D&Q Mini Mart

MIA4IPA

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

First time down in Texas and thanks to other BAs this was the place to come for craft beer. The place was a little messy and unorganized but the service and atmosphere was great. The window shelves and around the store was filled with empty craft beer bottles from around the US. I don't know if its a Texas thing but a lot of the beer is kept refrigerated which in the same aspect was nice because their was a lot to choose from that I could drink right away! The buyer was there and he was very helpful and a lot of fun to talk with. I picked up a lot of Jester King, Ranger Creek and deschutes. Abyss was not available yet. Also a bonus was a lot of glassware.

A great stop to come to for some local craft beer!!

12-30-2012 02:05:14 | More by MIA4IPA

Dajtai007

Texas

4.94/5  rDev +12.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Walking in to the place you are bombarded with beers and fish. Yes, fish. Fish tanks all around, its quite pleasing to see little fishies mingling with bottle after bottles of beer. Bottle decorate the walls, some of them really sought after. The selection is pretty expansive, with lots of obscure beers and hard to gets. A massive selction of "build your own" six packs and glassware. The prices may be a tad bit higher than the large liquor store, but you get a better selection of beers and great customer service. The guy knows his beer. I highly recommend this place for craft beers, as do others.

11-26-2012 21:03:35 | More by Dajtai007

94Sip

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

I have always been a Specs customer, but since I work by D&Q I decided to give it a try. They easily compete with Specs midtown. Brandon, the owner(?), is super helpful and when I asked him to recommend me some beers he picked out 6 that have been outstanding. He did this after asking me what I liked and talking about beer for a little while.

They have the best selection of Boulevard beers I have found in Houston. They also have a great selection of singles which is really great when branching out into new styles.

Lastly, as others have said, they have a great selection of glassware - I have bought a Unibroue tulip and a Young's Double Chocolate Stout tulip. So what if they are dusty - you are going to wash it before using it right?

09-14-2012 23:50:52 | More by 94Sip

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.54/5  rDev -19.2%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

So I was on a family trip to Galveston and had a chance to spend the day in Houston. I was eager to check this place out from the amazing reviews it has received. 

Alas, I was somewhat disappointed in the fact that I was expecting sheer awesomeness.  The vibe was like I walked into a head shop with loud stand up comedy on the big screen. No warm welcome or even an acknowledgment.

The selection was decent they had a few big beers but nothing too spectacular. The Belgian selection was sub par at best and besides a few Mikkeller's and Jester Kings there was nothing that I couldn't get back home in OK. Pricing was steep by a few bucks a bottle IMO. I paid $44 for two 750's and a 12oz single. Shockingly selling single 12oz run of the mill craft beer for $3.49. Outrageous!  

They did have a great selection of glass wear but the layout was confusing and unless I just missed it I saw no warm six packs. Too many beers in the cooler I don't really want a beer from the cooler.

All in all a decent experience but nothing breathtaking but for a mini mart it scores big points.  I can honestly say that this is no go to stop unless you want exclusives which you must have to ask for.  

07-13-2012 03:53:14 | More by Hopswagger

Hopmodium

Washington

4.44/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

After reading about this place on BA I decided to drive the 30+ miles each way to give it a shot and I am glad that I did. I had planned on also going to Spec's Liquor Warehouse on the way home but after filling up my backseat at D&Q with gems there was no need. The reviews I read were correct, Brandon is ultra-knowledgeable and kind, so was the lady that worked there with him. I will certainly be making the monthly pilgrimage downtown, fighting off insane drivers and poor roads easily knowing that I WILL be able to find some QUALITY beers that I have not tried yet. I picked up 9 bombers (including some that I had never heard of), a growler from (512) Brewery, and a 4 pack of Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA from He'Brew as well as a 6-pack of mixed brews for under $115.

They also have cool shirts from local breweries for affordable prices. There is a (blech) wine section as well for those unfortunate souls we call co-workers, friends and family. Snacks, smokes, sunglasses, hand-blown glass items, ice, local publications and many other products found in "mini-marts" are also available. Beer signs, glasses, and other promotional paraphernalia are also for sale. After chatting a bit with the propreitors I was given an awesome Hop Rising poster so I would go away ;)

This should be a Texas landmark!

06-02-2012 01:01:52 | More by Hopmodium

kungpao

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Brandon is a stand up guy and his little shop is a convenient stop for craft beer. Good selection of beer and great selection of glass ware. He usually has some interesting limited release stuff in the back. Also he's the only bottle shop in town that you can get a growler fill (which is awesome). Long live D n Q! Now I'm just typing some more stuff to fill up the 500 character minimum limit that is kind of lame. Its easy enough to describe a place in less then 500 characters, no need for a essay.

12-27-2011 17:32:10 | More by kungpao

greenspointexas

Texas

5/5  rDev +14.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $

Selection is the 2nd best in Houston, hands down. This place has more beer than any other place within 150 miles except Specs Midtown. However, the great thing about this place is that the owner, Brandon, always has stuff the big boys dont. Because of Texas' crazy distribution laws, he either gets stuff Specs doesnt have or gets it before anyone else does, so you can always count on finding some "suprises" each time you go.

Ive been a customer for almost 3 years now and visit this place once a week or so. Best service in Texas and very friendly place. Amazing that more people dont know about this place, but hey, more for me right? A++

10-12-2011 23:02:47 | More by greenspointexas

LadyOfMuchBeer

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

From the street this place is just a mini-mart, inside it is a beer enthusiasts candy shop.

The beer selection is always changing and you never know what will be pulled out and put on the shelf. Prices can be a little higher than liquor stores, but are still reasonable.

If you like to build your own 6-er, this is the spot, he has hundreds of choices! You can also buy singles, don't even have to choose all six. His glassware selection is impressive and my daughter likes picking up a gourmet soda or brewer brand root beer when we come in.

Service is spot-on. This guy knows and loves his beer as much as we do, and is awesome to talk beer with! Much more personable than any Specs retailer I have ever met. Worth the trip every time as I live about 40 miles north of this store.

08-26-2011 13:10:51 | More by LadyOfMuchBeer

RexlySnipes

Texas

5/5  rDev +14.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

I love this place always has whats new and there are so many beers to select from. They are also so many different styles of glassware, the glassware is cheap and the beers are exceptionally price great place to go to when you want that late night great beer and the grocery store trash just ain't going to cut it!!!! I love the build your on six-pack and i've also heard that they are putting in a new growler station. Which is a really a great idea. cant wait to see what they are going to offer!

08-16-2011 23:23:32 | More by RexlySnipes

shoky01

Texas

4.28/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

Holy crap an awesome beer store! So good in fact, Ive been often enough to take the Foursquare mayorship. Originally went because a friend told me they had Unibroue Chamby Noire, I wasted no time getting there to find the last bottle. I asked the owner if they happened to have any more and he gladly went into the cooler and grabbed the rest for me. Also found several rare Saint Arnold Divine Reserves just sitting on a shelf. Im always surprised at something when i stop in there. And if nothing else i can always talk beer with the owner. He always keeps stock of stuff that even Spec's Smith st doesnt. We always hit both in one trip cause its so far for us. They charge a little more than most liquor stores but they also have more. The sheer brewer glass selection is impressive, and any beer enthusiast worth his bottle opener would not skip those 2 aisles. Love this place, will keep going there as long as they are in business.

08-08-2011 20:35:30 | More by shoky01