Anyone have any good finds on where to buy craft beer in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago besides Binny's? I have noticed at a few different Jewel-Oscos they have a decent variety. But there doesn't seem to be too many places. Binny's seems to charge 10 to 20% more for the same beer you can find in Jewel.
What? Binny's prices are usually pretty reasonable, unless you're looking for cheap BMC, which Jewel usually has on sale. Jewel's selection is crap compared to Binny's anyway.
Rogue C Rogue Chocolate Stout is like 7.99 and Binny's and $6.99 at Jewel, Dogfish Indian Brown Ale 6 pack is 11.99 at Binny's and I think I paid 9.99 at Jewel. Obviously Jewels selection is not going to be what Binny's is its a grocery store. Every been to Cardinal?
You could try Dobbys in Palatine (dedicated liquor store) Mariano's supermarkets (also in Palatine, Arlington Heights, others): better selection than Jewel and has mixed six packs Binnys is still king for selection, and I can't honestly say I've ever noticed their prices generally higher than other stores.
The Marianos in Libertyville has a solid selection. They've had fresh Bells Two Hearted sixer for 8.99
Which towns specifically? I'm in Algonquin and can give you a few stores. I wouldnt really shop at Jewel unless you A) Can't drive anywhere else or B) See something on mega-discount (I've found a few great deals at area Jewels...Barrington, Algonquin). In my area there is Woodmans Carpentersville, Volume Liquors in Cary, Cardinal in CL, Vintage Wines and Liquors in Barrington, R&J Liquors in Algonuin (East side of River near Butera).
Crystal Lake, McHenry, Cary or Lake Zurich. Sounds like it: Crystal Lake - Cardinal McHenry - Binnys Cary -Volume Liquors Lake Zurich - Binnys Barrington - Vintage Wines and Liquors Carpentersville - Woodmans Alqonquin - R&J Liquors Libertyville - Marianos Palatine - Dobbys Thanks guys.
The Marianos in the city are pretty good for craft (for a supermarket) and if you're nice to the liquor area employees, they'll sometimes open a new pack not usually included in the mix sixers. I would imagine that the NW suburbs ones would be just as accommodating.
I prefer mix sixers too. I don't know if there is Cardinal Liquor by you, but they have a decent mix six section at the ones in Niles and Harwood Heights (or Norridge, never sure which suburb it is in that area.) I actually like their mix six section better than the Binnys around me. If there's one further out by you, give them a look.
Binnys and Woodmans can both satisfy the mix-a-six, or head up to Wilmot, WI to Fox River Spirits, they have a great singles section and a ton of WI-only and other stuff not available around here.
Dobbys and Binnys BG are my suburbian go to. Suburbs over here do not get the best distrbution (Deerfield gets the best suburbian distro IMO), but what comes here tends to sit around past 5 PM. Binny's pricing is very solid, and its often slightly cheaper from time to time. I got Abacus there last year for 12.99
Cardinal Warehouse in Niles is awesome. They have an awesome selection of bombers. Ask for Josh if you need anything. He is the beer buyer and very knowledgeable.
I don't think their lagers are anything too spectacular either. Try everything else though. Dancing Man Wheat should be out right now, its one of the best hefe's in the US.
"Dancing Man Wheat should be out right now, its one of the best hefe's in the US." Have to give it a try
If you want a lot of funky eastern euro beers to tick there is liquor barn in niles, it also has pretty cheap prices on a lot of craft. Also there is a place called Deli-Lama in Grayslake that claims to have like 400 beers in thier make a 6 selection but I haven't got in there.
I think I've spoken to him. Every once in a while they do a pretty good tasting event too. I wish they updated the events on their website though. They don't have many and I would love a bit of a heads up.
