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

Foppie

California

5/5  rDev +15.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This gem of a shop has become my go to LA beer stop.

They really do encompass all the traits that I search out when beer hunting:

The selection of beers is remarkable, spanning the entire globe. I am always sure to find at least one or two beers totally off my radar when I drop in for my bimonthly visits.

What really sets their beer department aside is the staff. Graham's emails are a dream come true for the beer drinker in search of the next great drink. If you are in LA, love beer, but are not on this list you are missing out!

I have never had anything less than extraordinary service each visit. Kathrine & Graham are always willing to drop whatever they are doing to help point out the latest and greatest bottles & cans. These kids are super sharp and kind. Unlike some other great beer spots I never become concerned that I have just found myself in an endless conversation desperately trying to find a way out! Their knowledge and enthusiasm is tremendous.

Bonuses like friendly pricing, rare beer tasting opportunities, cheese samples, ample parking and an immaculately kept shop keep me coming back with a smile.

Things just keep getting better as I am hearing they are now expanding their beer selection even further! I am going to need another fridge soon!

04-09-2010 00:56:36 | More by Foppie

GRG1313

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$$

Wally's is THE place for wine. It caters to the entertainment industry so prices can be high but selection is great. It had a terrible beer selection as of two years ago. I fully respect Steve Wallace ("Wally") for his wine knowledge and the stock but beer was not his forte.

However, with Graham, the current buyer, the selection has become competitive with the better places. And, as of this week, Steve is actually giving Graham almost carte blanche to increase suppliers, selection and lower some prices! He is going to eliminate two more soda doors and fill them with beer. He is out to be one of the best places in Southern California. If he does with beer what he did with wine, this will be one of THE GO TO PLACES. Let's hope he continues with the efforts and follows through.

In any event, still a good place to try. Especially nice selection of small bottles of brews that you usually find only in the larger format. Check it out.

03-19-2010 07:23:45 | More by GRG1313

ghaverfield

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +7.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I noticed that Wally's hadn't been reviewed for a few years, so I want to bring it's rating up to date. Wally's has become one of my go to stores as a beer geek in LA. Carl, the current Beer buyer has put together a nicely appointed beer section of American Craft Beer as well as Belgian and German brews.

The beer selection is improving every week... you can always find fresh DFH, Deschutes, Stone, Green Flash, Coronado, Rogue, etc... beers fresh and available by the bottle or 4/6 packs. Also, a few limited releases have made there way to Wally's recently with more to come. Deschutes Mirror Mirror, North Coast Rasputin XII, Carnegie Porter 2004, and Nora Ale are some of the highlights that have been brought just in the past few months.

On top of all that, Wally's will soon be selling a good deal of beers that are hard to find on the West Coast from: Mikkeller, Nørrebro, Nøgne-Ø, Jolly Pumpkin, and St Somewhere Brewing Company.

For those of you who have dismissed Wally's in the past, it's a brand new day, and for all you West LA beer geeks, check it out, you wont be disappointed.

06-29-2009 18:18:36 | More by ghaverfield

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

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

Rumrunner

California

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

A comment about Wally's and how they have dealt with craft beer over the years. About five or six years ago Wally's used to carry plenty of craft beer. It was one of the few places on the westside of Los Angeles to get quality beers. Before every grocery store or liquor store carried a few quality selections just because craft beer became popular, as it is now. About three years ago I ventured in to Wally's as I often did for craft beer and over night they had barely any craft beer. I went to the counter to inquire about what had happened to the craft beer selection. I was told bluntly, "It does not sell." Wally's had abandoned craft beer. Today was my first visit in three years. Happily they have expanded their craft beer selection. I do wonder though, if the craft beer does not sell this time around, that they might abandon it once again. Hopefully not.

Wally's is a wine shop. It is a good sized room and most of the space is used for wine. They have a nice selection of wine and spirits. A very healthy selection of bourbon for the bourbon drinker. They also sell cheeses and other edibles mostly catering to the wine drinker but could easily transfer to beer. There is a seperate building which is a humidor for the cigar smoker. A quality selection of cigars. I am no cigar afficianodo but I thought some were fairly priced and others were over priced.

All of the beer is in the cooler. A very good selection. They do get some one-offs, plenty of seasonals but only a few rareties. They list the beer on their internet site so I will give a limited list here: Anderson Valley, Lost Coast, Firestone, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Stone, Rogue, Stoudt's, Old Engine Oil, Fuller's, Flying Dog, Samuel Smith's, Unibroue, Kwak, St. Bernardus, Chimay, Abbey De Rocs, Leffe, Delerium Tremens, St Feuillien, Groten Brune, Veltins, Schwelmer, Ayinger, Riggwelter, Aventinus, Marston's, Young's, Casta and plenty of other beers. Some of the beers did seem over priced compared to other establishments that sell the same beer in the Los Angeles area.

The service was very good. The person who orders the beer informed me that they don't always have space in the cooler, or on the sales floor for all of the beer they have and to please inquire about beers because they may have other beers in the back cooler that they have not put out yet. Very helpful.

This is a very well maintained store, with a friendly helpful staff that is reaquainting itself with the world of craft beer. A beer drinker can only hope it will remain so.

10-30-2005 09:40:25 | More by Rumrunner