Maximizing booze-gifting through regional supply comparison.

[Cap'nTrevor]

I'm planning on bringing a whole bunch of extra drinks to gift on the playa, but my budget is getting stretched pretty thin at this point, so I want to get the most bang for my buck!

To get to the playa we're driving from buffalo, so we'll be passing through a number of states (New York, Iowa, Ohio, Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, Wyoming and Nevada... I think.)

Is there much difference in alcohol pricing/taxes between states? Are there any places that you recommend as good places to stock up?

[Eric]

If you just want to save money, shop a big box store- CostCo etc. If you want to save not quite as much money, but have better choices, shop somewhere like BevMo.

If you want to spend your money where it's going to the local economy and not a mega-corporation, shop at a decent sized locally owned company.

I get my "sharing booze" (vodka etc) at a BevMo, I get specialty items (single malt- which I can't afford this year, dammit; Chimay ale etc) at local stores. Slightly more expensive at the local stores, but I like to spend money in the community when possible.

[geekster]

I would suggest buying as much as you can in Nevada. It is much more consumer friendly than California or any other state along the way.

[thesandman]

i am coming from arizona so will pick up tequila and vodka it Bevmo but may get the beer some place else are price are not is bad in Az

[teardropper]

I would suggest buying as much as you can in Nevada. It is much more consumer friendly than California or any other state along the way.

Interesting. I live in Oregon and always buy liquor in California when I am there because it is cheaper. No sales tax in Oregon but they do make up for it.

[Cap'nTrevor]

ok, nevada it is!

Does anyone know about how much a case of beer costs in nevada? or a 40oz bottle of jack daniels?

[geekster]

Depends on where you buy it, just like anywhere else. If you want pretty much "run of the mill" stuff, a place like an Albertsons, SaveMart, or a WalMart Super Store.

Specialty items are probably purchased at a specialty store.

You might be able to get a good deal on beer on a reservation as that is exempt from state taxes, but it might be 3.2 beer in some cases. Depends on the rules of that particular reservation or tribe's rules.

[Cap'nTrevor]

Well I'm from Ontario and we have draconian liquor licensing laws and a state-run monopoly on alcohol sales, so I'm guessing our prices are higher than in Nevada.

For instance, a 6 pack of beer here is $12-$15. Is it similar in the US?

[Eric]

For instance, a 6 pack of beer here is $12-$15. Is it similar in the US?

Depending on the beer- not even close.

A 12 pack of PBR will put you back about 8 bucks. You can usually find PBR, Tecate & a few other really cheap at the bigger stores- $2-$4 bucks a six pack.

[cahlm]

Whole Foods in Reno is running a special on PBR through the end of BM, I believe. $6.99/12pk. Not bad IMO.

[StevenGoodman]

Safeway (or the other big chain grocery stores) are usually cheaper than BevMo. And yes, grocery stores in Nevada (and California) have full liquor departments, and the ones in NV that are open 24 hours can sell it all night.

I buy most of my booze at Safeway. They have a lot of good deals if get their Club Card, and 10% off if you buy 6+ bottles!

PBR is currently on sale at Safeway. I think it was $7.49/12 pack.

Good beer is $6-$8 a six pack.

CostCo is often the best, but not as good a selection.

I just looked, there is a Safeway in Lovelock. Who would have known?

Martini Steve

[the_weatherguy]

for those travelling from the east coast, a stop in kentucky can save you alot of money on alcohol AND tobacco.

[Joe Buck]

Are you driving I-80 then? When you hit Evanston Wyoming (near the Utah border) you will find a lot of liquor, fireworks and porn stores just off the freeway, small town easy to find them. Good selection generally, and about as good prices as you are going to find. They have Fat tire in cans which I like.

Forget about Salt Lake, and Utah for that matter (I live there). There is good selection in Salt Lake but hard liquor and wine and beer over 3.2% are only available at the state monopoly liquor stores and you will go nuts trying to find the state liquor stores in the City.

Your next opportunity is Nevada, but I am not very impressed with the selection in the few small towns you will pass (Winnemuca etc). Fernley (where you turn north to the playa is OK, but the best shopping is definitely in Reno, which is 30 miles out of your way if traveling to BRC from the east. That is why I load up in Wyoming and home before heading to the playa.

Good luck!

[AntiM]

I agree, Wyoming. Never buy beer in Utah grocery stores. You'll get piss water. Also, you can't buy alcohol on Sunday in Utah (is this still true of grocery stores?)

We buy our beer on base. Has cute stickers on the cases saying "strong beer". Apparently Hill AFB is sovereign territory when it comes to booze and we can get real (not 3.2) beer. And we can buy beer on Sunday. Neener neener. Not a lot cheaper, but no taxes.

[Mulligan]

In Colorado, there is only 1 liquor license per establishment. As in, only one Costco in the entire state can sell alcohol inside the store. Most have a store beside the Costco where you'd see the same prices but not have to pay for a membership like you do in the regular Costco.

We went through Utah on the way back and couldn't buy alcohol at all. I can't remember where we were but I believe it was a dry county.

In some states you can buy alcohol at grocery stores, some you can't. Where ever it is you'd like to buy, look up the alcohol laws to be sure you can purchase it on the day you are there.

[LostinReno]

Whole Foods in Reno is running a special on PBR through the end of BM, I believe. $6.99/12pk. Not bad IMO.

If you're buying in Reno;
A 12 pack of PBR at Wally on Pyramid highway was 6.49 last Saturday.

I think 24 packs were $11-12 something there. (Bud and Coors are maybe a buck or two more) The only sucky thing, is a lot of times Wally is out of PBR, they did have a big block display of it over the weekend. So maybe they are aware of the demand in the coming week. They do have a decent liquor selection, keep in mind it's now located in the front of the stores (too many people were stealing bottles from the back of the store). Beer is in the back with soda's, etc. For specialty items, try Ben's liquors. Milagro, 100% agave tequila is the bomb (easily as good as Patron) and I think it's $24 per bottle. It used to be $19.99 but it's become popular.

[AntiM]

There aren't dry counties in Utah, just can't buy hard liquor outside a state store.

[lucky420]

bought a jumbo bottle of Ketel One vodka at Reno Costco for $30

[cahlm]

bought a jumbo bottle of Ketel One vodka at Reno Costco for $30

I got that too. Super good deal. It's like the family size Ketel.

[lucky420]

haha for sure, never thought of it that way. But since i am going with my kids (over 21) that's what it is...family size

[Bexx]

I agree, Wyoming. Never buy beer in Utah grocery stores. You'll get piss water. Also, you can't buy alcohol on Sunday in Utah (is this still true of grocery stores?)

there are currently 14 states that still have the stupid blue law
Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. - So if any of you are passing through those states on Sunday - you won't be able to buy yer hootch!

CostCo as of late has been getting some pretty good booze selections - I've managed to get some Absinthe from there and some other stuff - and their actual Tequila is pretty damned good.

[AntiM]

The Costcos in Utah do not have booze. I didn't even know they carried booze. I was in Mexico when I found out. Amazing! We managed to drink all we bought too.