Royal Liquors

September 26, 2008
Thanks to Tim (theisti) for not only recommending this place, but also for showing up to assist me in my beer purchases and giving me a Peche Mortel! Thanks, man! Awesome selection probably second only to Goebel’s in Wichita as far as variety. I’m sure there are better beer stores out there, but so far these two rank supreme in my book. Tons of singles (ALWAYS a bonus for a beer geek like me), and great deals on mixer-sixers. Beer selection ranges from local micros to Belgium brews to beers from Malta. I will definitely make this a must-stop every time I’m in Kansas City.

August 25, 2008
Stopped in here recently and I was able to get a lot of new brews. However, I was hacked off because most of the new brews I bought, I could have purchased at Lukas for $1-2 less each. Good selection for KC, lots of the beer is exposed to light fromt he windows. Lots of stuff is in the coolers. Worth a visit, but I will hit Lukas first next time to save some money.

April 12, 2008
If you already know beer, then this can be a solid place to stop on your way through town. The service that I’ve received here since Chris left has ranged from mediocre to indifferent. Don’t expect anyone, especially the folks behind the counter to know jack about their inventory. A stone’s throw from I-435 and complete with gas pumps, I stop here at least once every few weeks to gas-up and see what’s new. As others have said, they have a solid selection, but lighting isn’t really beer friendly and some selections may be past their prime. So, keep those things in mind and check best by dates when appropriate. If you’re looking for lambics, sours or other brews from Europe, I’ve seen a few things here that even Lukas doesn’t carry. I always make a point of checking the mix-a-six section for anything new or noteworthy. Occasionally I’ve found singles of brews that I’ve never seen sold as singles or mix-a-sixers elsewhere.

April 21, 2007
While on a cross country road trip headed west I pulled off the highway to check my maps and rest my weary eyes from the road. Coming off the highway I parked hastily and found myself outside of Royal Liquors--"Let’s see what the state of Bud has to offer" I thought. To my surprise I found Royal Liquors to carry a stellar collection of brews, both local and international. Although I cannot compare this store to other Kansas City stores, Royal Liquor does an exceptional job of promoting beer and sorting the shelves according to style. Most of this can be attributed to Chris, who is a superior and patient beer manager. He got me on my way for the long haul, Thanks Chris!

December 20, 2006 [ Updated March 12, 2008 ]
Great selection for the shelf size they have. If you have questions, make sure the beer manager, Chris, helps you out. Service is a 10 when he is involved, about a 2 otherwise. In addition to really knowing his stuff, he is a genuinely nice guy and very passionate about beer. Would score higher if it wasn’t in a gas station, but wadda ya goin do.

June 3, 2006
A very good selection, perhaps the best I’ve seen in KC,Mo. Quite a bit of Asian, E European, German Belgium, and British beers that aren’t commonly found. When I was in there were at least a dozen ’new to royal’ signs, in addition to the RateBeer shelf tags, which is very nice. Service was little to nonexistant when I was in, but just fine. I’d be a little concerned about older stock, but it seems that way at most stores, even the really good ones.

January 1, 2006
A very good selection, some nice lambics, trappists and abbeys, eastern european, and a fair amount of US micros. Also very cheap! The place isn’t very nicely laid out though, its kinda sprawling with a maze of aisles. Staff was decently helpful - there was a guy in the beer aisle who knew what he was doing, but I don’t think the cashiers knew a thing. Some fair cheeses too. Bonus points for ratebeer shelf tags!

September 12, 2005
Best selection in KC. Belgians out of the nose. Also a good bit of UK and German brews. The American slection is shotty at best, as is the case for the rest of the city. You can fill up your gas tank too. Must stop.

July 22, 2005 [ Updated May 15, 2006 ]
hell, this place has a freakin’ amazing selection! new belgians (be still my beating heart) that I’d never tried before, drie fontienen scheerb?sometin’ kriek? de ranke guldenberg, cantillon rose de gambrinus and bruscella 1900 grand cru and also grimbergen double and blonde and hell yes, de proef primitive and ko blond. i picked up a bottle of blaugies la moneuse (sp?) which was amazing to say the least! also had some new french stuff from Thiriez, finally some north coast (rasputin, red seal etc) and breckenridge. overall, i’m still moderately impressed. best kc belgian section by far!

June 28, 2005 [ Updated July 14, 2005 ]
Why didn’t someone tell me the selection here had increased so dramatically?? This is now just as much of a must-stop if you’re in the KC area as Gomer’s on Holmes. TONS of beers you can’t find anywhere else in the city, primarily Belgian and British imports. Also, big nostalgia points for this one for being the store we would make beer runs to at 11:30pm on a Sunday, back in the day.