Lukas Liquors Superstore

Juggernaut

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev -0.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This was a great find! I went here with my wife and mother (she was looking for a certain wine), and stumbled into a gold mine.

They had a great selection and decent prices, and if they didn't have what you were looking for, would do what they could to try and get some for you.

I would definitely suggest them if you are looking for a hard to find beer. I found beers I haven't seen in St. Louis any where else, and next time I make it to the area or am looking for something particular, this is were I'm going.

12-20-2008 19:25:38 | More by Juggernaut

echdk3

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev -0.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Lukas Liquor has been pretty much the only place that I'll buy beer (except my grocery store when I'm in a REAL pinch) for quite some time. This place is the size, seriously, of a grocery store. It's a little out in the middle of nowhere, but it's worth the drive...

The beer section of the store is large. Included are two full double sided aisles with room-temperature beer (one aisle with six packs, one with a mix your own six collection), an even larger higher end beer wall complete with more special and expensive brews organized by country (though not explicitly) including all sized brews and a selection of five or six kinds of mini-kegs, and finally a very large refrigerated section, including a mix your own six organized by imports and domestics, as well as a collection of refrigerated more special beers from brewers like Rogue, Delerium, etc. (basically a small selection of refrigerated 750mL bottles is what I'm getting at). I have only once or twice been disappointed by the selection, but maybe only because I am spoiled by that place and I expect everything under the sun to be there at all times. They offer two local breweries - Schlafly and O'Fallon. Like another reviewer said, they offer Boulevard, but this is a Kansas City based brewery.

Lukas Liquor also offers a pretty nice (currently maybe 15 or so) list of beers available in kegs upon request that are posted upon entrance.

There is one guy who works there who has pretty decent beer knowledge and he will be happy to guide you. He also offers tastings off of a tap every once in a while. I remember once going and tasting La Chouffe and Arcadia London Porter on tap for free right in front of the beer wall - what a nice surprise. Also they had Schlafly Bier de Garde on tap - nice local brewery special.

Overall the service is fairly good. I imagine if you are aged 30 or greater you'll have no problem. I myself am 22, but look about 18 or 19 so I have gotten semi-hassled a couple times by the same lady upon entrance but I haven't let it sour my overall impression of the personnel - they're nice people. However don't try to go shopping with a minor because they will not serve you (unless you are shopping with your small child or something like that) - can't blame them, it's the law.

Also, they are happy to load your liquor into your car for you if you have a lot - just drive around and they'll be waiting outside the store.

12-05-2008 13:47:23 | More by echdk3

Bobo77

Missouri

5/5  rDev +14.7%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I was shocked and amazed upon entering this store. This is the Wal-Mart of licquor stores! I grabbed a shopping cart, yes a shopping cart, and proceeded through seemingly neverending fantasy world of deliciously intoxicating beverages. Since this is Beer Advocate I will stick with talking about the beer side of things and try to avoid discussing the ample selection of wines and hard licquors.

Domestically speaking, they had everything from the 3 regular St. Louis area micro-brews, Boulevard, Schlafly, and O'fallon. The typical AB products were there as were most of the major Euro big beers. Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, and Anchor Steam of course. Did I mention that they allowed building your own 6 pack? Of course you have to choose beers in the same price range. I had picked up 5 import bombers and one schlafly and they told me I would have to buy more dometic 12 oz bottles or just not buy the Schlafly.

Then I reached the refridgerated section. Organized by country, I was especially impressed with the German selection. Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr. And then I noticed it sitting there...Ommegang Abbey Ale. Finally I found it in Missouri. I then made my way over to a huge wall of imported beers...everything from Fuller's to Aventinus to Rochefort and St. Bernardus. Beer heaven.

To make it even better I was pulled to the side for an hourly beer tasting. 4 beers: an Ayinger Marzen, a golden Belgian Ale, an IPA that was one of the best I ever tasted, and one other beer that I can't remember right now. The server actually knew what he was talking about and it was great to actually engage in real life conversation with people that actually knew about good beer.

The prices were better than other places I have been too. That being said the only drawbacks were, as others have stated, there is a lack of American microbrews represented. I even asked about Stone brewery and was told that they are not allowed in Missouri. Supposedly they have a petition to sign to change all of this but I forgot to sign it as I left. But anyhow, I will be going back there again soon.

10-01-2008 17:19:39 | More by Bobo77

HoppyMcStout

Missouri

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

I have only come to truly appreciate Lukas Liquor since leaving the St. Louis area...

It is massive in size having once been a sporting goods store, and it is very clean!

The staff there are nice and helpful but without being overly zealous. (I get a little annoyed with how at some places every purchase has to be complimented by a staff person there - "that's a great selection" or "you sure know how to pick out some great beers!" Thanks, now settle down).

You could easily spend several hours just roaming around the store and looking at the various products from beer to liquor to wine to cigars.

They have the best selection of beers that I have seen anywhere!

It is now a tradition every time upon returning to St. Louis to try and create the most alluring six pack from the make your own (which is also the best I have come across). Only once have I encountered a brew that I thought was past its prime - which is much better than I can say for other liquor stores.

If you are near the area, you won't regret stopping by...

06-07-2008 19:52:53 | More by HoppyMcStout

merlin48

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Certainly worth the extra miles to get here, but keep in mind that Manchester Road has a lot of traffic. This place has already been well reviewed so I'll try to hit on some highlights. For those travelling here from east of the Mississippi, there is a good selection of New Belgium, Odell's, and Boulevard, as well as plenty of local bottlings like O'Fallon. The Belgian and German selection is awesome. There is also an excellent glassware selection. The highlight on my visit was the excellent service. Employees are knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Although the store was out of New Belgium La Folie an employee suggested a couple of other places in town thought to still have some in stock. Another employee printed out some Mapquest directions for some local beer destinations. The visit ended with other employees loading my purchases in my car.

01-14-2008 14:21:31 | More by merlin48

brewintheLou

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev -0.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

When you walk in the door turn to the right and follow the wall .

Like the last review says this place has a wonderful import selection, a wall that you can just stand back and gaze at. Only that may be lacking is the domestic micro, but that does not mean it is bad.

Associates were also there for my assistance.

They do have the mix your own six, and some beers are available in the cooler.

Only thing I do not like about this place is that it is do damn far out in the county. When are they going to put something closer to the city?

10-26-2007 05:31:26 | More by brewintheLou

ihscout426

Missouri

4.15/5  rDev -4.8%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

First, this place is big. Mostly wine and spirits, but the beer section is large as well. Always clean and well stocked with a make your own six section, and lots of bombers and 750's. The most impressive thing is the Belgium selection. Just a wonderful array of trappist, abbey, farmhouse ales, witts and lambics to choose.

The other imports are also well represented, and I have been pleased with the condition of the beers I have purchased.

The only weak spot is the micro selection. Do not get me wrong there are many to choose, but the west coast and Colorado are under represented. This is more of a distributor problem than a store problem and I have spoken to the staff and they are always working to increase their selection.

Speaking of the staff; extremely knowlegable, well versed in styles and reccomendations (they post BA ratings on the shelves). They have Saturday tastings and a newsletter on the website announcing new arrivals.

If you are in St. Louis this is the beer store. Best selection, good turn over and great staff.

07-20-2007 19:11:25 | More by ihscout426

orbitalr0x

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped by Lukas while in town for a wedding in St. Louis. It's located about 20 minutes from downtown and it's well worth the trip. Easy to spot from the road, as previous posters have stated, this is right next to a Chuck E Cheese. Inside it is a large warehouse style liquor store that reminds me of Sam's here in Chicago. Lots of light and clean aisles. Follow the right hand side towards the back to access the rows of bottles and coolers of brew.

The right hand wall holds all of the import selections with a large group of Belgians, German and UK brews. Plenty of Cantillon, Chouffe, De Rocs and many more. I was impressed by how much was here. There's a big selection of micro's with lots of St. Louis locals that I don't see in Chicago. Notably, New Belgium, Schlafly Odell and the entire lineup of O'Fallon, plus Bell's which I can no longer get in IL. Everything is available in six packs, plus there is a whole shelf of singles and then even more singles in the coolers, which makes it really nice to be able to get a good selection of new stuff to try. I loaded up some sixers with singles and even picked up a few rare bottles of La Dragonne which I have never seen before and am excited to try.

Overall, Lukas is a great store with a wonderful selection and a definite place to stop if in the St. Louis metro area. Employees were very helpful, even if they were telling me that they were out of La Folie!! A great shopping experience with ample selection and good prices even when you make your own sixer. The huge supply of singles is always a welcome sight to me as there aren't many places in Chicago that do that!

06-12-2007 00:53:23 | More by orbitalr0x

Talisker

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Sensational beer selection of American craft and import beers (also superb for single malt Scotch, average for bourbon and wine). Who knew that a suburban strip mall would house such a treasure literally next door to a Chuck E. Cheese?

Wide selection of local favorites - Schlafly, O'Fallon, Boulevard, Goose Island. Also quite a bit from breweries I hadn't heard of in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and Colorado. Bell's also here - pretty much the whole line.

The import and Belgian selection is the best I've seen outside of a few California specialty stores. Stands with the best of them. And nearly all of the Belgians are available as singles.

Unfortunately the American beers don't fare quite as well. More than half of them are available singly as a part of a "Build Your Own Sixpack" program (fixed price $7.99 as of May 2007). But that doesn't apply to specialty releases or even anything from Bell's - you have to buy those in complete sixers. (Corral across the river in Granite City is much better in this respect - literally everything is available as a single, just for an even proportion of the pack price). At least there are lots of singles available cold.

The only limit to Lukas' selection seems to be from general distribution in St. Louis - no Three Floyd's, no New Glarus, no Stone, no Bear Republic, no Anderson Valley (but Mendocino and North Coast brewing *are* here in force).

I was here in May 2007, and the holiday clearance shelf had a dozen bottles of the Schlafly 2006 Reserve Barleywine, two bottles of New Belgium La Folie, and a ton of seasonal Belgians.

Very friendly and knowledgable service. Both of the guys checking me out knew most of the beers I was buying and relished talking about beer and spirits both. They wouldn't let me carry my stuff out - actually loaded my car up after I drove it around.

Anyway, Lukas is clearly the must-visit beer retailer in the St. Louis metro area. Not particularly conveniently located, but easier to get to than Corral - regardless, absolutely worth a special trip.

05-20-2007 04:55:32 | More by Talisker

Cresant

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Lukas exceeded my expectations. The store was clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Justin searched in the back and found the New Belgium La Folie I asked about and checked back with me later as I shopped.

The selection is wide and most everything I found was in date. The Belgian selection was very good, I found several lambics and gueuzes I have never seen before. They carry Bell's, New Belgium, Cantillon, Alba, Rogue, Bridgeport, Hanssens, Boulevard, Schlafly, Odell, St. Bernardus, Goose Island, Flying Dog, Spanish Peaks, North Coast, O'Fallon, etc.

They have mixed 6-packs at $7.99. This would be fantastic if yoou could choose from any 6-pack but you must choose from the shelves designated. Many kegs are available and they have a website that is updated weekly with beer news/arrivals/events.

I found so much I wanted to buy, but I restrained myself. I still left spending well over one hundred dollars. Overall this is a great beer store.

04-26-2007 02:22:39 | More by Cresant