Big Top Wines and Spirits

10/22/2007 5:51:22 PM, monday, october 22, 2007
There really is no customer service while you’re looking for the beer that you want. About half of what they have in bottles on the shelf is also refrigerated so that is convenient. They have a balanced selection of imports and microbrews.

8/16/2007 4:58:47 PM, thursday, august 16, 2007
Big store with good selection that was much better than I had ever imagined would be there. Staff walk around and ask if you need help, although I did not ask any beer questions so I am not sure how much they knew about beer. They carry Surly products, which is actually the reason I initially stopped.

6/20/2005 6:19:26 PM, monday, june 20, 2005 [ Updated monday, june 20, 2005 ]
Interesting inner-city store with a good selection including a few foreign beers, lots of American microbrews and a TON of "ghetto brews". Though not in the best neighborhood, it’s a convenient and safe place (partially because of the uniformed police officer checking id’s every Fri & Sat night) to find a new 6-pack every time. Staff is mostly up at the checkout counter and generally won’t be able to help much, as this is a well-run no-frills establishment that isn’t afraid to say: "Yes, we’ll offer you a good selection of premium beers, but at the same time we also continue to cater to the inner-city crowd with our offerings of cheap malt liquor." Another interesting thing about Big Top is that they have a small freezer with some frozen pizzas.

1/24/2004 4:53:02 PM, saturday, january 24, 2004 [ Updated friday, march 04, 2005 ]
Only a few miles from downtown St. Paul, and a short drive North on Snelling Avenue from Interstate 94, it has the largest beer selection in the city. Iit is worth a stop if you want something good. Their selection has been improving recently, but still not as good as Cellars Roseville or Minnetonka.. Service is always friendly but has limited knowledge of beer. Very large wine and liquor selections, nothing good in the small humidor. very reasonable prices, and when there is a sale it is worth stopping by. Large clearance section that rarely includes beer.