QFC (University Village)

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

3.66/5  rDev -11.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $

Its hard to assess the atmosphere of the beer and wine section of a supermarket... Although this was an upscale supermarket...

The beer and wine section of the University Village QFC is the best I have ever seen. It offers a good selection of craft six packs as well as some boxes of bombers, what sets this place apart is that this supermarket has the cheapest craft beer I have ever seen. Selection-wise, there is better in Seattle though.

The store was nearly deserted since I visited late at night, and nobody was remotely close to the beer and wine section. However, this store is open 24 hours...

09-27-2011 04:52:26 | More by DaftCaskBC

vande

Illinois

3.96/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

For a grocery store, they had quite a supply. I truly took my time wondering through their beer selection and walked out with quite a selection.. Some russian river, some cascade, some oakshire... and, to be honest, I may go back before i leave..there just seems to be so much! and, to be honest, the prices are pretty reasonable... wish they had a pliny shipment though while i was there, but alas we cannot always get what we want [is that what the stones said?]. Wide selection of locals [nw region] as well as other craft beers from the us on top of a fairly decent import section... as far as grocery stores, probably one of the better selections i've scene..

09-03-2011 06:56:38 | More by vande

dnrobert24

Alabama

4.31/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

During my week-long stay in Seattle, I visited a number of grocery stores listed on Beeradvocate. QFC in University Village had by far the best selection. I don't know if it was by chance or if they keep their beer-guy on hand, but I had a very helpful employee work with me to select some excellent Northwest IPA's, West Coast IPA's, and other quality local offerings. He was able to tell me the type of bottle rotation for some IPA's that did not have born-on dates. He also offered me a couple of beers that were not on the shelves in limited quantities, such as Pliny the Elder and FW Parabola. I like stores that do this because it keeps people from hoarding the good stuff. One complaint I have is that the pricing was not consistent, sometimes a beer rang up at the register as "Oregon Beer X dollars" and then the same beer would ring up as "Y dollar beer" at 50 cents more. That being said, all beers are priced fairly and have stickers, so just make sure you are paying the right price when you check out. My other complaint is that while they had Supplication, Sanctification, and Redemption, they did not have the full Russian River lineup. Whole Foods in Ravenna Park had these plus Consecration, Temptation, and Salvation.

07-14-2011 14:32:36 | More by dnrobert24

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.6%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Another worthy stop on my Seattle beer shopping excursion.

This was my last stop after Full Throttle, Bottleworks and Whole Foods. The beer section is located on the second floor. A good amount of cooler space devoted to craft singles, plus Belgians and German selections. I had seen most of the choices elsewhere but did manage to pick up a four pack of Maui Coconut Porter, one of my wife's favorites. Also, a good selection of six packs along the wall, and some bombers near the adjoining wine section.

You should check date codes carefully though. I was very excited to see Boulevard's Smokestack Double Wit on the shelves, thinking they had made a new batch. I thought that was a one time release, 18 months before my visit. A check of the bottle date confirmed that this was, in fact, from the 2009 release.

Service was pleasant. Prices were reasonable.

12-27-2010 17:20:40 | More by sholland119

BuckeyeOne

Washington

4.15/5  rDev 0%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

For a grocery chain, this QFC has a large selection of craft, including a large selection of seasonals and other special releases. It doesn't necessarily have a large selection of rare offerings, but this isn't something I would expect of a grocery chain.

There's usually one or more staff hanging around the beer and wine section who are available for questions or even to make suggestions. These folks are obviously BAs as they will direct folks to try good stuff without pushing them toward sales and/or expensive stuff.

Prices are reasonable with special sales on SN, Sam Adams, Deschutes, etc.

11-12-2010 18:23:22 | More by BuckeyeOne

beer2day

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -3.6%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $

If the family needs groceries, then tell the wife you'd love to tag along - as long as she's going to QFC.

Very impressive display of beer. One huge cooler section of micro bombers and imports. Nice array of sixers along the back wall. I thought the prices were very good compared to the local bottle shops. Surprised to see Angel Share and some RR bottles there.

Service was a non-issue as in most places like this. None offered, none needed.

Parking is a surprising issue here. Very crowded shopping center.

For a large grocery store, this is a very beer-friendly establishment.

11-05-2010 01:58:02 | More by beer2day

DaveJanssen

British Columbia (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev 0%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I was definitely skeptical but i thought i'd give it a try. I was surprised. They had some Jolly Pumpkin stuff (the only place in seattle i saw it while i was there), angel's share for less that bottleworks as well as other lost abbey stuff and other much less than mainstream beer. Some of their prices were a bit higher but it balanced out. I didn't talk to any staff while there but i did see someone stocking, and it was later on a weeknight, so it seems like they might take reasonable care of the stock. Well done. If only the other QFCs would do this too.

02-03-2010 06:16:43 | More by DaveJanssen

velosuds

Oregon

4.7/5  rDev +13.3%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Wow. This is the best beer selection I have ever seen at a supermarket. Clean, brightly lit, and well organized. The selection is superior to many specialty beer stores, even to the BevMo's I have been to in California. Lots of very good beer and some I have not seen anywhere else. They had some from The Lost Abbey and had North Coast's Old Rasputin XII.

I was greeted by a young man from the store's beer/wine staff. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. I asked about PtE and he went to check if they had any in back. Unfortunately, there was none to be had, but I was impressed an employee of a supermarket knew about this beer. He even suggested other similar DIPAs.

Really wow. I was at the store at about 4:00 pm on Saturday to get tailgating supplies for the UW game that evening. Just wanted a good cold six pack and was delighted to buy Racer 5. I have never seen so many people in a grocery supermarket at the same time. Nor have I ever seen so much beer leaving a store. It was great fun and exciting.

10-12-2009 19:41:46 | More by velosuds

flagmantho

Washington

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This QFC is located between a major university and an affluent residential area, and its beer selection reflects this. The selection is really very good for a supermarket and rivals some smaller specialty beer stores; they have plenty of American mega-lager but also a respectable selection of micros and imports. The selection is clearly divided between canned lagers, micros, main-stream European imports (think Smithwick's and Guinness), Mexican brews and more obscure imports/craft brews, and each section is sizable.

Being a supermarket, however, means that the staff are not necessarily beer-centric: I've never actually seen a member of the beer/wine staff in the beer area.

07-21-2009 03:54:39 | More by flagmantho

GJ40

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I skeptically went to QFC based on its BA reviews after a visit to Bottleworks (NOTE: This isn't the QFC right next door). I was looking for some Pliny to take home with me but Bottleworks was out. I didn't think QFC would have it (being a supermarket) but I figured I had to see what the buzz was about.

I was immediately impressed with the selection. One refrigerated area had larger bottles and the other had six packs. It included beers from some very good breweries like Ninkasi, Lagunitas, DFH and Stone. I was very surprised with the quality of the selection and the percentage that was kept cold. I was pleased I made the trip and just as I was about to head out, I saw a display of Russian River just off to the side (Damnation and Pliny). I grabbed a basket full of Pliny at $4.99 a bottle (the cheapest I've seen in Seattle). When I got back, I noticed they even gave me a $0.50 per bottle discount. What a deal!

If they have a weakness, I'd say it's in Belgians. They had some but not nearly as many as Bottleworks.

So based on the selection, prices and that it's not as heavily picked over, I highly recommend a stop at QFC if you're heading to Bottleworks. It sure worked for me.

04-29-2009 00:47:32 | More by GJ40