Liquor Barn - Fern Valley

Overview: I’ve probably bought more beer at Liquor Barn on Fern Valley Rd. than any other single beer retailer. Since the Jefferson Commons store opened nearly a year ago, I’ve not been back, until recently. In terms of store layout, nothing seems to have changed- aisle after vertical aisle of spirits, wine and beer, with a small food section (including some refrigerated items, such as cheese) to the far right. The beer section, on the far left of the store, features mostly warm beer on shelves. While overall layout hasn’t changed, there is an effort here to now group Kentucky beer together on an end cap, as well as a "rare beer" end cap. There is a walk-in cooler that houses mostly sixers and big format singles (pints, bombers, 40s, etc.) The growler station continues to stock 8 beers.

During my most recent visit, there was a lady walking through the store to assist customers, which is a welcome change of pace from past experiences. Then again, I visited during daytime hours, so this may not always be the case. Selection here has a more individual touch than the Jefferson Commons Liquor Barn; the "rare beer" section, while not boasting anything truly rare, did have bottles of Black Albert, for instance. Not a bottle you typically see in a Liquor Barn. Their tap selection at the growler station is also improved; I still wouldn’t call it "curated" by any stretch. I did notice that there were less dusty bottles here than in the past, and I found less expired products on the shelves than the JC location. Food is mostly party snacks, cheese, etc. and it’s smaller than the newer LB stores. I feel like LB has raised their singles prices lately; $1.75 is the cheapest you will find any singles now, and $3+ isn’t uncommon.

PROS: Improved service availability; selection organization and quality is better. CONS: Food section is underwhelming compared to newer locations; prices on singles are getting high. OVERALL: While I will probably continue to do most of my beer shopping at LBJC, this location has it’s merits. Worth the occasional trip for in-towners, but not a destination of any kind for visitors. Parking on-site.

Dedicated free parking. The place is older and worn. Service was pretty good. Descent selection of bottles, but nothing I was looking for. Pricing is pretty good. Go to Hurstbourne.

Visited right after work on a Wednesday. Big warehouse style liquor store located not far from the interstate. The beer selection consists of two large rows of warm beer, and a walk in cooler of craft and macro. Decent single selection, all warm, and on the high side price wise. They had a couple of Against the Grain sours and Three Floyds Man-O-Awe. In addition to the bottle selection, they featured a growler filling station which had Abita Smitten Golden Ale, Bell’s Oberon, Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Southern Tier 2X IPA, and Sweetwater 420 Pale Ale available during my visit. Decent beer place, though certainly not on the same level as Louisville Beer Store, Old Town or Sergio’s. Would have given ★★★ if more of the beer was stored cold.

70 = ★★½ (Locals should check it out, visitors with extended time)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.

Hey big box liquor store. With a good selection of import and domestic craft beers at good prices

been there on several occassions. popped in last night was looking for something in particular and they didnt have it (great lakes black out stout). but did find something else...decent sized store that has frozen appetizer types of foods. the liquor and wine selections are enormous i have found a few hard to find items in the past but mainly go for the beer. this location doesnt have the best of everything bit suffices in most cases. you can get anything from singles to bombers to 30 packs. the micro selections are pretty good. i can usually browse and find something that will tempt the taste buds. they do fill growlers but this location only has i think 6 tap handles. their other locations carry more and these are a bit pricey. prices are not over the top unlike other stores in the area. they do have a small selection of home brewing supplies as well..its close to home.

Every type of liquor you can imagine is here. It is basically an alcohol department store. Impressive amount of craft beer stocked. Two large isles of imports, and one large isle of USA microbrews. Hundreds of different breweries are represented. And they generally have several different styles of beer for sell from each brewery. They also have a large walk-in beer cooler. Prices are pretty much average for this area. If you are getting a 6-pack of US microbrews, they run on average from about $7.99 to $10.99. Maybe a bit more for the more rare stuff. 22oz. bombers usually run around $4.99 to $9.99. Imports tend to be a bit pricier. Now the negatives: First off don’t bother asking anyone there specific questions regarding beer. They don’t know. Second, check the dates on your bottles! They don’t rotate stock here apparently because I have ended up with expired and skunky beer on way more than a few occasions. If your brew of choice does not have a date on it, just check to see how much dust is built up on the bottles. They apparently don’t dust their products off either, so it’s a good indicator of how long it has been sitting on the shelf. Third, there are only four beers on tap at any given time. And they are generally larger microbreweries’ flagship fare at that, (Goose Island’s Honker Ale, Great Lakes’ Burning River, etc.). Fourth, no mix-and-match on 6-packs. Actually they have signs out telling you not to do so. They do offer some singles at the front of the craft beer isle, but it is usually stuff that is out of date that they are trying to unload.

Located on the south end of Louisville about 1 mile east of the interstate. Beer selection is not that good; it only has the basic craft beers in the area (Bells, some Three Floyds, etc). If you were on the south end, this is the best place in the area. But I wouldn’t make it my choice to find craft beers. Service is nonexistant and unintelligent about their beers. The only person I saw that knew their beers was the beer mgr and she was in the office. The only reason I met her was because the cashier misrang my order.

Not as great as the Liquor Barn at Hurstborne but not bad. The best place along I-65. Good selection of beers and a few taps to keep it interesting. Not a bad stop if passing through. / Update 2021 - beer selection very mediocre now. Not worth going out of your way for.

Large warehouse type liquor store. The beer selection is good, but not great. Nothing all that special. Not lacking, but just not great.