All week long, celebrating our Slöshed issue, we’ll be looking into some of the top-shelf attractions of local drinking culture. Today, we eyeball Livonia’s Beer Baron store, courtesy of editorial intern Larry Lehna. —Ed.

Beer! So much beer!

Livonia’s Beer Baron store is a must-see for the true beer connoisseur. It carries the largest selection of craft beers in the metro Detroit area. There is a whole aisle devoted to Michigan beers, with almost 100 varieties in stock, along with many Michigan wines. But this massive selection pales in comparison to the store’s array of national and international brews. Although the store carries liquor and wine, this is first and foremost a beer store. They’re happy to accommodate shoppers who want to sample unfamiliar varieties. For instance, one of their most popular offerings is the build-your-own six-pack.

“We welcome special requests,” says owner Darren Zebari, a Michigan native and a U-M graduate who is so proud of his knowledge of beer you’d think he got his diploma in it. He says, “Nothing makes me happier than to have a customer return and thank me for steering him to the right beer.”

And he means it. His staff goes the extra mile to quench a curious drinker’s thirst. If they do not have a particular beer in stock (which seems unlikely, given their selection), they are more than happy to order it. For those unsure what they want, the staff is well trained and willing to help hand-pick beers for a mixed six-pack for any taste.

Draft Magazine, the premiere beer magazine in the country, selected Beer Baron as one of the 13 best beer stores in all of America. The reason why becomes obvious after only a few moments in the store. The eye does not know where to stop. You may have never even imagined that there were this many brands of beer.

The Beer Baron also offers shipping. You can have your favorite brew shipped right to your door. In a region that has been in slow, consistent decline, it is refreshing to find an industry-leading operation such as this one. If you should drop in and ask Zebari to help you chose your own variety six-pack, don’t be surprised if you find you have a new favorite beer — or more!

The Beer Baron is at 19610 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia; 248-987-6563; beerbaronlivonia.com

Here are the tools you need to build a peerless six-pack.

The Beer Baron's bounty.