Root Cellar

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Did not know what to expect going into to here, but I have to say I was quite impressed. As you walk in the door I was greeted quite pleasantly by the gentleman at the counter who asked me if there was anything in particular he could help me with, I asked for beer he pointed me to the back. Now the selection here took up a fair amount of space in the back left corner and over towards the center as well with several racks of bombers and six packs, very little in the way of macro at all. I scored some goodies here I had been looking for including some Alesmith, Hippie IPA, Fullers Vintage, Arcadia’s lineup, Bell’s Cherry, Thirsty Dog, Christian Morlein Winter, Killer Penguin…I could go on but I think you catch the drift here. A really nice selection here. Prices were very reasonable, some items cheaper then others, some maybe a dollar more but everything pretty much in line. They had quite a few holiday gift packs on sale which was very nice to see. Overall, walked out with a couple of mixed cases and was very pleased. I would definitely visit this place again, a Quality stop.

01-17-2008 01:56:11 | More by mikesgroove

pwoods

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +11.3%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

In the mad scramble to try and secure some KBS during Cincinnati's release week, I was able to find a lone 4 pack at this place. Actually, I called ahead and they even reserved it for me... a first time customer! The stores located in the hustle and bustle of the Kenwood shopping area and decently easy to spot even during Friday afternoon rush hour. I didn't spend an extended amount of time talking it up with the staff but they seemed, at worst, fairly knowledgeable. They had my 4 pack of KBS tucked away while I browsed their selection. They had all the newest released items including the new Unibrou 17 and fresh Burton Baton. I picked up a 4 pack of BB and one of the clerks offered to grab me a cold 4 pack at my choosing... ready to go for when I got home :) They had a good selection of imports and Belgians(that I'm still learning) and a good stock of the big names. I also found 2 bottles of FFF Brian Boru left from when FFF was still distributed. These were the only 2 bottles that I noticed to have been sitting around awhile but I think it'd be a good idea to know what's in season ahead of time. Everything seemed to be priced about the same as other local places and a bit cheaper than Jungle Jim's. A nice little store that'll I'll definitely stop in from time to time.

04-01-2008 01:58:14 | More by pwoods

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

3/5  rDev -25%
quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | $

Ye olde reliable Root Cellar.
A nice wine store that carries a decent stock of imports and micros. Not the most impressive of stores compared to what's around, however they do get most of the same stuff that the other stores around town get. Plus they more than likely will be the last place to have a new popular beer. I have had success getting both newly released brews as well as some beers that have been missed and purchased about a year later.
The staff is courteous and friendly. Good wine selection. The beers are split between cold fridges and store shelve space.
I grew up in this area only a couple miles from the store so it's very convenient and can always find something to drink.

11-16-2006 20:16:48 | More by FtownThrowDown

bamadog

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev +5%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

I was just introduced to this establishment this weekend and was told that it's the place to go when every other place is out of what I may be looking for. Probably not a bad description since it took a little longer to get there as it's a little out of the way, but they definitely had some very good items as well as a couple that I hadn't seen elsewhere yet.

Quality: Very good - some higher end beers as well as a very solid import selection.

Service: Nothing to really say here as I was checked out appropriately. I think we were the only people in the store at the time and it's not as if we had any questions, so I was cool with being left alone to my own devices and to just search around.

Selection: Not especially diverse like some of the other area stores, but it's still solid and I came out with two beers that I haven't been able to find anywhere else in the area, and that's including the Party Source and Jungle Jim's, so I felt prety good about it.

Value: Seemed a little pricey, but I was getting what I was paying for so I can deal with it. I'm not sure I'd do any regular shopping there, but if there's something that I feel I need and can't find elsewhere, it'll be added to my list of stops.

05-03-2009 23:34:12 | More by bamadog

nlmartin

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

The Root Cellar is primarily a wine store; however, the Root Cellar has about 40% of its stock in beer. There is plenty of the bill paying sort of beer BMC and Malt Liquiors. The majority of the beers stocked are micro brewed or foriegn import varieties. They have alot of the beer in cold cases. The bombers and imports tend to be predominately on the warm shelves. Noteable beers found here include Stones 05 Vertical Epic I bought the last one. Other beers of note Saison Du Pont, Stones RIS, DFH beers, Avery beers, St Bernardus and other Belgians. This is not a great beer stop by any measure; however, you will find a very solid line up of imports and micro brews. Occasionally you will find something really cool here. This is where I bought Founders Breakfast Stout the first time I had it. The staff isnt particularly knowledgeable about beer. The staff is usually willing to help you find beers in the store. The Root Cellar is just down the street from Trader Joes in Kenwood and is frankly a better stop than Trader Joes for beer.

06-16-2006 02:48:25 | More by nlmartin

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4/5  rDev 0%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Although I have a friend who hits up the Cellar and can grab me special stuff as needed, I checked it out firsthand today. Nice little place, more wine than beer, but the guy has boxes of beer tucked into every conceiveable place, really maximizing the inventory as best he can. I saw beers here that I haven't seen elsewhere, and promptly snapped 'em up! Most of the beers are room temp but some are stashed in coolers, which is a better bet for sake of freshness.

There is a table of singles to mix/match a sixer. Check for dates as I saw a wheat ale bottled in '07 that really should not be sold.

03-13-2009 18:07:09 | More by brewdlyhooked13

beachbum1975

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -7.5%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

Root Cellar is about 80% wine, but the 20% beer is very good. In my opinion, they have about 50/50 import versus craft beer. They are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is laid back and the staff has average beer knowledge. I've been there a dozen times and when approached, they've always been friendly and helpful. If you go there, be certain to go in the beer cave (behind all the refrigerated beers in the back of the store). Sometimes you can find hidden/forgotten goodies back there. Recommended.

09-05-2008 12:55:47 | More by beachbum1975

laintringulis

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -16.3%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$

The Root Cellar is a wine store that carries some nice brews. There are about 6 coolers with beer singles and six packs; mostly micros. The is a nice selection of imports. The bombers are primarly warm on open shelves. Large selection of Bell's, Stones, Avery, DFH. Founder's products are more hit or miss. The staff does not seem to be knowledgable about beer at all; however, the will try to help you locate items in the store and they are pleasant. Prices are quite reasonable compared to other store. Sometimes, you find some great odd beers, but they have a solid selection of micros and "common" Belgians.

09-15-2006 07:01:22 | More by laintringulis

cproioi

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -16.3%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Took the drive across the city to go here looking for a couple of Beligian Brews: Dupont Saison and a Lambic. Walking in the door the worker there doesn't even acknowledge my presents which makes me feel a little akward becuase I was the only customer there. However, he did offer to help me because my hand where full so he took my beer and placed it at the front desk to wait for me. It's a nice place that focuses mainly on wine but has a decent import and microbrew selection. Some treasures I found there where. Stone's 10th Anniversary Ale (which I'm drinking right now). Dupont, Westmalle, Chimay, Rocheforte, Chouffe, DFH, Bells and other fine beers. I paid around 8 dollars for the Saison (reasonable in my mind seeing I've bought other Saisons for close to $10) and $6.00 for the Stone's again which is to be expected.

08-25-2006 19:39:01 | More by cproioi

Onibubba

Kentucky

4/5  rDev 0%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Doesn't look like much from the outside, and the selection is smaller than waht you would find at the big Party stores, but I found several gems here that I did not find anywhere else on out beer run. We bought their last bottles of Fantome which I had not seen anywhere else, and Jolly Pumpkin's Noel, again, not seen anywhere else. They also had outstanding offerings from Alesmith - their Horny Devil and Speedway Stout. Lots of Seasonals in stock. I was very impressed and this will be a place to stop in again for sure.

01-14-2008 13:47:23 | More by Onibubba