Premier Wine & Spirits

Store

1535 Dresden Row
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3T1
Canada

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.2
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
19
pDev:
7.14%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by wordemupg:
Photo of wordemupg
Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
One of my first stops on my recent trip to Halifax to grab some local brews. The shop had all the stuff I was looking for and the prices were quite fair. All the locals were here along with a fair bit of imports and stuff from all over Canada. The man working knew what he was talking about and gave me a fair bit of attention. This was by far the best liquor store I found in Halifax and I don't see any reason to shop anywhere else in the city. My girl even found some great cider that we drank in the Public Gardens just up the road good times
Oct 10, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of canadametal
Rated by canadametal from Canada (NS)

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%
Good selection, high prices.
Oct 01, 2014
Photo of Nightwing
Reviewed by Nightwing from Canada (NS)

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
It does not get better than this in Halifax for bottled beer. They have beer from pretty much all the Nova Scotia breweries that sell bottles. Also some from Quebec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

As far as international beers go there is a good amount from the USA, and the only place in Nova Scotia to find this many Belgian beers. They also have a few from the UK and Germany. However some of the prices for the imported stuff seem rather high.

Oh and they have some wine too.
Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by muskiesman from New Jersey

Aug 05, 2014
Photo of TheSevenDuffs
Reviewed by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)

3.5/5  rDev -16.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
The bottle selection in NS is fairly limited, so it is hard to rate bottle shops in Halifax given their limitations. This place has a decent beer selection with all of the locals and a great selection of DDC. There are also a bew Belgians and limited US beer from the likes of Anderson Valley, Moylans, Bruery (very pricey) and Brooklyn. The place is clean and well organized and the staff seemed helpful. I left without buying a single bottle as I much prefer drinking the locals on tap at the bars. Prices in general were high, especially the DDC stuff, but I think a lot of that has to do with most of the interesting stuff being imported from other provinces/countries.
Jun 09, 2014
Photo of kyledandrus
Reviewed by kyledandrus from Canada (NS)

4.79/5  rDev +14%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
Pretty great selection of bottles from both local breweries, and breweries around the world. The renovations have given even more space for beer, and the selection has expanded accordingly. Always something I haven't had, or heard of, which is nice.
May 23, 2014
Photo of lgmol
Reviewed by lgmol from Canada (NS)

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
I am a Halifax local and a frequent visitor to Premier Wine & Spirits. Apart from at the local breweries, this is where I buy almost all of my beer. There is an NSLC much closer to my house that I only visit if I am pressed for time.

The beer is organized by style, with separate shelves for hoppy beer, dark beer, Belgian beer, etc. There is also a four-door fridge with cold beer.

The staff is friendly and helpful. I mainly ask for recommendations when purchasing wine because I know much less about it than beer, and they have always guided me well. I've talked to many different staff members about beers and breweries that I like, and they all seem to have tried and enjoyed the products that they carry.

Simply the best selection in Halifax. Almost all of the Nova Scotia breweries are represented, and those that aren't are either very new or are growler only. They also have many beers from the hottest breweries in Quebec (e.g. Dieu du Ciel, Charlevoix, Unibroue). The pricing on all of the local stuff and most of the Quebec stuff is great. For the local breweries it is the same you would pay at the brewery. I'm sure the Quebec beer would be cheaper in Quebec, but that is true for pretty much all beer.

From further West in Canada the pickings get slimmer, but not negligible. There are some Ontario beers but very few from further West. The selection of American beers is certainly the best I've seen in the Maritimes (which isn't necessarily saying much...). Sure, there are many breweries that I wish were represented, but I am happy to have access to some Rogue, North Coast, Anderson Valley, Moylan's, Brooklyn, etc. The Belgian selection is very good. There are also some other international beers. The beers from outside of Quebec and Nova Scotia are understandably higher. If you are just visiting Nova Scotia this probably won't matter to you because you'll be interested in the local stuff, and if you are from Nova Scotia you will probably be willing to pay a little bit more to try something from elsewhere every once in a while!

Overall, this is the only beer store you need to visit in Halifax, NS.
Apr 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by AnakinVader from Canada (NS)

Feb 10, 2014
Photo of sholland119
Reviewed by sholland119 from Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
The only beer store I visited in Halifax. No reason to go anywhere else that I can see. Premier Wine & Spirits is a good sized liquor store with about 25-30% of its floor space dedicated to beer.

Since I was just visiting, my main interest was to find Canadian beers that I can not get at home. On this score, I did very well. A few offerings from the local Garrison Brewery, some excellent beers from Microbrasserie Charlevoix (which I had never heard of previously) and some Propeller beers were on hand. I picked up a representative selection to pack in my luggage.

Beyond Canadian beers, there was a fine slection of Belgian and German imports and some US imports as well. North Coast and Lagunitas travel a long way to get here.

Service could not have been nicer on both of my visits. I would happily shop here anytime.

HV
Sep 19, 2011
Photo of PEIBeerGuy
Reviewed by PEIBeerGuy from Canada (PE)

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
This place is now my Mecca and my weakness when in Halifax. I have made two trips there now and have spent $100 both times... just in the last two months!

The selection is great, better than the liquor stores in NS or especially here in PEI. They carry some things the LC does, but mostly things they don't. A few beers must be token international variety, as they aren't very good (Birra Morena, Efes, etc.), but most of what they have in is really quality stuff. If you're looking for local beers (Garrison, Propellor), get them at the breweries themselves - they're cheaper there.

On my first visit, I had a shopping list of sorts, and was wavering on one purchase. The helpful bearded fellow (who's been there both times) suggested Hop Stoopid, and it was an instant favourite.

It's a bit pricey, but I love the place. I hope they keep rotating their inventory!
Aug 18, 2010
Photo of Long813
Reviewed by Long813 from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Don't know why I haven't reviewed this place yet. It's the single most important place to visit when in Halifax on a beer trip. It's under a government specialty program to import different beers - bypassing the NSLC.

The service is great, employees know their information on beer and wine and they have a vast interest in the subject while also being kind and catering.

Selection is outstanding in relation to the NSLC. The staff constinatly searches for new breweries to add to the list of selection and distributes all the locals beers from Garrison and Propeller.

Since they order small quantities, the prices are higher than what you normally expect, but it's the price you pay for selection.

If you are in Halifax, you need to go here.
May 11, 2010
Photo of ludachris
Reviewed by ludachris from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
After posting a message about where the best place to find beer in Halifax, several BA's quickly recommended this place and boy am I glad I listened.

Located in the heart of dowmtown Halifax, it's quite easy to make a day trip out of a visit, especially with citadel hill only a 5 minute trek away. The place was decently sized and quite open, making it very easy to view their full beer selection (unlike many LCBO's in my area). Based on the few questions I asked, the staff seemed very friendly and knowledgable.

Based on the places I've been to in Hamilton, Ontario to purchase beer (which doesn't say a lot) the selection here seemed more than excpetional. Almost a dozen Rogue's, including their double dead guy ale, half a dozen unibroue's and DDC's, including their Corne du Diable and Peche Mortel, Belgians and RIS's, including Old Rasputin as well as several other American microbreweries (ACME, Red Seal, Flying Dog etc.) littered the shelves. Two of Nova Scotia's larger microbreweries; Propeller and Garrison, are also very well represented. Seemed to be the only place that carried Garrison's Ol' Fog Burner and Propeller's Pilsner.

An excellent place to stop by anyone visiting or living around the area. From the NSLC's I've been to thus far, this place is unparalleled. Can't wait to make another trip.
Sep 02, 2009
Photo of Buebie
Reviewed by Buebie from Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
As we rolled up on this place, parking was a bit of a drag, but we eventually found a spot on the street as somone pulled out. Located in a great area, near the Citadel and Rouges Roost. Great location for tourists like me that want to stay in the heart of the city.

As I walked in I first noticed the huge amount of natural sunlight penetrating this place. Not good for the beer and I really feel somthing should be done to resolve this. Beer is kind of scattered around in several spots of the store. The singles selection is pretty large, but right next to a large window. Also the Rouge usa brews were pretty big, I think they had all of them.

Prices on the bombers were god, comparible to the US. The cooler items of Propeller and Garrison were a bit more spendy then one would pay from the brewery. The fridge also had alot of light hitting it.
I grabbed a bottle of Ol' Foghorn, a few sings and a couple 6'ers. The end price was a bit spendy, but well worth the beer I recieved.

The shop itself was very clean and tidy, no dirt on the floors, smelled clean. The 2 gentlemen working the store were eager to help and johnny on the spot at the register, not making anyone stand and wait.
I also noticed a 6 pack of cold Peche Mortel for $17 canadian. Not a bad price, as it would be about $15 or so us for 6 bottles. Here in MN a 12 ounce bottle of pech goes for around $8

I recommend a visit here if you are in the area.
Aug 07, 2009
Photo of Seanstoppable
Reviewed by Seanstoppable from Canada (NS)

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
I actually originally found this place a few years ago. I had tagged along with a friend who was making a non-beer purchase, saw their beer selection, and picked up a few bottles of stuff.

For some reason I didn't go back until rediscovering it through BA. Now, I am kicking myself for not shopping there more frequently. Of all the places I know of to obtain beer in the Halifax area, Premier Wine and Spirits has a selection that isn't quite on par with the NSLC, and in fact their selection is limited to maybe a dozen breweries. However, they tend to have a multitude of ales from any given brewery (Rogue's from Oregon has at least a dozen different bottles represented), which makes up the difference.

Price ranges from decent (local stuff) to a bit pricey (Rogue's and other distant breweries), but once you figure out the stuff you like, the price will most likely seem worth it.

Staff always happens to be pleasant and willing to help.

I'll definitely be returning there frequently.
Apr 21, 2009
Photo of nighthawk
Reviewed by nighthawk from Canada (NS)

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
I finally visited this place after passing it many a time. I'm smacking myself for not shopping here sooner. It's a very open-concept store, shelves against the walls with a few displays in between. Gives you the feeling that you can browse freely, without the constraining, utilitarian feeling of many other liquor stores.
The staff were polite and helpful, but never overbearing. Apologized profusely when the cashier found she had run out of six-pack boxes to put my selection in. Double-bagged my purchase just in case. A nice touch many other places I've been would not bother with.
The selection is not as big as some stores I have heard or read of, but for Halifax it's exceptional. The actual bottle count may be lower than the larger NSLC stores, but the range and quality is exponentially larger. Many Quebec breweries were represented, with a great selection of Unibroue and Brasserie Dieu du Ciel. Local micros were also well represented, as were a few US breweries. Lots of selection for me to go back and try. I'll certainly be returning.
The only caveat is that the single bottle prices are a little on the high side. But given the quality of selection, I don't begrudge the prices at all.
Oct 17, 2008
Photo of bobsy
Reviewed by bobsy from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
Premier Wines is a really neat little bottle shop, and I'd recommend it to folks visiting the city. The selection is not huge by American standards, but makes up for this in the quality of the offerings. Both the local Halifax breweries are represented in great strength, with large and small size formats available for practically everything. I picked up a mixed six of Garrison beers, as well as their award-winning Imperial Pale Ale, and the award-winning Propleller IPA and pilsner. A number of Sam Smith's beers are carried, and I selected the India Ale and Taddy Porter. You'll also find a good selection of Rogue (including Shakespeare Stout, Mocha Porter, Hazelnut Nectar), and Flying Dog (Road Dog and Horn Dog). An assortment of Belgians rounds everything off. The service was very helpful and friendly, and we had a nice chat and I got some good wine recs off them. For a wine store, their knowledge of beer should be applauded, and they were familiar with all the products and were able to help me select some fantastic brews.

I'll definitely revisit when I'm next in town.
Jun 10, 2008
Photo of KaiMiller
Reviewed by KaiMiller from Canada (NS)

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
A necessary visit for Haligonian BAs. Devoted primarily to wine, it has a decent beer section in the front devoted to compensating for the crummy NSLC beer availability. They stock McAuslan/St. Ambroise, Unibroue, Rogue, Samuel Smith's, as well as the local micros and a slightly arbitrary selection of other bottles. I'm praying that these guys will pick up the Trappists that the NSLC has dropped once bureaucracy will let them.

Staff is knowledgeable and always good for a chat. They also seem to continuously work on improving their selection - keep your eyes open for Dieu du Ciel!

Single bottle prices are fairly high - $2.50-$5 for a 12oz. and $5-$10 for a 22oz. However, 4-, 6-, and 12-packs are very reasonable (for Canada) - I can pick up 12 St. Ambroise for $20 even. Ask the staff how long an import bottle has sat before buying - once or twice I've picked up beer past its prime.

These guys are great. Supporting them is a favour to the local beer community, and it's the kind of good deed I don't mind doing.
May 08, 2008
Photo of MMansfield
Reviewed by MMansfield from Canada (NS)

4/5  rDev -4.8%
In my opinion, the best specialty liquor shop in Halifax. They have a good selection of beers, including Rouge, Flying Dog, and Shipyard for American micros, as well as Big Rock, Brick, and Wild Rose for Canadian Micros. They also house all Halifax micros, and a large selection of Belgians. If you're interested in euro-asian, macros they have those too.They also have a large selection of liquors.

The service has always been polite and eager to serve you. I recommend all Nova Scotia BA's pay a stop here, it fills part of the void left by the terrible NSLC selection.
Nov 13, 2006
Photo of Mandrake
Reviewed by Mandrake from Canada (NS)

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
This is one of four privately owned "specialty" liquor stores that were opened several years ago in Nova Scotia. Thay carry a great selection of American craft beers which are, to my knowledge, not availiable anywhere else in the province. They also carry a number of different imported beers from a variety of countries, and have a good stock of locally brewed micros. In total I would guess that they carry something in the region of 75 different craft beers, along with wine and liqueurs. I visited in the morning, and was the only customer at the time. The employees noticed that I was carrying a large number of bottles, and promptly offered to get me a case to carry them, while joking that it looked like I was in for a heck of a night. The store is well laid out and has a good environment, but is a bit out of the way. I think that you'd have to be looking for it to have a real chance to find it, but it's worth seeking out. Possibly the best store to buy beer at in the province.
Mar 16, 2006
Premier Wine & Spirits in Halifax, NS, Canada
Place rating: 4.2 out of 5 with 19 ratings