Is there a Great Beer Grocery Store?
Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 9:16 pm
I was thinking about this in light of all the convo around the government's beer announcement.
In the 8 years (I think it's that long? Since 2015?) since grocery stores were able to stock beer, did a store (or stores) anywhere in the province emerge as one that curated an exceptionally notable selection?
I'm not talking about getting in special stuff, as I know that didn't happen. But every time I was at a grocery store that had beer, it was just a random smattering of stuff. I'm genuinely curious if any store or store manager cared to do something unique with their selection. I honestly don't think I heard of any, and never saw one with my eyes.
Maybe this will emerge when the shackles come off, when stores that have specializations (such as British shops, or Euro food specialties) might get more creative. But it's kind of interesting (and telling) that nobody (?) did anything interesting with their beer selection to stand out over the last bunch of years. Unless I'm wrong and one of the grocery stores did?
(I will acknowledge that Longo's was a bit of a trailblazer with their in-grocery bars Corks, but can't recall if they sell beer to go? And Eataly did partner with Indie for Birroteca but that is a bit of a special case as it's an exclusive arrangement.)
In the 8 years (I think it's that long? Since 2015?) since grocery stores were able to stock beer, did a store (or stores) anywhere in the province emerge as one that curated an exceptionally notable selection?
I'm not talking about getting in special stuff, as I know that didn't happen. But every time I was at a grocery store that had beer, it was just a random smattering of stuff. I'm genuinely curious if any store or store manager cared to do something unique with their selection. I honestly don't think I heard of any, and never saw one with my eyes.
Maybe this will emerge when the shackles come off, when stores that have specializations (such as British shops, or Euro food specialties) might get more creative. But it's kind of interesting (and telling) that nobody (?) did anything interesting with their beer selection to stand out over the last bunch of years. Unless I'm wrong and one of the grocery stores did?
(I will acknowledge that Longo's was a bit of a trailblazer with their in-grocery bars Corks, but can't recall if they sell beer to go? And Eataly did partner with Indie for Birroteca but that is a bit of a special case as it's an exclusive arrangement.)