The Anderson's General Store

northernbrews

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I stopped in here w/ HellsBells24 yesterday 8/18 before heading to Maumee Bay Brewing company and the Mudhens game.

The main reason for coming here was to pick up some beers that are not available in MI. I was able to score some nice beers from Brooklyn (Local 1 for 7.49 per bottle), Ommegang Ommegeden (6.49 per bottle - this shits 12.99 everywhere in MI) and a few singles from Three Floyds, Southampton, Lagunitas, and Brooklyn.

They had some Behemouth from TF, but the $20 price tag was too steep for me as was the Barrel-aged Gonzo at $15. The single selection was more of US Micros instead of imports, which is the opposite of the Columbus store. They had a nice selection of Bells (Batch 8000) and other well known micros. Definitely worth checking out if heading through Toledo, or make a day trip with another stop at Maumee Bay Brewing (an awesome place - check out my review). Just a note, we stopped at Baileys Beverage Center and it was closed and for sale. If you are planning on stopping here, call first to see if they are open.

08-19-2007 18:23:29 | More by northernbrews

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I stopped here on the way home from Detroit mainly to compare with the Columbus location. Overall the store layout is the same, kind of a hybrid of a Home Depot blended and a grocery store.

The beer selection is about the same as Columbus (stunning selection). The big difference is that there are plenty of 12oz singles for sale in Toledo, whereas in Columbus most of the beer is 4-packs and 6-packs only (except for some high-end Belgians).

I grabbed a couple of 12oz bottles of USA microbrews I've wanted to try but not risk a 6-pack on...

Good stop.

06-10-2006 17:52:42 | More by TurdFurgison

Realale

Missouri

4/5  rDev -7.2%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Update: 2/24/07: Was in the store on Saturday afternoon, and the selection seemed somewhat smaller than before. I also noted more out of code products, so pay attention. The place was absolutely slammed, so perhaps they just haven't had time to restock shelves from Friday night.


Really nice selection in this truly unique big box retailer. Beer occupies a full aisle (both sides with stacks of largely macrostuff down the center of the aisle). There is also a partial wall of coolers with a bit more than one door's worth dedicated to craft beers, though all of this was duplicated on the warm shelves as well.

There was a nice selection of both domestic and foreign craft beers, with the domestic having a distinct edge. There were a few out-of-code bottles noted, but these were largely in the "make your own six" sections and Great Lakes products, which have a notoriously short "best by" date. Producers have been noted ad nauseum, so I'm skipping that bit. I found a couple of beers here (Rodenbach being a particularly pleasant surprise) that were not at Bailey's, but the converse was also true.

Service was miraculous given the crowd in the wine and beer section of the store. I hit it about 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon. I was asked on two occassions if I needed any help, and was quickly given an empty wine box to help schlep all the 750 mls and bombers I was buying. Well done, but the help (I only saw one person working the whole beer and wine section) was definitely stretched to breaking.

Quality of beers sampled seems fine so far, but it's a notch below Bailey's Beverage which keeps much more of the stock cold. It is worth checking dates too, as a few out of code products were noted. Well worth the trip and fighting the crowds. Personally, I'll hit Bailey's first for the more laid back atmosphere, and the better storage, then the Anderson's to see if I missed anything. Prices between the stores were largely identical, or within a few cents one way or the other.

02-27-2006 03:50:46 | More by Realale

SupaCelt

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place was something else. Camping gear, groceries, hardware, craft beer, garden supplies, pretty much whatever. Tripped the hell out. One stop shopping. They weren't shittin when they tacked "General" up before "Store." Also it was super easy to find as it is approximately 12 miles long and vaguely resembles a Menards from the outside. Plus it is about two minutes down the road from Joseph's. During my pre-trip scouting report, I had read something a few reviews below this one about "The House of Meats," so I cracked up when I saw it on the right wall as I progressed inward from the entrance. I also knew right where the beer was! By the House of Meats of course what...are ya goofy? Big ups to Proc for the scoop on the H.O.M!

Service was nice. There was a guy standing in the beer section and another chick poised at the "liquor booth" I guess you could call it. The guy advised me of empty six carriers to load my haul with. I probably wouldn't have seen them if he hadn't. Most of them were PBR carriers which I found comical. I dug deep for a Great Lakes carrier because the PBR one wasn't tall enough for me to feel safe toting my treasures in it. Safety first as they say. I noticed that the people in this part of Ohio, on the whole, were much more fit than people from my city and Michigan in general. In other words, the female employees included many a dime piece! Eye candy never hurts for service ratings.

Selection was nifty simply because they had plenty of single beers. Stuff I had never seen with mine own eyes. I scored some Clipper City, Weyerbacher, Boulder, and even a Dogfish that I hadn't seen prior to this stitch in time. Plus Speedway Stout which had eluded me to this point. Bonus point awarded. This place had an import shelf that was chock full and a craft shelf that was pretty full but had some room for growth. Nice. Plus you could caulk the damn tub after your beer run! Between this place and Joseph's being a hop and a skip away, these people are pretty well hooked up. Ohio. Strange new world.

01-31-2006 08:15:55 | More by SupaCelt

frazbri

Ohio

4/5  rDev -7.2%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5

This is another of my goto stores. This is the better of the two Anderson's stores I frequent. The store is a little newer than the Maumee location, and has a little nicer setup for its beer/wine department. It also seems to move its beer stock a little quicker.

I can't complain about service. It's a big store, but the people in the department are fairly knowledgable. They've got a good selection of regionals and a solid collection of european beers as well.

In NW Ohio, we might not have great bars, but at least we have good beer stores.

02-26-2005 18:45:40 | More by frazbri

Gaisgeil

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

On a recent beer trek to Toledo, I did my research and this place's name kept coming up. I wouldn't ever have thought to look here for good beer, especially as we don't have this chain in Michigan. It's sort of an all-purpose store, or as the name says "general" store, they've got everything!

On to the beer though... This place has a ton! Lots of singles and bombers and lots of six packs available too. One aisle is exclusively craft beer and the other imports. They really did have a ton of beer, you'll go crosseyed looking at all the eye-candy. Lots of stuff you can't find just anywhere, especially in Michigan as some of the brands aren't available where I live. (Though Toledo is all of 40 miles south of me) They had a single medium sized cooler for some six packs, but most of it was in the open, but the place isn't particularly bright lit either. They had small description tags on the shelves and even some BA reviews printed for a few as well.

Service was really great, I was asked a few different times if I needed help and someone was always around in case I did have a question etc. Truly a friendly store, I'll remember this place.

A+

02-26-2005 14:38:01 | More by Gaisgeil

BeerFink

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5

I was surprised when I was told that the Anderson's has some of the best beer selection around. I thought it was just a huge store where you could buy a little of everything. I was very pleasantly surprised as soon as I made my way over to the alcohol section. You can get 6-packs, 4-packs, singles, and gift packs. As far as I know, this is the best place in Toledo to get singles and make your own sixer. The sales staff is knowledgeable, and they can recommend beers to suit your tastes. The only problem is tracking them down - they are usually kept pretty busy in the wine section. They have a great selection of international beers, and well as many micros. Also, almost every beer has a small tag with a short description of color and taste. As mentioned before, the biggest drawback is that nearly all of the beer is warm. However, you take what you can get in the Glass City.

EDIT: In light of recent visits, I have upgraded my rating of the service. Although I wouldn't say the sales staff go the extra mile for you, they will offer good help.

01-10-2005 22:28:19 | More by BeerFink

Ellbert

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5

A great selection here at the Anderson's. This is a lot better than the one in the Woodville Mall. There are a ton of singles. This Anderson's has the most singles of all of the Anderson's in Northwest Ohio.

There are a ton of selections, there are some beers I haven't seen in any store around here. There are also some great gift packs with glassess and some nice mixers. Prices are very competitive.

The service is good. I was able to find someone to help me when I needed it and they helped me.

I was very happy with my trip here.

12-31-2004 06:51:13 | More by Ellbert

nomad

Kansas

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

A "Home Depot with beer" - what an apt description! I'd say its more like Wal-Mart because of all the clothes and home stuff, but this is a whopper of a general store. Very General and a maze of aisles to get through as, well, they have everything you could ever possibly need for human existence. But its the beer why you're here...

Outstanding selection across all nations and tastes - very strong showing of Midwest brands with many at sale prices, surprising selection of Colorado and California beers, and cases of great national companies, too, like Anchor OSA. Anything can be bought at a single and the mark-up is minimal. Imports had some steals in the Belgian department, like Rochefort 8 and 10 for $5.99 and many 750 ml. bottles below $9. German beers range as far as a few weissebiers, which is disappointing, but the multiple-shelf 25 ft. wall of American beer makes up for it. One down side is that almost nothing is kept cold, save a smattering of mainstream sixers over near the deli counter.

Tasting notes are well-written and placed near many of the beers. Service was helpful (where's the Thirsty Dog Imperial Stout?), though a bit busy and spread out - thats expected in a store this gargantuan and eclectic, but enlightened enough to carry great drinks amongst the dog collars, dungarees, and home furnishings. In sum, great American beer selection at those Ohio prices that make Michigan look shameful.

11-29-2004 15:23:24 | More by nomad

proc

Michigan

4/5  rDev -7.2%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4

All I can say about this place, is that it is a "Home Depot with Beer".

And that, is is a good thing.

I was laughing as I made my way past the kitchen cabinets and countertops and worked my way through the frozen foods to the beer section near "The House of Meats". Yes, "The House of Meats".

This store is incredible. Hardware, fertilizer, home improvement stuff, groceries, and booze.

Nicely done.

I had lunch here at the "Tony Packo's Express", a quickie version of the full-blown, Jamie Faar (M*A*S*H - Klinger) place, a few miles away. I had their version of the Detroit coney dog (called the "Tony Packo Dog" appropriately), and a bowl of Hungarian Chicken Dumpling Soup. Both rocked.

After chowing, it was onto the beer. A nice selection of Dogfish Head, Stouts, Victory, etc., etc., etc. It was nice to see so many singles and the prices were decent.

So, if you are in Toledo, and you need good beer, nails, fertilzer, Pergo and a Tony Packo Dog, this is your place.

03-15-2004 02:41:45 | More by proc