Thomas Liquors

accordselux

Minnesota

4.14/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

A great little store. Fitty knows his beer, and the store reflects it. Selection is small, but high quality. Beer can hang around here a few days after nearby stores sell out. I also want to chime in on the available cellar beers- a great idea and worth checking out.

I referred some visiting BA's to Thomas, and they were carrying beer out by the armload.

A good place to stop and check out- even if you're going to the Ale Jail! The staff has always been friendly- the owner doesn't seem to be very involved with the beer, but Fitty and others are friendly and helpful.

Don't be afraid that it is situated between two colleges- I've never had any issues going in on a Friday or Saturday night and being run over in a rush for PBR.

12-15-2011 00:54:23 | More by accordselux

Mid

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +21.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Wow a C+, crazy bad and then to plug a neighboring store and from a beer savant...! Known more for it's great wine selection, I feel Thomas has more than stepped up to the plate for the craft beers distributed to MN. Heck, Fitty was mention in one of latest articles/interviews that Omar from Surly did on how much product this store has moved since their inception. Most Fridays, even better the first Friday of every month, you'll find yourself at their bar tasting not only stuff for sale from a particular brewery, but a home brew that knocks your socks of or something from the cellar! Cellar, oh ya there's a cellar and if you say the magic word a door opens up to beers that are from a few years ago. I could go on and on, but will keep this short and sweet. This place has been around a long time and no it's not the biggest craft store in the cities, but I feel it's definitely one of the best.

Cheers

12-09-2011 00:30:58 | More by Mid

KarlHungus

Minnesota

3.03/5  rDev -26.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

Having visited Thomas Liquors I am very surprised at how highly rated they are here on BA. The size of their selection is about average for what I've seen in most Twin Cities retail stores. Other than Summit, Surly, and Schell's they don't carry any breweries full line up (and they only have one of Schell's beers available in twelve pack). The only thing saving them from mediocrity is the fact that they do carry some rarer, more unique beers in their singles selection. The service on my visit was nonexistent. There were three employees at the register talking when I entered. Non of them acknowledged me the entire time I was in the store. When I went to checkout the girl who rang me up did so without saying a thing to me. Pricing isn't outrageous, but it is a bit higher than most places in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Overall, I can't see myself shopping here again. If I find myself in the area in need of beer I'll choose to spend my money at the Ale Jail just a few blocks away.

07-29-2011 19:56:17 | More by KarlHungus

gatornation

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

thomas liquors sits on the 19th block of grand ave..parking is in the rear as is the entrance..when you walk in you see wine and liquor first..all the beer is on the back wall in the cooler and on the last row on right...this store is deceptive on first look..but the more you look the more gems you find..they have most of the craft available in MN..plus lots of bombers of unique belgians and domestic bombers ..this place is worth a stop when in the st. paul area..take your time and look around you will find a good brew

06-15-2011 22:47:33 | More by gatornation

jera1350

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -2.7%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Was in the area today and decided to stop in and check it out. First of all the place is pretty small, but it is packed to the gills with wine, beer and spirits. The beer is along the back wall in coolers and a portion of another aisle. The selection is pretty nice with a good variety of craft beers and some good specialty beers as well. They had their own labeled six packs that had their own mixed sixers made up. One was called Michigan hops and featured IPA's from MI. Bell's, Dark Horse, etc. Prices seemed very reasonable. They had Avery Dugana for $5.99 which is about $1.50 lower than I've seen in any other store. No one asked me if I needed help, but I'm usually okay with that. If I need help, I'll ask. Overall, a really nice store that's worth checking out if you're in the area.

07-24-2010 21:46:25 | More by jera1350

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +14.4%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

I'm doing a rereview of this place after more visits I'm learning to love this place more and more. The beer is rotated much better than I firtst anticipted. The Selection is much larger than previously noticed...The back wall is a cooler full of beer with some unique mix packs from different regions. Real unique and different. They have a list of beers from their cellar which most places don't have. There is a shelving area with new arrivals that is awesome. They have a wall of bombers as well as a previously unknown by me Belgian sort of section with lights turned off to keep skunking to a minimum. The service is what has really blown me away recently. The people there are super friendly. They may not be all beer people but even if they don't know much they are super nice about it. I went to a wine focused place the other day and when I asked about a beer they were very rude to me. The people here are awesome. Fitty does a great job os keeping the customers informed and bringing in all of the new exciting beers. Can't say enough about how great this place has been to me.

03-23-2010 23:16:59 | More by jjanega08

bsp77

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +1%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

While the store interior is not very exciting this is a nice place. It does not look like there is much beer selection at first, but it is very deceptive. They carry most of what I am looking for and have a nice selection of singles. I have also had them break a six pack a couple times to get a single. The biggest problem is that other than one guy, most know very little about beer. I hope he never leaves, as he is probably the only one keeping the place in top shape for beer lovers. He also goes way out of his way to help me.

07-26-2009 03:56:09 | More by bsp77

GilGarp

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev -10%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

I was visiting St. Paul and wanted to pick up some unusual beers that we can't get in Colorado. This place was recommended and it was on the way to our destination so we stopped in.

Not a huge place by any means and at first it appears to be more focused on wine but we found some gems towards the back of the store.

I was most excited to see Bell's (haven't seen them at all since leaving Ohio) but we were limited on space so I just picked from their singles shelf.

I got an expedition stout and third coast old ale from Bell's, Tyranena The Devil Made Me Do It, Goose Island Bourbon Co. Stout, Southern Tier Unearthly, and a four-pack of Furious.

Service was average in that no one attempted to help but they were friendly when checking out.

Selection was good but nothing exceptional.

The prices seemed a bit high. The surley furious was a buck more than a saw it for at another store. The singles were all about $3 each.

12-30-2008 16:52:06 | More by GilGarp

CHSLBrew

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -2.7%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Visited this place on a whim recently, after seeing it rated here on BA.

I walked in and immediately walked to the back, having read that's where the beer can be found. Having found a couple coolers, I was pleased to see a wide variety of 6-packs of Bell's beers, varous MN and regional brews, and a bunch of everything else. In addition, a couple of random shelves carries various bigger, more expenseive beers in bombers and 750s. Pleased as I was, I kept perusing the coolers to find a large shelving area holding many more varieties of American micros and various imports. Woo hoo!

After having visited a couple times, I then found yet another beer area, a cooler near the front of the store carrying more bombers, 750s, and 12oz singles of various beers, from Belgians to Bell's. And mind you, this isn't a huge store, but they've got beer tucked away anywhere they could fit it :D

Although I wasn't asked to be helped any of the times I've been here, I have briefly conversed with a cashier or two, and they seemed to be quite in-the-know as far as beer goes. I've no doubt that if I need it in the future, competent help will be available.

11-20-2008 15:23:24 | More by CHSLBrew

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +1%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Solid neighborhood store. Boy, they pack a lot into a small space, but more than the numbers it's the quality of the options. Good selection of locals, regional beers and imports. Not unbelievable extensive, but a small and wise selection of high quality beers.
I appreciated the service given as I contacted BA member Zealot ahead of time and they held a product until I could arrive and pick it up (and Zealot wasn't working that shift). I would recommend this store anytime. Great neighborhood feel.

10-22-2008 19:12:22 | More by garymuchow