Finding great beer in unlikely locations

I have a Cajun restaurant about three blocks from my house that has SNPA, Abita Amber Ale, Rahr, Martin House and Revolver on tap. The selection isn't mind blowing but I love the convenience and the food.

 

Visited a liquor store near me that otherwise only has BMC or equivalents. Ventured a little deeper and found Our Special Ale 2010 magnums and sixers, a Chimay Blue magnum and Courage RIS vintages!

 

Quick Pick, in beautiful Norwood, Ohio (ha!) has an unbelievably awesome beer selection. It holds a special place in my beer excursions, because it is the only store I have ever found 4-packs of KBS a few years back. You wouldn't think it just by looking at the place.

 

I've found 120 Minute at a tiny little gas station before.

 

Finding a 6 pack of Bells Expedition Stout for under $10 at a local liquor store was pretty neat.

 

I go to the Sinclair in Cambridge for shows a lot, and I'm always impressed to find Be Hoppy on tap. So much better than the standard concert venue best option which is usually Sam Adams or SNPA.

 

The local Applebee's has longtrail limbo and narwhal. Makes me actually want to go there

 

Nope, 218 for another week

 

Any limited release that makes it to my area is by default finding great beer in an unlikely location.

 

On Black Friday while everyone was down in Lancaster, PA standing in lines for BCBS I went to a little newly opened bottle shop in Annville on a hunch. Walked right in at lunchtime and picked up bottles of BCBS, BCBW, BCCS, and a bottle of Vanilla Rye no problem.

 

While on my honeymoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico drinks at the hotel were ridiculously priced (only craft option was 9$ for can of SNPA). Found a combination convenience store/restaurant/bar called 'Marketplace' .5 miles from our hotel. Aside from having very decent food they also had a huge craft selection from all over the US (Founder's, Bell's, Stone, Abita, Ommegang, Terrapin, Cigar City, Sierra Nevada, Ballast Point etc) all priced for between 2-4$ per bottle.

 

Gotcha. The Schnucks near my old hometown had some surprises, too.

 

In 2010 I walked into a little specialty grocery store about two weeks after King Henry came and went, and found two bottles just sitting on the shelf. Two years ago I got 2 cherry rye's there. Secret is out now. Nothing the last 2 years.

 

There's a hole in the wall gas station between me and where I go to school that has an excellent selection. Apparently the owner is a beer enthusiast and likes to get in the good stuff. I've found a 2013 Bel's Third Coast for $9.99 among other gems

 

A string of gas stations in SC called The Hot Spot. The one in downtown Spartanburg has built up a decent craft selection. Westbrook 3rd Anniversary bombers for $6.49 ea. Not too bad.

 

this thread makes me want to check out every place that sells alcohol within 30 miles

 

I gotta give credit to Mellow Mushroom-- the first time I went there I was overwhelmed by their draft selection. Everything was fresh and reasonably priced. Not bad for a trendy pizza joint.

 

I see the rarest stuff at Pizza joints/Bottle shops. The beer is good but the prices are bad.

 

Found a bottle shop by my old place in SD that specialized it selling rare totally illegal to have beer!

Black Tuesday - 70
Chocolate rain - 70
DDG - 80
Beat- 40 or 45 don't remember
1 can of Jai Alai - 5


Legally I've found BCBBW just kicking it on shelves and FW 14 and 15 at a restaurant for 30 bucks a pop.

14 and 15 were $100 at Barrelworks