Been many years since I went here, and in a recent mad search for Belgian beer (which seems to be unobtainium nowadays, for whatever reason!), I ended up at Joe Canals. Lots has changed since my last visit(s). The entire back-end of the store used to stretch into what is now a mattress store, and was filled with a large assortment of craft beer and "make your own six pack" sections. While there's still a decent selection of beer here, their main focus seems to be liquor and wines, which dominate the majority of the shelves. Prices are decent, and are on par with every other liquor store in the area. For liquors, they seem to carry some more obscure or harder to find brands, which is a plus. Workers here have always been friendly and helpful as well. The downside, is that unfortunately echoing what others have said about the beer section - WATCH THE DATES. While the styles I tend to purchase age gracefully (stouts, porters, belgians) - a vast majority of the date codes I saw were 1 to 2 years past their best buy, and covered in dust. Many craft styles from local breweries that require constant refrigeration (IPAs, stuff with fresh fruit flavors, etc) were also fairly dusty on the shelves & unrefrigerated. All in all, probably a good place to get liquor and wine, and perhaps "macro" beers, but a heck of a lot of the beer was either expired or improperly stored. Not sure how frequently I'll be back, and definitely more of a liquor place than a beer one. read more

I went in wanting once upon vine and the gentleman who helped me was so helpful and knowledgeable. Thank you!

Where do I start? I ordered a German keg about 3 weeks in advance. They call me next say to day it in when I have nothing to do with them for another few weeks. I get a call the day I was supposed to pick up and am told they only have 1 special tap for the whole store and someone had it. They tell me it will be returned that night after 7(should have had the kegs by 3 that day). I get a call at almost 9pm saying the tap is in. Go in the day after, pick up the kegs and tap. I bring kegs to venue. Tap the keg. The FUCKING tap is leaking out of 2 places!! Called the store ON MY WEDDING DAY and the person says "WELL I DONT KNOW WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO" Didnt offer me a different keg or any help at all. Couldn't find the tap anywhere else within a reasonable distance. So an HOUR before I had to get into my limo to go to my wedding, guess who's stuck rebuilding the tap in my garage. Thankfully I had the seals and teflon tape to put on it to fix it.TAP HAD MOLD AND NASTY GUNK INSIDE!! BE CAREFUL AS THEY DONT CLEAN THEIR TAP! Unfortunately I cant post pictures I took of it. I OR ANYONE I KNOW WILL NEVER GO INTO ANY JOE CANALS LOCATION. read more

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Good selection of beer , but watch the dates. Some stuff shouldn't be sold at full price.

Big selection of everything....but I came for fresh beer I told the manager apparent. He pointed the way encouragingly. Also there were single bottles with which you can make up your own six pack. I always check the dates on the bottles or cans and saw numbers I did not like. There was a 4 pack of a Founders limited but it was bottled on 5/17/2018...today is 5/10/2019...I hoped it was a misprint but another pack was the same, and both dusty. I brought it up to the counter and said it was a year old...i got the so-what look. I then told another person (who had earlier pointed me toward the single beer bottles) about the old beer. He seemed to shrug it off and said it depends on the beer (he's right)...but I was hoping for something hoppy and the Founders was 96 IBU...I left as I heard "what do we do with it"...hey, what do I know? Just sayin. read more

Joe Canals - Front of Canals - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Brick, New Jersey

Update: someone from the store commented on my last review saying "that's about to change". It has already. The cute woman with the blonde hair about 5'2" that works the register is very friendly and makes you feel appreciated for shopping there. A complete 180 from the woman that works the first register towards the back wall that rarely says thank you and never asks me if I want a receipt. read more

They had just opened for the day and the cash registers were not working. Cashier-lady had a facemask on, but stock-boy and boss-man were maskless. They had a loud conversation across the checkout area, spewing respiratory droplets while ignoring several customers in line. I stood there for a few minutes until I realized they had no clue. I tried to leave, but the automatic door wouldn't open. Someone finally pulled the door open manually. Yes, they are rude but I used to shop there because it was convenient. I won't be back. It's not like they are the only liquor store in town. read more

Supermarket for Liquor. I didn't realize this was a chain until I started to get older and traveled other parts of NJ besides Cape May. If you can't find it here than you probably already know it's a lost cause. Prices are at least below Philadelphia "State Stores" and maybe on par with Delaware. read more

I don't like a liquor store that isn't open 9am to 10pm like the rest of them. Not convenient when it's one of the only ones in that particular area of brick. Total bummer. Keep a more consistent time frame please. read more

I went here for the 1st time last night. Normally I love a Joe Canal's & I was thrilled to find one fairly local. I have to say though, it was disappointing. If you are looking for liquor or wine, it definitely looks like the place to go. Aisles & aisles of both. Thus the 3 stars. However, I was on a craft beer hunt. They had roughly half an aisle of 'craft' beer, another half of generic beers. With all of the fantastic craft beers out there it's hard to believe they can't find a more diverse selection. Unlikely I will go back. read more

Worst service and rudest people to deal with! I needed help and a guy said that this is a liquor store, usually people know what they want when they come in. I walked out and will never come back. I was just going to ask a simple question! read more

If they don't have the wine you're looking for, go to whoever bottles it. Seriously huge selection. Ample beer choice as well with plenty of single bottles for the build-your-own six-pack sampler. My only complaint would be that the microbrew selection is typically regional, as opposed to national, and yet the international houses are represented for the most part (need my New Belgium!). Every liquor is stocked, of course. Prices all around are great, but damn, the Southern Tier Pumpking has GOT to stop charging $8 a bottle. It ain't *that* great. read more

Worst liquor store I've been to in awhile. Staff is rude as well as the manager. I was with a friend and the cashier asked to look at my id. She asked sarcastically why I bleached my hair because I am blonde in the picture. I was asked a slew of questions and both her and the manager told my friend to get her license out of the car and were harassing her with questions. I stood there like an idiot for 10 minutes. Will never return and will never allow friends to spend their money here read more