Binny's Beverage Depot - Lincoln Park

barczar

Kentucky

3.88/5  rDev -12.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in at Binny's after the requisite trip to GI Clybourne. I had about an hour to shop, and I took advantage of every minute in the craft beer area. Not being from the Chicago area, I was glad to see their local selections on the shelves: Half Acre, Metropolitan, etc. But that's not terribly impressive, given the proximity.

There were several other offerings that I was more impressed with, such varieties from Port, Firestone Walker, Lagunitas... The international section was also well-represented, albeit a little too pricey for my budget (not that Binny's controls pricing completely).

I managed to escape with 4 bombers, 2 sixers, and a pint for about $75, all decent, but not exceptional, offerings. I guess I was really hoping to find something a little more special, maybe something somewhat vintage or rare in some way. The only thing I came across in that vein was a local brew being sold only 1 per customer, for $6.66 at the request of the brewmaster for Local Option. Being a novelty, I couldn't resist, but reviews indicate it's just that...nothing to get excited about.

I think I could've gone up a couple points if they had offered singles. So many beers, so little suitcase space.

10-20-2011 17:46:16 | More by barczar

vince4953529

California

3.94/5  rDev -10.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I visited this place in June during my rare Midwest trip. The place is like the Bevmo in CA in term of atmosphere: big boxed warehouse store with high ceiling with florescent lights and aisles of alcoholic drinks.
Most of the bottles were stored at room temp, which is understandable, there were also assorted six-packs and bombers in their limited coolers.

Myself being a CA residence, I just love staring all these beers not available in the home state. They had an astonishing import selections (German, Canadian, Belgian...), trumped everything that CA would ever gets. They also had a pretty complete inventories of New Holland, Great Lakes, Hoppin Frog, Dark Horse, Clown Shoes, Southern Star, Metropolitan, and some random smaller Illinois breweries, cans of Half Acre. The FFF selections were rather poor though, grabbed myself a bomber of Arctic Panzer Wolf.

It sucks that they do not break up the singles. I had to buy a lot of the 6 or 4 packs just to try those beers. Having to travel by plane I had to make room for all those sixers and four-packs that I bought and forego many other tempting choices.

The service was fine, the guy working the aisles did not bother giving helps or recommendations, they were not rude but a bit cold. The cashiers were very friendly and smiled a lot, which was a plus.

Overall very decent, but next time I am in Chicago I would rather frequent stores that offer singles.

07-13-2011 02:50:03 | More by vince4953529

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -8.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Convenient to those visiting Goose Island Clybourn, also very close to 90. I stopped here many times when it was a Sam's location, now that it's a Binny's the selection is sort of unchanged. Like most Binny's you can't really go wrong, you'll find something for anybody's tastes and probably a few things you can't find elsewhere. On this particular visit, that something special was Flossmoor's Vinshu's Vice IPA, with a $1 price reduction for Binny's members too.

Hundreds of beers, if you've been to another Binny's you pretty much know what you'll find here. For real rarities you might need to go to West Lakeview or possibly even Armanetti's, but you can get much everything else here.

08-28-2010 16:11:58 | More by TurdFurgison

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.16/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

There's nothing like having a few brews over at Goose Island across the street and then going beer shopping!

Atmosphere: A big warehouse full of booze: Beer, wine,....you name it. Very spacious indeed, with walls of beer in the back left hand corner, coolers in the back as well, and several very large beer isles slightly left of the center of the store. All of these were neatly arranged by brewery/country.

Quality and Service: I didn't see any old, dusty bottles sitting around, but please understand that this place was packed! I honestly don't think many brews that they deem shelf worthy (which there is obviously a reason for that) sit around for very long. A couple of staff members asked if I need help while I was there, but I pretty much knew what I was doing and they caught on to that, so they left me alone.

Selection: No FFF, but I guess that is par for the course in the Chi-town region. No matter... my goal for this venture was Flossmoor Station and Half Acre. While I didn't bring find any of their "reserves" here, I did manage to walk away with a Flossmoore IPA and Pullman Brown, and a 4/pk of Half Acre Daisy Cutter and Gossamer. All in all, a worthwhile trek. NOTE: Lots of overseas goodies here!

Value: I thought the prices were reasonable and about what I would pay for a quality bomber and 4/pk in the DC area. Not bad....

I'm sure I will stumble here from Goose Island Clyburn again on the next visit as well!

01-04-2012 02:42:43 | More by Chaney

MarcatGSB

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I have been to a few Binny's in my travels through Chicago in the last few years, and I have to say this one has the best beer selection I have come across. I'm not surprised, being right next to Goose Island Clybourn.

The four rows of bombers/6 packs/and C&C 750's was very impressive. I spent two separate occasions scouring the selection. With that being said, I didn't find anything that was very surprising for me. Sure they had Angels Share from Lost Abbey, and some other interesting brews, but it seems as though it gets picked over quite often. Their KBS allotment of one case was gone in an hour and a half. So they get some traffic.

On a side note, their whiskey selection is top notch. Not as good as the South Loop Binny's, but pretty close, and great prices. They still have some of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and some rare hard to find Lagavulin 12 year. Worth a stop.

03-29-2011 14:35:06 | More by MarcatGSB

SpdKilz

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Went here last Christmas after going to Goose Island Clyburn. I'll make this simple and sweet.

We walked in, it was Christmas time, we were greeted by a nice woman, an employee asked if we needed help in the beer isle almost immediately. They had some damn good selections, lots of JP beers, Souther Tier Cuvee series, etc. The value was decent as it is with most Binny's. If I am in the city and near GI, I will always stop here to see what they have. Definitely a good beer store in Chicago. I guess this is the place where they released the BCBRS, accordingly, and I can't think of a better location.

02-23-2011 04:02:51 | More by SpdKilz

KeefD

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Decided to stop into this store after leaving Goose Island Clybourn, and I'm glad I did. Great selection of brews, two solid rows, whether it be in sixers or bombers. Picked up BA B.O.R.I.S., Alllagash Interlude, and Ska Decadent, all brews I can't get at home. The three bottles cost me $51, so it definitely wasn't cheap, but I'm really happy to get the chance to try these. Service was just fine, the cashier was nice. I didn't talk to anyone, but I did see employees talking beer to other customers, but they probably left me alone since I had headphones on, which is fine by me, because sometimes I don't need help when I'm just browsing around. Very glad I stopped in here and picked some brews to take home!

02-05-2010 21:35:33 | More by KeefD

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

As noted, right across the street from Goose Island so if you're in the area and from out of town, one could argue you're a fool for not dropping in. Selection was impressive, imports more broad than anywhere in Wisconsin. The prices were ok, and the service was good as well... I received recommendations on beers I hadn't heard of (not a schooled on imports) and given direction as to where beers were. Some beers were in coolers and some not. This would seem to be my go to place if I was in the area but alas I live in central Wisconsin, where we have some very good microbreweries, but a virtual wasteland when it comes to imports.

01-13-2011 18:14:07 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

t0rin0

California

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Visited numerous times on my two trips to IL in 2010. Conveniently located to Goose Island Clybourn.

Lots of beer to select from. There are a couple of rows and a number of fridge doors dedicated to beer as well as a whole room for cases. It was frustrating that a lot of the beer wasn't available in singles. One employee explained that it had something to do with state law, which didnt make any sense because there were lots of singles to choose from, just not some of the stuff I was looking to try. Oh well.

The service is attentive and asks if you need help. They are happy to answer any questions that they are able to answer. On my last trip I ran into a character that goes by Vav. Real nice guy that seems to do everything he can to get some good stuff into the store. What I found interesting was that he knew who I was (at least he knew who t0rin0 was).

Prices are reasonable on most things, high on some. Will definitely return if I can get back to Chicago.

01-31-2011 00:32:21 | More by t0rin0

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I have been going to this Binny's since it was the flagship Sam's store, and nothing has changed. They still have a huge, spacious store filled with beer, wine, and spirits (along with a deli section), and the beer selection is quite solid. It does not hurt that they are located right next to Goose Island Clybourn.

They may not get some of the smaller offerings that the specialty bottle shops get, but overall their selection is great. Their aisles are filled with nearly everything that is distributed in Chicago, in every price range.

They have had some fun events there in the past. The Goose Island Bourbon County Rare release was here, and even though it was freezing outside, the store did a fairly good job of keeping everything in order.

The one downside is that with the incredible volume that they get, they will sell out of popular limited releases immediately, so you should head to a smaller specialty shop. But for the regular offerings, I am confident that they will have a full, fresh selection of solid beer.

02-01-2011 19:38:51 | More by KickInTheChalice