Hopry Special # 8 | Beer Shopping & Store Feature
Lukas Liquor Superstore | Kansas City, Missouri
Not long ago I decided that it’d be a fun idea to capture the inside of some of Kansas City’s best liquor stores. On this day, I decided to head over to Lukas Liquor Superstore in Kansas City, Missouri to buy one of the freshly-released Boulevard Double Wide IPA four-packs. Why not take you guys along with me to do a sort of “shopping with The Hopry” video? I mean let’s face it – beer reviews are what we do here, but getting out of the house to geek out periodically can also be a lot of fun. So with that, I also thought it’d be fun to make it a bit of a challenge or “call-to-action” of the other beer geeks out there to do the same. Show us your liquor stores! Here’s how it all went down on this day…
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
On the iPod: Black Mountain “Angels”
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Posted by Janie Starr on November 12, 2010 at 8:51 AM
That was fun…..
Posted by LaeliaPumila on November 12, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Great idea, except now I’m really jealous!
Posted by Kelly on November 12, 2010 at 9:15 AM
Good idea, Mark! Maybe do the same at your favorite bar/pub, for us beer geeks. I should do the same!
Posted by thehopry on November 12, 2010 at 10:19 AM
I can do that. The Flying Saucer comes to mind as one of the places to do this. I actually filmed my Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout review in their walk-in…
Posted by Big Mike on November 12, 2010 at 9:54 AM
Great idea for a vid. That place is big as hell.
Posted by thehopry on November 12, 2010 at 10:18 AM
It’s definitely a huge store. The camera really doesn’t do it justice. It’s like the size of a small Wal-mart.
Posted by theReaper16 on November 12, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Great idea. Fun video and it let me indulge my KC nostalgia, which is always a plus.
Posted by thehopry on November 12, 2010 at 1:54 PM
KC misses you, lucksack.
Posted by landon on November 12, 2010 at 1:06 PM
The other Lukas has a smaller selection (ks) but they are better about keeping IPAs in the cooler. Picked up a BLVD 21st anniversary that I’m cracking into this weekend. Cheers.
Posted by thehopry on November 12, 2010 at 1:53 PM
You are right. I worked with Jeff from the KS store to get the “FRIDGE THE HOPS!” campaign into effect. I am now starting to work on the MO side so that hops no longer have to live dreadful lives on those warms shelves. Will keep you posted. As for the 21st Anniversary beer, guess I need to get one and get it on the show soon.
Posted by Bobby Digital on November 12, 2010 at 11:09 PM
The staff is much cooler too I might add, mainly just one their managers, I can’t remember his name.
Good vid Mark!
Posted by thehopry on November 13, 2010 at 9:09 AM
His name is Jeff.
Posted by Louie on November 12, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Wow, what a giant selection. You must really have to exercise some self-control. By the way, I love Black Mountain – - do you listen to the Pink Mountaintops, too?
Posted by thehopry on November 12, 2010 at 1:52 PM
I do like Pink Mountaintops. I really like their song called “And I Thank You.”
Posted by Louie on November 12, 2010 at 2:02 PM
Cool! That is my favorite song off “Outside Love.” I saw them in tiny club several years ago and my friend and I were literally the only fans there – - very strange, but it was great.
In any case, I’m still tripping over how much great beer you have access to – I wouldn’t want to give up my access to Hair of the Dog and the like, but man I would love to be able to pick up J.W. Lees, Black Albert, big bottles of Gulden Draak, etc. etc. etc. Incredible!
Posted by vinobello on November 12, 2010 at 4:30 PM
Nice video Mark. Lukas is like the Walmart of Liquor stores in the Kansas City Metro area. Like Walmart they drown out local Mom & Pop stores. Their selection of Beer will have any geek creaming their pants. I am not a big fan of Super Mega stores because they depress local economies by killing off small businesses. My only suggestion to people is try to support your local shops before you make a long trip to a Mega Store. If your local shop cannot get something your are looking for then take that road trip to the Mega Store. I am not a sour puss and give props to Lukas for having the financial backing and ability to provide such a great store. I just believe in shopping local to support local business and your community.
Posted by thehopry on November 12, 2010 at 4:45 PM
Hey Sam –
You bring up some very good points. I actually shop at a lot of stores. Sometimes out of convenience and sometimes to geek out when I have more time. If you were closer I’d definitely give you some business.
And I hope your beer business has been growing and that your tastings are bringing people in.
Cheers!
Mark Starr
Posted by Landon on November 12, 2010 at 10:51 PM
There’s a newer small store by my house that I wanted to support. Last week I bought a six pack of lagunitas ipa and when I got home I noticed it was twist off. Lagunitas hasn’t used twist offs since October 2009. Like i said its a newer store, I don’t know if they bought old stock or if it came from their distributor. The way I see it the local store makes their money selling cases of Bud. I’m driving to Lukas where they have some turnover.
Posted by Bobby Digital on November 12, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Just an FYI. Lukas is a Local store. It is owned and operated out of Kansas. They only have 4 stores total, 1 in KS, 2 in MO and 1 in CO. Its not like Bevmo with 2348573945 stores all over the west coast.
Posted by Brian on November 12, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Great idea to show a really nice looking liquor store. I especially took notice of the nice selection of Ska beers. I wish they were more widely distributed. I may need to look into placing an order with The Wine and Cheese Place for some Modus Hoperandi.
Posted by thehopry on November 13, 2010 at 9:08 AM
Yeah that’s a good place to order online. I have in the past and shipments arrive quickly.
Posted by Jon on November 15, 2010 at 9:33 AM
That place is amazing. It makes me want to drive to KC from Austin but I think my wife would kill me. I just moved here a year ago from Michigan and Texas can’t sell any Michigan beers so that section made my mouth water. I miss Bells and Founders.
Great video.
Posted by thehopry on November 15, 2010 at 9:42 AM
I definitely feel bad for you because I believe Michigan single-handedly has some of the best breweries in the country. If I couldn’t get Founders and Hopslam alone I’d be a little bit depressed. I do, however, envy that you have the great music scene that is Austin. I’ve never been but have heard amazing things and almost moved there a few years ago…
Posted by Jon on November 15, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Yes….Michigan has some GREAT beers. Luckily I have a friend who ships some to me in exchange for my homebrews. I guess the issue is that in Texas you have to label any beer over 5% (I think) as malt liquor. Michigan doesn’t do that.
I am just hoping he can get some Hopslam to me this year. I would kill for it.