Sam's Quik Shop

ewright

North Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

If ever there was an example of not judging books by covers, this is it. Sam's is an old Exxon station that looks just like countless other southern gas stations. Even opening the front door, it looks like any other "quickie mart". It's only if you look to the right, past the counter that you notice something is amiss.

There are two additional rooms built on to the main building. There is a bit of wine and a few cases of cigars, but most of the space is given over to beer. And what a beer selection!

A huge selection of Belgian and English beers, a nice large cooler section, one for microbrews, the other for the mass produced stuff (hey, they are 2 blocks from Duke). They have just about everything from Highland, Duck-Rabbit and Carolina Brewing Co, as well as Carolina Brewery growlers (representing NC well!). There are always big selections of the biggest names in the craft beer world as well ... as long as it's legal to sell them in NC.

My only gripe is some of their prices ... they sound like they are a bit higher than other stores in the area. However, with that kind of selection, it's well worth the occasional visit. Too bad the wallet can't handle more frequent trips!

05-30-2008 01:06:51 | More by ewright

jhmichel

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Best beer store ever. It's a candy store for adults. The selection is always getting better and they're always getting new beers on tap. Friendly and knowledgable staff are always willing to help find something new. It's a must visit if you're in Durham.

05-13-2013 04:06:18 | More by jhmichel

Axnjxn

North Carolina

4.8/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I'm a regular here and love it. At first glance you'd think this was just a gas station but youd be so wrong! It's the best beer store in the triangle, and probably the state of NC. It's always well staffed with friendly people, even during off hours there are always at least 4 people there to help you or chat about beer. Great atmosphere, anyone is welcome and on Friday nights it can get a bit packed. They always have about 10-14 beers on draft for your enjoyment and you get to keep the glass too! I come here frequently and get a couple pints each time, they always have rotating taps and frequently of beers you wont find bottled. The selection is excellent, there isn't a better selection in NC. Prices are reasonable. It's also located in a great place in downtown Durham, very easily accessible. Dont be put off by the outside decor, this place is terrific.

05-09-2013 01:00:07 | More by Axnjxn

brewski09

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75 | $$

An amazing place. The beer selection is fantastic and spans the range of well known craft and major brands (for the college students) to small breweries nationwide (if you haven't heard of Moylan's in Novato, CA, they have a mean beer lineup). The atmosphere was above average. You know you are in pretty much the only beer shop you need to know about in or around Durham, NC. The beer is everywhere. Quality starts at therapy handles behind the register with a great selection. They had Stone Enjoy By, 1 year old Founders Breakfast Stout, and were putting on Green Flash for a tap takeover along with Avery Majaraja, all with only 8 tap handles (wish they had more, but that may happen when they move to their new location). Service is good and very knowledgable. I was from out of town, so I asked about local beers and was steered to a couple of 90+ point IPAs and Imperial IPAs (after he asked if I liked hops). The selection is fantastic. I found rarities like the New Belgium La Folie sour beer as well as an expanded lineup of major craft (think every variant of the Great Divide Yeti you can think of, even the Barrel Aged Yeti and a Belgian Yeti. Who knew?). Food is a misnomer for this review as they don't have food, just draft beer. And yes, you buy a draft beer, start drinking it, then walk around the store shopping for bottles of beer. It's an amazing sales technique and a very enjoyable shopping experience. 12oz Founders Breakfast Stout for $7 (you get to keep the glass too). Pretty respectable if you ask me. The prices are mostly fair. Some stuff is way overpriced (compared to back home) and some is less expensive. For example, DFH 90 Minute IPA was $10 for a 4-pack ($11back home) and Burton Baton was $14.50 a 4-pack ($13 back home last I checked). You just have to know what you are buying I guess, but that holds true in a ny establishment.

Bottom line, wish I could take this place home with me.

03-15-2013 20:36:54 | More by brewski09

napetry

North Carolina

4.97/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Food? Why? You don't go here for food. It's all about the BEER!!!! If you can't find a satisfying beer for the moment here, just go home or have a draft / bottle / can beer on site and reconsider. Best place to go to find the beer you're in the mood for or for that special occasion.

02-16-2013 02:12:21 | More by napetry

humuloner22

4.23/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.75 | $$$

Every time I am in Durham I stop by this place. I would have to say they probably have the best beer selection I have seen anywhere and I have been to several bottle shops including some of the big box stores, which at first impressed me but lately have fallen short and they cannot compare with a smaller merchant like this place. I have been able to find rare beers and ones from all over the world that you just can't find anywhere. I like a vast array of beers and this place is as is likely as anywhere to have them. Maybe it is the nature of Durham, or a philosophy they have adopted but I don't get a lot of help, not that I have asked for it. Maybe if I had I would have gotten it, however, I feel like I do have a pretty good grasp of what I want or maybe try something I have never had before. In any case this place will likely have what you are looking for if it is available in this state. I highly recommend it if you are passing through the Durham area.

02-07-2013 23:38:26 | More by humuloner22

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.14/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5 | $$

Glad that I checked BA before visiting Durham or I likely would not have found this gem - I used to live in the RTP area but seemed to rarely (if ever) make it over to Durham. It looks like and probably is basically a quik mart that has been converted to have a huge beer selection. The organization of the store is a little confusing (someone organized by country with US stuff kind everywhere) but if you have the time to just wander and shop, it is a fun place to do it. They also have a couple of beers on tap so that you could enjoy a brew while you shopped.

The store was quite busy when I stopped by, early on a Tuesday evening and it seems like te inventory moves pretty quickly. There is not a lot of natural light in the store so the beer is not exposed to a lot of sunlight and almost everything is available bot chilled and at room temperature. Only a few dusty bottles to be seen and those were in the clearance area (and were seasonals from the previous season - pumpkin and Oktoberfest).

The guys working at the store were very friendly and helpful - even willing to check around to see if there were any more of a couple of the beers that I asked about. They gave some recommendations for the next place that I went on both beer and food (which was great since this was a meal that I did not plan).

There are literally about a 1000 different beers and the selection is very good for both the European beers as well as domestic and locals.

Prices seemed to be on par with other stores in the area.

01-10-2013 18:17:00 | More by dbrauneis

oldedog

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Killer place thanks b.a. for this find little from the outside huge on the inside its crazy the beer you will find here row after row of nothing but craft beer best store i have seen anywhere!!! Only one cooler of b.m.c. beers the rest craft cool staff knowledgeable and laid back

01-06-2013 00:38:54 | More by oldedog

DiverJon

North Carolina

4.61/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

This is one of the biggest surprises I've had since moving to NC even after reading reviews of this place. If you can not find something you are either looking for or want to try then there is no hope for you. Set up in an old gas station, it is crammed with beer from all over the world. I even found 2 cases of Brooklyn Brewery's Chocolate Stout from 2010 and bought one of them. The prices seemed a little high to me comparing the beers I have bought in other places to the ones carried here of the same brewer but they probably do that to make up for the huge variety in the store. Having both warm and cold beer is a big plus. This is well worth the trip if your in the area. We went over on the 4th as it is one exit from The Durham Bulls Stadium.

07-15-2012 14:12:44 | More by DiverJon

RCK86

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I live in Georgia now, but I try to stop by Sams every time I'm in Durham. Without question, it's the best beer store I've ever visited. I was a sophomore at Duke when i discovered the place. Filled up my car with gas, went inside to pay, and OHMYGODYES. I had absolutely no idea that such a beautiful, beautiful place existed behind such an unassuming facade. I made a mental note to return as soon as I turned 21.

Over the years I visited Sam's almost weekly. They have everything from cheap light beer to rare brews you won't find anywhere else. You can get bottles from all over the world and just about every state in the country. Their offerings from North Carolina are also impressive, and seem to get better each time I go. Their prices are fantastic for the crappy stuff (cases for 10 bucks during football season!), and very reasonable for the good stuff. Knowledgeable, easy going staff, too.

Recently, they've started having tasting parties--outdoors if the weather is nice. They also now serve beer on tap in the store. Yes, you can drink while you shop. I repeat: YOU CAN DRINK BEER WHILE YOU SHOP. And here I was thinking this place couldn't possibly get any better...

06-02-2012 22:12:09 | More by RCK86