Sam's Quik Shop

TurdFurgison

Ohio

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

This is among the very top tier of beer stores I've come across in the U.S., right at the top of the list along with John's Grocery in Iowa City and Bello Vino in Ann Arbor. The selection was beyond description, way more than I expected. There was a wide variety of US craft beer, including some from MI priced cheaper than I find them in MI or OH. Lots of Belgian beers, including several I'd never seen, and a very good showing of German beers, again with several I'd not seen. The sales guy was extremely knowledgable on the location of beers I was looking for. If you're in the Raleigh area this place is a must-stop to pick up beer.

11-15-2008 15:31:02 | More by TurdFurgison

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

This place is a diamond in the rough. Durham is kind of a rough town and its hard to imagine an awesome beer store in this part of town, but its here. A rather simple looking store on the outside. Once inside, beer awaits.

Tons of beers. Great selection. They seemed to have lots of German and Belgian beers. These were all in a section together and took up about 7 shelves worth of space.

The prices were very reasonable and the people working there were really willing to help and asked if I needed help with anything. This is definitely a place to go for beer in Durham.

04-06-2007 21:37:42 | More by SaCkErZ9

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Gotta boost up Sam's a notch for service. Seems to be improving as of late with several occasions being asked if need assistance. Good job!

10-13-05
overall 4.45
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Sams has increased the quality in my eyes since the first review and has certainly increased selection. If it comes into the state they seem to have it. They are pushing toward a 5 on selection and it is certainly the best beer selection in the area.

It appears the wine area is shrinking and the beer area is expanding. I rarely get asked if I need any assistance so the only service I see is at the register and that service is good.


From 11-09-03
overall: 4.3
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Made a run to Sam's tonight. I was surprised at the selection which was quite good. I also did not see any bottles that were showing signs of dust. The prices also seemed to be in line with what is found elsewhere in the area. I wanted a couple of single bottles and the clerk said there was no problem just taking them from a sixer. Unfortunately there is no case discount, but the clerk was helpful and the selection was nice.

04-06-2006 11:44:27 | More by GCBrewingCo

GJ40

North Carolina

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

Wow, I just noticed I never reviewed Sam's. How can that be?

Sam's is the best beer store in the Triangle (though the Carrboro Beverage Co. may give them a run for their money). They have a huge selection of locals, west coast beers and Europeans. They're usually the first to get new stuff and frequently have hard to find beers like Ballast Point Dorado and Sculpin. They seem to have just about every Belgian available. Most of the stock is unrefrigerated but a small portion is.

Sam's is well worth a visit. I only wish I lived closer.

10-18-2009 21:14:16 | More by GJ40

blackie

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

quality: I've always been a little skeptical about some of the beers on the upper shelves being exposed to light, but have never noticed any problems. All beers, even imports, have been of great quality. I think most beers are refrigerated, with many of the big beers on shelves at room temp.

service: I've only been in a couple times, but received good service both of them. I had some questions about the Aecht line once and was given knowledgeable answers.

selection: Not only the biggest, but the best beer selection of any store I've visited in North Carolina. Hell, better than many of the Midwestern beer stores I've visited.

09-25-2006 23:09:41 | More by blackie

Loki

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -11.7%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5

The best selection I've ever seen at an Exxon, ok who am I kidding. One of the best selections in the state. Nearly every craft beer in the state was represented there, plus lots of craft beers you don't see other places and plenty of imports. They don't have much space so stuff is just stacked everywhere. They only have case prices for certain stuff, so since they didn't have Mash House by the case I paid for 4 six packs. Makes it more expensive, but I can't get it in the triad so it's worth it. I also couldn't find any rhyme or reason to the order of everything, but well worth the stop. I will probably be back once a month, until I don't have to go to the Pop The Cap meetings because we have changed the law.

07-08-2004 12:09:52 | More by Loki

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Wow, its totally true, if you didn't know about this place you'd almost certainly drive right by it without giving it a second though. Its a completely unassuming place from the outside but wow, what a gold mine on the inside.

Tons of local NC stuff and loads of other micros in coolers and on shelves mostly in the back. I grabbed a bunch of Duck Rabbit to smuggle back to the north with me. They had loads of imports and even an American micro vintage shelf with random beers that were quite a few years old.

Service was great, lots of friendly people walking around. You can mix and match whatver and they have tons and tons of great bombers. I wish my wife was not in a hurry as I definitely could have spent an hour or two in here! Instead I got my Duck Rabbit and my Two Hearted and we were off...I was tempted by the $1 pint glasses but I have enough of those...the Duck Rabbit snifter glasses were hard to pass up as well!

Great place! Keep the low key image, it is awesome!

05-09-2009 19:59:49 | More by indiapaleale

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

Dithyramb

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev -8.4%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $

Made the requisite, "Help in Raleigh" post and got several responses. I was limited in time and place (or so I thought, since my flight turned out to be 1 1/2 hours late anyway), everyone was telling me to go to Sam's Blue Light.

Originally, a little hard to find. The first turn after coming off Durham Pkwy was missed, since the sign was askew. I stopped a friendly local. "Sam's??" pause..." Oh, you mean the ol' Blue Light," and off I was in the right direction. Thank god for the Blue Light sign on the side of the building. No way I would've stopped without having BA in my pocket. Looked like any old Exxon with a liquor store attached, I had every thought that only a stack of Bud 30 packs would be awaiting me past the open door, leaving me with 40 minutes wasted.

Nope, just a nice little beer store where you wouldn't have expected it. They had a wide array of good quality macros (your DFH, Wild Goose, Great Divide, etc), some Belgians, Brits, Scots, and Germans. I was there for the locals. I picked up some CBC, Duck Rabbit, Highland, and a Cottonwood Endo. All were fresh and within date.

The highlight of my trip, surprisingly, was the service. I walked around, confused since I left my hit list in the car, and shuffled to the front desk. Yes, they break sixes, but (gulp) they are like $1.35-1.75 a bottle (no I didn't smirk at the cheapness), "what are you looking for?" After I told them some tasty locals, but with limited carry on space, they left the front desk and walked me around the selection to find what was worthy. So far, they were right on target.

If you are in the area, check these guys out. They deserve some extra business....

06-11-2005 00:45:15 | More by Dithyramb

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev -10.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

You would pass right by this place if you didn't know better. Looks from the outside like a typical package store selling the same crap as the next package store down the street. Inside, it's a treasure. A relatively small floor area devoted to craft beer packs quite a punch.

With the recent "cap-popping" I was anxious to see is Dogfish Head and Victory faves would be available as they do not distribute to GA (yet). I was not disappointed. DFH Punkin, 90 Min., Chicory Stout among otheres. Victory Hop Devil and Golden Monkey too. I am sure this selection will only expand as more high ABV brew makes it into the state. Locals are well represented too. I saw Allagash which makes this former Mainer happy. The only quibble you could have with the selection is not alot of good imports (re: Belgian and German brews).

Everything was hella fresh. Service was good, grabbed me a box out of the back for my selections. Prices were more than fair.

An easy exit of 147, this will be a regular stop when I go to visit my parents in VA...

09-08-2005 14:20:44 | More by ViveLaChouffe