Sal’s Beverage World (Elmhurst)

September 6, 2008
truly has the warehouse feel with beer stacked on large warehouse style racks. very large selection of american crafts and belgians, everything is organized very well and sections are labeled. prices are more then fair, they have a long row of coolers as well. definately a hot beer destiation for me. just around the corner from corner cottage and this place might have the upper hand!

February 11, 2007
Went to this place after the Chicago Area Ratebeer Gathering Feb 2007 at Lunar. Lunar is like 3 blocks away. Make sure you at least go into this place after Lunar. Wharehouse feel, beer selection is large with a large European selection in particular it looks like German stuff. Some pretty good stuff including GI BCS and IIPA. Definately worth the stop by.

March 24, 2006
I was on my way to Lunar Brewing and didn’t realize Sal’s was on the same street just about a 1/2 mile away. So I went in. Very large selection of brews, with considerable emphasis on quality. Among the highlights: Peche Mortel, almost a full line of DFH, a couple of Founders brews, some 3F’s and a full complement of international beers. They have a suggestion box, which I meant to use to suggest they allow breaking up of 6-packs. From a pure quality perspective, doesn’t top Archer Liquors, but this place is easier to navigate, is cleaner, in a better part of town and has more selection (for whatever that’s worth).

October 28, 2005 [ Updated January 31, 2007 ]

First off, don’t believe the MapQuest map that places Sal’s east of Rt. 83. Depend instead on Google Maps. You’ll want to head west, towards Villa Park and Lunar Brewing Company.

With a warehouse atmosphere right down to a cement slab floor, their building won’t win Sal’s any awards for innovative design but it’s the content that matters. A few fairly long aisles of beer (with many singles) from a wide variey of countries. I had no problem filling a "Brewmasters Collection" 24-bottle case (the box cost $4.99 but it’s 20% off each bottle if you fill it, so my net savings was around 7 bucks).

Cashiers were pretty hilarious, and I may have converted one who was a confessed Lite drinker as she showed great interest in my Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome.

All that and RateBeer shelf tags... what more could you ask for?

July 1, 2005
I’ve passed this joint many a time on my way to Lunar Brewing and didn’t give it a thought. Thanks to JoshuaB for listing it, prompting me to check it out. (Place ratings are important, people!) They’ve got a really decent selection of Kraut beers, enabling me to fill in many a hole in my ratings with many future drinks. Nice with the British, Belgian, and other aliens brews, too. They’ve also got a fun "oddball" collection of singles that someone like me thrives on. I’ll be stopping by again.

June 28, 2005 [ Updated November 19, 2005 ]
Overall a decent place in the burbs. Service s great during the weekdays during the day, but on the weekends and at night, it can get pretty desolate. A lot of the staff are very knowledgable and most of them are into homebrewing. Not much for ambiance, but that doesnt really matter to me. Selection is above average overall. Selection is fantastic for Belgian, British, and German beers, pretty good to great for American craft brews, and pretty good for macros. Liquor selection is awesome too. They have several tastings a year. Prices are average. If you are near the area, stop by, you will find some hidden gems.