I'm going to be in Tuscaloosa via Birmingham airport in 3-4wks for work for a few days. Does anyone have any advice on specific highly rated beers that I can't get up in Michigan but can in the area? I'd love to head home with a bunch of new stuff. What about bottle shops, etc? Any help is appreciated! Thx!
there's a couple of dozen Alabama breweries, but only the minority package. seekabrew.com will fill you in on specific breweries that are here that you don't get. Also, Hop City, Highland Package Store, and Piggly Wiggly in Homewood or River Run have great beer selections.
My go to in Birmingham is Hop City. I'd suggest looking for Cigar City (Jai Alai), Westbrook (IPA, One Claw, Gose), and Good People (IPA and Snake Handler). Hop City also has taps, so you can try out some local/regional stuff before buying.
I hear good things about Snake Handler from Good People as WPZY points out. I am not sure what style of beer you like. If you want you can try some things from north Alabama while you are there in Tuscaloosa. I know that Straight to Ale from Huntsville and Blue Pants both distribute to Spirits Wine Cellar in Tuscaloosa.
Good People Brewing has a pub in the Birmingham Airport if you want to grab a beer after your flight in or before you leave. Hop City is a great shop in Birmingham. Huge bottle selection, 60 taps, growler filling, and a friendly staff. And lastly check out Druid City Brewing in Tuscaloosa if you have some time.
If you're going to be in Tuscaloosa, the Druid City guys are pretty cool to hang out with. They don't have the best beer all around, but a lot of days they put some cool stuff in the Randall. Black Warrior is just alright in my opinion, if you are here on a Monday, they always have a limited beer each week. Corks and Tops is a popular store near campus, but they are a little pricey with a good selection. Spirits Wine Cellar in Northport (the one on Rice Mine, not McFarland) has a good selection and their prices are more reasonable. They are also better for individual bottle sales. You can find some Westbrook, Terrapin, and CCB beers here. Also Good People is fantastic as people have mentioned before, Snake Handler is awesome.
If you go to Hop City you're only a few blocks from both Avondale and TrimTab. TrimTab has a Cucumber Saison that is really, really good. Hop City has tables and a patio area. Just down the walkway from the store is a Mexican restaurant called Cantina. You can walk down and get some food to go and come back sit at a table and have a great beer with it. They have 60 taps and you can get tasters from all but the 6 that are small batches.
