I second both of your picks. J Ryan's has an excellent selection of craft brews on tap and also a cooler of 22's you can buy to take home. Brilbeck's is the best beer store in town hands down. Dewitt Wegman's is probably number 2. Cheers!
I live in auburn and don't get out to syracuse much but if you find yourself in auburn try Swaby's and Parker's for draft and best selection for a store is between wegman's new beer isle and d&l truckstop.
Also i was just thinking, does anyone know where there is a good selection of beer to buy (bottles) to bring home? i noticed Syracuse does not have a store like beers of the world in Rochester.
If you like Polish beer the European Market on Erie boulevard (near liquor square) has polish and possibly some Ukranian brews. There is this one porter I love (zywiec porter). Pretty tasty and haven't found it at other places.
Party Source on Erie, next to Empire tractor has the largest selection by far. Probably twice the selection of Wegmans. A little pricey, but totally worth it!