Excellent assortment of beers + terrific service + great hours = Country Wide Beverage.
Soon after moving into the area, I found the need to stock my fridge with an assortment of beers, both for myself and for guests who might come and visit. A quick trip down Merrick Road took me to Country Wide Beverage in Valley Stream. Noticing the size of the place, I decided to journey in.
Although the parking lot can only accommodate up to 4 cars (or perhaps 12 bikes), it's well worth the effort to come here. First of all, hours here are terrific! On weekdays, they're open as late as 9pm (and open as early as 8:30am). Compared to other beverage barns in the area, that's not bad at all!
Second of all, the service is great! Especially with nobody in the store, the owner came over and asked if I needed any help finding what I needed. In mentioning I wanted to try a good stout, he showed me a few options and asked what my preferences would be for stouts. After showing me a few choices, he ended up taking me over to a part of the store that served Ommegang. Knowing a few friends, including Josh G., who visited this brewery in Cooperstown and has great things to say, I decided to give it a shot (and was very impressed that they offered that brand). The staff is very friendly, personable and upbeat. They're great!
Finally, the beer selection here is immense! Looking for a good national staple (Bud, Corona, Guinness, Stella, Heineken)? They've got you covered. Want something closer to home like Brooklyn Brewery or Ommegang? No problem. Looking for a good German beer? They've got Dunkel and more! How about a nice ale from the U.K.? You can find Wells (including Banana Bread ale, one of my favorites) and more. I'm really just scratching the surface here. The options are immense!
Prices here are not all that shabby either, very similar to what you might find at other beverage barns.
Between the service, hours and beer selection here, there's no reason to pass up this venue. You certainly must visit given the opportunity! read more
