With 1,300 bottles from more than 50 countries, West Seattle’s The Beer Junction is beer-geek heaven, including mead and cider for those who sway that way. Add a staff with impressive knowledge of their selections and special brewers’ events that build a sense of community, and this shop is head and shoulders above the rest.

4511 California Ave. S.W., 938-2337, thebeerjunction.com

Read all of our picks for Food & Drink, and explore the rest of this year’s edition of Best of Seattle.