Chicago beer stores besides Binny's?

So, the OP's original complaint was that Binny's, a large chain based out of Chicago, allocates special releases ahead of time to good customers and it's hard to get in on some of these releases unless you're a regular. Well, sadly enough, most stores do some sort of system like this, whether it be a list, keeping beer in the back and selectively mentioning it to people, email list to those signed up, etc.

What I will say though is the defense of the chain in general is a little much. I'm 31 years old, been going to various Binny's locations for 7-8 years (Highland Park, McHenry, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, couple of city locations, etc) The common theme I've found is that if you're shopping for beer in general, you don't get the service that you would in the wine or liquor department, especially if you look younger or come in wearing a t-shirt and jeans. In multiple locations, I've walked the entire store, passing employees with not even an acknowledgment of "hi" or "anything we can help you with". I've even gotten carded in the beer department (Highland Park) by an employee, who proceeded to check my ID and then walk away without even asking me for help. (extreme example, but indicative of the theme) Little do these employees know, I'll typically drop $50-100 at my local shop on a weekly basis....maybe small peanuts compared to some guys buying cases of scotch/wine, but it adds up.

Anyway, my point is with limited release, Binny's does it the same as the rest basically. But, a better reason to be critical is the lack of focus on beer and poor assumptions their employees make based on a lack of general sales skill.

Ready to get flamed on this, but I feel like it was worth saying to provide a more realistic view of the store in general.

 

You make no sense!

 

I've never had trouble getting a special release from any Binny's except the one on Grand. I normally hit Lincoln Park, South Loop, and Downer's Grove. Sometimes Des Plaines.

For LP, Vav posts here on a regular basis. South Loop information is pretty well relayed by BAs on here. And Vince over at DG maintains an open Twitter for everything cool/rare that comes in. That's pretty open.

I can't speak to your experience, but I've never had this problem. I've always been offered service, and I was getting prompted to show my high school ID on the metra for discounts up to a couple years ago. (I'm 29.)

Not flaming (this time), since this is actually a valid critique that just happens to be different from my experience. But, I will say that I've never noticed the issues you've mentioned, and I've spent a lot of time at Binny's. Even on a busy Saturday night at the LP store, multiple employees stopped and asked me if I'm finding everything OK.

I will say that Binny's locations suck at answering their email. I've tried emailing multiple locations on multiple occasions. No one responds to the store-level email. I've had (some) better luck with the manager emails.

 

My only issue w/Binny's is on occaision when the wife and I go in to grab something limited and we have to ask them specifically to pull it from the back, they look at me and then her and think we're trying to trick the system by asking for more than we should when the simple truth is, she is more of a beer geek than me and enjoys these crafts more than most ba's out there. In fact, we (she) were (was) almost denied a second bottle of something until the greezy-haired dude reluctantly handed the 2nd bottle over to her and told us in a very scolding manner: She's gotta pay for that!!

Other than that, I'll still shop there in the pinch, but, generally not to seek stuff out.

BTW - Mariano's Fresh Market has a stellar selection of everyday crafts at very reasonable prices.

 

OK - so after reading many of the posts here, what you Binny's haters want is a plethora of local mom and pop stores that all charge the same price for the same product, don't want to make any money from selling that product and have all gotten together and agreed to do whatever is necessary to ensure that EVERYBODY gets their fair share of whales. This is a great idea! Beer Socialism is born!