Starr’s Market

7/14/2008 10:55:34 PM, monday, july 14, 2008
Stopped in today and was interested, but not blown away by their wares. They had a nice selection of imports and microbrews (all of the Boulevard Smokestack series, for example) but things didn’t seem that well organized and there were no total surprises. Still, worth the time if you have it.

7/12/2008 4:40:08 PM, saturday, july 12, 2008
Probably one of the best selections of imports in the area. Nice selection of area micro’s. Good pricing. Great specialty market as well including wines, meats cheeses, coffee and more. One of the better beer store in St Louis.

9/16/2006 2:49:13 AM, saturday, september 16, 2006 [ Updated saturday, september 16, 2006 ]
This is under Luka’s or Coral if you’re on a St. Louis stop, but they do have a good selection. There is a guy there who cares about and knows his beer (not the owner!!!) so the place is getting better these days. There is a good selection of imports, okay selection of regional and nice selection of Belgiums. If you are looking for wines this is a fine places to stop as well as that is their specilaty. A nice place to go by as there is a nice selection. If the beer guy is given more freedom this could be an excellent stop. Luka’s is the best in the area for now, if you can go to the Illinois side of the river go to Coral, but if you are in the St. Louis metro area this is a great place to stop. While in the area stop by Whole Foods that is about five minutes away and you will have the best in the metro area.

8/22/2006 12:08:16 PM, tuesday, august 22, 2006 [ Updated tuesday, august 22, 2006 ]
Stopped by on a St. Louis visit. Hadn’t been there in years. AMBIANCE: Same old, really. Good coffee at reasonable prices, a decent fish market and deli, and some gourmet foods. Good wine and scotch selection, with beer on one wall and shelf. Looks like a mini-supermarket. SERVICE: I’ve never had a bad experience, and this trip was the same. Spent about 15 minutes talking coffee with the manager. SELECTION: Solid, although not what you might expect for being one of the better beer stores in St. Louis. The Friar Tuck chains in IL have this beat. You’ll find the Abbaye des Rocs series, some vintage Fullers, a good mix of Belgian strong ales, Bells products, Unibroue, Samiclaus, and others. FOOD: Delii is solid. OVERALL: Good, but not exceptional. I certainly wouldn’t call this "EXCELLENT" as the title indicates.

1/29/2006 10:42:00 AM, sunday, january 29, 2006 [ Updated saturday, october 06, 2007 ]
Starr’s has made improvements since I first starting going here in 2003 and this is the best place to go to when looking for vintage ales and barley wines. The Belgian select is quite good and so is their German and U.K. sections. Everything else is pretty average. Prices can be high for St. Louis. Service is hit or miss, one time friendly and helpful, next time hands off and distant. I, personally, have never purchased an off beer here, which is the most common complaint I’ve heard about Starr’s. Just be careful, look over hard and there should be no problems. Check out their deli area. If you are a traveler, Corral, Lukas (Ellisville, MO) and Starr’s will pretty much cover all the STL area has to offer in beer stores. (Update 10/07: I would replace this store with Randall’s on S. Jefferson on my top three St. Louis beer store list, so then, my must stops are Lukas, Corral and Randall’s.)

9/14/2005 9:14:56 PM, wednesday, september 14, 2005
Well, i walked into this place expecting a huge beer isle. What i got was pretty good, but still, it wasnt all that great. the prices were right though i must say. They have some jw lees vintages 98 and 01, which i will definately pick up once i get some cash. Im looking forward to coming up to this place for some good belgians (their speciality it seems)

4/13/2005 12:40:24 AM, wednesday, april 13, 2005 [ Updated monday, september 05, 2005 ]
Great selection of Belgians and other imports. A little weak in the American micros, but they know that and it is more of a distribution thing than by choice. They have the best of what’s available in the area. Very friendly and helpful service. The wine selection is great (though I’m not one to say) and the deli/fresh foods and meats are a great pairing with the wonderful beers. All around, just a very enjoyable place to shop.

4/9/2004 8:27:12 PM, friday, april 09, 2004
I think of this place as world market lite. They have got a nice deli and lots of foodstuffs from all over the world. Nice selection of micros and imports. Probably the best selection on this side of the river. Their Belgian selection is excellent. The only problem i have with this place is they don't often put the prices of the beer on the shelf or on the beer it self.

4/3/2004 8:57:16 PM, saturday, april 03, 2004
As best as I can tell, the staff is not that knowledgeable about beer. Selection of Belgians is pretty impressive. Selection of micros is probably average to above average.

2/5/2004 7:26:07 AM, thursday, february 05, 2004
The best beer store in St. Louis, as far as I know. As I recall the strength of the selection was its German, Belgian and UK stuff. Very impressive selection.