Beware of The Champagne Company and The Drinks Emporium, online wine companies that are taking…read morecustomer money but failing to supply goods or provide refunds. Both have done this to me recently.

I'm so glad this place opened - since it has, I've been there three times, and not just to purchase…read morea bottle from their vast array on offer but to tastings as well. Situated on the Aston Road near the A38 you could be forgiven for missing it, but don't! It would be a mistake not to go. There is parking available outside so there's not even a need to walk. You have to buzz for entry, but once inside you'll see why. There's a large selection of wines, champagnes, spirits and beers on offer. The décor is well laid out and there are seats should you feel the need to sit down just to take it all in! There is a huge amount of champagnes to cater for every taste ranging from Moet to Bollinger to Dom Perignon. Right in the back corner is a separate section for the more exclusive bottles - I suggest you go have a look at least. There's the normal range of spirits but there are loads of more distinct and different brands on offer. I managed to get hold of a flavoured bottle of Absolut that nowhere else had in stock. The staff are brilliant - when I went in looking for a bottle of rum for my boyfriend who loves the stuff, they showed me various ones similar to the ones he has already tried (by the way - the recommendation was amazing and my boyfriend loved it). I've been back several times to buy beer, spirits and wine. The prices are reasonable and similar to those you'd get online - I've always managed to find what I've wanted for a great price. As it has more speciality items, I know I'll be back to further sample the range.

There's very few places on Ladypool Road where you can buy alcohol due to the high population of…read moreMuslims there. Some of the curry houses even have a sign on the door saying "No alcohol allowed" , something you very rarely see in this country. However, there are a few places round there where drinkers can get their fix, and Ladypool Wines Cellar is one of them. The good points about Ladypool Wines Cellar are as follows - it's cheap, it serves late (I'm presuming it serves until after the local curry houses have closed), the layout is reasonably spacious, allowing you to see all the products clearly, and the selection is a bit more interesting than the average neighbourhood off license. However, it's not the cleanest or prettiest shop in the world, and the owner can be fairly grumpy at times, presumably because he's been stood in the same spot serving mostly the same people for a very long period of time. In conclusion, I would say that Ladypool Wines Cellar is a fairly good off license, but it sorely needs a lick of paint and would someone please take the owner on holiday somewhere nice?

I first visited Stirchley Wines when a friend of mine had moved to the area and, having been told…read moregreat things about it, insisted we went to grab some alcohol from here for a night in catching up. I wasn't disappointed. Being a craft beer fan this place is an Aladdin's cave, with bottles from all over the world, in different styles, strengths and flavours. I've been with friends who love beer and those that aren't so keen but everyone managed to find something they like. I live above a BrewDog in the city centre and Stirchley Wines had more variety of BrewDog beers in stock that the bar itself!? I managed to grab the infamous My Name is Vladimir protest beer released to coincide with the Winter Olympics in Sochi. They of course have beers from all the big craft beer breweries as well as some of the smaller lesser known ones. They even have a few beers on tap and the guys there are happy to help if you need some guidance on what beer is best for you. It's a great place to pop into before you go to a curry house, as I have done, as a lot of the places nearby are BYOB. Stirchley Wines as the name suggests also sells a lot of wines and a great variety of spirits that you most likely wouldn't find elsewhere or in very small amounts, so I encourage you to take that trip south of Birmingham into it's suburbs or if you're in the area be sure to pop in, you won't regret it.

How do you turn a boring high street off-licence into something special? For the answer to that…read morequestion you should visit Stirchley Wines....and you don't even have to go there to do that. The beauty of Stirchley Wines is that they will tell you about their interesting new stock on Twitter! They'll post photos and reviews of new wines and beers online and, what's more, they are witty and informative with it. Follow @stirchleywines to find out more. Not only are they the world's first social media savvy off-licence, and not only do they have a really, really, really good and varied selection of beers that you wouldn't find elsewhere - think of it like an independent record shop for booze - but they have also recently teamed up with acclaimed local bakers Loaf to produce a different Beer Bread each week. A message is posted on Twitter when the bread arrives...but you need to be quick. Alongside all the usual other stuff that you'd expect (tobacco, snacks, soft drinks, mixers) there is also a really good whisky selection. Prices aren't the cheapest on some brands, but the selection more than makes up for that. The main reason for supporting this place, though, is that they are keen to support other local businesses in the area, and that's what makes a community. So, next time you want a 4-pack, or a bottle of wine, don't bother with the supermarket - head down here and so what they might have for you. Alternatively, tweet them and ask.

Drinksville in Moseley manages to finely walk the balance of being a great off licence without…read moretripping over into an upmarket, high end wine or spirit shop. The place is very down to earth, with all your usual cheapest booze choices (Glen's vodka anyone?) Brilliantly it also offers some very good quality alcohol. So you can get a decent bottle of wine or even champagne. They stock a wide variety of international lagers and many real ales. The staff are always super friendly, you know even if you are already half cut. Just watch out for that plastic screen. I've seen many a friend plough into that ...

Nothing to complain about with Drinksville, it's a great off-licence…read more They have a large varied stock, really reasonable prices and friendly staff too. And I bet they have to deal with some right drunk numbskulls being situated right in the heart of Moseley village too, but it doesn't seem to sway them. A much better option to stock up here rather than the supermarkets around the corner.

What an amazing shop! I will never think of whisky the same way again…read more In fact I like whisky now and really want to go back to buy a fancy bottle, just to keep in the house and have a drop when we deserve it. You know, like grown ups do! Seriously, take a look at this place, they know their stuff and whether you want to purchase for yourself, for a party or for a present for someone who has everything. Suits all budgets too!

This a lovely small independent whisky retailer with products that are high end and from all over…read morethe Globe. Located just inside the Great Western Arcade it's worth a visit when you can, even just to browse the products. They have many famous brands to offer, so why not let the nice assistant tell you all they know about the whisky distilleries? They are also part of the UK premier and private whisky club, offering a FREE membership with every purchase. They know their products, although perhaps be a bit careful not to over spend in here as the Whisky varieties are not cheap at all. They would make the perfect gift if you can find one at a reasonable price.

I've always been a fan of this particularly off-licence and continue to use it even though I have…read moremoved out of the area. The main reason for my repeat visits is that The Old Moseley Arms is a few hundred yards away, so this is the perfect spot to pick up some tobacco. The other reason I continue to use it is the fact that, having lived just down the road for 5 or 6 years, the guys in the shop remember me and we always have a chat about this and that. It's a proper local store, in other words (even though now I'm technically no longer a local). There is a decent and, more importantly, COLD selection of beers and soft drinks in the fridges, a fair to decent wine section and a few spirits. They accept cards, so you don't need to worry about schlepping up to Moseley for some cash. The final, final reason I still drop in here from time to time is that it is one of the only beer shops I know that stocks DAB, which is a really nice German lager that doesn't seem to have made much of a dent on the UK market and so is sometimes tricky to track down.

In this off-licence the beer is stacked to waist-height, so you feel like you might encounter a…read morelager-loving Minotaur as you navigate through this boozey labyrinth. As well as stocking a big selection of standard beers, wines and spirits, Amex Wines seem to be able to source some gems that evade other off-licences. Singer and songwriter Tom Waits used to sing the praises of a beer called Mickey's Big Mouth. Amex was where we tracked it down, in grenade-shaped green bottles. They also have good range of premium spirits including Parisian and Bohemian absinths/es, and some rums that you might not see in many places. Balsall Heath's tiny and authentic pub The Old Moseley Arms is just down the road, so combine a visit to one with the other.

Clink is a lovely little craft bar in the Custard Factory. When I say little, I mean tiny as only a…read morehandful of people can fit in at any one time. I popped in with a group of friends on Saturday night. Although I am not a craft beer drinker even I could appreciate the wide selection of beers that they had available. Even better, they sell prosecco by the glass so I was happy. As I mentioned the interior is very small, with a small bar area downstairs and a spiral staircase leading to a seating area upstairs. The guy service on the bar was very nice and happy to offer advice to anyone.

Great little bar situated at the Custard Factory. Loads of choice of cans and bottles to takeaway…read morefrom many independent brewers. Usually 6 beers on tap. Quick friendly service and good prices-independent Birmingham card gives you a discount too. Worth checking out if you like beer! Don't go expecting cocktails!;)

Although it may look like a fairly bog standard off licence from the outside, don't let appearances…read morefool you. Laithwaites is actually an extremely well stocked, very nice wine shop, not dissimilar to chains such as Majestic Wine Warehouse. The inside is very professional, with wines grouped appropriately, making whatever you're looking for specifically very easy to find. If you're not entirely sure what you're looking for, then fear not, because their friendly, approachable staff clearly know what they're doing and can advise you what wine to serve with certain food. The prices are competitive with the likes of Majestic, although if you're looking for a sub £5 bottle just to give to an acquaintance or what have you, you may be better suited going to a supermarket such as Tesco. Highly recommended.

We popped in here one Friday night for some wine and it was empty! This was good and bad because we…read moregot personal chatty service but the staff kind of watched our every move which was quite off-putting. They also kept asking if we neede help when we just wanted to look round. They have a good variety of wines of all sorts and prices. The cheapest bottles were about 6 quid and this was in the sale so it is not for you if you buy cheap wine! Prices went up as high as £20 a bottle and they also had a selection of champagne and sparkling wines. We treated ourselves to 4 bottles which were very nice. I doubt we'll use this shop much but it is handy if you've been in the Wetherspoons nearby plus there is parking outside.