Latest reviews from Minnetonka

“A nice little spot in suburban Minneapolis. Decent sized space with plenty of seating, shuffleboard and a good sized bar. A few TVs that are not particularly invasive. Service was solid. 12 beers on tap with flights available. No food on site. Prices were a touch high. A solid spot overall.“

deyholla 2413 days ago

“This place is going to be a gem. Just opened, only 3 beers on, but the No Trace IPA is the real deal. Big space, they will have flights. Free parking lot. Patio.“

BVery 2554 days ago

“Unmapped is currently on day #3 of their publicly facing existence. Most new breweries struggle out of the gate, needing to iron out bugs on both the operation and the beer. Not unmapped. Yes, there is a wall on one side of the taproom that begs for something like a big flat screen or some decor, but an entire wall to the right of the bar is one giant map with unmapped near the center of it. Great move opening with the outdoor patio set up and nice with attractive landscaping. This is only their soft opening and they are far ahead of most breweries by their grand opening. Oh, and the two beers they have on, No trace IPA and Topo Wit, are complex, layered and outstanding. Unlimited potential here.“

ElGaucho 2558 days ago

“There is not very much beer here, and prices are high for everything. Haskells is nearby, and that is a better option.“

JK 2609 days ago

“Surprisingly messy shop, lots of things that appear out of place. The beer guy was not working but I was able to find the beer on my own with no problems. A better selection than I expected, with prices ranging from average to high. Items other than beer were definitely expensive. Decent shop, probably the best place in the area.“

JK 2777 days ago

“The beer selection isn’t particularly strong. Prices are a bit high. However, the wine and liquor offerings are worth checking out. As with most other Byerly’s, the space feels a bit upscale for a supermarket. Service is bubbly and accommodating. This is the kind of place where I would only stop by if I was looking to grab some groceries in addition to a common local six-pack.“

jackl 3147 days ago

“10/30/15 Re-rate: Being my local liquor store, I visit quite frequently. Their selection has now improved to the "good" to "really good" category. You can always find some special things, especially in bombers. The only negative I can say about the place, and it’s more philosophical than anything, is that they don’t support Sunday Sales. 1/14/12: Been to Glen Lake Liquors several times. The selection has gotten better but still isn’t stellar. Definitely above average but nothing rare or ambitious. If you want your Bells, Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams brews, including the seasonals, they’ll have them. They’ll have a few different things like O’dell and Boulevard, etc. but don’t expect to be wowed. If you need a six or twelve of something decent in a pinch and you’re nearby then this is your place.“

ElGaucho 3156 days ago

“10/30/15 Re-rate: They now have an updated, printed beer list that your server will produce upon request. Even better, they keep an updated tap list on beermenus.com. There are always at least 2 more unique, rare offerings available on tap, and being a frequent patron I can say this on good authority. 8/7/12: Re-Rate. Recently added 6 more tap lines for a total of 21. They always have one beer on from new, local brewer, Lucid. Hoping at some point they change their beer menu so that it lists the specific beers they have on as opposed to just the brewers. Gets a little cumbersome to ask your waitperson to list them all. 1/13/12: Neighborhood pub that underwent a major upgrade several years ago and is now an upper scale restaurant and bar with dark wood decor and a small patio for outdoor seating in the summer. Pros include the food and the beer selection. Cons include sometimes spotty service and higher prices. The prices don’t seem to affect their business too much as I’ve never seen the place empty. The beer prices aren’t outlandish ($4.75 for pints of the better stuff, $5.50 for Furious) but burger prices start at $12. Beer selection includes rotating seasonals of Surly, Great Lakes, O’Dell, Widmer, Sam Adams, Bells, Lagunitas and Fulton. They host the occasional beer dinner as well, so you know the GN cares about beer. Not the beer mecca that the Happy Gnome or Muddy Watters are, but due to the lack of good beer joints in the West Metro, it is one of the better places to get a beer West of 494.“

ElGaucho 3156 days ago

“Not much here at all, you will not find anything rare or interesting as far as beer. Staff was nice enough when i asked for help but had no knowledge. The st paul store is considerably better. Small selection and it feels like a run down grocery store in a small town.“

JK 3164 days ago

“Run down-feeling place in a strip mall not far from 394. I decided to stop by since it was so close to Haskell’s. The selection’s pretty large (300 unique beers, probably), but most of the beer area’s footprint is dedicated to cases of macro stuff. There’s some decent singles from Evil Twin, Deschutes etc. but nothing that will set your heart racing. On the plus side, I found a stash of 2 1/2 year old Orval. Service was non-existent, prices were OK. Overall, this isn’t a place to go out of your way for.“

jackl 3173 days ago

“This place is definitely a cut above your typical strip mall liquor joint. There’s perhaps 500 beers available across 4-5 rows and a large bank of fridges. Prices are reasonable and there’s a large selection of singles available for the ticking crowd. The only criticism I have of this place is that the cellphone reception in the store is terrible, so it’s hard to look up beers while you shop. Otherwise, a highly recommended stop. Worth a detour.“

jackl 3188 days ago

“A pretty standard liquor store layout where the focus seems to be wine. Can’t say much about the service as I did not ask for help. Selection was ok but surprisingly a bit short on locals. Prices were fine. Not the best shop around.“

deyholla 3228 days ago

“I was taken here for a corporate event and had a decent experience. The menu features pretty safe, approachable Italian American fare with a few seafood options. Portions are massive and reasonably tasty. The beer list includes a couple of locals from Surly, Fulton etc. While it’s nice to see local options on the menu, this place certainly doesn’t offer a beer list that would compel me to add it to the database if it wasn’t already here. Service was exceedingly kind, midwestern. Prices were OK, though I wasn’t paying.“

jackl 3512 days ago

“A chaotic feeling wine shop that has an aisle and some coolers dedicated to beer. The beer selection mostly focused on the bigger national players. Stuff from Great Divide etc. was plentiful. I was primarily looking for MN locals, and walked away a bit disappointed by what was available. Still, I scored some Surly Furious for the hotel room, so it’s not the end of the world. The international selection was actually sort of interesting. Xyauyu variants were on sale for reasonable prices, there was a hell of a lot of BFM on offer for god knows what reason. Prices across the board were actually fairly solid. Service was nonexistent. Overall, worth a stop if you’re in the western ’burbs. I’ll adjust my score a bit after I check out some more local shops.“

jackl 3513 days ago

“Thursday evening in August. Kind of a dumpy location, and at first I wasn’t impressed with the place ... a bit unkempt, the taproom pretty closely intermingled with the unkempt brewery, and a staff that at first didn’t seem to care if you were there or not. But then they improved, and the 5 free sample thing helped ... and all 4 beers we tried were good to very good. Reputation rescued. Bit of a confused identity ... Badger Hill? Bad Weather? (Brewery #646)“

Braudog 3580 days ago

“Byerly’s Wine & Spirits - Minnetonka (Place Rating) Visited midday on a Monday. Clean, well laid out store located adjacent to the Byerly’s grocery store. Beer selection is in the back of the store, and the limited selection featured mostly 6 packs. There was a small mix a six, though the beers were standard craft. They did have all of the Surly beers, including Blakkr which I hadn’t seen at a couple of other stores. Prices were on the high side, certainly are positioned as a convenient store to hit while grocery shopping.

64 = ★★ (Just ok)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.“

theisti 3685 days ago

“Visited late morning on a Monday. Haskell’s historically has had a reputation of being one of the better Wine stores on this side of town. It had been years since I had visited, and I must say that the store was cluttered and kind of dirty this time around. The wine selection is still vast, and the beer is serviceable, with the selection on a couple of racks and in several coolers. There was a small mix a six and a solid import range. The selection of local beers was about average. In general, the beer area was pretty disorganized (I’ll give the benefit of the doubt, they may have just gotten a shipment in). Worth hitting if you are in the area.

70 = ★★½ (Locals should check it out, visitors with extended time)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.“

theisti 3685 days ago

“Visited after lunch on a Monday. Big, sprawling sports bar set up with a bunch of bar seating, restaurant seating and a larger patio. A bunch of beer on draft (50 or so) though nothing that would be considered unique or special. They had a few local beers, but mostly the standard lineup (Surly Furious, Bender, etc.). For bar food, Champps is always solid. If you are local, and have some time to kill, an OK option.

64 = ★★ (Just ok)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.“

theisti 3685 days ago

“Visited for lunch on a Monday. Upscale Italian restaurant, large bar area with comfy leather seating. Also has a nice patio. 5 craft draft listed by brewery name only on the beer menu, which was a bit odd. Featured local (Surly, Fulton, Lift Bridge, Excelsior). Server was able to fill in the blanks on the actual beers available, though still mildly annoying approach. Food here is solid, though from a beer perspective, just ok.

64 = ★★ (Just ok)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.“

theisti 3685 days ago

“Visited midday on a Monday. Located in the corner of a strip near Ridgedale mall. Standard strip mall liquor store setup, mostly focused on booze and wine, though they did also carry the usual craft suspects. Small large format bottle selection. Prices were decent.

64 = ★★ (Just ok)

I only use the total score, not the component parts.“

theisti 3685 days ago

“I go here every couple of weeks. The beer dude is great and always slips me special releases. It is packed and the wine guys could care if you were dying in the beer aisle.“

footbalm 3750 days ago

“So I finally stopped in the other day and was blown away by the selection! Reminded me of Blue Max about 4 years ago without the coolers. they have 4 plus asiles of beer and it is pretty well sorted, as well as having many of unseen beers in a few years. Service was good and helpful. Prices seemed normal, maybe slightly higher than some, but the selection is pretty epic, in my opinion. Now the not so great, some of the beers are 4 plus years old and may not be a very good representation of what they should or should not be...Non the less I was impressed, but will be very careful of buying older beers from them!“

portableparty 3922 days ago

“Decent spot. 20 or so taps of craft but nothing too scarce. Prices typical $5 - $6 a pint. Nice ambiance and good service.“

BVery 3926 days ago

“Despite basically being in my back yard, it took me quite some time to actually get over to this place. The taproom is essentially a loading dock with a bar on the far left adjacent to a large cooler and the brewery behind that. What’s unique about this taproom is that the beers of three different brewers are available for tasting: Lucid, Badger Hill and Bad Weather. Sampled the Badger Hill White IPA and it was excellent. Growler prices are $10 and $12, plus $5 for the growler. They were setting up for some sort of shin dig the day I went. A fun, easily accessible place to pick up a growler of beer and sample some good beer.“

ElGaucho 3969 days ago

“Went here with a 4-some on a Saturday night. Fairly crowded with a 20 minute wait. Service from our table waitress was better than the bar service. Significantly under-cooked juicy lucy. Make your own beer flights available. Moderately good selection.“

mnmike 4080 days ago

“Solid bar food, burgers, sandwiches. Only a couple beers I would call craft. Certainly not a beer bar/restaurant, but they do have the occasional beer worth looking for.“

JK 4150 days ago

“This place is pretty average. Typical beer selection but I can usually find a tap with something I haven’t had. They have some locals like Surly, Lucid, Summit and Schell’s. Service is average to decent, prices average but fair for what they offer, food is good, and there is free ice cream.“

wilnatp 4158 days ago

“Black Friday, staff was excellent!“

Kabahc 4224 days ago

“11/7/12: Re-Rate. Under at least the 3rd different management since I first started going here. And the current management seems to be struggling. Only about 1/3 of the beer on the shelves has prices displayed, and the "All Beer On Sale" sign in front of the store is only applicable if you ask for the discount when at the check out counter, because they will not remember to include the discount otherwise. C’mon guys, get your act together! 2/11/08: First time in the store as US Liquor. The selection is better than it’s ever been. There were many beers there I’ve never even seen. Granted it’s the first liquor store I’ve been to in MN in 2 yrs, but most of the new stuff was imports, which you’d think would be available in Chicago. The place isn’t as tidy as it used to be, but that’s a minor criticism. The prices are a bit steep. Very good selection of Belgians, Germans, and local brews. Full compliment of Bells brews. Still the best liquor store in the West Metro. Owner is very eager and helpful. Give these guys your business. 10/21/05: I now have had a chance to see how things have settled now that new beer mgr, Jason, has been here for awhile. Nothing’s really changed since my last visit. Prices are still higher, selection of imports is still incredible, and you still can’t get singles of American Micros unless you ask, and even then, they’ll say no on seasonals and special releases. 7/11/05: After the new beer mgr started, they discontinued selling singles of American micros and I could swear their prices are now less competitive. Still a good store, but they don’t stand out as much anymore.“

ElGaucho 4243 days ago

“Pretty bad options for beer. However, they do get some (very few) limited releases that no one goes there to get!“

burgy 4262 days ago

“Great selection of brews and wines! Tight quarters though!“

burgy 4262 days ago

“Good selection of bombers and 6 packs but hardly any singles. Lots of Asian and European beers. Seemed to be about $1 more for everything but the solid.selection makes it worth it.“

TheHOFF43 4297 days ago

“Solid burgers/sandwiches and some great beer selection. Bought Hopslam at happy hour for $3.50 a pint last year when it came out. Craft beers for $3.50/pint on Thursdays.“

TheHOFF43 4320 days ago

“Try to get there once a week for lunch with my coworkers...not a bad little place for some beers/food over the lunch hour. Very close to my office so its convenient.“

TheHOFF43 4320 days ago

“Fairly expensive but they have some different stuff. I’ll stop in when I am in the area but not a place I go often for beers.“

TheHOFF43 4320 days ago

“I only go when the beer buyer is working and he shows me whats new/good in his opinion. Some good beers available including all the Minnesota brews. Lots of limited release stuff thats on its own rack to make it easy to find.“

TheHOFF43 4320 days ago

“Its Old Chicago, you know what you’re going to get. A decent selection of beer on tap and in bottles. I don’t mind the food but the beer is better than most places my family goes so I am happy to head there“

TheHOFF43 4322 days ago

“Great beer selection. High end classy stuff. More the vintage wine bottle variety than chronic sixers but a nice joint.“

OscarFalls 4367 days ago

“Fantastic array of full lines of beers carried by brewer’s. They have quite the selection, typically if they have a brewery available it seems like the get every beer available in the metro! Huge bonus! Pricing seems a little high on the average beers. In my experience of getting Hopslam there they do not jack the prices up on limited releases (that’s what keeps me coming back). Wish I could get me beer questions answered though, I must miss the beer guy every time! (extra bonus it is next to a Lunds so you can get dinner and great brews!).“

burgy 4456 days ago

“Located in a strip mall off of Hwy 7. Tucked away further back in the center. Above average selection of both imports and domestic craft beers. Almost half the store was beer, though the cooler space was tiny, so almost all beer is warm. Additionally, there was not really a single selection to speak of. Otherwise, solid beer store choice for that side of town.“

theisti 4458 days ago

“Visited a few times on a recent business trip. The store is mostly wine but does have a nice selection of craft brews. The corporate beer buyer was there and we chatted for nearly an hour. He is very knowledgable and passionate about craft beer.“

Dixonian 4459 days ago

“Visited a couple times on a recent business trip. One entire half of the store is craft beer. Big selection of local stuff as well as European. The owner was incredibly nice and even dipped into his cellar to let me buy some gems. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.“

Dixonian 4459 days ago

“Great spot with great service. Was told the bottle count is up around 1200 now by an employee. Almost no 12 oz singles - mostly bombers and 6-packs.“

BVery 4474 days ago

“Admins please delet this place. By now beer lovers need not be bothered with a place whose only decent taps are Sam Adams Boston lager and surly bender with the bottle selection no better. Ratebeer places are not intended to be a complete directory of every establishment that serves beer.it exists so that good beer lovers can more easily sift through the crap and find the places where they can find a great beer. Having a place on here like this wastes everybody’s time. Good food and a nice, lower brow neighborhood sports bar/ restaurant, but a beer destination it is not.“

ElGaucho 4506 days ago

“Not a huge beer selection but the owner clearly is into better beer and therefore you will find some gems, especially in bombers. They usually stock southern tier so will have their special bombers. Large, open format store in the corner of the strip mall across from Ridgedale mall. Kind of hidden so you wouldn’t just happen to stumble across it. Staff is very helpful.“

ElGaucho 4541 days ago

“There are other Byerly’s liquors with better selections, like the one in st. Louis Park. This one will have some good stuff like Stone, Alaskan, etc., but it’s a fairly small store dedicated mostly to wine. So it’s a good option when you’re already shopping at Byerly’s for groceries but otherwise, in the immediate vicinity Haskell’s and Big Top are better for beer.“

ElGaucho 4541 days ago

“Been to this Old Chicago location several times. Although occasionally they’ll surprise you by having something unique on tap, there "large" selection is mostly pedestrian. They had Sierra Nevada Harvest on tap a couple of years ago which was outstanding but in general. Old Chicago caters to the beer dabbler, not the beer geek. Food is pretty good and kids eat free on Tuesday nights“

ElGaucho 4541 days ago

“Thanks for adding this place, Ryan. Been here many times, about 15 taps, some are crap, but there’s usually a Surly and a couple Summit’s on tap. Good happy hour apps. Outdoor seating in season. Lots of TVs inside.“

BVery 4579 days ago

“Can’t believe this place hasn’t been added yet since BVery and I have been here countless times hahaha. Anywho, nice place to hang out after work if you are in the area. They are not huge into craft beer, but have a Surly option regularly and I nabbed the Alaskan IPA tonight which was a new rating. Not a craft beer oasis by any means, but gotta rate the good and bad. Pretty decent apps here as well and prices are standard for the suburbs.“

HarvesterOfSorrow 4579 days ago

“Been coming to this place for years but they didn’t get serious about their beer until within the last year. They now have 50 taps and although the quality of those taps could be substantially better, at least now you can get a few decent beers here to go with a ton of tv screens instead of an overpriced summit EPA. Stone arrogant bastard is now a staple. The summit unchained black was really nice. Two surly brews on tap...furious and Bender. Some seasonals to keep things changing. Not a great beer selection but they deserve credit for finally trying.“

ElGaucho 4603 days ago