Highland Package Store

ztaylor1

Alabama

3.7/5  rDev -14.5%
quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Location is very good. Very easy to find and it's located in a very nice part of town. The shop itself is very easy to spot with bright neon signs and a nice big sign out front.

The selection was absolutely amazing. they had everything avaialable in alabama. their huge on tap selection is what actually impressed me the most. great find.

There are two downfalls to this store: the prices, which were a bit steep, and the service. I actually dont even know if the attendant knew anything about beer because when i asked about it he gave a short answer and continued watching tv.

11-08-2010 02:29:43 | More by ztaylor1

dnrobert24

Alabama

3.84/5  rDev -11.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

If you are looking for a beer store in Birmingham that is most likely to carry X beer that you are looking for, you should start with Highland's Package store. Not much more can be said, except that they fill plastic 1/2 gallon "ghetto growlers" and have singles of some more rare beers individually priced. In the center aisle, there are singles from broken six-packs that can be purchased.

The owners have made it clear that they want to please the customers by having a wide selection, and while they are friendly, I've not had the customer service I would like to see in the beer store in Birmingham with the widest selection in town. For example, there is always a TV going, and whoever is working will stare at it first, then assist the customer second. One time I wanted to get a single of a beer that was not already in the center aisle, and they would not let me. Instead, they "helped" me by going through all the singles in the center aisle to look for the single I wanted. When it could not be found, a "special price" for my single was rung up--at a higher price than if it were in the singles aisle. The owner acted like he was doing me a favor by selling me the beer. Also, when I bought 4 singles of a Terrapin release that is normally in 4-packs, I had to pay a premium instead of the original 4-pack price because it was no longer on the shelf in 4-packs, but was in the singles cooler. Things like that make me knock the value and service marks.

As for quality, the beer has a fast turnover, so freshness is not usually a problem. One qualm I have is that they put the older beer out in the singles aisle. For most beer that doesn't matter, but I saw some older Sweetwater IPA mixed in there.

07-20-2011 19:16:31 | More by dnrobert24

gamwich

Hawaii

3.85/5  rDev -11.1%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

A convenient location easy to find in a strip right next to a Western Grocery. This package store has a very broad selection of beer, many of which are available as singles. Further, many of the selections could be purchased either from the cooler unchilled. The employees were friendly and happy to help, but did not seem to know a great deal about beer.

The best feature of the store is their draft selection. They have 25+ taps and sell draft beer to go by the quart, 1/2 gallon, or gallon. The draft beer comes in plastic (think milk jug) or one can buy a glass growler for $5. The draft selection was high quality and quite varied. One could get a "six pack" of draft beer - 6 quarts of different drafts for $35.

If looking for a place to buy beer in B'ham, one could do much worse than to visit Highland Package Store.

11-30-2010 13:03:56 | More by gamwich

Hopportunistic

Alabama

4.03/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.25 | $$

Although this place is a pretty good haul from my home, when I'm on that side of Birmingham, I always make it a point to stop at Highland Package Store and just take it all in. The selection is excellent, and if you can't find at least SOMETHING to drink, you're either just too picky or you're looking for the Fountain of Youth.

The employees are friendly, although I agree with some of the other reviews that they might put the TV programs one notch in front of the customers. Not really a problem for me, though, because I enjoy looking around on my own and don't need a lot of assistance. I actually like places that DON'T have some over-eager, in-your-face "salesperson" with an agenda trailing you like a puppy dog.

As for the prices, I think they are reasonable. After all, take a few things into account : they are definitely marketing themselves as a high-end craft brew seller, not as a Stop-N-Shop to buy a 6-pack of PBR and a couple of Slim Jims. Also, because of their target market, they are located in a historic downtown area with pretty high real estate prices, so they have to make a little cash to cover their overhead. I've been to many high-end package stores with good selections, and overall, Highland is really no more or less expensive than the others. With craft beers, as well as with anything else, you generally get what you pay for, and the prices are first set by the brewers and distributors anyway.

If you're ever in the area check them out. Cheers !

02-07-2013 19:29:31 | More by Hopportunistic

uabjeff

Alabama

4.1/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

I figured I should at least review my regular beer stop, so here goes:

Highland Package now has 52 beer taps, which makes them the largest draft selection in the state. They have a good variety of brewers and styles to choose from, including Good People (the local brewery). They have loads of selection in bottles and cans as well. There is still a 16oz. cap on bottle in Alabama, so as an earlier reviewer stated, no 22oz. bottles, which eliminates certain choices from the get go. They have a couple of knowledgeable people that work there. And if you are interested, they also have a large selection of wine and spirits. I usually stop here at least once a week to see what is new and stock up. It is by far the best store in Birmingham.

05-11-2011 15:38:10 | More by uabjeff

STKPICR0720

Alabama

4.21/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

This place pretty much has it all. Liquor, wine and the largest selection of beer in Alabama. Not too mention the ever growing selection of draft beer to go they have 55 beers on tap. Great place and a must stop for everyone. Here in Alabama we have to use milk jugs for the draft to go beer. Hopefully that will change one day. They also seemed to have large quantities of everything. The prices are reasonable to great. Like I said this store is doing very good at putting all the new beers that are now offered here in Alabama. If you need it they have it and if they do not they will get it for you.

07-06-2011 04:28:19 | More by STKPICR0720

GoblueMS

Mississippi

4.36/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

I have promoted this place many times in the forums section of BA. They have become the go-to destination for quality brew in the region (with the only exceptions being Green's in Atlanta, and Central Market in TX). You simply must stop and check their selection out. In the last year they have added additional cooler space and shelving to carry their ever expanding assortment of micro-brew. These guys know an opportunity when they see one!

They are good people, and their pricing is par for Alabama (remember that tax is an easy 10% on top of your purchase in AL). Their selection cannot be beat in the area!

10-29-2012 01:58:54 | More by GoblueMS

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.45/5  rDev +2.8%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Possibly the best selection of beer in Birmingham. If not, then definitely the place to go to get growlers filled. Highland Package Store always has a dozen high-quality beers on-tap for takeaway (1/2 gallon or gallon growlers sold at the premises, if needed) and the owner takes requests. The beer selection is stellar and changes regularly.

Yes, it's a bit pricey, but these are beers you won't find anywhere else in town except maybe Vulcan Beverage Company, and I believe their selection is a bit smaller.

Friendly knowledgeable staff; definitely recommended.

10-30-2010 18:59:46 | More by AgentMunky

CrookedStill

Alabama

4.46/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

If you're in the Highland area, go here. The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable about what they had stocked and would be getting soon. They have a wonderful selection of "draft-to-go" at reasonable prices and in a variety of sizes. This is the only place I've seen in Alabama that sells Wild Heaven's "Ode To Mercy" (a wonderful beer from Georgia that's not yet bottled). A very large selection of bottled beers to choose from with many available as singles.
Great store that I try to visit whenever I'm in the area.

03-25-2011 02:59:38 | More by CrookedStill

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.46/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Highland Package was recommended to me by my server at a local bar in the five points area. I was looking for a specific German beer and this place did not disappoint. They have a really good selection and I left with so much great stuff I probably damaged the suspension on our mini-van.

The staff were very friendly and helpful. There was a interesting cast of characters that are obviously regulars at this place. I enjoyed listening to them talk with the staff and I learned a lot.

There is a hodge-podge of singles in the middle of the beer section, so you really have to look carefully.

Probably a little pricey but a very cool place!

11-25-2011 18:14:07 | More by TrappistJohnMD