Best beer store(s) in MN

Thanks! I may take a look tomorrow! If anything They will have something else I want!

I have had a Victory moment as of late (I have not tick them) and they seriously make good shit!

Thanks for all the kind words fellas!

When I took over the beer selection at Zipp’s (late 2006/early 2007) we were one of the few stores in the metro area to put a heavy focus on craft beer. I remember at one point in time, had to be ’07 or ’08 we had at least 8 (yes, EIGHT) Cantillon’s on the shelf. I could hardly give St. Lamvinus away. At that time, $30 for a 750ml of beer was outrageous.

These days it seems that every store has at least some craft selection. I used to be able to stack Bourbon County Stout with a 15 case display on the floor. Now, I’m lucky if I get two cases. With everyone doing it (now there are stores that sell only craft beer) I have to keep finding ways to get you guys (as well as the casual craft drinkers) to keep coming into the store.

It really means a lot to me that you guys still consider us to be one of the best.

Cheers!

Originally posted by portableparty
I enjoy hitting smaller more obscure stores for the reason of surprise! Either nothing or gems sitting on the shelf!

I do this a lot too. Some of those places serve as remote cellars where you can pick up a quality beer (Old Ruffian for example) that’s about 2 or 3 yrs. old and it’s sometimes marked down. I can only imagine the selection getting better in some of these stores where the product doesn’t move as quickly.

I would echo everyone else’s sentiments about the top stores in the cities. Wish I could make it up to Zipp’s more often because not only do they have the selection, but the pricing is very fair as well. It’s nice to see how the selection has grown over the years, as I remember just a few years back it was a pleasant novelty to see Dark Horse Reserve Special Black Bier on the shelves of Zipp’s. Tyler’s done a great job of building the beer section there.

There are just so many good stores now. There are at least four places within five or so minutes of my house (Black Diamond, Big Top, Byerly’s, Cub) I can hit for craft stuff. The first three have Surly and a bunch of other good stuff, Cub’s a bit lame but I can get 8-Bit and frequently Fatty Boombalatty and Brooklyn Lager, plus others. Really amazingly good selection. For bottles, of course, as taps suck donkey balls.

I’ll give this a bump and ask which stores have the best single bottle selection? Since I joined Ratebeer I have been less inclined to buy a 4 or 6 pack unless its something I really enjoy drinking. Also, when making trades it would be nice to be able to buy 1 coffee bender and 1 furious, not 4 of each.

Ale Jail, Zipps, and Four Firkins. butf Firkins is too expensive in my opinion. Cellars single selection is not what it used to be.

The Ale Jail has become my regular place now, because it so close to my workplace, and they do a great job with singles. They’ll always break a six-pack if you want just one. That has been true anytime I’ve asked at Blue Max, too.

The other place that I go, and increasingly my friends and family stop after I introduced them to it, is Heritage Liquor in Maplewood--the #1 rated place in Minnesota places, actually.

I agree with the point others have made: we’re now spoiled. Ten years ago, I simply had to make a trip to Blue Max in order to get new beers. Now I can find what I need with stores much closer at hand (Cellars in Roseville is another place I’ll stop at), though a visit to Blue Max is always fun.

I dont know how I forgot about Heritage, Patrick is absolutely right. There are a lot of good stores now.

Originally posted by Nuffield
The Ale Jail has become my regular place now, because it so close to my workplace, and they do a great job with singles. They’ll always break a six-pack if you want just one. That has been true anytime I’ve asked at Blue Max, too.

The other place that I go, and increasingly my friends and family stop after I introduced them to it, is Heritage Liquor in Maplewood--the #1 rated place in Minnesota places, actually.

I agree with the point others have made: we’re now spoiled. Ten years ago, I simply had to make a trip to Blue Max in order to get new beers. Now I can find what I need with stores much closer at hand (Cellars in Roseville is another place I’ll stop at), though a visit to Blue Max is always fun.

That tall drink of milk at the ale jail sure is a looker.