The shop is actually a local (family owned) supermarket.Nice, you’re lucky to have something like that local to you, very jealous. I’ve been to Belgium and drank many of their hundreds of different beers, and was hoping you’d have a tip for a good website lol.
And I'm the sort that prefers to try to shop local, to try to put money into the pockets of a local business, if possible.
Well, the chap hadn't heard of Trappistes Rochefort, or St Bernardus, until I drew his attention to them - and, while he did stock the classic Weihenstephaner Weissbier (regarded by beer sites - and your humble scribe - as the best of the weissbiers), - he wasn't aware of the rest of the splendid beers that Weihenstephaner (possibly the best of the many, many German breweries) produces.
Likewise, Westmalle; until I mentioned it (and recommended it - passionately), he hadn't stocked any of their beers, and now does.
I mention stuff that I think is good (that I would like to see on his shelves), and he checks it out, and tries to see whether it is available, and, if it is, he will order it.
Now, he still stocks the standard - I was about to write swill, - suffice to say, he still stocks the stuff that sells, and for which there is a demand and a market. And that's fine; I don't buy it, but others do, and he is running a business.
However, he has said that he also wishes to stock beers for those of us whose palate is a bit more discerning.
In any case, I will - every few weeks - head down, choose quite a few beers - (and crisps) - pay for them, (many of the staff - who are excellent, he treats his staff well, another plus, to my mind, and you can see that they are happy) and he will deliver them to my door that evening, or, a day or two later.