Spirit Haus

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev 0%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Walked in and quickly realized that the building was much larger than it appeared from the outside. Amazing selection. My jaw dropped to the floor. Most of the beers are also available at many other better MA beer stores. However, I also found growlers of Paper City and bombers of Hyland and People's Pint. I did a little leprechaun jump and clicked my heels together. Also, I could not really find an expired date. Even the BBC bombers I looked at were all within the date. They were helpful and essentially left me up to my own perusing unless I had a question.

11-26-2005 21:50:19 | More by MuddyFeet

Goldorak

Quebec (Canada)

4.65/5  rDev +6.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Looks like ski lodge from the outside, the wine is to your left, the Beer to your right. Lots of breweryana on display on the walls. Fridges full of stuff, isles chock full with even more! Selection is similar to Table and Vine, however they had a few gems that were worth stopping for. Fantome Babillard, a few aged old ales from the UK, Allagash four to name a few. No Triticus yet though, I really thought they would have had it by now.

What truly separates this establishment in my opinion was the service. A friendly staff that happily checked out the back for anything rare we could have missed, we chatted a while and they made me feel right at home, no attitude, condescension or fakeness. That seldom happens at a store, much less often at a liquor store. I also got free glasses and a discount, which pretty much made prices the same as at T&V.

07-19-2005 19:02:19 | More by Goldorak

grassrootsVT

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +3.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Visited this establishment a week ago - before descending upon the Moan and Dove. Immediately was impressed with the selection of Saisons and Biere de Gardes - the entire dupont lineup, jenlain, thiriez, saison d'epeautre, la choulette, etc. Myriad english beers and the standard run of Belgians. The american section included all of the name worthy breweries - DFH, Stone, Bear Republic.
The manager spoke with me and asked me if i had any questions - which i did - and i rapped with him about the Vermont brewpub/beer scene for a bit. Said he'd like to attend the VT Festival. Gave me the run down on the Thiriez lineup and we talked a while about the Saison products. When I arrived at the checkout, there was a few pint glasses and a discount waiting for me ['twas a large purchase!].
A pleasant experience in a quaint store. Not overwhelming.
Impressive.

06-26-2005 18:15:56 | More by grassrootsVT

connecticutpoet

Connecticut

4.85/5  rDev +11.5%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5

I had been here many years ago, so I couldn't wait to get back. Had to make a special trip, but it was worth it.

Te sheer number of varieties, vintages, etc. makes this by far the most varied store I have ever been to. Also the most dedicated to beer. Rather cramped though.

I went there hunting for Chaotic Chemistry, and was not disappointed. Also, I spent some time talking to an employee, and he suggested a couple of Weyerbacher brews, the Insanity and Heresy. I took his advice and got them... and was VERY glad I did. These were two perfect beers, in my estimation. (Have not had the Chaotic Chemistry yet... have to wait for a special occasion to have a $20 bottle of beer.)

The only downside was that they overcharged me. Rather than scan the Insanity and then the Heresy, the cashier scanned the Insanity twice, overcharging me $1.70. I didn't notice this until I got home, so I emailed them. They offered to refund the money, and I am satisfied.

If you can get there, GO. Don't even think twice. Just have plenty of money and a list of what you've had.

04-01-2005 16:19:36 | More by connecticutpoet

vladtheimpaler

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -11.5%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5

Had heard about this place, so made it a point to stop by on my weekend MA trip. This place is a great place to nab the NE only brews, as well as imports that you may not have been able to come by in other stores. Great selection of all the local micros. As well as micros from around the country. It looked like every micro available in MA was present. The import selection was equally impressive. Many rare brews can be found here. Vintages as well (TH, Cantillon, SA Tripel Bock etc). Picked up over a dozen domestic micros here that I had not had or seen yet. Will stop in again at some point, for sure.

02-23-2005 15:34:14 | More by vladtheimpaler

goodbyeohio

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -2.3%
quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5

wonderful place, made my 4th trip today from CT- about time to review it. great look from the outside with the germanic lettering on the dark wood exterior. inside, the layout of the store is rather organized and kept up well.

sixers on the right side, shelves on the left.. first american, then uk, then belgian, then "other" (unibroue, tiger beer, etc.). single selection is mind-blowing in its obscurity. lots of cantillon, weyerbacher, all the rapscallions, at least 3 of the victory big beers, 3-4 lagunitas and ALL of the quintines! unfortunately, lots of the 750s are stored on their sides (corked ones and capped ones).

the real prize here is the walk-in fridge. on my first visit, i thought it was for employees only. on my second, i saw a customer walk back there so i followed. today in the fridge i found a whole bunch of stone 03.03.03 VE, fantome saison (not on the shelves), and some older maredsous 8 (old label!).

the staff is pleasant, but not aggressive enough or knowledgeable. there is probably one guy who is, but the degenerate kids who work there dont seem to have a clue. the one who packed up my order didn't know the difference between a wine box and a beer box.

still, a great store.

01-19-2005 03:36:33 | More by goodbyeohio

Rastacouere

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +3.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5

Probably around 500 beer bottles indeed in the half of the store that consists of beer. It’s a bit messy, very small, looking like a rather large wood shack from the outside. They had rare stuff like saison d’épeautre, the 2 étienne dupont. de ranke père noël 2001 in jeroboam which I couldn’t resist buying, christoffel blonde, beersel gueuze and kriek are still there, probably 7-8 cantillon, but unfortunately there were no hanssens, still a few hardys vintages etc. Indeed some dusty bottles, but it’s a good place to buy big tough beers. I unfortunately didn’t really find the rarest local brews I was looking for (watch city, cadillac stout, ipswich porter..). Great store still, I like the experience as a whole to have the feeling you may find hidden treasures at the rear of the shelves or in that big fridge where bottles are a bit mixed up. To me more interesting than a clean store where everything is predictable. I didn’t ask for help, but was a bit disappointed by the cashier who went with a &quo;You guys are killing me&quo; when me and Martin crossed his cash buying somewhere above 200$ of singles. One of the rare place to find newport storms I assume (02 and 03), a lot of rare shelton beers.

10-12-2004 16:48:23 | More by Rastacouere

twelvsies

Maine

4.8/5  rDev +10.3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is a great beer store. They also have a bunch of wine and liqour, if any one cares. But primarily, this place specializes in beer. They have a great selection; everything from good ol' Pabst to Cantillon. They have a ton of Belgians, bunch of German beer, bunch of English. They have good keg selection, I am pumped that they have the Sierra Nevada brown ale because that stuff is so delicious and it seems to be hard to find. I can't seem to find the rarer Dogfish Head beers there, like 120-minute and Raison D'Extra, but that's ok because I believe I've only seen that stuff in one place, which would be D's in Pittsburgh. All in all though, excellent selection, friendly staff, and great quality beer. Definately the best in the area.

09-27-2004 05:03:34 | More by twelvsies

edchicma

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +11.5%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5

A definite gem in the Westyern part of the state. Interesting coolers for a wide variety of brews. Wooden doors with windows...very appropriate. Unbelievable selection of brews....Belgians...English...Imports....They told em if they didnt't have it they could order it...very helpful staff. Even had a locked cabinet that included Thos Hardy 1995. Sold most offerings by single bottle if so desired. Prices were very reasonable. Easy to spend a good amount of time just browsing. A definite must stop if you are in the area.

04-19-2004 03:42:42 | More by edchicma

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +11.5%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5

A must stop on travels through the Amherst area on Rte 9, scant minutes from such other destinations as Amherst Brewing, Maplewood Farm & Brewery, and the Moan and Dove.

Found myself here again this weekend after being thwarted in attempting to partake at the Moan and Dove's current Belgian-fest ("opening at 4PM due to early Spring cleaning"? BAH!) and decided I must satisfy the Belgian jonesing. Just picked up a couple this time around, but there is always an incredible selection of local and not-so-much micros, macros, and imports. Have the best deal on Paper City 1/4 kegs, $55, it's where I have been going exclusively for the past few years for kegs. Can be a bit cramped for space at times, but cool, that means even more beer is available!

All in all, great beer, great help, great place.

01-26-2004 16:37:45 | More by ppoitras