Wally's

augustgarage

California

4.2/5  rDev -3.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Wally's has for years seemed to me a place where quality trumps value - they have a very carefully chosen selection of wine and spirits, and aren't afraid to cater to the ludicrously high-end (e.g. $30,000 bottles of cognac). While they've always seemed to carry beer, it seemed more of an afterthought. Recently, I'd heard this situation was changing, and their selection of beer had improved significantly.

On my latest trip, I was happy to discover that this is true. One of the few places I've found that consistently stocks a (nearly) full range of Alpine products; along with this, they had bottles from Kern, Russian River, Alesmith, Lost Abbey, along with the usual suspects among California breweries. A sizable, albeit not exhaustive selection of Belgian, English, German, and other imports can be found in the four or five fridges as well. While there is room for expansion, this is a highly recommended spot to check out if you are visiting L.A. and want to try some superior (and more obscure) local offerings.

I would also commend this store on its immaculate condition, and the freshness of their products mirrors this.

Service is generally pleasant, but if you order online, don't expect them to contact you when your order is ready to pick up...also, some of the employees are a bit snobbish if you aren't prepared to drop a lot of money or aren't a recognizable regular. That said, I've never had a really negative experience here so far.

Prices, even for the area, are pretty high; although they don't mark up the beer to the same degree as some other drinks in the store.

They also have a nice selection of cheese, chocolate, and other food to pair with whatever your beverage of choice may be...

04-26-2010 04:00:14 | More by augustgarage

beer2day

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Nice wine and beer shop near the UCLA campus.

Tough review, since I spent less than 10 minutes in the shop while my wife circled looking for parking.

All the beer I saw was cold across the back of the store in ~10 cooler doors, with lots of single selections and signs indicating warm sixers were available. Nice split of import and micro selections. AleSmith and Stone well represented. Alaskan, Telegraph, Crooked Line all there too.

Service was nice at the checkout, but none offered while looking.

Nice destination neighborhood shop.

09-23-2011 01:14:01 | More by beer2day

psiweaver

Washington

4.16/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

this place is very good for Los Angeles. I find that most of the shops in Los Angeles, aren't really bottle shops per se and most focus a lot on Wine.

This one is no different in that regard, they tend to have a very good selection of beer, though they don't have anything crazy rare as the selection is always fairly picked over due to the huge amount of foot traffic.

All the beer is kept in refrigerated coolers which is perfect and they tend to have RR, Alesmith and the other CA locals.

Service tends to be very good and they are always super helpful.

worth a stop by if your in the area as you'll find something tasty to drink.

04-23-2011 20:44:37 | More by psiweaver

keithmurray

Louisiana

4/5  rDev -7.8%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 3 | $$$

Went yesterday to check out this spot on a suggestion. They have all of their beer located in a cooler inthe back of the store. They don't really sell six packs, rather they sell singles (but if you buy 6 of the same beer, they will kick in an extra 10% discount, which is worth something I guess). They had a decent selection of Germans, Belgians as well as American craft. I found some gems I wasn't able to fin at some of the other craft stores I visited in the area. Found some Kulmbacher Eisbock there for $3.25 a bottle, which is a reasonable price. Also found Hacker Pschoor October fest, which I also couldnt find inthe area as well as Dieu Du Ciel Rigor Mortis (was really happy to find that one!)

I also have to mention the customer service, there was a fella who asked me if I needed help and from their website, they said they had the Kulmbacher Eisbock, but had none in the cooler. The young man went to the back and got me three bottles of the stuff, so props to him for not being lazy.

11-04-2010 19:02:56 | More by keithmurray

kojevergas

California

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$$

Wally's is my go-to stop in Los Angeles, as the only other store that's close is Ramirez - which has worse selection and service.

I frequently order from Wally's via phone after receiving their "Beer update" email delivered to everyone on their beer list. Calls are quick and efficient, and you pay on the phone for your beer. I love this system because it means I don't have to worry about rushing over to pick up beers that are being held for me but can still be purchased by others; it's first come first served and I know that once I buy a beer, it's set aside for me.

Stephanie, the beer merchant, is knowledgable and friendly. I haven't talked to her about what I'd like to see ordered more frequently, but I intend to.

Service is fast. They happily package your beer with bottle protectors, in boxes. Amex, mastercard, and visa are all accepted.

The pricing is reasonable for the area, but some of their beers are jaw-droppingly expensive.

It balances its emphases well; beer wine and liquor are all equally weighted in spite of the store's name.

Wally's also features a posh cheese shoppe, which I don't at all recommend because the prices are outrageous.

I've yet to encounter a better beer store in L.A. Trumps BevMo and Whole Foods in my book.

I would like to see them introduce a loyalty program/card or something to maybe give dedicated customers a periodic discount.

B+

02-20-2012 03:07:57 | More by kojevergas

Floydster

California

3.7/5  rDev -14.7%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

Located on Westwood Blvd. in West LA

Carry some hard to find beers like Anchor Xmas (both 50 ounce bottles and 12 oz.), Avery the Beast, Port Santa's Little Helper, Lagunitas Cappucino Stout, and Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Lots of their beers were way passed their bottle date, but still had good beers

Sell out of the Lagunitas seasonals fast unfortunately

Expect to pay a little more than most places

Have not tried any of the beers I have bought from here yet, but date says they are fresh

Cool little store with a loyal customer following, specialize in fine wines even though they have about 6 or 7 fridges of beer

09-08-2007 05:14:56 | More by Floydster

rxdrewthejew

California

3.7/5  rDev -14.7%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$$

Easy to find right off Westwood and Pico. No doubt this is a wine store. Beer is all stored in the fridge. Selection isn't really that good, but for the most part it's stuff you might not find too many other places. Seems like they always have Russian River Damnation in stock. Also found Stone seasonals (including Old Guardian), some Victory, Avery, plenty of German and Belgian brews as well. Prices were variable. The Old Guardian was only 5 bucks for a bomber, but Avery's The Beast was 8 bucks for a 12 ouncer. Staff is friendly, the cashier chatted with me for a bit about beers. Overall, worth going there just for the Damnation. I dunno if I'd go out of my way for this store but if you live in West LA it's worth checking out.

12-14-2007 04:56:40 | More by rxdrewthejew