Thursday 11th of February 2010 01:41:48 PM

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Armanettis deserves a re-review in light of the widespread poor service discussed in the BA Great Lakes forum, as well as my firsthand experiences:

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/2579904
http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/3205540

More accounts on Yelp:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/armanetti-wine-shoppe-and-beverage-mart-chicago?rpp=40&sort_by=rating_asc

http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=wec0NqmYVIgONWasXb889g

You just can't make this stuff up...

Armanettis used to be a regular stop for me, but I don't shop there anymore.

After shopping there weekly over the last several years, I was lectured by the owner on a random tirade about "customer loyalty", and was treated like i'd never spent a dime in the store before. Another time I asked if they sold branded beer glasses. Steve looks at me all funny, then goes and grabs some random glass from under the counter, hands it to me and says "don't say I never gave you nothing" like he was doing a huge favor. Passive/aggressive behavior and widespread poor treatment of customers by the owner is the key issue here. Steve has some anger management issues that manifest on random customers... you never know if you'll catch him in a good or bad mood. Expect gloating arrogance and hostile condescension if its the latter. Why anyone would continue to support this business is beyond me, unless they haven't encountered Steve's Dr. Jeckyll side yet. Even if he "changed his tune" recently due to bad press, his actions have already spoken.

The selection is good, but there's not anything you can't find elsewhere. They also have a "members only" card program that excludes people from access to buying limited beers that are sitting on the shelf for all to see. If you don't have an extended sales history (tracked by your card), you aren't worthy of buying "members only" beers on the shelf. This is clearly not beer advocacy. Maybe some with entitlement issues crave some perceived "exclusive vip treatment", personally I don't need a liquor store owner to make me feel special. Just sell beer without the mind games.

How did Armanetti's get such a great beer selection?
The selection you see today was originally pioneered by Dave/BA thelonegunman and his father who opened the store, then sold off the family business to Steve a few years later. Focus was on Midwest micros like FFF, Dark Horse, Flossmoor, Half Acre, and Belgians, though i've bought expired imports here on occasion, and they let Flossmoor IPA's sit around for a year or two in the recent past.

With so many options nearby like West Lakeview, Lush on Roscoe, Pellys, and Whole Foods, I have no problem finding great craft beer elsewhere. Not to mention people who are passionate about beer and treat their customers like human beings.

Saturday 31st of May 2008 07:42:21 AM

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I haven't been to Armanetti's in a long time. Usually, I get as far as West Lakeview (just a bit west) and don't go past. After visiting for a Flossmoor tasting, I am shocked at how good the selection is at Armanetti's now.

I'm a sucker for a large regional/craft beer selection. Sure, I like Imports, but I am much more excited when I find a large, focused American bottled selection.

There is a wall of cold storage in the back of the store dedicated to the more popular beers, but those beers are also available room temperature near the front as well.

The front of the main beer aisle that used to be all Imported beer is now dedicated to 22/750 bottled Regional/American beer. The back part of that aisle is still focused on Imports.

There is a small parking lot (4 or 5 spaces) next door to Armanetti's and there is metered parking on the street out front.