The Best Beer Shops in the U.S., According to Pros

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by unlikelyspiderperson, Nov 28, 2022.

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  1. Newport_beerguy

    Newport_beerguy Pooh-Bah (1,836) Feb 24, 2011 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    To include Yankee Spirits over a place like Julio's got a "huh?" from me. Julio's has some great service from my experience, plus they have the absolute best grand tastings of wine, beer and whiskey that I've encountered.
     
  2. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Pooh-Bah (2,796) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Pooh-Bah Society

    No way in hell i would ever drive to costa mesa just for beer from los angeles. idgaf what beer they have in a basket or what russian river beer is on tap.
    only stuff i ever really hear about winsor is that they get cantillon stuff
    i have 0 interest in those beers , but kudos to them for being a Homebrew supply shop.
     
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  3. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,146) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Interesting list and was surprised to find I’d been to 7 of these spots. NYC has a lot of good locations but they missed what’s probably the best one, where multiple Cantillon bottles were sitting next to the register just a few weeks back…

    Also the bevie in Winooski has to be on this list right?
     
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  4. Giantspace

    Giantspace Pooh-Bah (2,879) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    State line in MD could be on this list. They do great tastings, have great sales and a good selection. First time I was there I walked around a bit and left empty handed. I was overwhelmed by the Belgian section. I don’t get bear here often so I have not been here in years, I do check their site once in a bit for tastings, sales and growler board.

    Capones is good too but if you are in Philly on a visit it’s not really close and in my mind not worth the drive. Maybe if you want to have a decent, not great meal and a few good to great beers before you check out the shop. Even then I would stay downtown and eat better food and drink good to great beer while not having an hour drive both ways.

    I’m sure all these spots are good. Are they go out of your way great? I don’t know. Can’t say I would go out of my way for any beer shop. I did go 20 minutes to get to a shop outside Columbus. It was nice , had singles of almost everything and lots of locals I had not seen elsewhere but again it was not too different than any other larger shop. What’s the cost at these “great” shops? You can have the best selection of everything but what are you charging. I see many places when I travel that have beer I don’t know much about and no idea if a $20 bottle is a good price. For me I’m ok getting very good local “shelf beer” at a nice price at the grocery store over expensive limited beers that are just good from the bottle shop.

    Probably does not rank but the beer spot I remember most is the Woodmans just outside Milwaukee. Awesome prices huge selection and the grocery section is worth a stop just to check out the size of this place.


    Enjoy
     
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  5. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,625) Sep 3, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I don't think it's ranked within region, but rather a crappy attempt at alphabetical sequence.
     
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  6. shigg85

    shigg85 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,004) Jan 31, 2012 Japan
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Half Time is heaven on Earth
     
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  7. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,058) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    The Mamaroneck location is not as good as it used to be in my eyes… but perhaps someone would consider the addition of Decadent brewing at the location a significant plus. I have no idea if the Poughkeepsie location has changed over time.
     
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  8. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,058) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I guess that location will remain a secret whatever it is. NYC is usually well represented in beer lists (as it was in this case) because of the industry professionals (particularly writers) located in or near it.
     
    #28 zid, Nov 29, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2022
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  9. rolltide8425

    rolltide8425 Pooh-Bah (2,286) Feb 18, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Been to 3 of them, Capone's, Top Hops, and Carmine St, all deserving.
     
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  10. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,628) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    The Providence spot they mention (Bottles) is not that great when compared to High Spirits and Nikki’s. I found the article’s description funny. It describes Bottles as “small” when it’s literally one the bigger liquor stores in Providence proper. Most liquor stores in the city are much smaller.
     
  11. Uberdachen

    Uberdachen Devotee (343) Jun 21, 2019 Minnesota
    Trader

    I’m pretty sure it just opened within the past few months. Maybe six, I’ve been bad at time since the pandemic. I am a bit surprised for that to be the choice, but despite that if you’re not on it I recommend subscribing to their weekly roundup of new releases across the state (regardless of whether their store carries it).
     
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  12. LesDewitt4beer

    LesDewitt4beer Grand Pooh-Bah (4,776) Jan 25, 2021 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Cool. Thanks man.
     
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  13. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Maven (1,451) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Hate to be a downer, but that R&L Liquors entry is certainly dated. Their main craft beer enthusiast, Tom, is no longer there and the craft beer selection there has gone way down since. I was there on Black Friday and casually asked if they had gotten any Bourbon County and they hadn't heard of it.
     
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  14. RJD422

    RJD422 Zealot (587) Aug 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Will definitely check out Capone's as it is only 14 miles from me.
     
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  15. ilikebeer03

    ilikebeer03 Pooh-Bah (2,262) Oct 17, 2012 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Love Stein's! Great food, too!
     
  16. VABA

    VABA Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,131) Aug 8, 2015 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Indeed!
     
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  17. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Lots of good beers on tap today (11/29/22). From today's e-mail:

    **************************************************
    We Gladly Fill Growlers Too

    Currently On Draft

    **************************************************
    RUSSIAN RIVER - PLINY THE ELDER
    RUSSIAN RIVER - BLIND PIG
    HILLFARMSTEAD - EDWARD
    TRILLIUM - PIER
    OTHER HALF - DDH SPACE DAYDREAM
    NEW TRAIL/OTHER HALF - PENNSYLVANIA NIGHTS
    MIKERPHONE - TUNED IN
    ESKER HART - ARTISAN ALES MANDALORA
    SHORT THROW - 2-CLICK FLARE
    HARDYWOOD - BOURBON BARREL GINGERBREAD STOUT
    2022 BOURBON COUNTY
    2022 BOURBON COUNTY - SIR ISAAC'S
    2020 PRENNIAL - ABRAXAS
    2012 AVERY - BEAST GRAND CRU
    2014 SIERRA NEVADA - BIG FOOT
    2012 WEYERBACHER - INSANITY
    2018 FIRESTONE - SUCBA
    2015 LOST ABBEY - CUVEE DE TOMME
    2015 DOGFISH HEAD - 120
    2015 GOOSE ISLAND - LOLITA
    BELLS - HOP SLAM
    WIDOWMAKER - DEVILS STAIRCASE
    IMPRINT - MY MORNING HAZE
    IMPRINT - SCHMOOJEE PUFFSICLE 7 SINS
    ACHOUFFE - La CHOUFFE
    ARSENEL SNOW BOUND CIDER

    **************************************************

    "Our website"

    http://www.thebottleshop.biz

    **************************************************

    Later today I will be meeting a friend who is up visiting from Florida for a walk at the Norristown Farm Park and then afterwards stop over to Capone's for a couple of beers.

    Cheers!
     
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  18. o29

    o29 Savant (1,141) Sep 29, 2020 Texas
    Society Trader

    That tap list...

    [​IMG]
     
  19. MistaRyte

    MistaRyte Pooh-Bah (2,397) Jan 14, 2008 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I think the closest I've been to any of these places is Steins for work when I'm in NOLA... walked close to it went I hit Urban South... never went, though. Much sadness.
     
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  20. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,146) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    probably gone by now but shoot me a dm if you’re curious. I was going to put it out there when I ran into them recently but decided against it as I didn’t want to encourage the hoarders/resellers/ransomers.
     
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