A grocery store in downtown Bloomington with a good bottle selection. Problem is, many of the APAs/IPAs are dusty, so I don’t trust their freshness. Place isn’t as clean as it probably should be either, especially for a gtocery store. No real cold beer selection either; just a few sixers tossed in a cooler that isn’t even cold. And what kind of a grocery store doesn’t have a restroom? Not sure why this place is rated so well; everything about it is underwhelming. Worth a stop if you’re in the area, but that’s it.

I added a new place for the 3rd St. location (near the mall) so this is for the 2nd St. location downtown. Sahara Mart is actually a gourmet grocery store although I would never buy food here, particularly anything perishable. The store itself is pretty run down and most food on the shelf is expired. However, the beer selection is very good - Just about anything available in the Indiana market can be found at either store (although the selection at the 3rd St. location is better). Prices are considerably lower than Big Red or Crown liquors in Indianapolis. I would not buy any IPAs or anything else to be consumed fresh here unless they are dated - they do not turnover their inventory very quickly. As for service, I’ve never seen anyone working in the beer department but the wine guy seems pretty knowledgeable about beer.

Beware, selection is too large for the stock to turn. I’ve bought old beer that was way past its prime. Some beers age well, some don’t.

Wasn’t sure when I walked into this store (I was impressed with the variety of Middle Eastern products) but in the back is a great selection of beers - most available in singles. Better selection than Big Red and definitely a better choice on a Friday or Saturday when Big Red is jammed packed with students buying Bud Light or Corona. Definitely the first stop to make in Bloomington.

This is a review of the 3rd St location. I’ve been to this store several times and every time there seems to be more beers added to their shelves. They’ve got a great selection of craft and imported beers. I felt their selection and prices are a lot better than the Big Red Liquor stores. One of these days I hope to meet the beer manager. Bottom line, best selection and prices in the region.

This rating covers both stores although the one on 3rd Street near the mall has slightly better selection and lower prices. If you can’t find what you are looking for at the main Big Red location this should be your next stop. Prices are lower ($3 a bottle less for Gilgamesh for example) and the stock is not 50% macro beers for the frat crowd.

I haven’t had a chance to interact with the staff much but they seem very knowledgeable about what is coming up. The shelves themself are a mix of imports (primarily German and Belgian) with a good representation of local bottles from NABC, Cutters, Three Floyds, and more. There is even a mix six section if you don’t want to take a gamble on multiples.

Overall I would say this is the best option in town without traveling up to a Crown Liquors in Indianapolis. I will probably do most of my rare shopping at places like the Louisville Beer Store or Keg Liquors but for most things this serves the market nicely.

The 3rd Street location has a much better selection of beer, with an entire, long almost solely dedicated to European and another dedicated to domestic micros. If it’s possible to get something in Bloomington, then you’ll find it here. The wine selections at either store seem about equal, saying that they are both excellent. But this is THE beer store in Bloomington. No other place comes close. The only I’ll go to Big Red instead is if I want something cold, as neither Sahara location has a fridge. Prices are reasonable for what you’re getting. They also do mix 6-packs for $10, and those tend to include a lot of interesting beers and not just the ones they can’t sell (what the local Krogers do).

Good to see that this place has opened a second branch since last I was in town, and that both are thriving. Very fine beer selection in both establishments, especially the 3rd Street store. (Also fine foods, in case you’re shopping for that.) Dark Horse, Tyranena, New Albanian, Upland, Goose Island, Shoreline, Three Floyds, and on and on. And a very fine selection of Belgians especially (although Scandinavians, Germans, and British are well represented). What a found a particular treat was a selection of aged beers in each branch, and I picked up a nice goodie from North Coast that I wasn’t expecting to find. Essential stop(s) in B’ton.

My favorite place to shop in Bloomington (especially the 3rd St. store). Huge selection of beer: one aisle for domestic craft, one for imported craft. Great selection of local Indiana (FFF, Upland, BBC), Michigan (JP, Founder’s, Bell’s), Missouri (Boulevard, Schlafly) beer, among hundreds of others. There’s also a slow-turnover of extraordinary beer, so one can find old vintages of cellarable beers. (This can also be a problem, especially on the 2nd St. store. There’s a decent bit of old beer on the shelves.) Very friendly and helpful workers, but not the most knowledgeable with respect to beer (in my experience). Excellent selection and excellent prices.

The best place to buy beer in Bloomington. Great selection and generally unbeatable prices.