Grocery Stores That Sell Beer...

[terpkristin]

...are a bit of a problem for me.
See, I did most of my drinking living in Maryland prior to this year. Maryland is a state where you can't buy beer or wine in a grocery store. Thusly, I came to find all the liquor/beer shops with the "good selections" of beer and was able to try a variety of microbrews and other exotic beers (imports and otherwise).

Unfortuantely, now I live in Virginia, where one CAN buy beer at the grocery store. This isn't so much of a problem as I can usually find something I'll drink there, but I can't get the variety I like, and I haven't been able to find where Virginians go to get beer that isn't "traditional."

For example, I'm a fan of Sam Adams Cream Stout. In Maryland, most liquor stores would have that in their beer section. Not so for grocery stores in Virginia. I can get Sam Adams Boston Lager, sure, but what if I want some other variety? Let's not even discuss the problems of finding my more exotic beers...

So, what do you people do to get beer that isn't "mainstream" in states that sell beer in grocery stores? It's almost to a point where I'm going to have to go back to my favorite store in Maryland (well, one of my two) and just buy mass quantities so that I can have the variety I like.

Help?

/tk

[MrBug708]

I just find a gourmet liquor store

[JonInMiddleGA]

So, what do you people do to get beer that isn't "mainstream" in states that sell beer in grocery stores?

Well, I can't speak specifically to Virginia, but here in Georgia (where the vast majority of grocery & convienience store sell beer) you pretty much have to go to a large liquor store & preferrably one in a fairly affluent area if you're looking for non-mainstream beer.

Or you can do what I've done a couple of times -- cultivate a good relationship with the owner of a small liquor store in the middle of nowhere & have him special order what you're looking for.

[Anthony]

there's no such thing as "exotic beer". being imported doesn't make it "exotic". it'd be exotic if it was brewed in the Fiji Islands or the Amazon. that's like saying "exotic hotdogs".

[Draft Dodger]

not a big beer drinker, but the beer aisle at my local grocery store is HUGE. they certainly have everything I'd ever want to try

[terpkristin]

there's no such thing as "exotic beer". being imported doesn't make it "exotic". it'd be exotic if it was brewed in the Fiji Islands or the Amazon. that's like saying "exotic hotdogs".
Oh sweet geez. When you read it, you knew what I meant, why play the semantics game?

I'm looking for beer that isn't mainstream. Beer you probably won't find on a grocery store shelf.

Get a life, will you?

/tk

[Logan]

I hear what you're saying. A few weeks ago (during the World Series) I was working in the Hamptons (Long Island, NY for those unfamilair) and wanted to grab a 6-pack to enjoy in my hotel room while watching one of the games. I knew there was a liquor store about 15 minutes away, but there was also a Rite-Aid Pharmacy that sold beer 30 seconds down the street. Well when it became close to game-time and I didn't feel like making the longer drive, I stopped in at the Rite-Aid and found all the generic stuff--Millers, Buds, Coors, etc. Not too much of a selection of the beers I look for when I'm just relaxing watching a game.

So to answer your question...when you get in the mood for that really good beer, make the trip.

[stevew]

I wish I could buy beer at a convenience store/Grocery store instead of PA's stupid "distributor" system. Sometimes all i want to do is go to the gas station and pick up a Forty/Deuce Deuce of something...I dont drink much, and i dont like to keep it around the house. Hence no need for the bigger pack.

[Critch]

I go to Trader Joes and buy their German beers, they've always got a fairly good selection at reasonable prices. Wholefoods has a good selection too, but it's not so cheap.

Like you I fairly recently moved to Virginia from Maryland, so I'm getting used to alcohol in supermarkets, still haven't found anywhere with a real good selection, nothing to rival Corridor Wine Store in Laurel anyway.

If anybody finds Tennents Lager in Northern Virginia, let me know please :)

[Cringer]

We have one local grocery store that carries more then the average selection of beer. This is the grocery store that is for the more 'upscale' area. Since this is also the only grocery store down here that sells a lot of our vegetarian food we go there, so I get by. Right now I am drinking a holiday special I guess, Pumpkin Ale from Buffalo Bill's Brewery. That is also where I get my Arogant Bastard Ale.

[Schmidty]

there's no such thing as "exotic beer". being imported doesn't make it "exotic". it'd be exotic if it was brewed in the Fiji Islands or the Amazon. that's like saying "exotic hotdogs".

You drink natty light and coors don't you. Fucking loser.

[Anthony]

Oh sweet geez. When you read it, you knew what I meant, why play the semantics game?

I'm looking for beer that isn't mainstream. Beer you probably won't find on a grocery store shelf.

Get a life, will you?

/tk

actually, i didn;t know what you meant, because people don't use that term. just pointing out there's no such thing as "exotic beer" so you don't try looking like a huge beer connoiseur but come off looking retarded.

[terpkristin]

If you have nothing useful to contribute, why do you post?

Seriously.

Get a life.

/tk

[Anthony]

You drink natty light and coors don't you. Fucking loser.

i drink Corona. lots of them, cuz they taste so fucking good. when the beer is flowing and them ho's are hoeing - watch out.

[terpkristin]

And while we're on the subject of "exotic":
ex·ot·ic http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/JPG/pron.jpg (https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dexotic) ( P ) Pronunciation Key (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/ahd4/pronkey.html) (http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/ibreve.gifg-zhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/obreve.gifthttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/prime.gifhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/ibreve.gifk)
adj.
From another part of the world; foreign<cite></cite>
Intriguingly unusual or different; excitingly strange
As usual, I'm right. I used the word correctly and WHO GIVES A FLYING F if people don't use the term "exotic beer." I do, and EVERYBODY ELSE here knew what I meant, so obviously it must be YOU that has the issue.

I understand you're overcompensating for a small member and/or not getting laid, but you really don't have to speak when you OBVIOUSLY have nothing to say.

/t

[Anthony]

If you have nothing useful to contribute, why do you post?

Seriously.

Get a life.

/tk

go drink an exotic beer and set Hell Atlantic to "ignore" please.

[Schmidty]

i drink Corona. lots of them, cuz they taste so fucking good. when the beer is flowing and them ho's are hoeing - watch out.

As a beer connoisseur, I am embarrassed to admit that I like the occasional Corona with a lime. :(

[ice4277]

Well, I can't speak specifically to Virginia, but here in Georgia (where the vast majority of grocery & convienience store sell beer) you pretty much have to go to a large liquor store & preferrably one in a fairly affluent area if you're looking for non-mainstream beer.
This is generally the case in Michigan as well. I've never been there but I have to assume there are stores that specialize in selling only liquor and beer by you. That would seem to be your best bet.

[stevew]

I want some exotic soda.

[ice4277]

dola

IMO Corona is the worst beer ever.

[Schmidty]

And while we're on the subject of "exotic":
ex·ot·ic http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/JPG/pron.jpg (https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dexotic) ( P ) Pronunciation Key (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/ahd4/pronkey.html) (http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/ibreve.gifg-zhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/obreve.gifthttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/prime.gifhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/ibreve.gifk)
adj.
From another part of the world; foreign<cite></cite>
Intriguingly unusual or different; excitingly strange
As usual, I'm right. I used the word correctly and WHO GIVES A FLYING F if people don't use the term "exotic beer." I do, and EVERYBODY ELSE here knew what I meant, so obviously it must be YOU that has the issue.

I understand you're overcompensating for a small member and/or not getting laid, but you really don't have to speak when you OBVIOUSLY have nothing to say.

/t

I like you Krstin, but sometimes you go overboard with your anger.

I am such a hypocrite. ;)

[Schmidty]

dola

IMO Corona is the worst beer ever.

I am true beer-lover, and I'd love to hear some of your favorites.

[ice4277]

I am true beer-lover, and I'd love to hear some of your favorites.
Can we agree that Bell's Octoberfest is the shizz and call it a day?

[Draft Dodger]

As a beer connoisseur, I am embarrassed to admit that I like the occasional Corona with a lime. :(

my beer connoisseur friend likes to deride me for drinking Corona. for a while, we had a little thing going where when I'd visit I'd sneak a Corona over and put it in his fridge or something, and then the next day I'd find it on my front step. We bounced that Corona back and forth a few times over the course of a few months.

eventually, my wife and I MAILED it too him. which seemed funny at the time. somewhere along the line, the bottle broke, but the mailman still delivered it to him - a wet box of broken glass that smelled like beer. that pretty much ended that.

[Schmidty]

Can we agree that Bell's Octoberfest is the shizz and call it a day?

Well, you got me. I love just about everything the Kalamazoo Brewing Company puts out. Especially their Sparkling Ale and their Cream Stout.

[ISiddiqui]

dola

IMO Corona is the worst beer ever.I wouldn't go that far, but Corona isn't that great at all. Oh, and for the record, I enjoy Newcastle Brown Ale, the Sam Adams family of beers, some Belgian wheat beers, and, of course, a good Guiness now and then... among others, of course :D.

[Anthony]

As a beer connoisseur, I am embarrassed to admit that I like the occasional Corona with a lime. :(

indeed...with a lime. i hate drinking them without. my in-laws know i like Corona so they buy that for me for family bbq's, but they keep forgetting the lime part. i've been known to drink them with lemons, cuz without some type of citric flavoring Corona's are missing something. for non-citric flavored beer i usually go for Amstel Light or Sam Adams Light.

[Schmidty]

my beer connoisseur friend likes to deride me for drinking Corona. for a while, we had a little thing going where when I'd visit I'd sneak a Corona over and put it in his fridge or something, and then the next day I'd find it on my front step. We bounced that Corona back and forth a few times over the course of a few months.

eventually, my wife and I MAILED it too him. which seemed funny at the time. somewhere along the line, the bottle broke, but the mailman still delivered it to him - a wet box of broken glass that smelled like beer. that pretty much ended that.

Hilarious. Thank goodness I don't have friends like you and I can tolerate Corona. ;)

[Dr. Sak]

Just be lucky you dont live in Pennsylvania where you have to go to the "State" Store for liquor and a Beer Store to get beer. I just want to go to my local giant eagle to get a six pack, but I'll settle for the Keg of beer I have in my kegorator. :)

[Anthony]

their Cream Stout.

does that taste as good as it sounds? mmmm. for some reason i'm geting this idea of an impossible mix of cream soda and beer. i want Cream Stout now.

[ice4277]

Well, you got me. I love just about everything the Kalamazoo Brewing Company puts out. Especially their Sparkling Ale and their Cream Stout.
Yes, the Cream Stout is awesome. I wasn't able to go out there for Central/Western this year, unfortunately, but I am hoping to be in town and stop by Bell's in the next few weeks.

[ISiddiqui]

I'm partial to Terrapin Cream Ale, though I'm not sure how far that gets outside of Georgia.

[Schmidty]

does that taste as good as it sounds? mmmm. for some reason i'm geting this idea of an impossible mix of cream soda and beer. i want Cream Stout now.

I'm telling people, the Beer Advocate is your friend:

http://beeradvocate.com

[Anthony]

Just be lucky you dont live in Pennsylvania where you have to go to the "State" Store for liquor and a Beer Store to get beer. I just want to go to my local giant eagle to get a six pack, but I'll settle for the Keg of beer I have in my kegorator. :)

you realize the only reason you posted in this thread was to say you have a kegorator. why don't you just edit your post so that it says "i have a kegorator". :cool:

[Dr. Sak]

you realize the only reason you posted in this thread was to say you have a kegorator. why don't you just edit your post so that it says "i have a kegorator". :cool:

Yeah you are right. Jealous?? :D

[Schmidty]

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/2403/

[Anthony]

I'm telling people, the Beer Advocate is your friend:

http://beeradvocate.com

just checked it out - i wish there was a "buy me" button for all those beers, some of them sound awesome.

[st.cronin]

I think Sam Adams' nicest beer is their winter seasonal ... I forget what it's called.

[ISiddiqui]

I think Sam Adams' nicest beer is their winter seasonal ... I forget what it's called.Winter Lager.

[Cringer]

i drink Corona. lots of them, cuz they taste so fucking good. when the beer is flowing and them ho's are hoeing - watch out.

Try a Tecate, it's a little better then Corona IMO. Not sure how close you have to be to Mexico to get it though, since I am only a couple minutes away it is always around.

[st.cronin]

Tecate is a decent summer brew, and I believe it's available almost everywhere in the Lower 48. I believe in supporting my local brewer, so these days I drink lots of Santa Fe Pale Ale. It's about the only thing around that's worth drinking.

[DaddyTorgo]

anyone here know anything about brewing? I read in the local paper that there's a facility like a town or two over where you can go and for some fee (i imagine) can brew your own beer. thought it might be fun. are there any really good beer-brewing-primers online or anything? Or any tips anyone has? Thought it might be nice for dad for a Xmas present actually...

[terpkristin]

Hah, I asked that question awhile ago here, DT. I was referred to the book, "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing," which has looked good so far, but I haven't had the time to start brewing anything yet...
Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060531053/qid=1131926943/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-8853956-8124639?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Edited to add link.

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

thanks tk

[oykib]

Try a Tecate, it's a little better then Corona IMO. Not sure how close you have to be to Mexico to get it though, since I am only a couple minutes away it is always around.

I had some at the Mexican pavillion of the Osaka Beer Festival last month. It is better than Corona.

Can't really describe the difference as I'm about as far as a beer guy as you can get.

[oykib]

Try a Tecate, it's a little better then Corona IMO. Not sure how close you have to be to Mexico to get it though, since I am only a couple minutes away it is always around.

I had some at the Mexican pavillion of the Osaka Beer Festival last month. It is better than Corona.

Can't really describe the difference as I'm about as far as a beer guy as you can get.

[scooter]

Back to the original question, tk, you should try looking in the less-mainstream grocery stores. Avoid the big chains. Out here we have a lot of choices for places to buy "exotic" beer. Some of the independent grocers like Red Apple Market and Central Market have pretty good selections. Then their are the bottle shops (kind of like a wine shop, but for beer) that have a great selection and they get the all-important turnover. And then, every once in a while you can find a place (if you ask enough people) that no one would think of like the gas station in North Bend, WA that's run by a guy called Grateful Dan (complete with VW microbus) with an extensive selection of belgian beers and barley wines. Good luck in your quest!

[RendeR]

Yer all a bunch of beer snobs. You lose 10 respect points...all of you....

[Airhog]

sorry to threadjack, but if I brewed a beer without the hops in it, what would it taste like?

[RendeR]

sorry to threadjack, but if I brewed a beer without the hops in it, what would it taste like?Zima

[Samdari]

TK - you have not found the Dulles Wegman's yet?

They carry most of the Sam Adams line. They probably have the best selection of beer in the area. Certainly better than any Giant or Safeway.

And Bug - going to a gourmet liquor store would do no good here. I have never seen ANY beer in a liquor store, I think it must not be allowed.

[Galaxy]

What's a gourmet liquor store?

[terpkristin]

Samdari, I *have* found the Dulles Wegman's (it's actually conveniently located on my way home from work, as I live off of Waxpool Rd.), but haven't spent much time there looking for beer (good point, I should!).

I gotta say, Wegman's is a dangerous place for me to enter...between the cheese and the prepared foods, plus regular groceries, it can be an expensive prospect to go into there! ;)

/tk

[Airhog]

Zima


If thats the case, then how is it clear? Wouldnt malt make it brown?

[Schmidty]

Zima

What do you know Beer Snob hater? You probably drink Bud Light.

[Dutch]

I'm drinking a Miller Lite right now...

[Anthony]

i hate beer snobs. if you want to be a snob about alcohol then drink wine.

[Schmidty]

I'm drinking a Miller Lite right now...

I'll take a piss in 6 cups and sell it to ya for $6. It'll taste 10X better than Miller lite. :)

[Schmidty]

i hate beer snobs. if you want to be a snob about alcohol then drink wine.

Seriously though dude, there's so much more to beer than people would ever expect. It's like different flavors of ice cream with alchohol in them.

[Anthony]

i'm not a beer snob but Miller Lite is awful. i rather drink PBR than Miller Lite.

[ice4277]

It's like different flavors of ice cream with alchohol in them.
That is actually a very good idea.

[st.cronin]

i hate beer snobs. if you want to be a snob about alcohol then drink wine.

That makes no sense. There is as much craft in making beer as in wine. There are as many varieties of beer as wine. For the connoisseur, tasting beer can be as rewarding as tasting wine.

[Anthony]

That is actually a very good idea.

it's called a mudslide. :) but yeah, when he puts it like that it makes me want to drink beer that tastes like ice cream.

[ice4277]

it's called a mudslide. :)
I'd feel like much less of a sissy if I could just go order one at Baskin Robbinshttp://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Anthony]

That makes no sense. There is as much craft in making beer as in wine. There are as many varieties of beer as wine. For the connoisseur, tasting beer can be as rewarding as tasting wine.

which would you rather have - a Lexus or a Ferrari? that is the difference between fine beer and fine wine. but i do wanna explore other flavors of beer, i think it's healthy to step outside of what's familiar every now and again and be adventurous. so in all seriousness i know what you're talking about, there's certainly a difference between a Heineken and a Bud Lite.

i also plan on brewing my own stuff when we move into our house, i come from an Italian background rich in tradition where my grandparents made their own wine and my father in law up until recently made his own stuff as well.

what is everyone's thoughts on the "Pete's Wicked" line of ale? they have several varieties and i've always been meaning to pick one up.

[Anthony]

I'd feel like much less of a sissy if I could just go order one at Baskin Robbinshttp://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

lol, i know when i would go out to a certain restaurant (Applebee's) with my wife - who's not a big fan of drinking - i'd always get a mudslide, that is, until i found out how many calories it has. but you'd be surprised at what you'd drink when you don't have to be manly about it.

[st.cronin]

what is everyone's thoughts on the "Pete's Wicked" line of ale? they have several varieties and i've always been meaning to pick one up.

Un-inspiring but solid. Work your way through a sampler and you may have some idea of what sort of generic varieties you prefer - then you can search out a superior version.

[ISiddiqui]

what is everyone's thoughts on the "Pete's Wicked" line of ale? they have several varieties and i've always been meaning to pick one up.I like it. It's pretty decent stuff. It isn't out of this world good, but a CLEAR step up from the Miller's, Bud, and Coors' of the world.

[Dutch]

i'm not a beer snob but Miller Lite is awful. i rather drink PBR than Miller Lite.

Wait let me rephrase,

I'm drinking Miller Lite right now...so I can get my fill of American beer before heading off for a 3-year tour in Germany where I plan on not drinking Miller Lite for three years.

[Grammaticus]

I'm not familiar with how Virginia controls alcohol distribution. I had the same problem in Tennessee finding a good micro brew or any non-mainstream beer. They sell beer in supermarkets and gas stations, but not liquor stores here in east Tennessee.

It turns out the issue was really just a matter of local taste or preference. People in east Tennessee just did not purchase a lot of non mainstream beer. For example, it did not matter where I went, I could not find a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. The best I could find were Imports like Amstel, Red Stripe, etc. The most exotic it got was Sam Adams.

I did find the best place to look for variety was niche market grocery stores. The Fresh Market is a chain that sells a lot of health food and exotic food items. They also carried the most varied beer supply. Over time this has changed in Tennessee and the market now supports a wider variety of brands carried in local grocery stores. The high end grocery stores carry the best variety, etc.

I know when I was out east (more north than Virginia); I found a beer called Yuengling. It was excellent, I would recommend it if you run across the option in VA. Either way, good luck, I hope you find a good local shop that carries some fine beer.

Someone asked about brewing, check out this site for home brewing options. They have great starter kits as well as more advanced options.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/

[Samdari]

Seriously though dude, there's so much more to beer than people would ever expect. It's like different flavors of ice cream with alchohol in them.

Yeah, there is actually more you can do vary the taste of beer than wine.

[Samdari]

what is everyone's thoughts on the "Pete's Wicked" line of ale? they have several varieties and i've always been meaning to pick one up.

Its very good. Pete's and Sam Adams, while not microbrews by any definition any more, both make a lot of excellent products in my opinion. Pete's Wicked Winter Brew is one of my favorites, and should be coming out soon. Warning, though it has LOTS of flavor, something that usually turns off people who really like mass market light american lagers.

[Subby]

tk - I might have missed it, but in case someone didn't mention it, try Total Wine and More (formerly Total Beverage). They have every type of beer and wine known to man.

[moriarty]

Samdari, I *have* found the Dulles Wegman's (it's actually conveniently located on my way home from work, as I live off of Waxpool Rd.), but haven't spent much time there looking for beer (good point, I should!).

I gotta say, Wegman's is a dangerous place for me to enter...between the cheese and the prepared foods, plus regular groceries, it can be an expensive prospect to go into there! ;)

/tk

In your area, I would try: Wegmans, Total Wine & Beverage (located off rte 7 and Cascades between Circuit City and Target) and World Market (located behind the Dulles Town Center Mall, across from Lowes and next to Best Buy).

World Market tends to have more of the foreign beers, but all 3 have much more selection than you'll find at the local grocery stores.

[terpkristin]

Thanks, Subby and moriarty!
/tk

[RendeR]

What do you know Beer Snob hater? You probably drink Bud Light.
If you're going to drink beer to get drunk, drink whatever is cheapest, its not like you taste it anyway.

If you're going to drink beer to enjoy it, say with a meal, or taking your time while hanging out with friends, then find some microbrews, because any of the big name places are going to suck ass. Corona included, god what a worthless beer. Go to Boston, the water has more kick than Corona.

Beer snobs are the elite aristocrat of the redneck societal ladder. Go right ahead and claim your rung on the tow chain there Billy-bob.

As to your snarky ass remark, I drink coors to get drunk, and imports or Yeungling varieties to really enjoy them. I'll down a few Labatt's Blues when handing around the in-laws as well, as thats all they usually buy.

Beer snobs....yeah, you gotta feel uppity about something in life I suppose, at least with beer you can ACT like it matters....

[jamesUMD]

anyone here know anything about brewing? I read in the local paper that there's a facility like a town or two over where you can go and for some fee (i imagine) can brew your own beer. thought it might be fun. are there any really good beer-brewing-primers online or anything? Or any tips anyone has? Thought it might be nice for dad for a Xmas present actually...
My wife just took me to a place with my friends in Alexandria, VA for my birthday and did this. You go in and taste bewteen 10-15 beers and pick one out. They give you the recipe and ingredients and then set you up on their equipment. You hang out, drink beer and eat while making your own beer. They put it in a barrel for you and then when it's ready (depends on the type of beer), you go back and bottle it (or they can do it if you like). It was about $120, but I got 5 cases and a 6 pack out of it.

You also got to make custom labels to put on, which for a friend's bachelor party I think we would be awesome. Something like "James' last gasp Brew" or something similar.