If you could name only one beer store in Pennsylvania

Some things to keep in mind:

1) RR is only sold in the Philly area (though I've heard rumors of bottles mysteriously appearing in Pittsburgh).
2) Pliny isn't sold here in bottles (in case that was what you were looking for).

If that doesn't crush your hopes and dreams, then hopefully someone else can provide an actual answer, as I've never actually bought a bottle of anything they make.

 

Whole Foods

 

+1 Whole Foods

 

Damnation is $5.99 at Wegmans in Downingtown and always in stock, but I haven't seen any other RR there.

 

You will see RR in Pittsburgh sometimes, in particular House of 1000 Beers. Do not go here. They price gouge to a level that is tough to even describe to people who haven't experienced it.

 

They do have to recoup their gas and tolls driving out to Philly to buy it...

 

Matt won't like this, but you should hit Whole Foods first. Buy the beer WF has for much cheaper and then go to Capones and get what WF doesn't carry (which can still be quite a bit of beer).

 

Just my 2 cents. For most of the stuff WF carries, Capones prices aren't too far off. For the service and the fact that Matt has been a big part of the suburban craft beer community for much longer then WF, my $$$ will be ciontinued to be spent at Capones rather tham a corporate supermarket.

 

The places to get the true best prices on RR beers are distributors (case stores). Damnation sits on shelves, but all of the sours don't tend to collect dust. Capone's probably has some Supplication or Consecration, but when those kind of beers hit WF, they're gone within a day. Still worth checking out, though. I'm a fan of the rooftop taco truck, especially on a nice day.

 

I agree with this and I'm happy to spend the extra money on bottles that WF doesn't carry, of which there is a considerable supply at Capones. On the other hand, does it make sense to spend an extra $3-$5 on certain bottles that you can literally get down the street? There are certain beers that Matt puts a huge markup on and I have no idea why (Red Poppy comes to mind - TJ's was selling theirs for $9 less).

There is an extent to which I'm willing to pay the guy just to be there, but if I'm visiting the area 1 time like the OP is suggesting, why should he incur the additional cost when he can be happy buying beer at both places?

Capones did have the RR's last time I was there (last week).

 

I have no idea about Whole Foods, but I did pick up a couple sours at Capones a week and a half ago...tags still on them! Sanctification was $16, Supplication was $17

 

http://russianriverbrewing.com/philadelphia-distributor/

The places with "Beverage" in the name are distributors. Try a few to see what they have and for how much. Also be sure to check about 12 vs 24 bottles because technically if the bottle size is smaller than 22oz (all RR beers that we get are 375ml), it should be sold as 24 (which is REALLY two cases) but most do not sell them this way as it would be a $250+ case for the sours.

 

Trenton Road Takeout.

 

I usually check WF first cause of Andrew and Bill who work there and have a great understanding for beer, and do a great job ordering what they can. I usually pick up RR such as supplication their for either $11.99 or $12.99 i can't remember which it was. The problem is as someone mentioned is that they sell out quick while Capones usually has stuff way after WF is sold out and also gets a lot of beer that WF can't. I love Capones too they sometimes have a sick selection specially on tap on days like Black Friday, but they do over charge ( maybe i feel that way cause it is so much cheaper where I live in NJ and when I go to WF.) If you are going to go to both I recommend WF first and than stop by Capones.

 

The very ramshackle Frontier Saloon in Folsom has RR sours at the best prices I've seen; last time i went I got Consecration for 10.99; think I paid 14.99 for Supplication; also 5.99 for Damnation. Everyone else in there is buying Four Loco and Phillies Blunts.