Stateline Wine & Spirits

I live over in Sharon and while we have a package store that is decent, I make sure to stop here after I’m done food shopping at Stop & Shop. They have craft beer here you won’t find anywhere in the area. Victory Dirt Wolf? Check. Various Lagunitas, a Stone IPA variety pack and I’m only getting started. The selection is amazing for the area. Lagunitas Sucks in a liter bottle? YES PLEASE! The beer selection alone makes the place. I have yet to buy liquor here but I’m sure the selection has to be as impressive as the beer’s.

Admittedly, I’m not a huge drinker. I love a cocktail, a glass of wine, or a bottle of good hard cider every down and then. That being said, it’s rare that I go into any sort of liquor store, short of buying a bottle of wine for a friends or for a party. While home for Thanksgiving, I got a craving for a hard cider, and decided just to pop in. «Why the hell not, right? There’s a Bud Light neon sign in the window. They must have SOMETHING…», I thought.
Located in the town’s shopping plaza nestled between Super Stop & Shop and the ever-​classy Family Dollar, Stateline Wine & Spirits actually made me do a double-​take! A little sterile-​looking inside, but the selection was beyond what I was expecting or could comprehend right away! The middle was filled with said wines and spirits, while the rear had fridges full of (primarily) craft beers and ciders. They had a bottle of Woodchuck Cellar Series Smoked Apple. (WHAT. THE. EFF?!) They also had other Woodchuck brands, McKenzie’s, and even Crabbie’s Ginger Beer! If only they had loose bottles of them in the fridge near the front entrance, I would have been an even happier customer! (I don’t want a loose bottle of Miller Lite, thank you…)
The staff was very nice; when making a comment about the small nips of Absolut Cilantro, the woman at the register looked at me and stated, «Yeah, that’s not appealing. I’ve just been telling people to add it to their salsa.» (It evoked a good chuckle from both of us.)
Well, I walked out with that special bottle of Woodchuck and a bottle of Doc’s Hard Cider for good measure. I also walked out impressed. Glad to know that on the rare occasion I need a alcohol boost when visiting my parents (…no, I love them enough that I don’t need «medicine» to make it through a visit home. Ha!), I know where to go. This place is pretty fantastic!

Something of a hidden gem, I would say. I came in here randomly one time and was amazed by the selection. Tons of US micros, lots of regional stuff, and a nice range of imports as well. Coolest thing I’ve bought here was Imperial Stout Trooper. The store is first and foremost a liquor store but they dedicate at least ¹⁄₆ of the store (and it’s a BIG store) to beer. The staff is friendly. The prices are decent. This store is located right next to the huge Stop & Shop in Canaan. It is definitely worth your while to check this place out if you are traveling around the northwest corner of CT.