I am heading down to Fort Collins in a few weeks. I've been there once before and enjoyed the pubs and breweries. I'll hit Odell again for sure and maybe some of the other breweries I missed last time. However, I didn't do a lot of bottle shopping. As a Canadian there are lots of beers I can't get up here that Re available in FoCo. Any suggestions on the best store for me to go shopping?
Wilbur's total beverage is the big liquor store in central Fort Collins but everything that is limited gets snapped up by the locals pretty quickly. I recommend 287 Discount Liquor in south Fort Collins for an excellent balance of the hard to get and selection. Supermarket Liquor in the northeast near Odell Brewing is also good for some select raities that get passed over. While you are in the Fort check out The Mayor of Old Town, a pretty new bar with 100 taps as well as Funkwerks & Equinox breweries. You'd probably get more feedback if you posted this in the Mountain region forum.
I had lived on the south side of Fort Collins, so I did plenty of shopping at 287. It's a great store, with a great selection. That said, its not in the heart of Fort Collins and many of the beers can sit, so always check for dates. This can work in your favor though for the bigger and wild beers, where age can be its friend (though those started getting scooped up there faster and faster the past couple years). If I was you, I'd do Wilburs. Beer flies off the shelf there the fastest, but they will still have plenty of great beers to choose from. Ultimately, beers in any of the main stores (Wilbur's. Supermarket, 287) goes fast these days. Wilburs has the biggest selection.
As someone who regularly shops for craft beer in Fort Collins I would recommend Supermarket Liquors. As for specialty bombers it has as big or bigger selection than Wilbur's these days, and not as many people shop there so you can find more sought after stuff weeks after initial release. They also don't have to charge city sales tax which saves you 4%. 287 is similar and also recommended, but not as big of a selection and as mentioned it's south of town. Tap & Handle and Choice City for draft no question. Cheers!
There are some incredible, recently released beers at some of the smaller taprooms in town. Be sure to check out: Pateros Creek- BearShark- BarleyWine Equinox- Ouster- Belgian Dark Strong Funkwerks- Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Quad If you don't make an effort to taste these beers, you're doing it wrong
Whenever we are in Cheyenne, WYO. visiting my wife's family - I run down to Supermarket Liquors. Super easy access from I-25, outstanding selection, very reasonable pricing (especially as compared to Utah State liquor store robbery pricing)! I can't wait to head that way this summer.
2nd recommendations for Wilburs and Supermarket .. I shop at both but prefer Supermarket due to (usually) lower prices and avoidance of FC city tax at Wilburs. I have not visited 287 as of yet. Enjoy your trip, plenty of great beer to take back to Canada no matter which store you choose.
