It probably was asked 2000 times, but I can't find anything with the search box, what is the best LCBO in Ottawa? Is it Rideau/King Hall or is there a better one? Thanks!
My personal favourite is Innes and 10th line in Orleans. Seems to get the most of the releases in larger quantities. Another good one is Hunt Club and Merivale, beer guy usually makes orders from Toronto to get the releases early but not necessarily in large quantities. If you are visiting from out of town and staying in the downtown area, Rideau/King Edward is your best bet. If you don't mind a 20-30 mins drive. Hit one of the other two.
As mentioned above I also personally prefer the 10th line and Innes store over the King Edward location, although you can't beat it's central location. That being said it does feel that we don't get a fair share of the LCBO releases anywhere in Ottawa.
Thanks guys! I'll follow your advices and head to both of them (maybe even King Edward if I have the time)
If there is something specific you are looking for. I would suggest using www.drinkvine.com You can pick you beer that you are looking for. Pick your LCBO's and it will tell you the inventory at each location. There are instances if you are looking for something specific, it might pop up at a non-traditional LCBO. Isn't the distribution of the LCBO awesome?!!!
Still haven't figured out how to select a specific LCBO on that thing... :s It won't let me enter my postal code. Maybe cause I'm in Quebec?
Try an Ontario Postal Code. Ottawa try K1J 6Y5 mine... Go under "my stores" put in postal code and select nearest 100 stores. Pretty much all eastern LCBO's will pop up. Beside each one is "add" so add whatever you want. Main ones in ottawa that you should at least have. King Edward/Rideau Innes/10th line Hunt Club/Merivale Richmond/Kirkwood Bank Walkley This is the 5 best LCBO's in town. Like I said before, there is stuff that "pops" up at other LCBO's but it's rare and very sporatic. These 5 will cover you for whatever is in Ottawa.
To echo @cfrancis and @byronic I would say the Orleans (By the Superstore to use a landmark) location is best. Dan is the beer guy there to talk to if you have any questions. He is very knowledgeable and super friendly. He is on the ball with ordering and knows his clientele well. Very often it is the first store to get stock of "in demand" beer in the city.
Great, thanks! Will it just say if they have a beer you selected or can you check the whole beer inventory at a specific store? SAQ's website allows you to do that, quite helpful.
Hunt Club/Merivale is my favourite as of the last year and a bit. I can't remember the last time I had to go elsewhere for what I wanted from the LCBO. I've been disappointed with Bank/Walkley for quite a while now. One of these days I'll check out that Orleans store, but....that would mean I have to drive to Orleans.
Just went to the one on hunt club and I thought it was great (greater than Rideau). Will go to Orleans right after thanks again for the tips!
Went to Bank Walkley yesterday, picked up a couple Saison Dupont. Haven't tried it yet. Cellar temperature or a little cooler?
Bank Walkley has been disappointing as of late but the fact that it's the main distribution depo for Ottawa, I think you have to keep it on the list. Something could just pop up there. On drink vine, you can select the store and it will show you how many of "your drinks" are at that store. I don't believe it will show you the entire inventory.
I've been pretty happy with the Bank/Walkley location...even though I'm much closer to the Elmvale Acres LCBO they just don't have the room to carry the less mainstream choices.
