What To Know Before Going to a Liquor Store

A liquor store sells alcoholic beverages that can be used for parties and gatherings, food pairings, or just for trying something new. These drinks include beers, spirits, and wines. Here is what to know before going to a liquor store:

Curated Selections

The wide selection of beverages offered by a liquor store allows for curated choices tailored to different preferences and occasions. Curated selections include the following:

• Barrel-aged stouts

• Unique Imported Wine

• Flavored Vodka

• Gift sets

Barrel-aged stouts are beers aged in whiskey or bourbon barrels, giving them smooth flavors with notes of vanilla and dark chocolate. Fruited sours are made with fruits like raspberry or guava, while Belgian-style beers provide a traditional European twist. As part of a curated selection, gift sets allow you to show appreciation or celebrate special events. They can include a mix of familiar and new beers, wines, and spirits that you choose based on your preferences. Unique seasonal baskets are provided to capture the flavors of the time of the year. If you want something more personal, liquor store attendants create recommendations based on your preferences.

Craft Beer

Local breweries specialize in crafting unique flavors through their craft beer offerings that reflect the region. These beers change with the seasons to match the time of the year and the weather. In the fall, you might find pumpkin ales brewed with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, while winter beers are darker and spiced. Summer craft beers may be lighter and more refreshing, and may incorporate fruit flavors like watermelon.

Craft beer is made by fermenting water, barley, hops, and yeast. Some craft beers have more hops, which give a stronger or bitter taste that balances with sweetness. Depending on the beer style, it may undergo primary and secondary fermentation, followed by conditioning to mature the flavors. The beer then undergoes carbonation and filtration before being packaged in cans, bottles, or kegs.

Rare Spirits

Liquor stores sometimes offer rare spirits in limited-edition releases for holidays, special offerings, or collaborations. An older spirit is considered rare if its aging process is lengthy or if it was produced during a time when distillation practices differed. Expert teams travel to discover rare spirits for their store, as they can be challenging to locate. These spirits are trendy, unique, and upscale, making them different from ordinary liquors. Each drink has its own unique story, flavor, and origin, which collectively affect its quality and taste. Some are aged in special barrels to impart unique flavors not found in regular bottles. A master distiller’s expertise and techniques contribute to the quality and rarity of a spirit. 

Expansive Beer Caves

Liquor stores keep beer in large, specially designed storage areas to maintain its very cold temperature. The coolers store large volumes of beverages, providing customers with a wide selection of drinks. These beer caves feature both classical favorites and new seasonal offerings, all in one place. They feature large glass doors that allow customers to access the cold drinks.

Beer caves have optimal cool temperatures and humidity levels to preserve the freshness and flavor of drinks. Attendants craft the spaces to reflect regional and seasonal offerings, providing customers with an organized selection. To ease navigation, different beer types have dedicated sections, including lagers, ales, and stouts.

Wine Varieties

Wine varieties result from the different types of grapes used to make wine. Different grape varieties can produce a range of wines, from light and fruity whites to complex and dry reds. These ranges of wines offer diverse experiences from rich and bold to fresh and nuanced. Wines such as Terra d’Oro showcase balance and richness through their bold fruit flavors and a smooth finish. Peju wines express depth and character, featuring unique blends and single varietals with distinctive flavors.

Red wine is made from dark-skinned grapes, characterized by a bold and complex flavor profile, while white wine is made from yellow or green grapes, offering a crisp taste. By limiting contact between the grape juice and skins during fermentation, experts create a lighter-bodied wine with a pink color. Sparkling wine is carbonated, making it fizzy. The bubbles add a festive feel to the wine, making it suitable for celebrations.

Learn More About a Liquor Store

Liquor store staff can help you find quality drinks if you are unsure what to pick. They customize mixers based on your preferences by pairing them with spirits. If you want to mix drinks, they can recommend drinks that go well with other beverages. Contact a reputable liquor store to learn more about their products.