Best Damn Beer Shop (Krisp Beverages + Natural Foods)

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.21/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Best Damn is inside the Super Junior Market on the outer edge of downtown. Easy on-street metered parking.

Loads of beers along one long series of shelves and more on shelves opposite. This place is definatley import/Belgian heavy, so if you want to drop loads of cash on Mikkler, this is your place. The usual suspects for SoCal though, and only a sign on the shelf where the Pliney and Blind Pig should be that states "Pliney and Blind Pig, two bottle limit". (I guess you can take down the sign if you have none to sell?)

Probably the best selection in SD proper, and certainly the go-to place since Southbay drugs closed up about a year ago. I was asked if I needed any help, which is high marks for service in my book!

10-12-2011 00:20:33 | More by brewandbbq

Mscarpen

Tennessee

4.61/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Its been said many times, Sid is the heart and magic behind Best Damn Beer Shop. I visited this store with of a buddy of mine while on a business trip not knowing what to expect. Within 2 minutes of entering the store, Sid had spotted us, engaged us in discussion, and had us "felt out" for our tastes and preferences. I had no intention of flying beer home, but $120 later, my buddy and I had scored a treasure trove of exceptional beers not available in the mid-west (either due to distribution territories or depletion of local inventory). Since then, I've kept in touch with Sid and even made a couple of amazing trades. Best Damn Beer Shop lives up to its name and deserves a visit if you're ever in the San Diego Gas Lamp district.

10-09-2011 11:54:32 | More by Mscarpen

Brewzer1010

California

4.88/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

There isn't much I can add that hasn't already been said. Sid runs the best bottleshop in town, hands down. He is always down to talk beer and will send you in the right direction if you tell him what you are looking for. The selection is fantastic. The email/facebook updates make it easy to reserve some new arrivals, and Sid seems to get good quantities of everything. The prices are very reasonable. Some say the neighborhood is a bit sketchy - it's not glamorous, however I worked across the street for 9 years and I can tell you that the area is safe. If I didn't live 25 miles away, I would be here multiple times weekly. Keep up the good work Sid!

08-31-2011 00:56:16 | More by Brewzer1010

Sebowski

California

4.88/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Great beer shop. Whenever I am close to this place it is a no-brainer to see what Sid has in stock. I remember when the selection was half what it is now and was still one of the best n town. Great for fresh new releases and the newest wave of Belgains/Mikkeller/etc... Parking can sometimes take a minute since it is right downtown, but it is well worth it. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. I send a lot of people staying downtown here and they always thank me for it.

Check this place out if you can.

08-28-2011 06:00:03 | More by Sebowski

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -14.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

I'm glad I stopped in during my most recent visit to San Diego. As others have mentioned, the beer is tucked away in a grocery store - kind of cool to find such an awesome selection in such a place. Much of the beer is kept in coolers, particularly anything that requires drinking fresh. Plenty of bottles suitablr for aging, big beers and Belgians primarily, were stored at room temp. Lots of singles, including some limited releases, as well as a decent six pack selection. It's not the largest selection that I've seen, but just about everything on the shelf was something worth drinking. I didn't experience the same service others have apparently had, but had no issues either - about what I expected for a grocery turned beer store. Definitely stop by if you're in the area.

08-22-2011 20:30:31 | More by DrJay

ThreeWiseMen

California

4.39/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped in here for the first time yesterday and was absolutely blown away! I've never encountered such a dense and diverse beer selection before. As put by my good friend JustinA1, "They just have everything." I was particularly impressed by the amount of Russian imperial stouts available, though every style was very well represented. I honestly can't say enough - you'll just have to stop in and see it for yourself. (After reading a review below, I will second the fact that I didn't spot any Alpine IPAs. This may be a glaring blemish in some beer enthusiasts minds, but as a San Diego resident who can find Alpine at a number of other locations, this fact doesn't bother me much at all.)

Please note that Best Damn Beer Shop is located inside a typical-looking urban market (Super Jr. Market). The establishment is just a small grocery store with an amazing beer section. The woman at the register didn't offer us any assistance in our beer search, nor did she comment on any of the beers we purchased. That's all fine by me - I rarely need help in choosing beer; I don't think service should weigh into a beer store's grade (unless it's exceptionally good/bad). About half of the beer is chilled, including all of the beer not meant to be aged: lagers, pale ales, etc.

This store is amazing! An absolute must stop when you visit San Diego!

08-08-2011 04:09:12 | More by ThreeWiseMen

FARGO619

California

5/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

This place is awesome. Don't know what the "C" is all about. This person didn't even say what was wrong with the place. Looks like a 'Freddy' thing to me, and I'm sure he had something to do with it. BEV4LESS in Santee sucks. Anyway, check this place out. They have an awesome selection ranging from very hard to find stuff to beers you can't get in other places. They have a long cooler full of good beers that do chill the beers that's placed on the shelf before them. The only thing that sucks is finding a meter near by, but I won't dock 'em for that. Check this place out...it's awesome. You can always call ahead and have your order ready for you to pick up.

08-01-2011 19:55:05 | More by FARGO619

meintempe

Arizona

4.94/5  rDev +10.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Visiting from Arizona and wow this place impressed me. They had so many California beers I had never come across before. I met the guy who does the bulk orders for the beer and he was extremely helpful in showing me Californias finest. Not only that but he invited me out for drinks with him at a local bar called Johnny browns. Class act for introducing me to the San diego scene as well as treat me to some awesome beer tastings. Overall I was happy to spend a lot of money here for great beer! Thanks again omar!

08-01-2011 04:09:20 | More by meintempe

easong

California

3.15/5  rDev -29.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$

I don't like to give beer places bad reviews, but I have a responsibility to fellow BAs who might inconvenience themselves, as you guys always do it for me. Went here when I stayed in the neighborhood recently during a Giants-Padres series. Looking for an Alpine IPA or maybe another great local product I can't find in the Bay Area. Damn, actually, none. Settled for a Pliny from back home and an Avery Maharaja from Boulder. Yes the one in Colorado. Gave the Pliny to my brother-in-law to take back to NC. The Belgian section looked better stocked. But still, San Diego, this is Not Really the Best Damn Beer Shop, simply average in the context of a great American beer town.

07-31-2011 20:38:51 | More by easong

Armand

California

5/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

When in San Diego you gotta' try this place. Looks like a small deli-like place in downtown, but the selection of their beers a extensive. You are sure to find some nice bottles here. Usually stocked up on West Coast beers along with some rare bottles you don't see everyday. Making a good purchase give them a call to have it ready for you at the counter. Meter parking sucks, but knowing that you can have your stuff boxed up and ready to go is awesome. They have a long cooler shelf that cools up the beer across the isle. Nicely stored refrigerated place.

07-17-2011 02:48:11 | More by Armand