Lone Hill Liquors

DoubleJ

California

4.65/5  rDev -1.5%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Update: The days of seeing undistributed Midwest/East Coast beer seem no more, which was part of Lone Hill's claim to fame. Nonetheless, still a very enjoyable store to buy beer, and Stan continues to excel in the service department.

I've been keeping my eye on this place for months now, notably because the sold a handful of beers which aren't distributed in Southern California. Even with my high expectations, I was impressed. In front of the store are parking stalls for 10 minute parking, which I found to be funny because you'll need more than that.

Some stores will only sells several kinds of a brewey's beer, but this place seemed to have the full line from each brewery they sold. Rogue Hefeweizen?! Cool! But unwrap the foil and you will find some tasty chocolate, represented by Three Floyd's Saison and Barleywine, Great Lakes, Founders Red Rye, and Southern Tier Java Stout.

Then I ran across Stan, the guy who runs the beer at Lone Hill. He was willing to help me find beer or answer any questions I had. I asked if he any more Dogfish Head beers, and he did. He retreived me a bottle of Burton Baton, which wasn't on the sales floor. For nine beers, I spent almost $70, but when you can get beer here where you can't find elsewhere, don't sweat it. Take a short-term hit and let the beer pay you back later.

07-11-2008 00:58:20 | More by DoubleJ

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev -8.9%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Visited on 3/16/09 on a trip from Lynwood to Apple Valley. Had to call the store and got directions from Stan as I got turned around somehow. The store is off the 210 on Alosta/66. Parking is plentiful in the strip mall.

Inside there is a great beer selection. Many regional brewers are represented such as Lost Abbey, Marin, Stone, Drake's etc. There were also some beers from the my home midwestern region that I have not seen out west too often like Bell's and Three Floyds. There is also a pretty good selection of imports from the UK, Belgium, Germany etc.

As for the service, again the owner was kind enough to guide me to the store, and while we was not there the clerk put me on the phone with him *again* to make some recommendations on what to take back with me. Definitely the personal touch while not being there in person.

Overall this store is a not so hidden gem that is worth a stop.

05-21-2009 04:16:50 | More by Dogbrick

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev -8.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Easy to find, packed with a dozen or so shops in a strip mall. Sort of small, with wine taking up the majority of the shelf space. The beers were all in coolers (well done!). I saw most things which were available at Whole Foods or Bevmo, plus a little alpha. Settled on some Still Nacht as I just haven't seen it anywhere else in so long. Prices weren't as high as I expected from previous reviews, actually they were pretty standard for the LA area.

If you're in Glendora then you definitely should stop here and also at the sister establishment (Walnut Liquorette). But if you're in LA proper you might not be well served by the drive, as 99% of what I saw was available elsewhere. Still recommended as a very good beer store though!

05-12-2013 02:47:38 | More by TurdFurgison

Floydster

California

4.85/5  rDev +2.8%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Stopped here last night on my back to the Inland Empire from Los Angeles, right next to a Stater Bros. in a big shopping center, walked in and was greeted my a guy named Stan who knew a good amount about beer, told me he has been managing the store for well over two years now, talked to him for close to thirty minutes, he ended going into the back and selling me his last bottle of Ommegeddon after telling him how I wanted to try it, that was the only thing I bought at $12.99, he threw in a free Firestone Union Jack which was cool because I have not been able to try that one yet, beware of the one dollar credit card fee per transaction, not a big deal but people should know if that kind of thing upsets them, big selection with several east coast goodies, some of the brews I remember seeing were Mikkeller Big Worse, Pannepot Old Fisherman's Ale for $6.99, Dogfish Head 60 and 90 Minute IPA, Midas Touch for $6.99, and Golden Era, Three Floyds Alpha King, Behemoth for $23.99, Pride & Joy, and Robert the Bruce, tons of Rogue, Marins, Moylans, Ballast Point, Alesmith, Green Flash, Beer Valley, and Stone, also Great Lakes, Goose Island, Lost Abbey, Founders, and Allagash, prices were a little steep but the fact that those beers are available on the west coast is worth every penny, would not be able to taste have of them otherwise, 3 liter bottle of 10th Anniversary Stone Double IPA was one hundred dollars and the Double Bastard was sixty bucks, selection was very close to Walnut Liquorette, maybe slightly bigger but almost identical products, service could not have been any better, will probably grab some vintages of Bigfoot that he had in the back next time I stop in, will definitely go here again soon, high quality brews that cannot be found at many other places in Southern California, very glad I stopped by, only about forty-five minutes from my apartment

03-20-2008 22:44:30 | More by Floydster

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.96/5  rDev -16.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Another place in a strip mall, convenience store looking on the outside. Tons of beer inside, some all time classics like speedway stout, some different stuff you don't normally see from dogfish head. Some Alpine. Good stuff. Organization a little weird, but its always fun to look and look when you're a kid in a candy (beer) shop.

Didn't get the special invite to the special beer. Can't say the service was helpful as a result.

A little pricey like everything in the area, but definitely a place worth hitting up if you are anywhere near this place.

04-09-2011 22:23:00 | More by Beerandraiderfan

womencantsail

California

4.85/5  rDev +2.8%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

My friend's mom actually told me about this place as she knows that I'm a huge beer nerd.

My first trip here was about a month ago, but I've already made several return trips. Great selection, especially some things that are almost impossible to find here in So Cal (some Russian River, Founders, Southern Tier, and DFH brews to name a few). Also, many Belgians and Trappist beers. A great selection of Lost Abbeys.

The prices are not too bad, considering some of the beers available.

Stan is a very friendly guy, good to talk to and quite helpful.

I'll continue to come here for beer.

06-22-2009 05:25:16 | More by womencantsail

t0rin0

California

4.85/5  rDev +2.8%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

This place is tucked away in shopping center right next to a grocery store. The place is small but the most of the right side of the store is dedicated to beer. Now, there isn't quite as much to chose from as say Bevmo but the beers are fresher, and the beers that they do have are harder to find. There are beers from the east coast as well as a number of beers from California. I stop by every few weeks and pick up some more beers to try. By the way, if anyone is looking for some year old Bigfoot or Celebration ale, they've got some cases in the back.

01-15-2008 23:36:16 | More by t0rin0

Dukeofearl

California

4.2/5  rDev -11%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | $$$$

Based on a few recent BA threads that regale the incredible selection of this place (very good beers that just aren't available in California are here- how??), I recently made the 45 mile (1 way) trek on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. And I was not disappointed, except that I left most of that wonderful beer sitting in the coolers where I found it.

From the outside, a typical strip mall liquor store next to a regional grocery store (Stator Brothers) that could be found in a few hundred places in southern California. A feeling of "that's it?" crept over me as I saw it from the parking lot. As I entered though, I saw lots of wine laying on nice racks so the corks stay moist, an incredible Whisky and Whiskey collection behind the register, and lots and lots of beer coolers. Wow.

And the first cooler nearest the door is pot of gold. Dogfish Head in abundance. Hop Wallop, Barrel aged Yeti, Three Floyds- what is this? These beers just aren't found in sunny southern CA. But then I continue. 14 coolers of craft and import beers. That does not count the BMC stuff in the back of the store (4 coolers?). These people are beer lovers. I can't decide!

Then I look at the prices. And all of the sudden a very sad feeling comes over me. $15.99 for a bomber of this, $14.00 for a bomber of that, $15.99 for a four pack of 12 oz bottles of the other, $7.99 for a single 12 oz bottle of 120 Minute IPA. I can't do this. I love beer, I don't mind paying hard earned cash, but I just can't do it.

Sadly, I go home with a few very nice, but generally cheaper choices. This is a great place, but please be warned- if you go (and I do recommend you do go), be prepared to pay or be prepared to leave very sad.

Note- my value rating is based on the hard-to-find stuff. Much of their other beers are very good, but also relatively easy to find at BevMo and other locals at similar or lower prices.

03-14-2007 05:33:57 | More by Dukeofearl

charlzm

California

4.65/5  rDev -1.5%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Visited twice in the last few months. Spent over $150.00 the first time and $200.00 the second time on rarities (hard to find and vintage brews). I drove 35 miles one way to get there, so I guess that's a good indication of how highly I hold this place in regard. Makes BevMo and the like look very sad in comparison. Minimart ambiance complete with lotto players and macro drinkers. Service really depends on who's there. Selection is outstanding. No food to speak of, unless you want a candy bar. Overall, there isn't much better to be found in southern California.

03-10-2008 23:15:46 | More by charlzm

Rumrunner

California

4.8/5  rDev +1.7%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

For California craft beer lovers this is a liquor store with a bonus.

A large space which is very clean and properly attended to. It has all of the items one should expect from a quality liquor store. A healthy selection of fine wines and spirits. A certain amount of food, a variety of glasses and necessary drinking accessories. A great selection of beer. They have plenty of west coast craft beer and a very nice selection of imports from Belgium, England, Germany, Canada and a few others.

What gives Lone Hill a bonus is that they go out of their way to get American craft beer from the mid west and the east coast. They get beers from Great Divide, Three Floyd's, Victory, Great Lakes, Bell's, and Dogfish Head . Maybe even a few other breweries. A variety from each as well. In fact if Lone Hill did not have these beers I don't think they would warrant a five rating. If you do not live in the area, then there would not be any special reason to go here. If you do live in the area. Lucky bugger.

I am sure the shipping for these beers comes at a hefty cost and this cost is then given to the consumer. These beers are priced very high and if you are not willing to loosen up your wallet the trip will not be worth it if you are travelling a long distance. Many consumers of these beers will not mind the expense, but if you are on a tight budget you might want to stay clear, lest you lose your mind and drop the credit card. I give the establishment an 'a bit pricey,' because the beers from the west coast and the imports seem priced in the proper range and not over priced.

I have to commend the service. After my purchase I was given a free bottle of Unibroue. The man and the woman who helped me during my visit were very friendly and if you live in the area this is a quality establishment to visit whether or not they can offer beers from parts of the country most other liquor stores do not.

10-19-2006 23:25:08 | More by Rumrunner