk, syrup, and ice that is just shaken and has no ice cream. Then she served me some kind of clear soup with clam and potatoes, and called it chowder. I almost dumped her on the spot.

 

Ohio's another state that Liquor stores are not totally synonymous with beer stores. It's a bit of a holdover from the not so distant past when hard alcohol was only sold in state-run stores. Now, almost every store in the state that sells liquor (over 40 proof) also sells beer and wine. Not every store that sells beer and wine is licensed to sell liquor. (lots of little quirky rules in the buckeye state)

 

I usually just call the beer stores.

 

Of course it's a bottle shop. Everyone knows you aren't buying the beer, rather the bottle. Especially true if you have ever tried to find a difficult to locate beer on eEbay, as their policy is that you must place the following in your ad for the rare bottle...(ie Westy XII, Utopias, etc)

1) The value of the item is in the collectible container, not its contents.
2) The container has not been opened and any incidental contents are not intended for consumption.
3) The item is not available at any retail outlet, and the container has a value that substantially exceeds the current retail price of the alcohol in the container.
4) The seller will take all appropriate steps to ensure that the buyer is of lawful age in the buyer and seller's jurisdiction (generally 21 years of age).
5) Buyers and sellers both ensure that the sale complies with all applicable laws and shipping regulations.

 

I always felt it was to distinguish the good beer stores from the shitty ones.

 

I wish the term "case shop" would come into use, to distinguish between retail beer "distributors" (most of which don't even actually "distribute" beer) & wholesale distributors (which do).

 

In New York, beer is not sold in liquor/wine stores, which is a bummer because it greatly reduces the number of potential craft beer outlets.

 

It has to do with where you are from and the laws for that particular state.

In New Jersey beer, wine and liquor is sold at the same place. They are called liquor stores here.
The exception is some bars have a license that lets them sell beer and wine for off premise consumption. This is "packaged goods" shop. Which is important to know if you want to get beer after 10.

 

Dude, you can get growler fills at gas stations. No one feels bad for you.

 

Because where I live you can't buy beer and liquor in the same place. You have liquor/wine shops which sell liquor and wine. You have beverage distributors which sell beer by the case and soda. Then you have some supermarkets that sell singles and six packs and then you have bottle shops which specialize in singles of beer. Mostly fancy rare beers.

 

I really enjoy my local bottle shops, such as Hawthornes in Philadelphia and The Bottle Shop, which is located close to the house of my grandparents in the heart of South Philly. Everytime I go, even when I have not been there I am greeted kindly and I love chatting with the knowledgable staff who enjoys what I enjoy.

 

To add to the confusion, my understanding is that the proprietor of a bottle shop in PA can walk into a retail beer distributor, buy a case of beer, and they go sell it by the bottle at his bottle shop.

 

I don't, I call them Package Stores or "the packie" for short

 

The differences are actually interesting, all kidding aside. Visitors we have from Florida don't understand why they can't buy beer at the grocery store and until recently couldn't buy alcohol on a Sunday. I think some of the WallyWorld superstores carry beahs. The "packies" here carry liquor, wine, and beer so basically adults say liquor store. I was in upstate New York, went into liquor stores and that is what they had - no beer. They sent me to the local gas station with a "good selection"...NOT!

I know the Wegman's in MA ended up where it is in part because of the liquor license. I forget the entire story, but I recall they were going much closer to Boston, but no licenses were "available" for wherever it was they were looking to build.

And yes! Water fountain = bubblah. I think some of that stuff is definitely regional to RI and SE Mass. Of course, a proper resident of SE Mass considers the state of RI to be a western suburb (just kiddin', Providence, just kiddin').

 

For me bottle shop makes it sound more like a hobby. Liquor store or beer store makes it just sound tacky even though they are technically a store. Shop just sounds and feels niiiiice.

 

I use it to differentiate a store with a great beer selection from a liquor store that has nothing but bombers of Natty Ice.

 

Brilliant idea! Autocrat makes everything better!

 

Its a SHOP that sells BOTTLES.

 

I go to the bottle shop to get some head(y)