Off Licences & Liquor Stores - UK vs US

Off Licences & Liquor Stores

About two days ago I went into my first ever Liquor store in America in the sunny city of Tampa in Florida and I was totally amazed at the difference between the alcohol available in American liquor stores as opposed to what is available in my local "Offy".

1. Cider - Yes Cider is available in America but it's not very popular, only one in every five liquor stores and supermarkets apparently stocks in and currently only in bottled Strongbow form. Of course this is not real Cider but its leaps ahead from my first attempt to find a bottle of the stuff wherein I was asked by the assistant manager if I was after the liquid or the powered kind!

2. Beer - Being so far away from the European continent the only beers available are rather dodgy looking watery lagers and "light beers"...

...although some British patriots maybe rather pleased to learn that Newcastle Brown Ale is well stocked in most American beverage outlets. Other than that I am partial to a Corona but there is of course a mountain of different types of American Budweiser.

3. Real Liquor - They don't call it a liquor store for nothing. I have never seen such a fantastic variety of spirits in so many shops. Every flavour under the sun of vodka, every brand every style of Rum, Whisky, Gin, Schnapps, Tequila ...you name it! In comparison a British offy will offer an old bottle of over-proof rum, JD and Gordon's Jippo Vodka for people who are fond of paying close to a tenner to drink something which smells and tastes like Toilet-Duck.

4. Wine - Okay the wines are not special and particularly well stocked for either country so this round is a tie.

So, Just to let all you holidaying alcoholics in Britain know there is a great variety in these Liquor stores just don't expect to be able to find even a baron half shot of scrumpy, and for that American can hang its head in shame!

Comments

[Nick Cristal (greg's better looking brother)]

Greg ur ruining ur liver! lol- let me review some leicester pubs? i know loads! :-D