April 28, 2012
This rating covers both stores although the one on 3rd Street near the mall has slightly better selection and lower prices. If you can’t find what you are looking for at the main Big Red location this should be your next stop. Prices are lower ($3 a bottle less for Gilgamesh for example) and the stock is not 50% macro beers for the frat crowd.

I haven’t had a chance to interact with the staff much but they seem very knowledgeable about what is coming up. The shelves themself are a mix of imports (primarily German and Belgian) with a good representation of local bottles from NABC, Cutters, Three Floyds, and more. There is even a mix six section if you don’t want to take a gamble on multiples.

Overall I would say this is the best option in town without traveling up to a Crown Liquors in Indianapolis. I will probably do most of my rare shopping at places like the Louisville Beer Store or Keg Liquors but for most things this serves the market nicely.

November 16, 2011
The 3rd Street location has a much better selection of beer, with an entire, long almost solely dedicated to European and another dedicated to domestic micros. If it’s possible to get something in Bloomington, then you’ll find it here. The wine selections at either store seem about equal, saying that they are both excellent. But this is THE beer store in Bloomington. No other place comes close. The only I’ll go to Big Red instead is if I want something cold, as neither Sahara location has a fridge. Prices are reasonable for what you’re getting. They also do mix 6-packs for $10, and those tend to include a lot of interesting beers and not just the ones they can’t sell (what the local Krogers do).

September 19, 2011
Good to see that this place has opened a second branch since last I was in town, and that both are thriving. Very fine beer selection in both establishments, especially the 3rd Street store. (Also fine foods, in case you’re shopping for that.) Dark Horse, Tyranena, New Albanian, Upland, Goose Island, Shoreline, Three Floyds, and on and on. And a very fine selection of Belgians especially (although Scandinavians, Germans, and British are well represented). What a found a particular treat was a selection of aged beers in each branch, and I picked up a nice goodie from North Coast that I wasn’t expecting to find. Essential stop(s) in B’ton.

May 4, 2010
My favorite place to shop in Bloomington (especially the 3rd St. store). Huge selection of beer: one aisle for domestic craft, one for imported craft. Great selection of local Indiana (FFF, Upland, BBC), Michigan (JP, Founder’s, Bell’s), Missouri (Boulevard, Schlafly) beer, among hundreds of others. There’s also a slow-turnover of extraordinary beer, so one can find old vintages of cellarable beers. (This can also be a problem, especially on the 2nd St. store. There’s a decent bit of old beer on the shelves.) Very friendly and helpful workers, but not the most knowledgeable with respect to beer (in my experience). Excellent selection and excellent prices.

May 3, 2010
The best place to buy beer in Bloomington. Great selection and generally unbeatable prices.

February 6, 2010
Awesome selection of beer and specialty food ingredients.

December 6, 2009
Love this place. Spent way too much money here during my time at Indiana University. This review is for the store on second street. The store on the east side (3rd st.) actually has a bit of a better selection (probably 500 beers). Anyways the selection is great, with plenty of european beers as well as Indiana beers. Helpful staff who are willing to order for you. Prices are as competitive as they get (and much cheaper than big red liquors, the only other place in town with a decent selection) . Can’t say enough about this place and if you happen to be in Bloomington it is worth a stop.

October 6, 2008
Very nice find while in Bloomington visiting Upland Brewing. Very nice store that also carries Wine and Beer. Separate room in the back for the beer, but had a very good selection. All the Indiana local beer, all the major craft beers and a very nice selction of imports. They also had a wall of singles where you could build your own six packs. Some glassware was available as well. Most of the beer was very reasonably priced, while I noticed a couple that were high. Easily the best beer store in Bloomington.

February 12, 2008
Excellent selection of beer and a strong wine list make this place the best place in Bloomington for micro brewed delights from around the world. The beer range is very dynamic. Perennial favorites and local brews are always available, but there is always something new and unusual there too. Over the last few weeks i have samples a Helles fron Schlenkerla Brewery, a beer iI didn’t think was available outside Bamburg, Germany and Monkmans Slaughter, a classic bottle conditioned strong ale from the tiny Cropton Brewery in North Yorkshire - a tad over 4000 miles away. Gerald the self appointed brew-guru is very knowledgeable on all things beer related. Beats the competition (Big Red) hands down and doesn’t sell Bud Light (although the famous cousin from Ceske Budjovice lurks on the shelves!

February 7, 2008
I cannot believe I haven’t rated the place yet. Used to have an OK selection of beer, but too much emphasis on the Eastern European lagers. Man have times changed. The best selection and prices in town! Not to mention, they actually don’t seem to run out of special resleases on the day they come out like the Big Red does! All the selection claimed by others, most of the Left Hand lineup, along with a rather nice selection of Belgians, though nothing super obscure. Great chocolate/coffee/tea/cheese selection as well. I should also mention that they’ll split a sixer of the good stuff most of the time. I spend a lot of money here and don’t see that stopping any time soon.