Are customers satisfied with liquor store selection in Andover?

Esplanda, the liquor store at 100 Woodview Way in Andover, Massachusetts, keeps a deliberately narrow selection: 1 product, from 1 brand, in 1 category, a New England hazy beer from Mayflower Brewing Company. If you want one specific hazy beer, that is what we stock; if you want a wall of choices, judge us on that basis before you make the trip.

What does Esplanda carry right now?

Right now Esplanda has 1 product in stock, from 1 brand, in 1 category. The product is Mayflower Brewing Company "The Earth Laughs In Flowers", and it sits in our New England / Hazy category.

That is the whole shelf, and we would rather say so plainly than let you find out at the door. A small selection is a different thing from a broad one. It suits a customer who already knows what they want and does not suit someone browsing for a gift across wine, whiskey and spirits.

The beer is also listed among our best sellers in stock now, which is simply a description of the one thing we have on offer.

How do you tell whether a liquor store's selection will satisfy you?

Start with what you are shopping for. A store can feel well stocked for a customer who wants a dozen craft beers and thin for someone who wants a particular bourbon. Satisfaction with selection is mostly a match between your list and the shelf.

Then look at three things: breadth (how many categories), depth (how many choices within the one you care about), and freshness (whether the product is the kind that should be bought recently made). Beer, and hazy beer especially, rewards a store that keeps its stock moving.

Finally, check how you can get the product. A shop that offers pickup, delivery and shipping can make a narrow range easier to use than a large store you have to drive to and hunt through.

Is a small selection a problem for a hazy beer drinker?

Not necessarily. New England hazy beer, often called a hazy IPA, is a style built around soft body and a juicy hop character rather than sharp bitterness. It is usually brewed with oats or wheat and hopped heavily late in the process, and it is left unfiltered, which is where the cloudy look comes from.

Because the style depends on fresh hop aroma, a short, focused shelf can make sense. Hazy beers are generally best enjoyed fresh and kept cold, so a store that carries few of them is not working against the style.

If you already like the style, our New England / Hazy page shows exactly what is on the shelf today.

Who makes the beer you carry?

The beer comes from Mayflower Brewing Company, the one brand we have in stock. Our brand page for them is the quickest way to see what we hold from the maker.

The beer itself, The Earth Laughs In Flowers, has its own product page. Check it before ordering so you know what you are buying.

We will not describe it beyond what the page shows, and we would not want you relying on a guess about flavour from us. If you like hazy beer in general, the style notes in this article give you a reasonable idea of what to expect from the category.

How can you get your order from Esplanda?

Esplanda offers three ways besides walking in: pickup, delivery and shipping. You can choose the one that suits where you are and when you need the order.

Our listed hours currently show the shop as closed Sunday through Saturday, and the same goes for delivery hours. Because of that, the practical first step is to look at the product page, then use our contact page to ask about timing before you plan around a visit to 100 Woodview Way.

We would rather you ask first than arrive at a closed door.

How should you store and serve a hazy beer?

Keep it cold. Hazy beers are generally best stored in the fridge and drunk fresh, since the hop aroma that defines the style fades with time and warmth.

Serve it cold but not frozen, in a glass that lets the aroma open up, such as a tulip or wide-mouthed pint glass. Pouring most of the can or bottle into the glass, and leaving the last bit if you want to avoid sediment, is a matter of taste.

It pairs easily with food that is fresh and a little spicy: tacos, grilled chicken, curries, or sharp cheeses. The soft body helps with heat, and the fruity hop character plays well with citrus and herbs. As always, drink in moderation, and only if you are 21 or older.

Where can you see what else is new at Esplanda?

Our site has collection pages that gather products in different ways: New Arrivals, Top Rated and Trending. With a range this small they will show the same short list, but they are where new products appear when they arrive.

If you want to know more about who runs the shop, our About page is the place to start. For anything about an order, the contact page is the direct route.

We are an Andover shop, and we would rather tell you how narrow our range is than leave you to find out. If one hazy beer is what you came for, we have it. If you need a bigger shelf, you now know before you go.