Wine & Spirit by name, perhaps, but don’t be fooled: there’s more than enough here in Essendon to keep the most eager of beery beavers happy. The latest (and greatest if you’re a beer lover) of the Prince stores to open around Melbourne since 1996, this one took over the site of the former World Beer Shop and gave it a serious overhaul and extension. The result is a bold, all-black affair (sweet graffiti by REKA excepted) that combines bottleshop, tasting room and drive-thru in a building that’s got the feel of a 50s American theatre to its exterior.

In a departure from most Aussie bottleshops, all of the beer displayed in the main store, other than the stacked slabs, is kept in fridges lining one wall. The beers in said fridges are arranged by country of origin, from Australia (naturally) to Japan, from Norway to the States and much else in between. Among the stacked slabs are a fair few of the bigger selling imports that come with a guarantee that all are genuine imports, not brewed under license in Australia.

Off to one side is a tasting room with something of an old world feel to it, its walls lined with some choice wines and its tables and chairs set up for the beer tastings that take place – usually in the company of a brewer or brewery rep – every Saturday from 1pm to 3pm.

As well as beer, there’s a wide selection of spirits and, of course, the impressive range of wines on which the Prince’s reputation was originally built. Scores of quality Aussie wines line up alongside good value imports, many of which they bring in themselves, ensuring this neck of Essendon should prove a fertile hunting ground whatever your poison.