Going to Colorado

I think the membership crap has something to do with it

 

It's definitely Costco. It's the same with Sam's here. They sell liquor in each one

 

I don't know how it works, but Costco does have multiple locations that "sell" liquor, although there is only one that is inside Costco(I want to say Wadsworth and Quincy location). I'm not sure how the other locations work, the liquor section is in the same building, but it's not connected so you can't walk from the Costco side into the liquor side without exiting the store. Also, I don't believe those locations do not require a Costco membership for the liquor side.

 

Westmister Costco does not have alcohol. I'm quite certain of that. Not sure of Aurora. The one toward the airport (Arapahoe?) does sell alcohol. It's not hard to find out--just go to the Costco site. I'm too lazy in this time zone this time of night... had a big beer pilgrimage today--3xW00tstout, a few interesting samples and brewing equipment... all done for the night...

In several states, Costco cannot require membership to purchase alcohol. No idea if Colorado is one of them

 

My understanding is that the only Costco liquor license held is the one at Wadsworth and I70.

 

I am positive that the Costco in Westminster sells alcohol. It is a separate entrance but it sells alcohol. Funny how someone in MA is telling people in CO that the store they shop at doesn't sell something. And you don't need a membership to purchase alcohol in either Costco or Sams here in CO

 

I spent a good amount of time in CO over the past five years, specifically in Boulder, and shopped at that Costco fairly regularly. Don't assume that everyone's a carpetbagger based on their official "location".

It's not a Costco liquor outfit and is not tied to Costco distribution practices. Being attached to Costco only implies that they are obligated to sell some things and a few other things at specific prices, plus honoring the Executive Membership commitment. But it's a separate business, with its own practices and Costco did not list it on their website as a liquor store location when I last looked, but they might have changed that. They don't use Costco buyers for one-off items like craft beer. The same is true in Massachusetts, where there used to be a strict limit on how many licenses a single business could hold (limit was 3, but it's been changed recently). But there are at least five MA Costco locations with liquor stores. Two of them are independent and carry a subset of what regular Costco stores sell at the same prices. They don't have most Kirkland Signature items which is the house brand. They don't have Costco one-time specials, although they do bring in their own. They have their own employees. And--oh, yeah!--they have a separate entrance. (In fact, they tried to put one store inside the warehouse but in a separated area and the state came in and told them they can't do that.) The only thing that makes it a "Costco" store is the location and some matching prices (because that's part of the lease).

And I did say that most states require warehouse clubs to sell alcohol without membership. Since I have a Costco card, I never had to deal with it in CO, so I did not know if CO was one of those states.

 

My point was that I haven't been in a Costco in CO that doesn't have liquor sales. Whether that sale point is inside the official building or is a separate entrance. I shop at that store regularly and was just clarifying that the store does sell alcohol if people wished to go to that store before driving around to find another Costco that isn't as close.

 

Looking at the state liquor licenses:
Sheridan Liquors Inc DBA HB Liquors @ the Costco in Sheridan.
PC Liquors Inc DBA PC Liquor @ the Costco in Littleton.
Ron's Liquors Inc DBA Ron's Liquors @ the Costco in Westminster.
Colorado Liquor Company Inc DBA Costco Liquors in Arvada.
Parker Liquor Company Inc DBA Costco Liquors at Parker.
Mountain Liquor Company Inc DBA Costco Liquors at Colorado Springs.

 

Looks like the same 3-license limit that we have here... or not... Just checked the Costco website. They no longer list "liquor store" as one of the options--optical, tire store, rotisserie chicken, but not liquor.

 

Can I piggyback off of this thread?

I live in Nebraska, have a friend driving out to Denver next week. He's going to bring some beer back for me, and wanted a small list of stuff to look for. I really enjoy Dale's Pale Ale so I'd like some of that, but besides that I am somewhat at a loss.

My main two questions are how hard is it to find Russian River beers in the Denver stores? I am dying to try some of those. Second, is Avery Maharaja hard to come by?

Otherwise, any other recommendations for another boring IPA-fan? (I do enjoy almost all beer varieties, just seems that most of my fridges are filled with hop-forward brews.) Thanks!

 

Right now you might be able to find some Supplication and Redemption but haven't seen anything else for a couple weeks.

Avery Maharaja is a little old right now. Might be able to find some at Grapevine. I still drink it but if you're looking for fresh you aren't going to find it.

Might have him pick up some Crooked Stave. Renagade has a nice IPA in cans. Love Odell's IPA and you can still get Myrcenary.

 

No longer in Boulder/Denver so can't really answer direct questions about beer in stores. We get a lot of Maharaja here (MA) on the shelves of almost every store--overpriced and getting old, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, just not worth the investment of time and money when there are so many other things. I second Crooked Stave, especially since you're not going to get it anywhere else. I was going to mention it before this response popped up.

 

I haven't seen much in the way of Russian River selection lately, though it seems the stores that carry their beers get shipments about once a month, usually on Fridays. If you want a Pliny alternative that is readily available in most of the major stores, have your friend pick up some Firestone Walker Double Jack. For $7.99 a bomber (also available in 12 oz four packs), it's tough to beat. As mentioned above, the Renegade Redacted IPA is quite good, and if you like Dale's Pale, throw in some of the Deviant Dale's for good measure.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I have a buddy from Chicago who is trading me some FSW Double Jack, but more can't hurt! I think I am hoping he is able to get DPA, Maharaja (age be damned!), Elevated, and Redacted.

Jumbo - I still have some Deviant in my fridge from a recent trip, but yes that stuff is tasty!

FYI, we get Odell here in Nebraska. If you are curious, we get Odell, New Belgium, Funkwerks, Breckenridge, SKA, most Great Divides (haven't ever seen Collette here), Boulder, Twisted Pine. We used to get Left Hand and Avery, but they both have been gone for a couple of years, always rumored to return though.

 

Avery XX might be a good substitute (if not better than) for Maharaja, if one could be found. There's a whole thread devoted to search for it, but I've seen it in several stores here just sitting on the shelf. Might be the same on location, so to speak.

 

I don't mean to go back to the CostCo thing... but just saw (and bought) a 24-pack of Upslope for $28.99 (4x 6-packs, Lager/Brown/Pale/IPA) at the Arvada CostCo, helluva deal IMHO, stocked up for labor day

 

I talked to the guys at the costco at 70 and wads. They just rent the space and arent part of costco at all. This is the same as the one off 92nd in Westminster. Otherwise they'd be selling pallets of cheap 3.2 beer if owned by costco. In co only one grocery store per chain can sell regular beer (non 3.2).