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PHX: Great Selection of Beer(retail)?

Hi Hounds,

We have a friend who is celebrating a birthday, and he is a beer lover. Do you know of any retail outlets that have a nice selection of beers? I'd like to put together a basket for him.

I can always hit AJ's, but I'd like to try something new.


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  1. It might help to know where you're located - my first thoughts are Papago Brewing (Scottsdale) and Sun Devil Liquor (Mesa). Also, do you know what types of beer your friend likes?

    1 Reply
    1. re: azhotdish

      Papago Brewing Company on Scottsdale and McDowell is great! It's a bar, but they have a fridge (similar to a convenience store) with about 150 different beers. So, you can go there try a beer or have one on tap. It's a lot of fun to try all different types a beer. They have a Mandarin Hefeweisen that is awesome. Also, you can purchase individual types of beer without buying a six pack, and it will be cold.

    2. aj's and cost plus market always have some interesting beers...

      you can get a growler at sonoran brewhouse on camelback as well..

      1. Tops Liquor in Tempe, Star Liquor and Convenience in Tempe and Bevmo! in Chandler.

        1. You'll find some interesting brews at Trader Joe's. I saw the big bottles of Chimay there just yesteday.

          3 Replies
          1. re: ajs228


            Papamia will love to hear that.

            1. re: mamamia

              A few different types too. It was the store on Scottsdale and FLW.

              1. re: mamamia

                and they carry them for a bit cheaper than anyone else. most of their beers are TJ brand though.

            2. I think the best, and most fun place, is Sun Devil Liquor in Mesa. They definitely have the biggest, most diverse selection. In some cases you have to blow dust off the bottles, so I'm not sure about their inventory turnover. But I'm never able to go in there without buying something I've never tried before....huge import selection by region. I haven't been in Topps for years; I think it's the same owners as Sun Devil, but I don't believe they have as big an inventory. BevMo! in Chandler is ok...nothing special, but worth stopping by if the location is convenient. Papago Brewing is also an ok choice to buy interesting single-bottle selections, but it gets pretty pricey there (however, there's no better place in town to sit and have a beer or three).

              1 Reply
              1. re: mitchgx

                Mitch - you are correct, it's the same owners as Topps, and definitely not as big of a selection of beer. They also carry the limited edition Stone brews, which makes it my top spot for beer in the Valley.