Ok, so I just moved to the Baltimore area and was surprised to find out that grocery stores do not sell beer; that was not expected by me at all. So where do you guys go to get good beer? I'm currently in Columbia, which is not ideal for beer stores from what it looks like. I found a few decent bars and restaurants for draft beer. I went to a liquor store and had to pay almost $11 for a 6-pack of Sierra Nevada. Is that normal? I sure hope not. What do you locals do for beer?? Help! P.S. I'm glad I brought half of my 150 bottle cellar with me from Washington (left the other half in Montana so I won't be temped). Maybe it's time to start drinking the goods.
The price for that 6ers is too unreasonable, but you are in an area with huge mark-ups on beer as the standard (still, that price you saw is ridiculous even for Ho or Mo Co). The Perfect Pour, while often graced with solid limited release stuff, is a perfect example of this mark-up. Honestly, I'd drive the 15-20 mins to Laurel Total Wine every now again to stock up if I were you. You're not going to beat their prices anywhere around you and the selection there is legit.
Perfect Pour gets all the rare and crazy stuff - FW stuff, Abraxas, Bourbon County, but also stuff like BB Imperial Biscotti Break and A Deal with the Devil. TW Laurel some of that stuff, but it goes super quick (at least in my experience), although they will have your best prices on stuff hands down. Try Allview (small, but a decent selection and they'll get to know you there) and Jason's (watch for super old IPAs thought) as they aren't too far from you. Sorry you had to move here from Washington. Much better and cheaper beer selection out there.
If you are looking for something in Baltimore proper, The Wine Source is a good shop. Being in Columbia you are in one of the most expensive counties in the Washignton/Balt area, prices are going to be higher. Especially at Perfect Pour.
A grocery store not selling beer is pretty much how it is in the state, not just Baltimore area. Welcome to Maryland!
We also have a 9% alcohol tax. I don't think I have ever paid less than $10.00 for a 6 pack unless it was macro.
Next time you have a couple hours to kill, hop in the car and drive up to Elkton, MD to State Line Liquors. Yeah, it's a drive but they have one of the best beer selections in the state. Sign up on-line for their customer card and you'll get 10% off all singles. Other options: Total Wine in Towson. Honeygo Liquors in Nottingham/Perry Hall. Wine World and Friendship in Bel Air.
Also check out Quarry Wines just off of the 695 Beltway. Not too much beer, but it's a relatively unknown spot, so if they do get a limited release it usually sits a while. Also check out Shawan Liquors up in Cockeysville.
