Sam's Quik Shop

NCSUdo

Massachusetts

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

I usually visit Sam's 1-2 times a week. Having lived around Charlotte and now back around Raleigh-Durham, I can honestly say that Sam's is the best beer store I have visited in the state, with Brawley's coming in a very close second.

The simple fact is, if you are in the Triangle area, Sam's is the only place to go to look for beer. They break it up according to country, they have about 10 doors worth of cooler and have a section dedicated to new beers.

The service is what you make it. You know what you want, go in, get it, no one is going to bother you. You don't know what you want, some one will be willing to help you. Just want to spark up a conversation about beer, they're good for that too. Prices are dead even with any where else, and you are allowed to break any 6-pack as long as it doesn't require tearing up any packaging (see Abita).

They also sell gas, wine, mead, condoms, tobacco, magazines and Vitamin Water. You could practically life at this place.

As far as North Carolina goes, Sam's is the place.

12-04-2007 21:37:25 | More by NCSUdo

beer2day

North Carolina

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

Sam's is the best beer store in NC. Don't let the outside of the place fool you. If it's available in NC, you can get it at Sam's. The staff is always eager to help and point out new arrivals. If you don't see something you are looking for, ask. Most likely, they have it. Growlers from Carolina Brewery in CH are available here. Decent selection of glassware as well. Ask for John during the day and Jamie in the evenings. Pair a stop at Sam's with lunch at Tyler's for a well-spent Saturday.

They do cater some to the Duke crowd - check out the beer-pong balls by the cash register.

07-17-2008 01:48:03 | More by beer2day

Donovan

North Carolina

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

In line with what everyone else has said, the outside looks unassuming, but once you go in and turn right... watch out! Amazing selection, decent prices, great service. I absolutely love going in here to just grab few singles to try out new stuff... of course, getting a few large bottles of my favorites is part of the process as well.

I definitely recommend stopping by this place for a great selection. Sure, the prices on some bottles might be a bit lower at some other spots, but for the amount of great stuff you have to choose from and staff that really know their stuff... it's well worth it. I actually feel lucky that I live about 10 minutes from this gem.

01-12-2009 10:08:31 | More by Donovan

gorby16

North Carolina

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

The store doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is beer heaven inside. Many choices at very reasonable prices. You can buy single bottles if you want to try something or select from their vast selection of 6-packs or bombers. They have beers from all over the globe and the staff is knowledgeable about them all. They have most bottles stored at room temperature, but also have a large selection in refrigerators for immediate enjoyment. If you're looking for a good beer, come here. You can even pick up a bottle of wine for your wife or girlfriend while you're there since they have a limited wine section.

01-20-2009 13:50:23 | More by gorby16

Onibubba

Kentucky

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

I can't add much more than another A+ to this outstanding store. All the help you want should you need it, and the time to browse undisturbed like the proverbial kid in a candy store should you desire. And what a candy store it is. I found everything I wanted and many things I did not expect to see. Prices seemed reasonable, but a discount for quantity would be nice :) I could easily throw down a couple hundred here.

The New Belgium Lips of Faith series was here, with plenty of La Folie and Bier De Garde, a nice selection of Fantome, De Proef, Jolly Pumpkin, The Bruery, and all of the standards. Great Belgian and German selection. English selection looked good too, but not really my thing.

If you are within a 2 hour radius, do not miss this gem.

11-08-2009 00:03:40 | More by Onibubba

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

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

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

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

csbinva

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +7.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped in today after a meeting I had in Chapel Hill. The store sneaks right up on you and as one person indicated it is adjacent to some gas pumps and a car wash. Nothing flashy but man oh man do they make up for it on the inside. I usually go to the big box stores that sell a lot of wine when I head down to North Carolina. Not anymore, Sam's is my new found candy store! Walked in the door and right off the bat in front of me noticed a big end cap of hard to find Allagash beers as well as Dogfish Head. Went back to the front and grabbed a basket, knew this was going to be an expensive stop. One special request, with all of this beer in the store, might not be a bad idea to get a few grocery carts for shoppers to use. I was a little overwhelmed. Noticed the taps, didn't stare too long because I knew if I did, I would have to grab a beer and that wouldn't be good when I had to drive back home, approximately three hours away. Noticed several things that I can't get in Richmond as well as a few things that have been discontinued for a while. Grabbed two bottles of Terrapin's Hoptaneous Combustion Smoked IPA, that stuff is like butter. Walked down another aisle, grabbed a few Sweetwater tackle boxes, another one you can't get in Richmond as well as a few bombers of Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti and Great Divide Chocolate Yeti. One piece of advice to anybody that is not local and wants to stop in, review their website and make a list. I could have easily spent $500 and not even gotten half of what I wanted. I'm already planning my next trip back!

08-05-2011 00:32:44 | More by csbinva