Great Spirits

Beer is definitely an afterthought here. All they have is a few coolers and a 4 sided display. They have a couple of obvious Belgians and some regional craft but almost no local crafts which is absolutely tragic. Everything they sell here you can get at liquor express. Update 12/27/2012. This place is still a wine centric joint with dodgy service but with the new bomber law they’ve upgraded their selection with stuff like Evil Twin, Jester King, and Westbrook. A lot of their bomber prices were also quite good as well.

This is a wine shop that added beer be cause it is trendy. They have a 4 x 8 display plus a couple drudges of craft beer. Weirdly they don’t have any Alabama craft beer which is a growing scene. They do have regional beers from outside Alabama and some typical Belgians. Overall, everything they have is at Liquer express for less with a better selection. So skip this store and hit the slightly divey Liquer Express instead. Update 12/28/2012 the selection has expanded and improved since my last visit which I’ve reflected in my score. I’d say they are worth a visit now since the selection and prices have both improved.

A small store with mostly wines, but a pretty respectable beer selection. There is a small but good selection of refrigerated six-packs and singles, including what few local beers available in bottles and cans. The gourmet selection is modest, and a little overpriced. Overall, a fair beer shop, but not the best, even in Huntsville.

Nice place! More a wine store than beer, they still have a nice full rack of gourmet beers, with a large Belgian selection and a fair number of international beers. They had a side that was all domestic gourmet beers, too. All of the gourmet beers you can buy in singles, which is great. Decent selection of chilled beers. Can’t walk in without someone asking to help you, and all of the employees seem very friendly. A few very knowledgeable beer folks, but all of them willing to help or look stuff up. Prices on gourmet beers are pretty good, and they carry a few beers that no one else seems to have. Also, they do special orders, if you can get them. The only downside is the crappy selection in Alabama. Considering what I see everywhere else in the state, this place was pretty nice.

This place is a joke almost. They have a mediocre beer selection for the little bit that is available anyways in Huntsville. The biggest problem with the place is that they know absolutely nothing about beer. The guy tried to tell me that Tsingtao was a world class beer. Give me a break. If you like wine snobs and being robbed on beer this is your place.

This place is o.k. They are a bit overpriced on their beer (especially in kegs) and they do have to order them. Although I have had pretty good luck in the quick response on the ordering, it really depends on which distributor the beer is coming from on how good Great Spirits service will be to you. Overall this place is ok and clean and if you know what you want then you will be happy.

Basically this place is run by a bunch of wine snobs who also sell beer. Don’t know why they choose to. Every time I’ve gone in there (and let me add that I indeed have purchased from there before) inquiring if something is available or can be ordered, I’ve always been met with a cool disdain, as if I’m wasting their time. Prices are usually higher than anywhere else in Huntsville as well. Decent selection (for Huntsville) and classy layout, but the attitude of the guy who runs it kills anything good about the place for me. I try to avoid it at all costs and take my business to other places in the area (Five Points BP, South Parkway Windmill, Bad Habits).

Karen and company were very friendly and helpful unfortunately due to restrictions by the state and distributors the beer selection was limited. They had Sam Smith (8 kinds), Tilbrooks Dutch Brown Ale, Sierra Nevada, Theakstons Old Peculiar and Lindemans Kriek and Framboise (that’s it for Belgian). Most of which are refrigerated (another downer.) If you ask they will split up stuff for you.

Arguably the best place to buy beer in Huntsville. However, its impossible to buy good beer in Alabama.. period. So this place is very limited in what they can get you. The best I’ve been able to get there is a keg of Sierra Nevada Draught style Pale Ale.

Another good place in Huntsville for beers, if any beer selection in Alabama is good. The staff is helpful and you can create your own six-pack. Great wine selection also.