Blue Max Liquors

November 29, 2008 [ Updated December 19, 2008 ]
perhaps the best beer selection in the state, however, note that the prices on some items are a little higher than elsewhere

November 1, 2008 [ Updated January 7, 2009 ]
Has to be the biggest selection I have ever seen. Kind of hard to find someone to help me. Kind if a drive but would probably do it again

October 29, 2008
Old school liqor store feel, with an amazing selection of hard to find beers. Great to see so much stuff stored in coolers too. Very friendly staff. No one asked if I needed help, but then again, I didn’t really need any. Definitely worth driving out of your way for if you’re anywhere near the Twin Cities.

October 25, 2008
Claims to have the best selection of beer in MN, and it wasn’t too shabby. Again, pretty much everything was in a series of coolers...and some good stuff to boot, especially if you’re looking for a strong European selection, including Lambics and the like. Picked up a few things like Dieu de Ciel PM, a couple 3 Fonteinens, a couple Jolly Pumpkins, and others...many, many to choose from. Prices seemed a bit on the steep side, but I’m typically wiling to pay an extra buck to get a nice selection (better than driving around paying for gas). One downer was the service...the girl at the register was very pleasant, but had 2 stockworkers just walk right past me, and one stopped to look at things right in front of me, without even saying a word...just puzzling! I’d go back here again for the selection, but don’t look for much help! Oh yeah...kick ass single malt selection too, if that’s your bag!

September 16, 2008
Excellent selection of quality brews. Well lit and most of the top shelf stuff was in the various coolers. These guys obviously know what they are doing. Reasonable prices and a good selection of WI micros. Absolutely fantastic, this is a must stop.

August 21, 2008
Selection, selection, selection. They have what you want. The staff is friendly enough and will answer questions. Prices aren’t great, but what do you expect when you can find just about any beer you want.

August 14, 2008
My favorite place to go for beer or whisky (single malts). I am not quite on a first name basis with the staff, but they are all very friendly and know their beers. I talk with their beer guy whenever I see him. Best selection I have ever seen, including many Begians and Saisons not found at very many stores in Minnesota. Since we moved from Savage I don’t get in their as often, but stop by every time I am in town.

July 28, 2008 [ Updated October 27, 2008 ]
The Blue Max is the place to go when looking for an unusual beer in the Twin Cities. I usually get there a couple times a year and, as others have noted here, the selection has to be seen to be believed. If you just take a look at the place from outside, you’d never know what’s waiting for you once you enter. Service is pretty much non-existent, in my experience (I’ve never had anyone come up to me to talk beer or even to ask if they can help me, but that’s okay, since I know what I’m looking for more often than not). Prices are good and if you’re looking for a rare single malt whiskey, they’ve got a heck of a selection of those, too.

July 5, 2008
Had a recent chance to visit The Max. Located in a stand-alone building with a tidy appearance, I was first greeted by a sign stating over 1000 beers. On the inside, the store was laid out with wines to the left and then beer and sprits toward the right. I noticed a substantial number of specialty beers, imports, and finer domestics. Also present were a number of aged or older releases which I thought was cool. While the selection was excellent, the service was really nothing to write home about. I was in the store for maybe 10-12 minutes before an older gentleman approached and said hello. From that point, I was really on my own. Additionally, most of their beers are kept cold which I unfortunately did not know and subsequently didn’t bring my cooler. By the time I got home, everything had warmed up completely which isn’t the best for the beer. On a side note... I noticed numerous bottles of scotch and other liquor products with signage indicating Not For Sale. This was puzzling to me as I wondered if this is part of a private collection or if they’re running a museum of sorts. Maybe you have to be in The Circle of Trust to buy them ). Interesting.

April 27, 2008
As everyone recognizes, this place has an amazing selection in a humble setting. While there has to be a selection to even enter the game, they win in my book because of the people. They are beer lovers, who know beer and love to talk about beer to anyone, neophyte to expert. Drop the family off at the nearby mall and spend an afternoon. You will be glad you did.