Finding Beer in Alabama

Grocery stores mostly. Unless you are in a larger city that has a craft beer store (read Birmingham). Other than that liquor stores are mostly state controlled unless you go to a much smaller package store.

I recently graduated college in AL. Anytime we wanted good beer, we either went to the grocery store or drove over to Georgia. Good people and Straight to ale should be in grocery stores though...

 

I live in the Shoals area in Northwest Alabama, so I can't speak to the areas you visited, but I'll defend the ability to get good beer in Alabama. I moved back to Alabama in May after 8 years in Tennessee and North Carolina and the beer scene and distribution have improved dramatically (especially since Free the Hops of course). As far as finding it in smaller areas, it can be a challenge, but I would bet that there is good beer somewhere in Gadsden. Here in the Shoals, which is very far from a large city, there are 7-8 liquor stores that have a decent selection. There are also three places that have pretty good growler stations. However, there are definitely still some liquor stores that have very little, to no, craft beer. It can be very hit or miss if you don't know where to look. I would guess that the Shoals has a little better selection than Gadsden, but I bet you just picked the wrong stores to call because the beer is definitely out there. Sorry you had a bad beer experience in the state. I hope in the future you find more success. Cheers!

 

when you say "liquor stores" are these state stores? googling Liquor Store in Talladega I come up with State Liquor Store #68 at 305 Battle St....is this like a Virginia state-run (Under VABC, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control) liquor store which is where you have to go in Virginia to buy liquor, but wine and beer are in groceries and specialty shops? Or do Alabama state stores carry beer and wine in addition to liquor? Second question, are there private liquor stores like say in Colorado or Florida, which carry liquor, beer and wine?

 

In Alabama, they do have state liquor stores that just carry liquor. There are also private liquor stores that sell beer, wine and liquor. The liquor at these store have to be purchased though the state so it is overpriced, but the beer and wine is not as regulated. Kind of a weird set up. Do not look for beer in state ABC stores, but instead look for private liquor or package stores

 

Really glad someone was able to help you out and that there is indeed good beer over on the east side of the state.

 

I will be in Orange Beach for the week. Anyone know where I can find good beer nearby?

 

The Rouses in Gulf Shores has a good selection, actually great for a supermarket. There is a bottle shop connected to Cosmos, can't remember the name though

Also yes State or ABC store means liquor only in Alabama. You would have to go to a private liquor store to find beer, they are hit or miss. Also some gas stations have really good selections, just have to find them. Good People and STA Cans are available in tons of supermarkets and gas stations across the state

 

Thanks. I'll check those out tomorrow. Hoping to check out Good People while I'm here

 

I'm really starting to think Huntsville is the only place in Alabama with any reasonable craft beer selection.
And I still complain it's not enough.

 

If you are going to GP, then go to Hop City. Best beer store in the state and it is only about a mile from GP

 

based on what metric? Birmingham has way more stores, has Hop City, and has most (but not all) of the beers brewed in state, as well as its own breweries, some of which are not available outside the Birmingham Metro area.

 

It's not a contest. Just saying I'll take huntsville over anywhere else in the state for finding a variety of amazing beer.

 

I would have said Huntsville and Birmingham are pretty much the same for variety, except that we get Hoppin' Frog. Which isn't in Huntsville. So neener neener neener

 

The bottle shop at Cosmo's is Maggie's Bottle and Tail. Small place without anything too rare, but slap full of great singles at very reasonable prices.

 

Tuscaloosa has gotten much better. Between Spirits, Corks and Tops, and Loosa Brews, you can find most any smaller brewery beer available in the state. Also, Druid City Brewing and Black Warrior Brewing, make some really good beer.

That said, I can't find Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale in the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham area. Anyone have any idea if it's av available somewhere?

 

Huntsville got Hoppin' Frog in the past couple of weeks.

 

oh snap!

 

If you are in North AL. near Huntsville you can go to Wish You Were Beer, Stem and Stein, or Liquor Express on University Drive for craft beer (even Great Spirits next to where I work has a small but reasonably well curated smattering of craft beer, though mostly they do wine and some liquor there). If you are looking for a bar you can go to The Nook in Huntsville. And there are also a couple of Breweries to visit too. Blue Pants in Madison is one of 'em.