August 19, 2009
Visited over the weekend while in town for a wedding - I am always on the look out for two things, a nice mix a six seleciton and FFF. While not as great as Corral in Granite City with regard to the mix a six, they had approximately 60ish beers to choose from @ $10 a six and $35 per case - Their import and bomber selection was extensive as well - Most important I was able to get a bomber of FFF’s Dreadnaught which is not carried at the stores I frequent in Southern IL. Very nice store and I am going to be sure to stop there whenever I am in Springfield

June 15, 2009
The beer selection is fairly extensive, perhaps one of the best in Springfield. Got some good finds (some micro-brews and imports), but did not feel the beer was the main focus of the store.

May 29, 2007
I don’t pretend to represent this store. I’m just a part-timer. My ratings reflect the current averages ... nothing more, nothing less. If someone asks about carboys, yes, we stock them normally. While I intend to fix my own lack of knowledge in brewing/wine making, remember $ is short enough where part-timers feel the need to work 60 hrs a week, as opposed to the standard 40. Those who make their own beer/wine already know the startup costs AND the learning curve. To expect part-timers can spend their outside time - and foot the costs - for our own education is a bit much to ask, considering why we’re there in the first place. Complaining that staff at a liquor store doesn’t share your passion, budget, and time to research is myopic. Next, there’s no commission, and no financial incentives for me to direct customers to purchase anything. Simply, if it’s quality stuff, I discuss it. Next, regarding customers who’ve been treated rudely: There’s no excuse for this! However, for every incidence of bad customer service, I can also show you 50 people who ignore me completely when I ask to help, turning their heads as though I’m invisible. That said, if you’re treated badly ANYWHERE, I’d suggest you demand to see the manager, not just waiting to moan about it out here. If you choose NOT to make a complaint in any store when so treated ... growing a pair is always an option. ~Tim

February 7, 2007
I go there whenever I need more champagne yeast for my wine. I try not to make it a habit of going in due to the fact that you feel like you’re in your buddies basement looking for things you may need/want. Prices are usually above average and no one is ever around to help. When you can find someone to help, they are unknowledgeable. I asked a woman there if their carboys were glass or plastic to which she told me glass. I told her I would take a few...then she realized they were nothing more than 5 or 6 gallon buckets for beermaking...not glass for wine. She had no idea at all...I definately do not recommend looking for advise from the staff. Homebrew supplies are the cheapest from Austin Homebrew online and they have a flat rate for shipping no matter what you order. Thank god for them or I would have to drive to Maryville to get what I needed...long story short...good to run in and get what you need, but not an everyday helpful beer/wine store.

January 17, 2007
The ambiance is horrible. I’m not sure if its muzack that they’re playing or what. The poor ambiance is only topped by the poor service. No one there knows anything about beer, wine, or liquor. I have been there a few times and am always directed to something on a floor stack that they are obviously trying to get rid of. Beers are often expired, wines have often turned. I was told by one employee to put back some expired cheese because "someone else will buy it." The white trash woman who works there, who I can only assume is the store manager, has been rude to me at least 5 times, including swearing in front of my mother. Employees appear lazy, often standing in groups and ignoring customes. I wanted to check out home brew supplies, because this is the only area store to buy them... I was disappointed to see that the few supplies they actually had, looked like they had been chewed on by a mouse. I tested "Paul’s" knowledge of champagne, asking if extra dry was drier than brut and he proceded to make up an entire, incorrect, spectrum of champagnes. The selection may seem extensive, however when you realize that you will pay at least two dollars a bottle, or six pack, more there than at other area stores, such as The Corkscrew or Famous Liquors and that those stores combined have at least 90% of what Friar Tuck carries, you too will never go there again.

December 26, 2006
A HUGE liquor store with a great beer selection. Singles available in most beers. Decent prices. They even sell some homebrew suppies but are poorly stocked.

December 17, 2006
huge store. Lot of beer but better wine selction

December 17, 2006
Okocim is hard to come by in Illinois and they always have it!

December 17, 2006
Love their mix-a-six

July 6, 2006
Pretty much what I said about the Peoria store - "Managed to squeak in a visit whilst passing through Peoria. Nice selection of brands not available in the Chicago area, including a goodly handful of UK brews that I’ve yet to try. Good selection of Belgian & Eastern European, too. I enjoyed the single buy section, keeping an eye on the experation dates as mentioned in earlier reviews. I’ll make it a point to drop in now & again." - except that I’d already picked up the UK beers that I hadn’t had. And, it’s Springfield, not Peoria.