Liquor Stop

kajerm

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -25.1%
quality: 3.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

Dropped in here after Dark Lord Day. All the good stuff is lined up on one wall, with an apparently arbitrary imaginary line delineating where you can mix sixes and buy singles. The line did not include any interesting beers (or any Bell's, even the cheap ones.)

The clerk who served us (a middle-aged indian guy) seemed to have a vested interest in squeezing us for every penny we'd allow ourselves to be squeezed for. Add this to the fact that they were already gouging for Stone and Bell's, and I'd consider this pretty shabby treatment. He actually managed to successfully convince us NOT to get a sixer of Bell's Double Cream Stout.


Still, the selection is reasonably good-- both Yetis, Stone (including vertical epic), Bell's (no Hopslam, though), and some cool Thirsty Dog stuff that I hadn't seen anywhere else before.

But I really can't recommend it on account of the lousy service.

04-30-2007 06:26:03 | More by kajerm

goodbyeohio

Oregon

3.2/5  rDev -21.4%
quality: 3.5 | service: 2 | selection: 4 | $$

a hop, skip, and a jump from three floyds.. went in here to see what bell's i could grab for my trip back to ct. sure enough, they had all the staples. also had a nice mix of dark horse regular beers, and three floyds' bombers including munsterfest. found a good amount of new holland stuff tucked in there. they also had beers from the back road brewery in the chiller, which i understand is a selling point for this store. it was a bit lost on me though.

i asked the creepy indian guy who was tending register if he got/gets any of the dark horse limited stuff, and he laughed heartily in my general direction. great.

impressive stone selection too, they were still rocking large quantities of the vertical epic 06 which has been in short supply back east as of late.

the beer takes up the leftmost shelf in the store and one door of the cooler, and looks really impressive to a connecticut boy who is not used to seeing all these pretty labels. still, i could imagine if this store was local to me and had an equal amount of regular and specialty available beers, i would be a little more eh. they don't seem to be beer-centric, they just happen to have some good stuff.

i got my bell's cherry stout and was on my way, no significant impression was left of beer store greatness. REMEMBER.. this is coming from someone who doesn't have to endure the hell of living in highland, indiana. seems like locals love this store, and i'm glad you all have it. come out my way and we'll hit half time.. i'll even drive.

11-07-2006 20:13:59 | More by goodbyeohio

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -17.7%
quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I have heard the rumors that this store has changed owners and I happened to be in the area yesterday so I stopped in. I really was looking for Stone beers and local beers that I can't fine on the other side of the border.

The beer sections are set up with a wall of all non-BMC and then a beeramid of macros on the other side. It was strange how the beers were organized. The first beer shelves had a little label that said new beer section and this was a mix mash of imports and local beers. There was no real organization other than they were "new". The other half was American beers on half and imports on the other half of the shelves. I had to look at several labels to see if they were west coast or local, as there was no real regional info or grouping.

They had signs up that said mix a 6-pack and get 10% off. I didn't know if I was supposed to take them out of the 6-packs or if there was someplace they kept singles? I did find a little glass dorm-fridge that had 3 single beers in it. Was that the singles selection? A few different Berghoffs? They also had signs offering a sale on the DFH 120-IPA but it was the WWstout that was in that slot and on sale. No 120 to be found in the store. Little details like that made me nervous and a little frustrated.

I was hoping to try some local beers but they either didn't have the breweries line or it was all the summer wheat/fruit beers. I didn't see any O-fest beers or anything that could be a fall or winter beer from the locals. They had some good Stone beers in Bombers and 6-packs and a good selection of Bells and DFH with a good number of 3Floyds Behemoth Bombers. They also had a line of Upland, Oaken Barrel, Dark Horse, and Arcadia but they were all summer beers.

I didn't ask for help because the guys working behind the counter were focused on organizing the new shipment of tiny single-shot bottles of various types of liquors. I think they had more of a selection of those bottles than they did of beer.

I will keep going back in search of new local beers and Stone beers but I hope the selection gets better.

10-29-2005 14:59:05 | More by rhoadsrage

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.44/5  rDev -15.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

This is a decent little shop-- lightyears ahead of either Delocke's Discount Liquor stores... At least, that's what I would have said last year.... There used be a never-ending supply of the best of the Smokestack beers from Boulevard... Now those have all dried up-- you can't find Saison Brett, BBQ, or Rye on Rye any longer and it makes me a sad panda.

Otherwise, the selection is about the same as the Delocke's in Munster only it is smaller here. The store is also very warm inside, well above normal room temp, which I see as a negative.
The employees don't seem to care about beer too much except that it is an item they sell for profit. If asked "do have any (insert limited beer name here)?" the reply is almost always a generic, "it's all gone but we should get more next week..." It never comes though of course.

If you're coming from out of state, it isn't a bad store to hit up, but don't expect too many gems. The proximity to FFF (about 10 min away) is the best feature of this store.
Please don't get me wrong here, this isn't a terrible place to stop, but it is far from the best in the area.

08-25-2011 14:45:45 | More by AleWatcher

botham

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -14%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

stopped in here during a trip to Three Floyd's brewpub from Chicago. the selection is pretty standard for a decent liquor store, with some selections not available in Illinois, which is why we stopped.

quality is good. no dust on any bottles, and orderly conditions. mostly six packs of micros, with some singles of imports. all standard offerings at best, with nothing out of the ordinary (except for a good selection of Stone).

service is lacking a bit. expect to find good brews on your own, without much help from staff.

selection is good. for a beer stop, this one is pretty standard, with a few offerings exclusive to Indiana, but not much to write home about.

overall, stop in here if it is on your way, but no need to make a special trip.

11-16-2008 02:08:38 | More by botham

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -12.8%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $

selection is great if you're from illinois as bell's, stone, and other domestic micros are available here. good domestic micro selection overall. not much in the way of bombers, belgians, or germans. the beer wall is mostly domestic which is fine by me. i have definitely seen much larger selections at liquor superstores but this was good considering that this is a smaller store. workers there are pretty much there to stock and ring you up. not too trashy except for the two crack hos running back and forth buying scratch off lotto tickets. turnover must be good as i did not see any dusty bottles.

07-08-2007 21:08:32 | More by MrMcGibblets

jlh8643

Indiana

3.65/5  rDev -10.3%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

For the immediate area, The Liquor Stop is probably one of the best liquor/beer stores around. A good selection of Midwest micros with a smattering of Belgians, Great Britian and German brews. I kinda knew what I was looking for so I didn't need much help but Patel greeted me and asked if I need help in finding anything. Until something better comes along I will continue going to The Liquor Stop, especially since they are on my way home from work. I doubt I would take the time and gas to go to Illinois just to save a few pennies.

02-03-2006 00:43:42 | More by jlh8643

david131

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -10.3%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

All of the beer was lined up against one wall and some was also in a cooler along the back. The selection was great with Three Floyds, Bells, Founders, Trappistes Rochefort, Mikkellar, Nogne O, Duvel, Stone, Thirsty Dog, Dogfish Head, etc. There was some organization to the selection... I think it was by region. Stuff did seem a bit pricey though, but for the selection, I couldn't hold it against them too much. The service was pretty non existent, but I didn't really need help anyway. I would definitely go back if I was in the area again.

11-17-2008 01:49:04 | More by david131

karengarys

Indiana

3.7/5  rDev -9.1%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

April 2008: Shelves are stocked. The owners are doing what they can to keep things interesting. The array of micro brews remains from one end of the wall to the other, as it did years ago. Some things change, and the owner does want to make the customer interested in American micros happy. Kudos.

Rating change: Service went from 2 to 3. Though they may not be able to recommend if you are uninformed, they will do what they can to get you what you want if you can tell them exactly what you are looking for.

***

February 10, 2006. Shelves are stocked. Interesting beers arrive. Make your own 6 is back - limited, but it exists, and it is as good as it used to be. The owners do want to keep the micro brews alive in the store.

***

Another update, based on my visit on November 17, 2005.

The shelves are now stocked again. It is rumored the new owners will continue to keep the great selection they offer. They say the owners may not know beers that well, but they listen to see what people want, and are interested in understanding. I hope that goes well, I'll try to add what I can if I get the time.

That make-your-own 6 pack thing? Completely gone. HOWEVER: The one guy said they may raise the price a buck or two, but start offering a wider variety of beers. It was $7 or $8 to make-your-own 6 pack, but when most of the really good craft beers start at $8 and go up to $10, you can't put them in the make-your-own selection, can you? So, the offering was limited to the lower quality beers. Maybe - MAYBE, they will start this again, and make it even more interesting. I am going to request this move every time I go in - maybe they will do it. (I actually said to break up a 6 and price the bottles individually - if they had the time to micro-manage the micro-brews).

My hopes are high, I'll try to keep this updated as things pan out.

***

Update for this place on October 15, 2005, my ratings changed as follows:
4.5 to 4
4 to 2
4.5 to 4
value the same

I understand the ownership has changed hands. It is questionable if the new owners understand microbrews. We will have to see how that pans out.

The shelves are already looking bare. Lots of empty shelf spots.

The "make your own 6" - well, it hasn't changed since depleated in September. There a few leinies left. Big whoop. One should check back or call first if you are looking for anything interesting to be stocked there.

The guy that used to walk down the asiles and make suggestions and talk beer (Robin)? Gone. Not in town any more. Nobody that is left knows the first thing about beer.

I'll try to keep this posted. If it improves, I'll re-review again. If it goes to pot, I'll re-review agin. If it just lingers, I'll try to re-review.

CALL FIRST if you are expecting to see something there!!! They may have it, but they may not.

***
original review from June 2005 follows, now partially obsolete:

"service" is good only if you get Robin, the beer guy. If you get anybody else, service is 1.0 - awful. These guys don't know squat about micros, again, unless you get Robin.

Robin knows his stuff, and can direct you in the right direction. A novice could go in there and he could explain the styles, and recommend something.

There is quite a wall of American micros, and then some decent imports. A half dozen different six packs to choose each from Great Lakes, Flying Dog, Dogfish Head, Bells, Upland and a few others. Spaterings of New Holland, Oaken Barrell, Mctanaran, Rockies brewing, Lost coast, and others.

The bomber section is also nice, a lot from Rogue, Great divide, Left hand and others Somehow they seem to have unusual 3 floyds, like the Brian Boru, or even the Dark Lord (sorry, they are gone, I bought the last one).

This is the best selection of microbrews for miles here in this part of Indiana where, for some reason, the only thing sold is Miller and Bud.

There are some decent imports too, but that isn't really my focus. They had St Bernardus, Leffe and other better choices. There is more, I'm just not as familiar with it.

It is hard to compare prices, but the micros seem to be between $7.50 and $10 a 6-pack, but that is what I'd pay anywhere I found it anyway.

They also have some singles, every now and then a really good one pops in there, like a Great Lakes, Flying Dog, New Holland or something of that nature. Often one will find a McTananahrans or a Cooperstown or an Arcadia..

So, if you are in the area and looking for a micro, this is about the only place to find it, and once you are there it is easy to buy WAY too much beer!!!!

10-16-2005 21:34:37 | More by karengarys

4thoseabout2bock

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -9.1%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

Liquor Stop is a small place that looks like it was once a Del Taco.
Beers along left wall with scantily clad women in macrobeer ads looming above. Not a huge selection, but they do stock a decent supply of both Bells and Stone which we can't get across the border. This would be the main reason to stop here.

Bells selection on this visit included about 8 varieties, including some sixes of Hell Hath no Fury, consecrator, double cream stout, and christmas white.

Stone selection included bastard, double bastard, and 6-6-6. Owner said the oak aged AB sold out in a day so don't expect to see that.

Other highlights:
GOOSE Imperial IPA and Bourbon County Stout for only 16.99 a four pack!
Jefferson Reserve/ Bluegrass Bourbon Barrel Stout
They also had some Dark Horse and Arcadia (but unfortunately nothing from the big beers or reserve series)
and the other beers I had not heard of were Thirsty Dog, Barley Island and Upland.
Good Great Divide/Avery selection

12-18-2006 23:41:18 | More by 4thoseabout2bock