Other smarter and nicer beer bloggers have highlighted this post already but I think it is well worth mentioning here:
The shock comes in the beer locker. One side of the store is occupied by your average 7-11 fridges: energy drinks, Gatorade, bottled water and sparkling water, sodas followed by a trusty grouping of mediocre domestic and Mexican beers. The last rack has a couple flavors of Sparks. But look on the adjacent wall, between the large wine racks and the Hagen Daz ice cream sits two unpretentious but impeccable beer compartments. The top shelf is entirely Belgians, including the regional hits (Russian River’s Damnation) and the domestic superstars (Three Philosophers) and the ubiquitous international celebrities (Delerium, all Chimays). This alone is unheard of even for most convenient liquor stores, let alone 7-11 chains, but [the manager] Charles takes it a step further and offers specialty international bottles of St. Bernardus and Uni 15. He told me once that he wants to specialize in Belgians. He also sells proper Belgian glasses, which are prominently displayed next to the gum and the cigarettes.I have just two questions: how did he do this and can he move to my town? Actually - Marche Jovi is sort of that way and the Galeville Grocery is pretty much there. I just happen to live 200 km to the south-west of the first and 200 km to the north of the other. Law makes so much sense.
Comments
Travis - April 19, 2007 3:42 PM
I LOVE GALEVILLE!!!
I remember taking trips into Vermont and all the convenience store had a solid selection...nothing like this, but Long Trail, DFH, Magic...you get the point. As soon as we crossed the boarder we would stop at the first one we saw and stock up. They used to sell singles to boot!
Thomas - April 19, 2007 7:03 PM
Place around the corner from move is on this level of good. While the have the Bud and other mass produced. They also carry a 15ftlong frig with nothing but regionals and anotherfrig with Belgians.
Western Post in Flagstaff AZ, if you are passing through stop in.
Thomas - April 19, 2007 7:04 PM
er move = me
Tom from Raleigh - April 21, 2007 12:51 PM
There are some great convenience stores in North Carolina. Sam's Blue Light, aka Sam's Quick Mart, has arguably the best beer selection in North Carolina and certainly the best beer selection for a place that sells gas and pork rinds.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/6531/?view=beerfly
Mary Young - May 1, 2007 8:20 PM
Hi beer lovers,
I admit to being totally ignorant about beer, other than I like it. I work for a non-profit that helps out small business owners. I am trying to find good ways to promote Big Star Beers in north Seattle. This lady imports about a 1000 different beers. Her store is import beers period, she sells nothing else.
She has kids and one is disabled. I get nothing out of this other than doing my job and hopefully helping her. She works seven days a week. She needs some promoting. If you have suggestions for me, please let me know.
Mary Y
Convenience Store - September 23, 2007 12:27 PM
A store in Addison, NJ. That sells a huge collection of beers and wines.