Siciliano's Market

sullenbee

Michigan

5/5  rDev +8.7%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

What do you need to know?

Just go there.

This place is my favorite go-to beer store. Friendly and informative staff, excellent selection, and reasonable prices.

Honestly, what more can you ask for?

An excellent source for the homebrewer, or someone just starting out expanding their beer horizons. Also has cigars, wine making supplies, and books.

There is no other store like it in Grand Rapids. A one stop-all you need- experience. Well, besides food. But who needs that when you have beer?

01-22-2011 04:09:58 | More by sullenbee

Gorgoroth

Michigan

5/5  rDev +8.7%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I have been a regular at Siciliano's Market for several years now (well, basically since I turned 21, nearly 3½ years ago). I used to live about a mile down the road at an apartment complex and go there several times a week. Now a live a little ways across town and don't get there as much as I'd like, but I'm still a regular shopper.

Siciliano's has made some marked improvements in their selection recently. An entire glass case at the front counter which used to house cigars, I believe, is now filled with glassware which had previously always been missing. The glassware selection is pretty good and the prices are fair. They are now also carrying numerous gift/sampler packs (Ommegang, a Belgian sampler of some sort, etc.) which were previously also not carried. The Belgian import section seems to be ever-growing, which is nuts because it was always huge -- easily the biggest in West Michigan and probably the biggest in the state -- but now it's just getting outrageous. The amount of Belgian specialty and high-end beers is overwhelming despite the fact that they're all essentially crammed as tightly as possible onto one shelving unit.

The rest of the beer selection is massive with very little if anything missing. Singles of everything, most of it stored on floor space, but there is plenty of beer in their singles fridges and the large walk-in cooler as well. The prices here are at highest market average, sometimes a bit lower, but usually right on par.

There is also a lot of non-beer stuff to look through and buy in the store: lots of homebrewing equipment, cigars and bulk pipe tobacco, tobacco pipes and equipment, bulk coffee, an entire liquor wall behind the counter, a decent selection of wine and mead in the back corner, non-alcoholic drinks in the cooler, beer, wine and alcohol-related books and magazines, and more.

The owner and staff are unparalleled: all very knowledgeable, approachable, friendly, and helpful. They all know their stuff when it comes to beer and anything else the store has to offer. If you're from the area, make this a regular stop; if you're not from the area try to visit here if you're ever in Grand Rapids!

01-18-2011 00:07:44 | More by Gorgoroth

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +8.7%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This place doesn't look special due to it's size but don't let it fool you. Place is packed inside, allows singles of most if not all of its beers, and the service was great as well. The people there were well versed in the releases and breweries and very helpful. There was many beers I couldn't find in other places as well including some high end beers. This is the best store I have had the pleasure of walking into in the state of Michigan and the scores need to show accordingly. The cost was ok, maybe a little higher but I bought quite a bit and in general Michigan is a little more costly for beer than Wisconsin (not to mention I lose the bottle deposit every time). I would definitely go back again, Perfect Score!

01-13-2011 22:44:18 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

Stigs

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +1.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped here during a recent MI trip around the state to do a little shopping before hitting up Founders.

Unassuming place from the outside, but walk inside and is literally beer everywhere you turn. Like some sort of twisted dream. Though it bites into the organiization, and finding specific things you are looking for, it makes for great browsing and and exuse to "go aorund the store one more time".

Selection was awesome - up there with the best stores I have been in, with a good mix of Belgian, German, domestic micros, and regional/locals. I had no problem filling up just over a case of various 12's and 22's since most prices were $1-3 cheaper than what I pay at home.

There was also a nice homebrewing supplies and ingredients area which I would have spent more time in if I had more room in the car. A couple of the people I was with do some winemaking and they were impressed with that section as well.

Service was good, rang us up quickly and the case discount (10% off bill) worked out in my favor via a $12 deduction.

Awesome store, one I will surely not miss when in the area again.

11-18-2010 22:08:12 | More by Stigs

Another6Pack

Michigan

4.14/5  rDev -10%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped here after visiting IBS, which certainly set a high bar for comparison. I expected more from what is currently an A+ beer store. The selection is good, but I didn't find much there that I can't find at any other solid A store (my beer searches are limited to domestics). The beer is spread out over what is a fairly cramped, maze-like shop. The beer cave is a little creepy with its low ceiling and old freezer door. First saw an employee at the checkout, and the girls behind the counter were nice enough.

To be fair, the selection is good enough that I would return if I were in or lived in the area. I would, however, go during non-peak times to make sure I had enough room to move around and to get out of the parking lot in one piece.

UPDATE: visited a couple times in the last few months and an update is warranted.
Recent expansion completely eliminated the cramped, maze-like feel. The beer cave is still there - unchanged in its creepiness - but is being put to better use (all the Short's brews are now kept in the chiller - hooray and thank you!). And I've visited regularly enough to properly judge how well they are getting in several brands that I have not seen anywhere else.

10-10-2010 01:38:16 | More by Another6Pack

elalber

Indiana

4.85/5  rDev +5.4%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

these were, by far, the most helpful,knowledgeable, and nice people ever. I gave them a list of 8 beers and they could tell me off the top of their heads what they had. We are from out of town and they asked where we were headed and pretty much planned the rest of our trip. Couldn't have asked for better. also the resident beer guru was a girl and I find that especially awesome. If you are looking for something special go in and these guys will find it for you (even if they don't happen to have it) Some have rated this a bit high for price but obviously they aren't acquainted with the price of beer-it was quite competitive.

08-20-2010 21:09:33 | More by elalber

MrOH

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +4.3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Visited on 7-28-2010.

It seems like they did some remodeling up front with the tobacco and with the homebrew equipment and grains off to the left. Good selection of homebrew supplies, but didn't pay too much attention as I didn't plan on making a purchase.
Beer selection is awesome. Tons of Michigan and other regional brews, the rest of the country is well represented with what is distributed to West Michigan, and a large import variety. Turnover isn't always so great, but they don't dust the bottles so you can usually tell what's been sitting around. Sunlight does hit some of the bottles up front, so be selective.

Almost everything is sold single bottle price, so if you can pick up a sixer of something somewhere else, you'll probably get a better deal.

Service is great, they recognized us as being from out of state from the beers we were picking out, and once we asked a few questions, I was recognized as having been a former local customer, even though I only bought a mixed sixer every month or so before I moved two years prior. Overall, a great experience and a must stop every time we go to visit the inlaws.

08-05-2010 04:04:15 | More by MrOH

morimech

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

For some reason I had a hard time finding this place. I swore Google Maps gave me the complete opposite side of town. But once I did arrive I was greated by a great, little shop that packs its spaces full of great things. The staff let me browse in peace even though it took me a long time to browse. I sort of expected every store in the area to have a great selection, but was surprised that they usually just a few Bells and Founders 6-packs. But Siciliano's is the mecca of craft beer, that every community needs. After visiting this store, I have a good comprehension of what beer is available in West Michigan. The prices seemed a little high but I had no prior experience buying craft beer in Michigan.

07-17-2010 04:19:09 | More by morimech

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +1.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

I was looking forward to visiting this place for some time now. After reading reviews, I figured it would compare with the other "big boy" places I have visited in the past. Yep...I was pretty much right on the money!

I stopped in early on a weekday, so I was one of the only people in the place...had lots of time to quietly browse the shelves and coolers. Speaking of which...there are a ton of places they stash beer here. Coolers along the back wall, halfway down the left side wall and a tangle of shelves in the left-center of the store. The right side of the store seemed to be dedicated to home brewing supplies (sorry, I know nothing about that stuff)...

There is also a walk in cooler that hid some beers that were not in the outside coolers or on the shelves.

You will need at least an hour to shuffle through this place...especially if you are not familiar with MI beers.

The staff was very friendly and helpful. This is a must stop for any beer person traveling through the Grand Rapids area. Warning...have lots of free time and bring lots of money!

05-18-2010 20:59:35 | More by mgbickel

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev -6.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Siciliano's was the first of many stops Sweemzander and I made while in Grand Rapids for Founders Black Party. He was kind enough to take me through his usual beer stops.

As we pulled up to Siciliano's, I reflected on the name of the place which sounds more like an Italian restaurant or pizzaria rather than a beer store. On the end of a small strip mall-thing there was minimal parking and it definitely looked like a hole in the wall place. I snapped a pic of the location and walked in.

Yep. Definitely a hole in the wall place. But a gem at that!

It was completely packed inside with people everywhere. We were immediately greeted and asked if we needed help, then helped once again when we reached a door leading to the back. A lady told us there was more in the back if we wanted to go back there. Good service.

There was beer everywhere to the point of it being crowded in isles. Beer on the floor in cases, basically stacked anywhere there was room, including right by the front door and windows, bathed in sun unfortunately. This hurt the otherwise good quality it had going for it. Besides that most everything was on shelves with a decent size cooler towards the back of the small store. The first thing I noticed was the saturation of Great Divide there. Only a state away! Why can't we get all that stuff here? Siiiigh. Well, I got a fresh bottle of Old Ruffian and noticed 2008 vintages there too! Well priced at that! I also noticed it was much like Wisconsin stores; heavy presence of state-brewed beer. Still though, not much I couldn't get in this state.

Siciliano's is one of the only stores I've been to where beer heavily overshadowed the presence of other alcohol. There was a small wine selection in the back corner and a bit of liquor behind the counter.

By far the coolest part about this place was the section dedicated to home brewing though! I briefly browsed through it but everything was nicely organized and there was plenty of stock. Someone was also using a grain mill to crack malts on the spot. Very nice.

Overall, it's gonna be a must-stop place for me if I'm in the Grand Rapids area. They also allow customers take any bottle from six packs to mix and match as they are individually labeled which was spectacular.

It seemed that the majority of the beer at Siciliano's was American craft but there was a healthy selection of imports and Belgian brew too. The Belgian beer was on a shelf opposite the wine selection and smaller than any of the American craft shelves.

04-27-2010 03:50:40 | More by BeerFMAndy