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.

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.

South Birmingham is spoiled at the moment for beer. Cotteridge Wines has been the Best Bottle Shop…read morein England for 4 years running and just down the road you have the second best, Stirchley Wines. You can see why when you walk in to Cotteridge Wines. Two long aisles rammed full of beer, bottles and cans from all over the world. There's apparently more than 1400 beers on site. They also have a taproom at the back of the shop with seating and a patio area for warmer days. I met some friends there before we headed on to Akram's for dinner. I had time for a couple of beers before we had to leave, and I had time to pick up a few more for the road too. In the taproom I tried Brew By Numbers 08|07 Stout Coffee & Milk and Magic Rock Brewing Sour Passion. Both of these beers were great in their own way. The BBNo beer was great for a cold evening. The Magic Rock could easily keep you going for a session sat in a hot beer garden during the summer and I could happily have sat there all night trying the remaining taps but we had to be off for our reservation at Akram's.

What does the word 'Beer' mean to you? If its 6 cans of Becks Vier for a fiver, you probably arent…read moregoing to be particularly plussed about Cotteridge Wines (though they will happily provide such tipples). If on the other hand beer means wierd, rare and wonderful brews from breweries around the world from Double IPAs to Saisons to Chocolate Imperial Stouts, then Cotteridge Wines will be your Nirvana. A choice of 12 cask ales to be taken home in your 'growler' (or sampled on site in their tasting room / speakeasy), a wall of american, belgian and scandinavian beers and a huge selection of british ales make this possibly the best off license in the UK. They stock beers from brewers such as The Kernel, Mikkeller, Evil Twin and Siren Craft, some of which are seriously difficult to track down in the UK. The beer here isn't cheap (limited quantities, import tax/costs, high quality ingredients, but the prices are very reasonable for what you get, they often beat many mail order companies on price, which is an impressive feat for a 'bricks and mortar' shop (they even sell bottles of certain Brewdog beers at lower costs than the brewery themselves!).

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.

Vicarage Wines was the stop off for the Friday night session over at me ole muckers place…read more What I like about Vicarage is the wide selection of beers on offer. And I believe it is the first place that I came across a banana beer. I know, a banana beer, what an idea. It's moments like that, when I stop and start to question just how far things have gone in the world of beer making. I mean i'm all for a wide range of beers, but what person in their right mind is going to sit and drink a beer made from bananas? Can you imagine, returning to your mates place with a couple of Banana beers? Imagine the looks you would get. Now, I know, if I was out and someone said, try this banana beer, I might say ooh, go on then, what's it taste like? Just for the sheer novelty of course, but you wouldn't want to get a name for that sort of thing. Granted, it's nice to have a choice when it comes to your bottled beers, but there is a line. Good job there are some more sensible beers on offer and I came away with a couple of tried and tested brews to keep the evening swinging.

The best thing about the stretch of shops along Vicarage Road is that you can get most of your…read moreessentials without having to go into the middle of madness that is often Kings Heath proper. There is also a large area of pavement outside the front of these shops that makes it easy to park off road without blocking the footpath for pedestrians. One such shop along this stretch specialises in one of life's more essential essentials....booze! If you're heading into Kings Heath for a curry, or to visit friends, then this is one of the best places you can stop off at to pick up some drinks. They have various deals on at all times, so you'll probably pick up a bargain if you are buying in anything like a quantity. Beyond that there is a good selection of wines, beers and spirits and all at fairly reasonable prices.

A five star review for an off-license might seem a little unnecessary, but when you're so spoilt…read morefor choice on Raddlebarn Road it's probably important to try and separate the wheat from the chaff. Wine Stop is just around the corner from the top of Dawlish Road (if you were walking or driving up Dawlish, you'd take a left) and is opposite Selly Park. Wine Stop offers a much better selection on everything that the busy Bristol Road shops usually won't have (to be fair, the average student probably isn't looking for anything more than the cheap stuff, so it works). I particularly enjoy ogling the cool bottles of spirits placed high up on shelves and tucked behind the counter and can quite happily stare for a while as the supremely nice guy who owns the place is happy to chat about anything. Usually I shun small talk in shops and find it uncomfortable, but the fella who owns Wine Stop not only knows his stuff, but he's always got a good anecdote or two. I made the mistake of going with a friend who brews his own ale and launched into a long and in-depth conversation about the brewing process and qualities etc which went on for a long time and felt a bit left out, but it's always worth the journey. The variety of wines, beers and ales is enough to give you plenty of choice but not so much that it is a baffling and confusing process. This, in my opinion, is exactly the right approach: No one wants to try something different but eventually give up because of too large and too obscure a selection and an unapproachable proprietor. That's where Wine Stop fortunately gets it just right.

Between Winestop and Stirchley Wines a mere mile and a half down the road, the standard for off…read morelicenses this side of Birmingham is ridiculously high. I think that out of the two, Stirchley Wines has a better beer selection whereas Winestop has the better spirits selection. High quality Tequila is hard to come across in this country but Winestop stock several brands as well as the standard stuff, and there's loads of different whiskies in exotic packaging which I will probably never be able to afford. That's not to say the beer selection is bad, there's a wide range to choose from including well respected but hard to find names such as Brewdog, Wye Valley and Shropshire favourites Hobsons. The service is incredibly friendly, with a proprietor who seems to genuinely love talking to his customers. There's also a very nice park across the road if you're looking for somewhere to drink your purchases. Great stuff.

I have been in to this convenience store to pick up some wine or snacks, when I have been up to use…read morethe post office further down the road. It is quite big inside and it stocks everything that you would expect a convenience store to sell; tobacco, toiletries, food, milk, alcohol and variety of soft drinks. I find the prices are slightly more expensive than other convenience stores that I have been to in the area. This is the reason why I only visit here if I need to get something when I am around this end of Selly Oak. The staff are fairly pleasant, but I have never stayed long enough to chat to them as it a long walk back home if I do not drive here. It is a standard convenience store and good for those who live nearby.

T K News and Booze is my local corner shop/convenience store, so I do inevitably pop in when I'm…read moreever caught short for a pint of milk, etc. It is a little more expensive that most places (and obviously the Sainsburys across the Bristol Road) so it's not somewhere I visit very regularly, it is pretty well stocked though. The fella who usually serves behind the counter is a really nice guy who is always up for a chat - he didn't even mind that one time when me and some friends came in a little worse for wear one evening. Generally I stick with Dave's Wines next door for off-license needs, but T K is a conveniently placed store that has bailed me out on several occasions.

I don't usually shop in this place unless I absolutely have to. In fact, the only time I've crossed…read morethe threshold in recent months was a week or so back when I stood in their doorway to avoid a downpour. However, as this is a booze shop there have been occasions when circumstances have dictated that I go inside and reluctantly hand over some cash. The reason I don't like to use the shop is that it has pretty poor customer service. On my first couple of visits I thought perhaps I'd caught them on an off day, so I let it slide, but the silent treatment I receive in there continued each time I've visited, and as a consequence my visits have dwindled. I'm not expecting shiny, happy American customer service, just the occasional 'Hello' or 'Thank You' would do. Aside from the above, it's not a bad wee shop, but I just can't get past that deafening silence.

Not much bigger than a teenagers bedroom and filled floor to ceiling with alcohol, Richs Wines…read moresupplies the good people of Selly Park and Stirchley with a lively selection of beers and wines. Admittedly the selection isn't the vastest but there's not that much room. Locally Rich's Wines has a place in the locals' heart purely because of how late it sevrves - it's the only off license in that area that serves until eleven. This buisness has been criticised becuase of the unfriendlyness of the staff, though this could be due to the shops " take no stick" ethos - their version of the "please do not ask for credit because refusal often offends" is an absolute classic of the genre, but unfortunately is not fit for print here. In conclusion, a solid, reasonably priced buisness with a prickly sort of charm, and unavoidable if you're looking for alcohol at chucking out time on that part of Pershore Road. But whatever you do, don't ask for credit.

There is something strange going on along The Raddlebarn Road. Of the small knot of 25 or so small…read moreoutlets, including a butcher, two hairdressers, various takeaways and a DIY outlet, there are no less than 6 off-licenses/convenience stores. You'd think that harsh economic forces would instigate a survival of the fittest process and, one by one, we'd have this number dwindle to a more sensible 1 or 2. Not so. This is an 'Open All Hours' place that sells wines, beers, tobacco, cleaning products, tinned goods and various other odd and ends and, like the alleged competition along the road, it does a brisk trade. The staff are helpful and the prices are pretty much what you'd expect from such a store.

The Selly Park Convenience is a life saver indeed, especially If you are an Au Pair that has plenty…read moreof tasks to deal with and always forget to buy some essential items like...milk! The kid was studying at a school on Teignmouth Road, The Selly Park Convenience is right next to this and it's a very friendly shop. There are plenty of school around, by the way, and I wonder if it's a local shop of many people in the same situation. As most of the big shops in this area are placed at Bristol Road, some around the corners convenience stores like this one are all whet we need sometimes.