What's the best beer store in NY state? Half Time? Fingerlakes Beverage? Beers of the World? I've been to Fingerlakes, which I thought was pretty good. Is there another place worth traveling to from Syracuse?
The various Deciccos combined have taken more of my money than any other place, but I think my vote would go to Half Time.
Great store, but worth a drive from Syracuse and then back... no. EDIT: On second thought, you would be able to hit Half Time in the same trip and that would be a great combination for those with deep pockets.
How do you define best? Fingerlakes and BotW both have great selection, but pretty high prices. Premier in Buffalo also has a huge selection if you're looking to stay on this side of the state.
Thanks for the suggestions DeCiccos and Half time aren't that far apart. About 3.5 - 4 hours from Syracuse. Don't think I'd want to do it all in one day. But If I was ever in the area for another reason I think I'd go to Half time.
Yeah Fingerlakes does have some high prices. Especially on the stuff they bring from NYC. I don't mind paying a little more for something that I can't get in the 'cuse though.
DeCicco's Brewster is the best beer store I have been to in NYS. Gotta love the bar as well. Along with fantastic people and service. BOTW does not remotely compare - DeCicco's is in another league. Premier Gourmet is the best beer store in Western NY - it's like a smaller version of DeCicco's. Ethan and the staff at Premier offer similar superb service as well. The closest beer store in selection to DeCicco's is Half Time - it can be pricey but they have lots of great stuff. Finger Lakes in Ithaca is good but a class down from DeCicco's and Half Time - and Premier Gourmet is definitely better as well. Happy beer shopping!
DeCicco's & Half Time are excellent stores but a bit pricey, as in $1 - $2 more per bomber, four or six pack. But you get what you pay for in both places - DeCicco's keeps alot of their sale stock refrigerated, as does Half Time and both have great selections. One caveat - outdated beer in both places. Be sure to check dates. I have yet to visit it, but I understand Flair Beverages - 3857 9th Ave. NYC has a great selection and beats everybody's prices but doesn't refrigerate sale stock.
Otis - good points. However, I would say I have yet to come across any beer store that does not have outdated beer on their shelves to one extent or another. I don't recall either DeCicco's or Half Time being any worse than other stores in that area. Cheers!
They probably aren't but these are my two main stores and they also carry the highest expectations, at least for me.
I wish they were my two main stores! A bit of a trip for me from the Rochester area but always worth it.
DeCiccos Brewster is practically all refrigerated (much more than Half Time). Half Time is great with putting past season beer on sale. Flair has a lot of stuff and at great prices (and in a more beverage warehouse type of environment) but is worse with out of date beers. Flair isn't even close to those other two as a top notch store despite their strengths.
I don't know if you've been there recently but DeCicco's Brewster has alot of floor display beer as well but yeah, probably not as much non-refrigerated as Half Time. And I know Half Time puts past seasonals on sale but when I was there in July, they had Celebration for a whole dollar off a sixpack. When I asked the register guy if there was any one to talk to about it [as in another $2 off], I was told, in no uncertain terms, NO. I guess there are enough suckers to buy Christmas beer in the summer. I can't argue with your opinion on Flair since I've never been there. Another great store is Fairgrounds in Danbury, CT. Not as big a selection, but the prices are far better than in NY and it's where I normally pick up my go-to beers and some seasonals that are in good supply.
Well, if you're looking for retired beers, rude service, or some dust to loosen up that sneeze that just doesn't want to come out.... Personally, after having been beer shopping in about a dozen different states, I just have a hard time imagining putting a "best" of anything label on any of the stores I've been to in NYS. I've never even heard of DeCicco's until this thread though, so I guess I'll have to sniff them out next time I'm in their neck of the woods.
