Thursday 10th of December 2009 10:56:35 AM

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2009: Don't go here on a friday-saturday night... amateurs everywhere. "Dude, should we get 2 kegs of Bud?" etc. A real cluster based on the poor design of the beer area. Everyone was on top of each other, and you really couldn't get a look at the beer with people pushing past you every other minute. No one offered help, and it was such a free-for-all with long lines that I just left.

2007
This Binny's seems to offer the least amount of space to beer than any other store in the chain. However, they have a quality selection. It seems that American craft is given slightly more space, followed by Belgian, German, and British selections. There are a fair amount of obscure euro singles for cheap, that seem fresh every time i've tried them. Occasional new offerings and seasonals.

For the US, there was GI, Founders, Lagunitas, Jolly Pumpkin, Brooklyn (plenty of local 1), New Holland, 3 Floyds bombers & 6-pks. Plus 10-12 others i'm forgetting. Good representation of JP and Lagunitas though. Belgians have their own nook near the coolers, with a meager smattering of pint glasses and Cubs beer cozys. St. Berny, Duchesse, Rodenbach, several Lambics, Nostradamus in the coolers. Lots of Belgian seasonals for Xmas here. Good representation of Germans, many Hefes, a Kellerbier or two, even the dreaded Black Abbot. Many British singles, including a couple new ones like Trafalgar IPA.

Once I encountered the elusive "beer guy", once in about 10 visits to this place. He gave some interesting recommendations for Hefes, including a Lithuanian one. Sort of like a genie, he must be properly summoned.

Checkout was ok, ID is mandatory even if you're old and gray. You're lucky to get a hello, usually just a grunt...but stay to enjoy the off-color banter. There's a free bottle chiller slightly hidden against the wall past the registers, works well for 750's.