Old Town Wine and Spirits

Their website bragged of a huge bourbon selection, but it was pretty standard. Mostly liquor and wine. Some beers in the back corner, but some interesting stuff. Staff was nice and helpful. [9/10/15]

Very small free dedicated lot. Service was average. Selection was surprising good for the some what limited selection, but they let you break up for a single. Pricing seemed going rate. Traffic at 3:30 pm was quite heavy.

Staff is super friendly and helpful. More than just beer as the wine and liquor selection is also high quality. They have a fairly good selection across the board (from rare and elusive to pretty standard but quality) so there will be something for everyone. Just a nice place to hang out and chat while in the Highlands and get some good beers.

Decent enough shop convenient to Bardstown exploration. Beer age is questionable here (based on some spot-checks, noting both BB dates and general dust coating), but that’s true almost everywhere you go. Some warm shelf singles (imports and domestic) and some more singles and packs in coolers. Some taps for growler fills as well. A few neat things here, but obviously this place can’t hold a candle to Louisville Beer Store.

Overview: Old Town, with it’s recent remodel and improved selection, has really put itself on the short list of best beer places in Louisville. The store is not huge, but they put a good deal of quality beer in the space they have. Nearly all of it is in a beer "cave," but there is some on the shelf next to the new growler station. Service has always been friendly and willing to talk shop when it isn’t too crowded. One oddity is that you can only get growler fills, not pours to drink in store, and (I think) not even small samples to try in store. Maybe this has to do with their type of license, but it would really be awesome if you could drink in store. There is also a fridge area to your left as you enter with an assortment of cheeses and other tasty food. Prices are very competitive with the very best in town. Their hours are better than the Louisville Beer Store, so you can pretty much count on this place being open when you are out. PROS: Nice new layout with added beer shelves and growler station; varied, interesting selection (not just the trendy stuff); great prices. CONS: Can’t drink in store even with new growler station; a very small parking lot at the rear of the store (4-5 spaces max). OVERALL: A much improved place, and worth a visit while in town, especially if you cannot make it to LBS. Parking is on the street in the Bardstown Rd. area, which can be hard to manage at peak hours. Yet, I often find parking right in front of the store on weeknight evenings. I’d go then if you can swing it.

A nice party store in Louisville with a good beer selection, including a tap system that fills growlers for carry out. Everything about it is good, but nothing is mind-blowing. They do let you break up six-packs for single bottle sales, which is a bonus. Worth a stop if you’re in town.

Visited on a Wednesday evening. I was looking for a bottle of Bourbon to bring back home for a neighbor and this was the store the folks at Eiderdown recommended. Pleasantly surprised at the solid beer selection here as well. Like other spots in town, an impressive selection of the Shelton Brothers beers, specifically Prairie - they had more of their beers here than the other stores I hit in town this week. Service was really great, particularly as it related to finding a Bourbon. Went in for a bottle of Bourbon, came out with that and a bunch of beers.

82 = ★★★½ (Solid place, near the top of the list for locals and visitors)

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

Nice selection of locals and imports - has one big advantage to most of the beer stores on the Kentucky side in that they let you get a single of any of their beers (even the 12-pack variety packs which is very cool). Nice walk-in cooler. Definitely worth a stop if in the area - walking distance from Cumberland, Za’s and River City Drafthouse.

This place has really stepped up their beer game a lot. Renovated the entire beer area. Was in the other day and had a really great experience with some very friendly staff. I’ll definitely be back!