Garys Beverage

January 19, 2008
Even though many of the negative characterizations of this store by fellow RBers seem accurate my first experience here was overall positive. Good things were: I found the place despite only having a general idea of where it was, they were open around 8:30 AM on a Thursday when I got there, they had the #1 thing I was looking for (Redhook Treblehook), at least one guy there was pretty friendly and helpful, and I found a few interesting things I haven’t seen in Maine. Bad things: they are big into selling cases of beer (and cartons of cigarettes), they have signs posted telling you they don’t sell singles and their selection is kind of spotty. Not the best beer place but really not the worst either.

October 17, 2007
As mentioned, warehouse style. The selection was ok as far as NH goes. Not great, but at least they have some unique stuff. They had some organic beers that I’ve never seen anywhere else. The clerk was just a clerk...didn’t know anything about beer. has some convenience store items as well, chips, soda. etc.

June 8, 2007 [ Updated December 28, 2007 ]
I get my everyday drinking beer here it has the best selection in Portsmouth It is also dark cramped dusty and pretty much a dive. They do sell mad dog 2020 and Boones Farm need I say more. After saying that I don’t go here for the atmosphere it is the prices that keep me coming back again and again they have a few bombers and odd English brews. Always check the cases because they often have stuff that is not in the cooler even found a case of Sam’s triple bock last year .As stated below you can often get close outs from Shipyard I saw last years winter beer at $10 bucks a case. So don’t let the looks of the place scare you go in and snoop around its worth it

May 23, 2007
May 2007 Grungy, warehouse environment with narrow aisles and employees that don’t know anything. MartinT’s review is spot on and things haven’t changed in the 18 months since he visited. I did get the new Smuttynose Very Old Brown Dog, but it seemed more expensive than it should have been and I really felt like the staff would rather I hadn’t bothered to come in. Ummm, no.

May 31, 2006
For all the non-residants of NH, yes this place isn’t very impressive. But for NH it’s about the best there is. They carry anything that is legally allowed to be sold in the state. Like their selection or not, you can’t find a better selection on the seacoast.

March 29, 2006
Very dissapointing. Recommended by a lot of people, there was not a huge selection of beers. Also, it didn’t have any seasonal (except for Shipyard) and nothing really rare. At least the prices were good.

December 30, 2005
This can’t be the best place in the Portsmouth area to get craft beer. Either that, or we hit them in a really bad spell. The place was a mish-mash of macro cases, displaced micro 6-packs, dusty shelves, and randomly organized alcohols and foods. Can’t mix and match 6-packs either. Only a few Smuttynoses! And we’re in Portsmouth! 2-3 Rogues, some Anchor, some Unibroues, some Samuel Smiths...basically what any regular bevvie will carry to cater to all beer crowds. Barely anything from Maine, barely anything from Massachusetts, and they’re both only a few miles away. Little effort is being put into craft beer here; there is no reason to come here when you can drive down to MA, or north to Portland, ME.

April 25, 2005
lots of good microbrews from MA, NH, and ME, plus a good selection of imports from across the puddle. kind of cramped, dirty, and dingy. if you’re a claustrophobic beer drinker, this store is not the place for you.

May 14, 2004
garys has a good selection of NH beers, maine beers, and unibroue beers. good prices on terrible and trios pistoles too (5.99). also he had the smuttynose maibock. clerk was friendly. this was the first store i hit in NH, and it was a little better than smileys. NH isnt really known for its beer scene though... i like the no sales tax thing though