Flanagan’s Stop and Shop

7/7/2008 9:03:00 PM, monday, july 07, 2008
For starters, how about updating your website? Several of the brand listed there aren’t in the store (like Slab City). The build your own six pack selection was very expensive, many bottles marked over $2 a piece – stuff like Hinterland and Falls. There’s a 10% discount if you buy more than six. Not that I want to come out and bash this place, but many of the six packs looked old and dusty. The foreign selection was nice, but dusty as well. The selection was decent throughout the store and many six packs and some singles sit in the large walk in beer cave The staff was friendly, but overall I wasn’t real excited by the store.

6/12/2008 7:51:37 PM, thursday, june 12, 2008
A liquor store with a decent beer selection - as noted, a lot of the stock seemed old and dusty, so I’d look out for that (don’t buy the imports, they all look like they’ve been there forever) - aside from that, that had a solid selection of local beer - I found quite a few things I wanted to get while on my visit to WI - not worth going out of your way for, but if you’re passing through town (like I was), stop on in.

1/27/2008 7:50:13 PM, sunday, january 27, 2008 [ Updated thursday, july 17, 2008 ]
Check the expiration date on the bottles because they tend to buy old beers and sell them at a premium price. Not a very respectable tactic. I have brought this up to them but they don’t take the old beers off the shelf. Some of the beers I have found to be up t o 2 years old!!! Don’t worry, I know that some good beers age but a pilsner 2 years after its expiration date is going to taste skunky and disgusting. Good selection of brews but again, check the date.

1/8/2008 2:44:48 PM, tuesday, january 08, 2008
I stopped in here while in Appleton, and had mixed impressions of the place. It was kind of like a ghost town when I walked in.. very few people and employees were in there, and there were large aisles.. a lot of the merchandise was dusty. They had a substantial beer selection, but it looked like many beers were old, expired stock, and that that store didn’t notice or seem concerned. I found several new-to-me countries, but wasn’t interested in 2-year expired pale lagers. They had some newer stuff as well.. focusing on WI micros. The service was friendly enough.

6/11/2007 2:47:20 PM, monday, june 11, 2007
I stopped by Flanagan’s last weekend on my way to the northwoods. Beforehand I was advised by a friend of mine from Neenah that this place probably wasn’t worth going out of my way for and I slightly disagree. While their selection of imports or microbrews from the west coast was not too special, this place offers some WI crafts unavailable in Milwaukee like Falls, Golden Leaf, South Shore, etc. However, I was a bit disappointed to not find Central Waters or Lake Louie. I picked up eight single serves which were all pretty mediocre WI micros...which came to almost $15 despite a 6-pack discount, which I thought was a bit much. The store was very clean and appeared pretty well organized. However, it definitely struck me as a store more oriented toward wine than beer. Service didn’t approach me or help me in any way, but the distributor sales guy and delivery truck were in the store, so they were a bit distracted and I didn’t really need any help anyways.

11/28/2006 4:16:57 PM, tuesday, november 28, 2006
Does not get any better than this in the macrolagerland that is the Fox River Valley. My last visit surprised me: Panil Barriquee, a few bieres de garde and saisons that I’ve seen nowhere in Madison, and newer regional macros. Nice selection of Belgians & other Euro beers for the area!

4/4/2006 9:31:22 PM, tuesday, april 04, 2006 [ Updated wednesday, may 14, 2008 ]
If you want a good selection of beers in Appleton, Flanagan’s is the place. Until recently, the selection has been behind what you can find in larger markets but that’s currently changing. Over the past couple of weeks, the selection has begun to grow and judging by the newly created shelf space, I can only assume that this is just the beginning. During a conversation with the owner a couple of weeks ago, I discovered that they are planning for an ADDITIONAL 300 beers to add to their, already VERY respectable, inventory. I’m looking forward to being able to get beers I could only dream about, or travel great distances for, in the past. Service is typically knowledgeable and friendly. I’ve read other reviews (NOT on RB) complain about parking but I don’t see what’s wrong with having a full, FREE parking lot in the back of the store, considering that there is also a checkout at the back of the store. Parking on College Ave can be hit or miss and even if you DO find a space, you have to plug a meter. I’m not sure why ANYONE would park in front. It’s hard for me to say this, considering I REALLY like the place and the people who run it but I do think that value is a bit pricey. I go their frequently and I while I spend plenty, I’d likely spend much more if I felt I couldn’t get some things for less at other places.

12/18/2005 4:31:27 PM, sunday, december 18, 2005
They have a nice selection of singles, and is probably the best store in the area. I need to inspect a bit more next time I’m in town. IIRC, they also carry some stuff more local to the area that Milwaukee doesn’t get.

7/11/2005 10:21:16 PM, monday, july 11, 2005
This store has the best selection from where I’m from which is Green Bay. 30 minutes from where I live this place carries a wide selection of american microbrews, imports, cheeses, etc. I’ve been able to find DFH 190 min IPA, Breakfest Stoud, DFH World Wide Stout, Rochefort 6,8,10, Chimay, Old Rasputin, etc. The list goes on. Greatest place to find beer if you live in the Fox Valley.

7/3/2005 9:59:06 AM, sunday, july 03, 2005
This store seems to carry "all" of the currently distributed beers in WI. That is, they have a great Midwest micro selection as welll as micros from smaller breweries on each coast. They also carry bottles from local brewpubs.