Hi-Time Wine Cellars

jasonjlewis

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place has a very huge selection of wines, liquors, and beers.

I like that I don't have to buy an entire sixer of a beer just to try it.

People were very helpful although I did not require much help. People knew about their inventory and were eager to help.

The selection was huge and I to calm myself down and not buy everything. There are a whole bunch of cali brews, stone, alesmith, etc. and west coast offerings as well.

Everything seems to be pretty fresh and the prices are decent. Seems to be 50 cents more per item than bevmo, but then again, you can't buy singles out of sixers from bevmo.

05-17-2008 23:21:14 | More by jasonjlewis

charlzm

California

4.5/5  rDev -2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Others have waxed far more eloquently than I ever could about this place. I'll just pay them the highest compliment I can think of by saying I wish they were up near where I live.

Yes, they have an awesome selection of officially available beers in their massive, climate controlled walk-in. Do they have grey market brews? I didn't see any evidence of that.

Yes, they have beer enthusiasts on staff who will talk to you about beer with almost no excuse.

In no way is there anything negative I can say about this place, except that they need to have a location close to my neck of the woods.

Because of the distance, I don't think I will be visiting them again any time soon. It's wonderful to know that they're open and doing great things, though.

04-30-2008 01:30:59 | More by charlzm

0110x011

California

4.7/5  rDev +2.4%
quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

Sweet, sweet Hi-Time. A veritable vice-mart, they have a wine section, a liquor section, a beer section, a tobacco section and an accessories section. Simply walking into this place takes a year off of your life.

As for the beer, the selection is excellent. Mainly SoCal & west coast brews (Alesmith, Stone, Avery, Moylan's, Hair of the Dog), with a great selection of English, German, and Belgian beer. I'm against the whole buying singles out of a 6-pack thing (I don't want a 5-pack, thank you), but I hear they're cool with it.

Take the beer, a fantastic wine stock (especially French, italian, & California), and the friendly, knowledgeable staff, and you have an A+ merchant of death.

04-19-2008 01:26:09 | More by 0110x011

bradford

California

4.65/5  rDev +1.3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I have read about the legendary Hi-Time Wine Cellar for some time here on BA, and now that I am working in Huntington Beach, I have had the pleasure of stopping in here a couple of times.
The quality is very good. Many hard to find craft beers from around the country and the world. I wish thay had some more Mid-West/East Coast beers, but they do have some. I have picked up many Stone, Hair of the Dog, and Pizza Port beers, as well as Victory and Avery.
The service here is great. When I stopped in last, I inquired about where a particular beer bar in Orange County was, the cashier didn't know exactly, so he googled it and offered to print me a mao of how to get there. Very freindly and knowledgeable service.
The selection is very good. Many hard to find and obscure beers available no where else in the US
The prices are reasonable as i suspect they have several distributors and a buying staff that goes out of their way to get the goodies. Highly recommended.

11-18-2007 22:05:48 | More by bradford

4.35/5  rDev -5.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon while en route to Dana Pointe.

Looks like they could satisfy many a vice. Cigars, liquor and wine options were plentiful to go along with the beer.

Quality was fine. I samped a bomber and part of a six pack I purchased there, and had no issues with either.

Service helpful as I was leaving (quick check out, decent packaging and an offer to help carry it out). Not much offered while I was looking, but I usually know what I am after, so I don't worry about it too much.

Selection was very impressive. Great microbrew options, with, of course, a CA focus. Lots of choices for Belgian and German beers. My picks included Alesmith, Port, Russian River, Drakes and some HOTD. I also grabbed a sixer from Mammoth Brew. Co. and a bomber from Angel City Brewing. I quickly filled up a case of bombers/750s and was left wishing I had more room.

Overall, no complaints whatsoever. Would certainly recommend a stop if you are anywhere nearby.

11-05-2007 14:20:35 | More by

chefscott79

California

5/5  rDev +8.9%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I love this place...

I can't get enough of it....great selection not only in their big walk in cooler full of lots of treats from everywhere...best beer selection that I have ever seen!
anywhere!

only if I could get a job there

also their liquor section is awesome!

I could not find their beer book selection and it was kinda frustrating

and I hear their wine selection is pretty unbelievable....but sadly I have never ventured anywhere but the beer and liquor section...what can I say I love the beer cooler so much!

and also their staff is super knowledgeable! and friendly!

great deals sometimes on the whisky!

10-12-2007 21:49:54 | More by chefscott79

Floydster

California

4.45/5  rDev -3.1%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $

Located in a Costa Mesa neighborhood

Beer is located in the pack in a large refrigerated room along with 8 different fridges outside of that

Super cheap and can buy singles out of six packs

Found some nice gems here, Avery Czar, Flying Dog Woodie Creek, Firestone Walker Reserve, Bornem Double, and Flying Dog Horn Dog barleywine

Only spent 28 dollars on 10 different beers, some were 22 ouncers too

Nice selection of glasses

Very helpful workers

Could have spent a lot more money here and I probably will if I make it back there soon

09-09-2007 01:16:34 | More by Floydster

Halcyondays

California

4.3/5  rDev -6.3%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

Went to Hi-Time Wine Cellars this Saturday night around 8 o'clock. Just a 20-25 minute or so drive down the 405/73/55, brings me here, traffic was surprisingly light. Beer is in the back, make a big right turn as you enter, past the wine on your left and spirits on your right. First you find a cooler of American microbrews, from Stone to Anchor to Green Flash (a wide selection), plus rarer ones like Stoudt's, and some really local Orange County breweries. The main area for beer is the giant cooler, where they include a wide selection of Belgians, Germans, the best selection of English beers you're going to find in the county, big bombers of California craft brews, and many others. The quality is impeccable, more than 90% of the beer is refrigerated, and this is by far the best selction overall I've found in Orange County. Plus, you can break up six-packs, which makes it a great store for trying new beers. Prices for some bottles can be on the pricey side, but overall it is very reasonable. Although this is a bit out of my way, it is a great store, and I tend to go to it weekly, or at the least bi-weekly, because it is simply the best store for beer in the North County area.

07-01-2007 04:57:10 | More by Halcyondays

DoubleJ

California

4.65/5  rDev +1.3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Hi-Time is located in the middle of a residental area just south of 17th street, which may make you think you've gone the wrong way to find the place. When you see the sign, you'll know you've made it. The main entrance takes you inside to a room full of vintage wines, cigars, and liquor. To reach the beer, you'll need to walk to the right and continue down. When you've reached a big coolor with beer inside, you've hit the jackpot. Insde the cooler at a bunch of beers of all origins. The selection is superb, and the prices aren't bad. I was still able to find the winter version of YuleSmith, making me a happy camper, along with Kulmbacher Eisbock in 6-packs. Those are just a few samples you'll come across. International and domestic mix packs are also available for purchase. Because most of the beer there is cold, it means it's ready for consumption rather than setting it in your fridge for a few hours before you're ready to have it. Glassware is also available is several shapes and sizes. Go there for hard to find beers or if you live nearby, your jaw will drop!

06-27-2007 21:13:47 | More by DoubleJ

kleffman

California

4.7/5  rDev +2.4%
quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

I finally got the chance to check this place out and wow...I've been blowing it by not visiting sooner. Next time I need a jacket because I was freezing my balls off after being in the walk in beer fridge for so long. I didn't even get the time to look over the cigar, wine, and hard liquor sections with the exception of some of the scotch (the Laphroaig 15 year single malt was cheaper than usual). Long story short I ended up walking out with a variety of 12 ounce bottles (you can split up 6 packs!) and some rare-ish bombers that I haven't seen including the Avery Anniversary Ale, a Lagunitas I haven't seen, and an Eisbock I've never seen. Granted I only shop at Bevmo usually, but this place really blew my mind. Pretty expensive per bottle if you break up 6 packs though but what do you expect. 6ers are pretty picked apart though so obviously people do this often.

This is a MUST visit.

06-18-2007 23:43:00 | More by kleffman