Ojai Beverage Company

Luvzsurfrz

California

4.86/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Visited OBC with friends on 5/7/11.

Located in the heart of downtown Ojai, amidst several fine eating establishments, and many a trinket store.

I only WISH our town had a nice little local beer drinking place with the selection that this place has.

When you walk in all of the beer coolers are along your left wall, while wine/liquor are spread through the rest of the store to your right. Of course, my primary focus was on the beer selection.

And there is a HUGE selection at that. Not to mention the 20 beers on tap!

There is a bar area where you can enjoy yourself with friends, as well as eat. The food menu LOOKED amazing, simple, yet amazing. We had already eaten lunch, so unfortunately the food will be for another trip.

Beers were served in proper glassware, and the staff was incredibly friendly, and knowledgeable. This establishment is a true gem, and was only an hour away from us making for a nice day-trip with friends.

My only minor critique, and perhaps this is because I am a girl, and unfortunately didn't appear to be something that this place could help. The bathroom was a unisex, 1-stall, and was located just over a short wall to the side of the bar area. It's just not something I want visible while I am trying to enjoy food and great beverage. It was at least clean for a male/female restroom.

HIGHLY recommend, however.

05-10-2011 20:55:30 | More by Luvzsurfrz

trisweb

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Wow. I grew up in Ojai, and even after I turned 21 Regal's Wine Shop was never anything special. But then I leave for a couple years, and roll back into town and my dad says, "come on, we're goin' to the OBC for beer. Don't ask, just hop in the car" with a big grin on his face. We get there, head into the back to the bar, past the literally dozens of glass-doored fridges housing thousands of beers, and up to the sweet bar in the back, and it's clear: wow, has this place transformed.

This is bar none the best beer store I have ever been in or even "heard tell" of. It is a local legend, and for good reason. 13 taps, changing frequently, with everything from obscure local brews that you can get only in that room (eg: "Pink Moment Pale Ale" - fantastic), to some of the best beers from all the way across the country or across the pond. Every single beer I've tried on tap has been of exceptional quality for its style - they know their beer, and they know how to pick 'em. The bartenders were efficient, extremely knowledgable about everything relating to beer, and downright nice.

In the week I was home visiting family, I probably went 4 different nights, and each night had different beers, different tastings, different bottles--one of the best parts is that you can pick any bottle you want, and they'll add it to your tap along with a buck for glasses, and you can drink it right there. Amazing. The bottled choice is spectacular - like I said, probably over 20 refrigerators, organized by region and style, with every beer imaginable from anyone they can get it from.

On top of that, they have some of the best whiskey, tequila, and vodka selections I've ever seen. Sweet.

To top it off, customer service is top notch. Last time I was there some friends and I were going to open up a Saison that one of them recommended, and it was a good $40 for the bottle (my friend was adamant about it). Opened it up, and the beer was entirely flat and tasted horrible; cork appeared to have lost its seal. We told the waiter and he brought it to the back, tasted it, and came back shaking his head "It's a real shame, we were really excited when you picked it up too. No worries," and he took if off our bill of course.

All in all, it's a beer mecca as far as I'm concerned. My parents are happy, as it gives me one more reason to visit! And visit I will.

04-02-2011 03:09:35 | More by trisweb

drew2u

California

4.65/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I popped into this place while visting family in Ojai. Wow what a pleaseant suprise. We went in for lunch and tried their sampler tasting of 13 different brews. It was fun to get everyone tasting and lunch was very good.
The place has a lot of retail with a wall dedicated to liquor, a good amount of the vino, and wall of several coolers of brew. Good selections, I was like a kid in a candy store. I hit the place up on the way out of town to pickup some nice brews for home. Recommend this place to anyone, and the employees/owner were very helpful and honestly seemed glad to have you in their establishment.

01-21-2011 05:38:02 | More by drew2u

tjensen3618

California

4.86/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

This place is easily my favorite beer store.

Lets start with the bar area. Its a decent sized bar located in the back of the store which seats about a dozen people at the bar itself and another dozen at tables, then there's the outdoor patio which looks to seat >50 people. It is a very classy and well furnished bar with 12 taps, I tried the Mission Shipwreck DIPA, and the SN Fritz and Kens. You can go pick out a bottle from the 20 or so cooler doors and enjoy it right there at the bar. Both times i have been it has been almost all people drinking beer instead of wine which i find funny considering the vast selection of great wines in the store as well as the area in which the store is located.

The beer selection is very good. They have all the craft brands that you would expect to find in CA and then some. They stock up on exclusive releases when they can, for instance i found Stone 12th anni. which was released almost 2 yrs. ago, Mirror Mirror which is over 1 year old and sold out at most places within a month of its release. They also had some regional and local beers that you just don't see at other places like Buckbean, Telegraph, and Island.

The staff is friendly and willing to help when needed. The prices are in line most of the time, sometime a bit pricey and sometime a bit less than you would expect.

I really like coming here, this store is reason enough for me to continue planning day trips to Ojai.

05-25-2010 21:53:47 | More by tjensen3618

805drinker

California

4.95/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I've been meaning to leave a review for awhile now, better late than never! I've been frequenting The O.B.C. since they opened up shop, and let me tell you that I have never been disapointed with the selection (coolers or taps) or the attentivness of the owners and staff. The store is truely unique in it's concept and I know the guys are always planning what new beers and wine to stock or put on tap.

These boys know how to have fun too! The atmoshere is generally upbeat, and staff is very friendly. With the addition of the outdoor patio, and newly re-opened kitchen, it's hard to justify stoping for a pint anywhere else. Don't like the selection on tap? No problem! Just go grab a beer from the cooler and they're more than happy to pop it open for you at no additional cost! What other place is going to that for you?!

If your more into wine than beer, look no further! Their wine selection rivals their beer selection. Great wines from all over the world. They also have (for the last 2 months) $1 tastings on Thursday, for those of us on a budget (but they are not budget wines). I can't say enough good things about this place, my wife and I go in on average about twice a week, and always have a good time there. I can honestly say that my appreciation of beer and wine has grown by leaps and bounds because of the O.B.C. and the staff. Thanks Joby and Jorge for bringing The Ojai Beverage Co. to life!
CHEERS!!

05-05-2010 20:34:09 | More by 805drinker

JBogan

Nevada

4.86/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Located on a two lane highway that passes through the beautiful little town of Ojai. The outside of the store doesn't give away the treasures inside.

Walk in and the beer coolers are to your left. Lots of them in fact. A good twenty or so taking up nearly the entire left wall. You soon realize that 99% of the beer stock is refrigerated, which is a nice touch. Plenty of import and domestic craft beers including a few I hadn't seen at any other southern California beer stores.

There is a small bar in the rear of the store with 6 or 8 nicely padded stools, along with another half dozen small tables adjacent to that. When I wandered back towards that area I was immediately asked if I needed help with anything. They had 12 beers on tap, all good quality craft brews and I ordered a Klokke Roeland which I'd never seen available anywhere before, much less on tap. It was served in it's proper branded logo glass along with a small bowl of complimentary pretzels. The two gentlemen running the store and the local gentleman sitting a few chairs away at the bar were all very friendly, and their kindness along with the excellent beer made for a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.

After finishing my beer at the bar I picked out a half dozen or so brews from the cooler and checked out. The beers were all reasonably priced. There is a small but nicely chosen glassware selection below the front counter.

Overall this was perhaps the most enjoyable beer shopping experience I've ever had. One of southern California's best beer selections and at fair prices, excellent and friendly service, a quiet and relaxing atmosphere along with a little bar in the back stocked with a dozen excellent brews on tap. What more could you ask for? Highly recommended.

02-13-2010 16:52:53 | More by JBogan

GJ40

North Carolina

4.36/5  rDev -9.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I stopped in while visiting southern California on vacation.

OBC has more wine by volume but they do a great job with beer as well. They have a great selection and nearly all of it is refrigerated. The stock includes many from the west coast, many from the rest of the country and lots from Europe; especially Belgium. They had a few from Russian River including Consecration and Blind Pig. Overall, they have more bottles (22oz & 750ml) than sixes.

They also have a tasting room in the back with ten or so on tap. I didn't try any but it seemed to have a nice atmosphere.

OBC is an outstanding shop and well worth a visit.

08-21-2009 03:03:48 | More by GJ40

raoulduke37

California

4.95/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Simply put: This place rules. I was blown away by the selection and quality of the brews. Very well organized in what looked to be over a dozen coolers. Found great Belgians, everything from Stone, lots of AleSmith, some Bear Republic, and plenty plenty more.

The service was exceptional as well, with Jobe providing my brother and I with great advice, some great tastings, and lots of buzz on what was coming up, and what to look out for. This is definitely an e mail list I want to be on!

Well worth the drive from within a 200 mile radius - great service, great beer, great store. I will be returning often. Also, bring the lady if she's all into fancy wines and foods, like mine is.

02-07-2009 20:36:06 | More by raoulduke37

BrittReed

Colorado

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

Awesome! I saw it on BA as a great place to go for good selection, and I was not disappointed! I live almost an hour away, and it's got the best selection I've found yet. One wall liquor, a lot of wine down the center, and coolers running the length of the store full of great brew! Found Stone's VE 07/07/07 and last year's 11th ann., along with some great Belgians. Organized well geographically, so it's fairly easy to find/browse. And the guys were very helpful; they know their stuff! Tasting room/bar area in back with tables and stools in adition to the bar. I'm excited about the tastings they do approx. monthly! Very clean and organized; think I finally found my "go to" place! Great job, guys!

11-12-2008 22:23:01 | More by BrittReed

gabeerfanswife

Georgia

4.65/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

This is a great liquor store in Ojai with an outstanding beer selection. Plus they have a tasting bar in the back with several taps of interesting brews. Like so many small markets in resort destinations they had a pretty good selection of picnic food too.

I was in town visiting my family and popped in here for a beer tasting with my mother. Jobe looked like he was truly enjoying himself sharing beer with folks. We had a great time and I was able to taste some beers I cannot get on the east coast.

I am happy to see this listing on beer advocate finally! Thanks Todd for catching up on the beerfly additions.

If you live in the Ojai/Casitas area or are visiting and want good quality craft beer this is the place to go.

06-30-2008 02:24:30 | More by gabeerfanswife