Wine Library

caddybuyer

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +24.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is a re-review. I did a review of this store back in 2008. It is a vastly different store now with the huge changes that Ciccerone Graham Haverfield has made to this place. This now has become possibly the BEST beer destination in NJ, both in selection, and in the care that is placed in making sure that the stock is fresh. Ie, you will not find an unrefrigerated IPA here. Graham turns away all but the freshest of the fresh hop brews, and he also has a knack for securing some rarities. You order from here and you will get everything from the cooler. For years, I went to Garys, or Main Street in Madison, or even up to Boonton. No longer. There really is no reason to go anywhere else.

They also have a great gourmet department.

Oh. And the prices? Best anywhere.

A+++

PS: Any review over 18 mos old will not do justice to this place. It is a totally different store since Graham took over the beer here.

12-25-2012 20:50:55 | More by caddybuyer

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4.01/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I can't believe I almost forgot to review this place when I went to visit my sister around Thanksgiving:

A/Q: Though mainly a wine and cheese store, the atmosphere was definitely an "alcohol" store as not just wine decorated most of the walls, but all kinds of liquor (I wouldn't put it past most of New Jersey if they all went to this store, holy crap they got a lot of expensive stuff). As for the beer section which is what I'm most interested in, in my opinion, its very well established as Schlaffy, Oskar Blues, Elysian, Troeg's, Weyerbacher, Victory, Yards, Terrapin all show up (note, all are out of state of New Jersey). So the quality of beers are there, atmosphere, ah, I won't knock because their name states closer to other alcohols.

S: The service was great as I felt like a pig in poop and slightly overwhelmed I almost had no clue what to get within my budget, I probably annoyed the guy who was in charge of the beer section. Though he said he wasn't annoyed, I know I was constantly asking him questions and he kept saying he wasn't annoyed.

S: The selection was more than adequate as I already explained how a good amount of out of state selections graced the shelves at least two full aisles.

F: The food, ah, I'm not much of a foreign cheese guy, I didn't buy anything that day.

V: The value, actually, I'm unfamiliar with New Jersey taxes, and since my dad treated me that day, I didn't pay attention to the final bill. However, I will say this, I will go back, though a wine/cheese store, still very good selections in beer. If anyone goes there, ask for Graham Haverfield, he knows a lot and will offer his "educated" opinion, who I ended up really respecting. Good guy, great place!

12-08-2012 03:40:31 | More by kangarooAdam59

gniv

New York

4.44/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

The beer section at the Wine Library has come a long way in the last year. If you're reading older reviews, they are probably obsolete.

Even though wine is king here, they are obviously trying hard to attract beer geeks. They have a few knowledgeable people during prime hours, and the "staff picks" are surprisingly non-trivial. That's how I got to try the Elysian Immortal IPA, or the Caldera IPA, and I'm very happy I did -- I discovered that northwest IPAs agree with my taste buds.

If you are looking for something specific, you may not find it. They often run out of highly sought-after brews, or they simply don't stock the entire line from a brewery. Or they do. It's rather random. But you're always likely to find something new, and they have a good selection from local breweries.

06-24-2012 16:50:37 | More by gniv

LethalChickens

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

This place has come a long way in the last 6-8 Months. They have definitely allocated time to developing a craft beer section. Its seems as if it continually is growing as well.
The difference between this beer store and another is the fact that almost everything is fresh. They don't have that dingy and dusty bottle selection that has been sitting on the shelf for god knows how long. Its a very clean well kept section. Another plus to this is their wine selection. Two birds with one stone and I like that. If they keep this up it will def become a frequent stop on my NJ store list. Its worth the drive.

03-07-2012 21:48:15 | More by LethalChickens

kennylopez

New Jersey

3.19/5  rDev -20.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

This store is devoted to wine hints the name. I was happy to see that there beer selection was filled with quality. although the prices were quite high, they did have some old stock ale which is one of my favorites as well as some Penneport at 6 buck for 11.2oz.(a good deal if you asked me). The cold selection is about the same size as the uncool section which is only about 4 single door fridges with mostly six packs and a small fridge for singles. I enjoyed the selection and that is probably the only thing that will make me stop back again. worth the stop if your in the area but don't make a special trip in my opinion.

10-11-2011 22:40:50 | More by kennylopez

dsa7783

New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev -20.4%
quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

The store itself is humongous. Located conveniently on the corner of Morris Avenue, this sprawling liquor store is without a doubt almost entirely devoted to wine. There is decent-sized beer selection towards the far-left corner on the first floor boasting several craft breweries and a few foreigns. The place is pricey and service is sporadic at best. Definitely worth taking a few minutes to stop in and check out what kind of rotating selection might be available at a given time; just be prepared to spread your wallet wide.

01-19-2011 05:11:57 | More by dsa7783

BirdFlu

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -11.7%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$

considering this place's (seemingly) massive size (its not as big on the inside as it looks), I was hoping for more of a beer selection than what I found. They do have some good stuff and a decent craft selection (stone, some dogfish, etc.) but nothing too special it seemed. I didn notice they had some books and such upstairs like Sam Calagione's and such which was pretty cool. If you're into wine I'm sure its a hot spot, but from what I've seen the beer selection isn't too much to go out of your way for. (Unless, of course, you have no access to craft beer at other immediate places).

06-06-2009 17:05:08 | More by BirdFlu

JoeBloe

New York

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

what a nice store - 2 floors, an incredible selection of wines and spirits, 'cellar' room, elevator, nice restroom, large mac computers set up at stations to check out reviews, gourmet cheeses set out for tasting, etc. - i happened to be wearing a ba tee shirt when i went in - mike came over to me to point out some of the newer stuff they got in, and explained that they were just starting out with their craft beer section - i found beers here that i have not seen elsewhere - moylan's hopsickle, victory v12 and wild ale , hoppin frog b.o.r.i.s. oatmeal stout, founders , rochefort 10, -
a promising start, as they are still appointing shelf space for the beer -
mike bain seems to know his stuff-

05-28-2009 22:20:22 | More by JoeBloe

russoneri

New York

4.55/5  rDev +13.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | $

Wine Library is an incredible Wine store that also sells high end spirits, plenty of really, REALLY expensive single malts (some in the $1000s) and a huge assortment of cheeses and cured meats. Since this is BA, I'll limit my reveiw to their beer dept.

Decent selection, a handful of Dogfish and Founders beers along with the typical array of Sam Adams and macros. Pretty nice import selection, but very limited when compared to other beer shops in the area. Very good prices. But the thing I'd like to share with the rest of BA is the absolutely incredible service I was given.

I had called the shop and spoken with someone named Mike asking if they were going to sell a limited release seasonal beer that most BAers go crazy for. Mike told me that NJ would not be getting any of that beer and so we hung up. About an hour later I had a message from him in which he said he was mistaken and that they would in fact be getting some of it. The thing is I didn't leave my number, they actually used caller ID from my prior call to contact me! When I called back, I was told that they would have at least 1 case and that if I wanted a 4 pack, he would hold it for me. I asked for 2 and he said ok. I asked "do I have to call back in a couple of weeks to check if you got it?" but the reply was no. Sure enough 3 weeks later I get a call from Mike telling me they have it and that they would hold both 4 packs for me. What incredible service!!! They made a customer for life now.

BTW - if I could grade this store not only for it's beer, but for everything they offer, I would give it 5s across the board. What a great place! If you like wine as much as beer, you will be in heaven here...

03-23-2009 16:01:34 | More by russoneri

alyankus

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

The Winelibrary is an amazing wine shop with a good beer selection. For the space they have dedicated to beer they have a good range. Last time I was there they had most of the Stones, lots of Troegs, Founders, Allagash, Southern Tier and Hoppin Frog. The staff range from solid to confused (what store doesn't?) but if you're looking for top notch help you should ask for Neil the beerguy or Mike Bain the buyer. Both have a great grasp of craft beer and know their section well. The prices are very reasonable as most 6pk case prices range $1 or so above wholesale cost.
If I have one complaint it would be that they have a decent warm shelf and 3 doors of singles but still have some stuff hidden in the back. This is not because they are hoarding it but because they lack the space in their section to display all of their product. So it helps to ask if you don't see something. All in all a great beer location if you're in NJ but wine is definitely the focus.

03-09-2009 03:23:17 | More by alyankus