Beer Store Review: OakTree Buy-Rite – South Plainfield NJ
An acquaintance of mine suggested I should drive down to South Plainfield NJ and check out this liquor store, the OakTree Buy-Rite. I had been meaning to get down there for a couple of weeks, but on Sunday I had my opportunity.
I’m glad I made the 25 minute drive from my house, down the Garden State Parkway, to the OakTree Buy-Rite. When you go into the store, just head straight to the back of the store. The back wall of the store is lined with imported beers, separated by country and grouped by brewery. I would guesstimate the back of the store is about 70 feet or so long, with several hundred Beers. There is a great selection of Belgian, Scottish, German, and English beers. One of the things I liked about the beer selection were several beers from the last several years, so a 2006, 2007, 2008 version of the same beer. It appears like they hoarded some beers in the back and put them out when to following year came out. My personal favorite, 10 Styles of beer from Mikkeller, including Black!
After the back wall, in the far isle was another several hundred American beers, all grouped by brewery. There was a lot different styles by the same Brewery, for example they had 8 or so Allagash Syles, as well as a large number of styles from Rogue, Stone, Southern Tier, Dogfish Head, and Ommegang to name a few. At the far end of the American beer isle, there was a build your own six pack section, which I particularly like. It gives me a chance to buy beer I may not like, without have to get rid of a six pack.
Here’s a list of what I picked up:
- 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon
- 21st Amendment Brew Free or Die
- Allagash Four
- Avery The Beast
- Boaks Monster Mash
- Cisco The Gray Lady
- Dansk Mjod Old Danish Braggot
- Dogfish Head Burton Baton
- Dogfish Head Midas Touch
- Dogfish Head Raison D’Extra
- Dogfish Head Red & White
- Elysian Perseus Porter
- Great Divide Belgica
- Great Divide Hades
- Mikkeller Black Hole
- Mikkeller Black
- Nøgne-Ø Porter
- Ommegang Ommegeddon Batch 3
- Sam Adams Long Shot DIPA
- Smuttynose Hanami Cherry Ale
- Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly IPA
- Stone Cali-België IPA
- Stone Vertical 08
- Weyerbacher 12th
Overall this is a top notch Beer Store, definitely worth a look. The Sales staff was very helpful and knowledgeable (on a Sunday no less). You can Buy beer online, but the online system was not user friendly unless you know exactly what your looking for.
OAKTREE BUY-RITE
902 OAKTREE AVE. SUITE 7
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 07080
PHONE-908-561-0051
It definitely is a great store with a wonderful selection — always something to wet the whistle so to speak. Last time I was there, they mentioned they were just launching the on-line site, so I”m sure it’ll only improve!
Check out Gary’s Wine and Marketplace on Rt 23 in Wayne. They have a descent selection and the prices are reasonable – there’s always something on sale. I picked up a Stone Imperial Russian Stout which was incredible and a North Coast La Merle (Saison).
I’ve been to Gary’s in Wayne — I live just down the road — but I’ll actually make the trip to Buy Rite. They have a much better and bigger selection.
Just checked this place out (recently moved to plainfield) – very nice. Prices were a bit higher than some other stores in the area (if you can find the same beer anyway…). But it’s worth it to pay slightly more for such selection. Got asked if i needed help 3 different times, that’s kind of annoying, but I guess it’s good for some.