Canal’s Discount Liquors

August 4, 2008
Big display. Not very well oraganized. Some rare stuff and some nice treats sprinkled in the mix. Good selection local singles. Decent price along with the 5% discount on larger purchases of the singles.

July 16, 2008
Canal’s... Well from the outside this place is nothing special, but inside this place has 2 really good things going for it. First, a great selection of rare beers available individually and by the case and every combo in between. It’s a great selection and new brews come in every week. T The second is Mike, my personal beer shrink. My guess is this guy was a trapist monk in a former life. He is a regular guy, who really knows his beer and gets to know his clients. After one of his consultations I certainly don’t feel like a plain old customer... Prices are good and you’ll get a 5% dicount if you buy 6 or more... Very easy to get to from PA (Burlington-Bristol Bridge) or anywhere in central NJ. (just minutes off I-295 and NJ Turnpike Ex. 5) Worth the trip!

June 1, 2008
After seeing the reviews here, I took a trip from Trenton to Burlington. Note that Circle Liquors Super Saver (a great craft singles selection) is like 5 minutes from where I live. When I walked in, I saw the fridge with two sections of singles and craft beer and was disappointed. Then I turned the corner and my jaw dropped. I met Mike within 15 minutes of showing up, and he was a whirlwind of help. I’d go as far as to say that he is one of the few people who have the ability and will to influence the alcohol retail industry in the greater Trenton Area who also truly get the new surge in the appreciation of craft beer. He spent time finding out my tastes, making suggestions, and he pulled out a few special bottles he thought I might enjoy, each of which I purchased. The selection is not to be believed, and it is all due to Mike. Great place, great selection, and unbelievable service. Thanks, Mike.

January 8, 2008 [ Updated August 16, 2008 ]
The selection in this store is very big and varries. Lots of brews that were here before, are no longer present. Holes are all over the place and it looks like swiss cheese. This is all due to the fact of not reordering product and the lack of budget. Mikey is very knowledgeable in beer and he can help you out when you stop in. Some of the prices are off the wall, but some are very reasonable. I’d say now this place is hit or miss depending when you stop in. Get on Mikeys email list if you can and he’ll shoot you emails when new product or rare things roll through the door.

January 5, 2008 [ Updated August 16, 2008 ]
This place is going down hill fast. The owner does not allow the beer manager Mike to buy craft beer. Every week Mike is only allowed a certain amount of money to spend and he does the best he can to buy everything in small quantities. The problem with this is that every time you want something common like Hop Devil, Stone IPA, Old Chub. They won’t have it because the budget was too short that week. All the money goes to Kasser’s pints and tall cans of Budweiser. This place was amazing about 6-8 months ago and has done a complete 180 when it comes to the beer section of the store. The problem is not Mike’s, but the owner and his willingness to buy craft beer. Why buy craft beer when we can get a 100 case deal on Smirnoff Vodka? I am going to guess in about another year from now, this store will be depleted of micros and will only carry the main crafts such as Victory and Flying Fish. The only thing holding that part of the building together is Mike and his willingness to spend over the budget every once in a while and take the heat from higher up. If Mike leaves just stop shopping here for micros.....seriously you can even ask him yourself.

January 1, 2008
I stopped by on 12/31while visiting friends for the New Year and I was taken by total surprise by the vast selection in this warehouse of spirits and beer. The place was jamming with customers, but the guys still helped me find the regular beer section. I was shocked by the low prices and the great selection. I picked a Westmalle Dubbel 750ml, K-O Belgian, and a Fantome Saison. There was good selection of Fantome bottles which I had not seen anywhere. I was also knocked out by the Scotch selection. This was a landmark find and I look forward to returning.

December 12, 2007
The Beer Guy takes the time to provide help in searching for beers and adds his input. He takes pride in the Beer Wall he’s built. Nice selection of 22 OZ. beers. You can mix six packs to try new flavors, without going broke. Tried 12 Seasonal beers by mixing ’em up in December ’07. Uses rateBeer ratings. Convenient location (near 295).

November 2, 2007
This has quickly become my go to place in NJ. Selection of single bottles expands every month. Everything from Cantillion to Deus, rare Italian brews, just got some Nogne Dark horizon even! Mikeller, Stone, Capt Lawrence, etc. Best of all, its 10 mins from my house (danger!). Mike the beer guy knows his stuff.

September 7, 2007
Mike (beer guy) does the best job he could do finding rarities. Even though he has trouble with one distributor it still doesn’t stop him from what he gets his hands on. Its sad that he has only limited area. I can only dream about what he could do with more space. He carries Rogue, Southern Tier, Smuttynose, Weyerbacher, Captain Lawrence, DogFish Head, and Lagunitas just to name a few. I highly recommend this place.

November 22, 2006
Nice liquor shop off of Rt 541. Expanding selection of micros. Lots to choose from Dogfish Head,Victory,Weyerbacher, Rogue, Troegs,Stone,Lancaster,Rochefort,Smuttynose,Lagunitas as well as many others. Singles are available which wasnt the case before. A few Belgiums to choose from. Mike the Beer Guy let me break up a few six packs to purchase as singles. They used to carry Three Floyds, but I havent seen any my last few trips there.