PATCH PICKS: 5 Great Places to Buy Micro-Brews, Gourmet Beers

ST. PETERSBURG - The fine wine crowd has discovered craft beers. People can't get enough of ales, lagers, porters and stouts. Restaurants now have beer gardens, and clubs organize to support at-home beer makers.

As the demand for micro brews and gourmet beers grows, so has the number of retail stores that sell them. From a gas station to grocers, here's a list of top places in St. Petersburg to find a fine selection of boutique and brand-name beers.

1.) Rally: You wouldn't think that the corner gas station would rank as a great place to buy craft beer... but it does. The selection is excellent, with English, German and Belgian beers and ales, along with American craft brews. Best deal: Make-your-own 6-pack for a flat, $10 fee.  2131 4th Street North.

2.) Rollin' Oats: The natural foods store is known for its healthy foods and organic produce. But it also boasts a small, carefully selected number of beers from across the U.S. and world. On weekends, the store's beer buyer is usually on hand to make recommendations and talk beer. 2842 Dr. Martin Luther King St. North. 

3.) Shep's: Right next door to the new Rally is Shep's, the original craft beer seller in northeast St. Petersburg. Great selection, especially with made-in-America craft brews, including from micro-brewers. Beer devotees raise a glass to Shep's, though it is not the most inviting place to look at from the street. 2001 4th Street North.

4.) ABC Fine Wine & Spirits: This is a typical warehouse-style liquor store. The selection of craft beers is good, even better if you poke through the boxes of warm beer, instead of just limiting yourself to a cooler. You can find small-batch rarities, too. 3535 4th Street North.

5.) Publix: Beer shopping is a pleasure at Publix, where you can find bigger-name craft brews like Dogfish Head or Brooklyn, along with national brands like Sam
Adams and some locally made brews. 200 37th Ave. North.