Avalon Liquors

Store

2258 Dune Drive
Avalon, New Jersey, 08202
United States

(609) 967-4121 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.35
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
10
pDev:
18.21%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by pbr85:
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Reviewed by pbr85 from New York

3.75/5  rDev +11.9%
First time I've been down the shore since I turned 21. I knew this place had a decent wine selection, but hidden in the back coolers are 3 filled with mostly craft beer. Plenty of offerings from Troegs (incl Oatmeal Stout, Sunshine Pils, Troegenator, Pale Ale etc), Smuttynose, DFH (60 and 90, India Brown, Raison D'etre), Flying Dog, all 3 Chimays, 750s of Saison Dupont, offerings from Sam Smith, Sierra Nevada, Unibroue, etc.

I picked up a 4 pack of Maudite for $9.65, which seemed reasonable enough to me, especially considering the island. There was no one to offer help, but I wasn't expecting any. The two cashiers that rang me up were both college kids, one of which seemed to know at least a little about beer (a very little). When he was trying to find the price of the beer, he asked the other cashier if he had ever tried Unibroue. The other guy hadn't ever heard of it, so the first guy told him "You should try it, the one I had was amazing." Kind of a funny thing to hear, considering they were about my age and I felt so distant from them in terms of beer. I suggested they try La Fin du Monde and left the store. Quality of the beer was just fine. Certainly a place I will be visitng alot in the future.
May 20, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by Yellolab2010 from Pennsylvania

Feb 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by sjbarleywine from New Jersey

Jun 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by MargaritaMags from Pennsylvania

Feb 28, 2014
Photo of HandOfOmmegang
Reviewed by HandOfOmmegang from Pennsylvania

1.7/5  rDev -49.3%
Stopped by while spending the weekend at Stone Harbor.

Quality: A typical shore liquor store with less than 1/4 devoted to beer. The beer section was cluttered.

Service: Two employees on the floor continued to enjoy their conversation and ignored me while I was looking.

Selection: One cooler section (2/3 macro 1/3 micro six packs). Room temperature micros represented by 50+ cases of beer in a pile. Three single dusty bottles in a separate location. I quickly left empty-handed.

Whenever vacationing at the Jersey shore come prepared with the craft beer of your choice. If you're in a pinch and need a six pack you'll be fine here. If you're on Seven Mile Island your better stop is Fred's Liquor Store in Stone Harbor (layout is better and selection is slightly better even though both establishments are under the same ownership).
Aug 30, 2010
Photo of eljefe21
Reviewed by eljefe21 from Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +14.9%
I've been to the Jersey shore twice in my life. Once before I joined Beeradvocate and now a second time after joining. The first time was miserable beer-wise because I didn't know of any stores selling the good stuff while the second time I enjoyed a host of good beers thanks to BeerFly and finding this place.

I liked the selection a lot. They had a bunch of Jersey beers I can't get a home so I got to give them a whirl. Grabbed some River Horse Hop-a-lot-amus and Hop Hazard Pale Ale. Also tried the Belgian Style Dubbel from Flying Fish. Needed some cans for the beach and golf course, and was able to load up on with a case of Dale's Pale Ale. We also loaded up on our favorites from Troegs and Dogfish Head to round out our haul. Lots of other stuff we could have gotten, but didn't. They had some bombers too, but we'd already brought our own from home.

Don't know if they have anyone with good beer knowledge on hand 'cause no one asked to help us (which was fine w/ me as I already had a good idea of what I wanted). At the checkout they were super cool and helped us carry out all the beer and ice we bought to the car.

The selection wasn't overwhelming, but certainly solid. The prices weren't too bad, but maybe a little high. Considering the alternatives though, the pricing was right on target. Glad I looked on BeerFly and found this place. Will be stopping by again the next time I'm back at the shore.
Aug 30, 2009
Photo of dsa7783
Reviewed by dsa7783 from New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev +10.4%
Waltzed in here with a few buddies while down south in Jersey... small, convenient place with a nice selection of brews... Troegs, Dogish Head, Victory, etc... Service was about average if not worse, had one person asking me if I needed help, and then I was left to fend for myself... reasonable prices were certainly a plus... nothing too expensive or over-the-top... nice, orderly place that stacked all your usuals plus alot of micro and craft bres... would definitely visit this place again... nice organization... recommended...
Jan 06, 2008
Photo of mobud
Reviewed by mobud from Delaware

2.85/5  rDev -14.9%
Right on the main road of stores in Avalon, this store is hard to miss. Plenty of parking in the back. The selection for a shore liquor store is not all that bad. I went there on advice from my friend that I was visiting in Sea Isle City ( a short ride over the bridge and miles better than Kixs in SIC). The service was non-existant, unless you are 21 and blond with dad's credit card. The two guys working there really tried to avoid coming near me. I found some good beers ( Stone bombers, Troegs, DFH), but their real focus there is BMC and a very nice selection of wines. The prices are what you would expect from a shore beer store; no real bargains and not really a place to get singles. Stop in if you need good beer, but don't expect any great finds/revelations.
Sep 05, 2007
Photo of number1bum
Reviewed by number1bum from Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +10.4%
I'm a little confused about the name of this place, if it may have changed, but it's the only liquor store in Avalon so it has to be the one. In any event, it's now called Fred's Liquors or something like that, but it's owned by a sibling of Fred's in Stone Harbor. Anyway...

The store is a really good size and has an incredible wine selection and also a lot of liquor. In the back are the beer coolers and they have a pretty solid selection of beer, as well, especially relative to the alternatives at the shore. There are only about 2-3 coolers with good stuff in them, and then some stacks of cases (some of which are open), but the selection is pretty decent. Lots of DFH, Flying Fish, Troegs, Victory, Smuttynose, Flying Dog, and a few Weyerbacher's and some imports. I also saw some Spanish Peaks, Allagash and a couple others I can't remember. Virtually no bottle selection (even the Chimay are the 12ozers and stuff like Sam Smith is in 4 packs), but altogether not half bad.

Everything seemed fresh except for a few 6ers of Weyerbacher that weren't in the cooler - last season's AutumnFest and some Winter Ale. But it was pretty obvious that they were old (although they weren't marked down). They even had the superfresh DFH Punkin Ale and Smutty Pumpkin Ale.

There were a few people working there and a guy right next to me restocking some wine, but no one offered to help. I only made one visit though so I won't dock too much for that. Prices weren't too bad, but they are definitely more expensive than a non-shore establishment would be offering. I'll definitely stop here in the future when I'm at the shore.
Aug 21, 2007
Photo of Umbra
Reviewed by Umbra from Maryland

3.5/5  rDev +4.5%
Avalon Liquors is right on the beach town’s main drag. For those worried with such things, there is ample parking in the rear that never gets filled up and a few angled spots out front that should be wide open if it isn’t in-season.

We’ve stopped in several times over several summers. If anything, the selection has improved. The service is friendly and will heave your bags out to the car if you require. Mostly comprised of college kids living around town that are not overly familiar with the wares, though one or two in particular have some knowledge of the better beers. The quality and selection are slightly better than average, though I’ve ranked them a 4 due to the location.

They don’t have to stock good beer here to cut the mustard, but they do. 80% of the store is liquor and wine, but there will be two to three coolers on the left side as you walk in with regional and some national microbrews. FF, Troegs, DFH and Victory are mixed with Left Hand and a handful of Belgians/Germans. I’m not sure what to rate for quality. There is very fresh beer here, with the popular brews disappearing on holiday weekends, but you can also find months past their prime cases of brews outside the fridge. They do sell kegs, just haven’t figured out if they’ll order the good stuff if you pre-order.

Overall: Your choices for getting quality take home beers at the shore are limited. With the exception of Circle, a random Joe Canal’s, and maybe Fred’s, you’re SOL. The beers are about a dollar or so a six more expensive than at home. Well worth the price of not hauling it up to NJ yourself.
Oct 20, 2006
Avalon Liquors in Avalon, NJ
Place rating: 3.35 out of 5 with 10 ratings