Global Wine & Spirits

Oh yeah–
After further investigation (and a lot of drinking, but SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT), looks like Shawn U. was right, and they are independently-​owned-​but-​loosely-​affiliated due to ownership laws. While the west side mothership still has the better selection, this does raise another question: why does Kansas suck at making liquor laws?

I’m not used to shopping at package stores. Where I’m from, you buy your everyday hooch in the grocery store and the fancier alcohol in big warehouse style stores. We don’t really have many of the classic liquor stores. Maybe that’s why I like Global so much; it doesn’t feel like a typical liquor store. To me, it feels like a Pier One or a World Market, only filled with lovely, lovely beer.
And I do mean filled. They have hundreds and hundreds of different kinds of beer. Everything from Pabst Blue Ribbon to Blue Moon to Chimay Bleue, and everything in between. Most impressive for me was their wide selection of Trappist Ales and single-​run or special editions of more popular microbrews. That kind of thing is hard to find anywhere, but Global has an abundance. Hell, it has an overabundance. My first thoughts upon entering the store were «how much room do I have on my credit card?» and «my wife wouldn’t REALLY make me sleep on the couch, would she?» Difficult decisions lay ahead. The man behind the counter was very knowledgeable and helped me narrow my selection back down to a reasonable, non-​wife-​angering level. His recommendations turned out to be spot on, he didn’t simply seem to be claiming to have tried all the beers in the store (like the guys at some places do). To figure out how good the prices are, I always use Chimay Rouge as my litmus test. Global performed at just about average in this test, which is completely fine by me given their insane selection. I used to paying much less for 6 and 12 packs, but I also live in another state. From what I’ve seen in package stores in Kansas, the prices at Global on this stuff is pretty much on par with everywhere else.
Global is more of a connoisseur’s store than it is a place to pick up a sixer before the game starts. But if you are a connoisseur of beer, if you consider drinking Sam Adams slumming it, if you know the difference between a lager and a pilsner, then you should love Global.

I have witnessed the Holy Grail of liquor stores and it is curiously located in Wichita, KS. This place is unassuming in its location in a strip mall. But don’t let outward appearances fool you, inside it is a boozer’s delight! According to the guy at the counter, they have 630 different types of beer. Literally an entire WALL of any import or specialty brew you could ever want to find. You can even buy them as singles or in six packs (or larger, depending on what you want). I was paralyzed with indecision — there were too many. This store also sells liquor and regular domestic brands as well. And they sell the cold beer from a huge BEER CAVE in the back! Even if you are going to buy Miller Lite you should come here as apparently the beer at gas stations and such are 3% whereas the liquor stores can sell the higher alcohol content ones — you know, the beer that you normally buy in other states. Don’t even think about it, just GO HERE and stock up!!!