Roof Brothers Wine & Spirits

cbl2

New York

5/5  rDev +9.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

I never would have thought that while visiting my grandmother in Paducah, KY that I would find this mecca of a beer store, and I wouldn’t have unless I had looked it up on Beerfly before venturing into the area. Man, what a find! I’m from just outside of NYC, and Roof Bros, puts every single beer store near my home to shame. The entire store is gorgeous, and mostly devoted to liquor and wine (as my father explained to me, this McCraken County where Paducah is located is surrounded by dry counties, so everyone in the area flocks to Paducah to procure their booze), but the 3 coolers and 1 full aisle devoted to beer are phenomenal.

Selection was ridiculous, with offerings from Unibroue, Stone (still a ton of 2006 RIS on the shelf @ $7), lots of Bell’s (new to me) and even more local brews, such as everything from the Lexington Brewing Company, Bluegrass Brewing Co, and many more I cannot remember. There is a separate Trappist section featuring all of the Trappists except Westvleteren, of course.

They also have what I wish all beer stores would get: a closeout selection featuring seasonals just past their prime at reduced cost. I picked up a Rogue FestivAle (8/24) for $6 (not sure if that’s discounted), and my very first Faro for $5.

Their glass selection is better than any I’ve ever seen, featuring St. Bernardus (which I purchased), Rochefort, Paulaner (and some other Hefe glasses I can’t remember), Leffe, Stella, Péche Lambic and approximately a dozen breweries pint glasses.

There were a few beers available as singles, but for the most part every 12 oz was part of a six pack, and there are no mixed sixers (there were around X-Mas, but the owner said it was too much of a hassle to keep track of things, so the policy stopped).

Saturday’s from 3-5 pm there are tastings available on wine and beer for a modest fee of $1-$2 (They even put out a listing of the top 100 from BA for this occasion). I sampled beers from the Clipper City 12 pack sampler, which was decent, though not exceptional. It was nice, however, to meet fellow BA’s and discuss beer, with hundreds of beers surrounding you to point at as epitomes of certain styles.

If you are ever in Paducah, or within 100 miles of Paducah, make it a point to stop in at Roofs, you will not be disappointed.

08-26-2006 23:42:42 | More by cbl2

phil7568

Mississippi

5/5  rDev +9.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I live in Mississippi which is a bad thing for a beer lover. If I want good beer then it means road trip. I've been to Greens in Atlanta many times. I checked out Brawley's in North Carolina (really need to get to that positive review). Anyway, while searching beerfly I come across Roof Bros in KY. Time to hit the road.

The selection is unbelievable. Stone (got a case of RIS), Bell's, Great Lakes, Avery, and many,many more. I also walked outta there with a growler of Brooklyn Chocolate Stout.

I can't speak highly enough of Cain, the beerman. He's forgotten more about beer than I'll ever learn. He approached me just after I'd walked through the door and was very helpful. Great dude that really knows his stuff.

I see myself making this trip many times.

02-18-2007 04:09:19 | More by phil7568

Tilley4

Tennessee

5/5  rDev +9.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is one amazing place. Drove 3 hours north to check this place out and I was NOT disappointed at all. Picked up a couple of bombers of Stone RIS ( may be common other places, but definitely not in TN) some Goose Island IPA from 06 and 07, DFH 120, along with a ton of other stuff. They were sold out of Bells Expedition when I went ,which was a bit of a letdown, but the guy there said he would have some around in two days. Yep, I'm going back to get some. Also had Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. Tons of different stuff. Every Belgian except Westie.

12-12-2007 19:45:59 | More by Tilley4

littleshamrocks

Kentucky

5/5  rDev +9.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is the place that I consider my "local" package store. Although it is about sixty miles from where I live, it is by far the top store in the whole region for craft beer lovers. The selection is incredible (more on this in a moment), the sales people are friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices are within reason, especially considering that there is no place like it within a 150 mile radius. I also enjoy the extra things that they do that you just don't see much around this area. For example, they have weekly beer tastings each Saturday between 3-5 PM and they have a rotating selection of four beers on a growler fill up station.

The main beer guy here is Cain, and he really knows his stuff. Usually able to give you taste characteristics and recommendations for pretty much any of the hundreds of beers they have in stock. Some of the other regular workers have been helpful to me as well, always willing to give you their opinion and recommendations.

The selection is the most impressive thing about this store. I was tempted to deduct .5 because they do not carry certain top breweries such as Three Floyds, Founders, Russian River, or Surly, but ultimately decided this was wrong because these beers are simply not distributed in Kentucky. Therefore, selection gets a five because if you can get it in KY, they have it here. They feature large lineups of some of the top American craft brewers such as Stone, Bell's, Great Lakes, Rogue, Dogfish Head, Avery, Goose Island, Anchor, Brooklyn, Thirsty Dog, North Coast, Sierra Nevada, Boulder, Flying Dog, and Brewery Ommegang among many others. They also carry an equally impressive lineup of imports like Unibroue, Duvel, Orval, Trappist Rochefort, Chimay, Westmalle, Paulaner, Lindemans, Erdinger, Samuel Smith, Fuller, Young's, Bellhaven, Ayinger, and Wychwood just to name a few. These are displayed down one full aisle of shelves, with several stacked out floor displays and mixed pack boxes and along the back wall in about three or four coolers. They also offer a decent selection of glassware.

The value is reasonable for what you can get for your money. Sure, maybe you could save a couple of dollars in a larger city store, but from what I have seen in this area, the prices are right in line. If you live anywhere within a three or four hour drive or happen to be passing through this area, do yourself a favor and stop in here.

12-30-2007 01:06:43 | More by littleshamrocks

speer

Illinois

5/5  rDev +9.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Wow what an awesome store! Being from SO IL, it's incredibly hard to find a quality selection of beers, but knowing that this jewel is within an hour's drive makes me not so sad. This place has an extensive selection including Stone, DFH, 3Floyds (which I haven't found anywhere else yet and finally picked up my first 6 pack), Mikkeller, Founder's, Bell's and much, much more. The workers know what they're talking about and there is even a selection of clearance beers which are marked down way low. I was stoked to find Brooklyn beers because I've been dying to try the Local 1 & 2 and they had plenty in stock. Definitely a great store if your stuck in beer poor SO IL like me.

06-12-2010 04:45:56 | More by speer

frognot

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

My craft beer loving son and I have hunted with my nephew in west TN the last two Decembers and both times made a two hour drive to Paducah to visit Roof Brothers. Although deer hunting was our purpose of the trip, visiting Roof Brothers was definitely the high point. Texas has been getting (and producing) a lot more craft beers, however there are so many great breweries, especially Midwest ones, that don't distribute to the Lone Star State.

I was pumped to be able buy two cases of FBS (tried it first time last year but only bought a 4-pack, lived with regret for 11.5 months) and then saw they had it on tap so add a growler of FBS. Several types of Three Floyds available so a couple of bombers of Dreadnaught ($10.99 each) was added, along with some Bells Two Hearted. My shopping list was complete so then talked with Kane for recommendations and he suggested Schlafly's Tasmanian IPA and Heavy Seas Loose Cannon, both solid choices (although wish had bought more than a six-pack of each). I went to check out bourbon selections and Kane & my son chatted a bit (we each had our own grocery cart).

Beers from other breweries that we got were Jolly Pumpkin, New Holland and Kentucky Ale (and probably a few others but my son's not here to help and i should have reviewed Roof Brothers last year and don't want to forget again).

Everybody at Roof Brothers was very helpful (Kane is the beer expert and is a great person to talk with and his suggestions have always been spot on) and selection was incredible (there were 5 or 6 beers on tap but just remember FBS). My only complaint is the distance between Texas and Kentucky but the next time we're seeing family in west Tennessee a road trip to Paducah is gonna be in agenda.

12-31-2012 18:44:56 | More by frognot

Onibubba

Kentucky

4.85/5  rDev +5.9%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Who knew that less than an hour and a half from my beer exile in Hopkinsville KY was to be found a freaking oasis. You can tell that this store's beer selection is immacualtely kept by a complete beer geek, and I mean that in a very good way. It is the kind of beer display that someone is obviously taking a lot of well deserved pride in. Especailly due to its location; I mean, who the hell is buying all of this quality beer in Paducah Kentucky?

There are tapped kegs and growlers available. They had just recently run out of DFH 90 Minute. Along with most everything you would need from DFH, Stone, Goose Island, Bell's, and many many that I was not familiar with, were many unexpected treasures: Deus, a bottle of Chimay 2000 Grand Reserve, a certain 10th Anniversary, long unavailable elsewhere. Jolly Pumpkin? Check. Hennipen? Check. Small but nice Belgian selection. The only reason I am knocking off .5 for selection is no Fantome or Dupont, but that is a minor quibble and one they believe they can correct :)

This place is amazing. They will be getting a nice chunk of my paychecks. Beer and wine tastings from 3 - 5 on Saturdays. Reasonable prices and a nice little discount for good customers. Their Beer Consutant is Kane, and regardless of the name on the door, this is his place. Give it a try. You will not be dissappointed.

02-05-2007 13:54:32 | More by Onibubba

kwakwhore

North Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +5.9%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Checked this place out on my way up to Carbondale IL. Not a huge selection, but much of what was there was high quality including many beers not available in my neck of the woods. Stone(RIS, Arrogant, Double and Oaked Arrogant bastards, Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, and vertical epic), Bell's, Great Lakes, DFH World Wide stout, 120 minute IPA, Immort Ale and Olde Schoole, Goose Island, Schlafly, and a goodly number of imports, mostly English, German, and Belgian. Service was excellent and they gave a discount for my large purchase. Knowledgeable and friendly staff was available if I had questions, and the main beer guy(Kane?,Cain?) was extremely helpful and friendly. I definitely will stop again when I am in the neighborhood.

08-08-2008 21:57:58 | More by kwakwhore

golfnmotorcycles

Missouri

4.85/5  rDev +5.9%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped in on my way home from a trip up north, mainly due to reviews I'd read on here and because I was looking for Schlafly's Christmas Ale and knew they carried the brand. I had the "boss" with me so I expected a quick in-and-out stop. Boy, was I wrong. Place was packed with folks who apparently knew exactly what they were there for and where it was.

Had plenty of help who were mostly occupied at the counter taking money, bagging sales, and helping folks out the door. They did ask if I found everything I was looking for when I finally made my way to the counter but at one point I was ten seconds from walking out empty handed. Lucky for me, my fiance recommended I look a bit longer, and that's when we found the special display of Christmas beers. I'm not one to "stop and ask" and in this place, that almost cost them $20. On the Schlafly stuff their prices were right at what I've seen elsewhere. Noticed a sixer of Leghumper for $10, and I'd paid $13 for it the night before in Indiana.

The fiance was impressed with the selection of gourmet sauces, seasonings, and some candles or something I saw her with her nose buried in (she's not a drinker). I noticed a small cigar humidor on the way out as well - would've cost me another $20 if I had seen it on the way in.

All in all, a super stocked place in terms of beer selection and other neat stuff (we didn't bat an eye at the wine or liquor selection). I'll definitely go back next time we're in town. If they could get a turn lane out front....

12-17-2008 18:33:23 | More by golfnmotorcycles

puggy211

Tennessee

4.85/5  rDev +5.9%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Ok here we go!...I live in Memphis and I drove 185 mile to go here...and I was NOT dissapointed!
I was the first one in the store at 8am and there it was..BEER..good beer no no GREAT beer! One of which I am drinking right now!. Founders Double Trouble...mmmm so good!..Yes they have Founders...In two weeks the Great Cane told me he has 5 cases of Founders Kentucky Breakfast stout on the way...ohh no another trip! Cain is the guy that helped me super nice.very helpfull without being overbering...AND he hooked me up with a free longsleeve T-shirt and hat and some other swag!...He also showed me the new stuff her just got in..not even priced yet! Like the Cantillion, The Nogne O Dark Horizion and pale ale. Hold on gotta go get another of my great new beers...Im back. They carry Clipper city,Founders,Picked up a Sam Adams Chocolate Bock,they have the Sam Adams Imperial series,Abita Andy gator,New Holland, O'Harah, Flying Dog Gonzo Impoerial sassion! Stone..he still had some Stone 7/7/07 Verticall epics!
Oh yeah Gread Divide,JOLLY PUMPKIN!And Mikkeller Geek Brunch Weasel. Yeah Weasle poop in a beer had to pick on up!..OHH yeah guess what else this Mo Fo' had just gotten in....Dieu du Ciel Péché Mortel Ohh YEAH baby! Ok they carry Bells,New Holland, Archadia, Goose Island, Thristy Dog, Great Lakes,Lexington Brewing Co., Summit brewing..and the list goes on. I really was happy about my decision to make the trip up to Roof Bros. And I would highy recommend going there!

03-14-2009 21:38:19 | More by puggy211