Westover Market

blackie

Virginia

4/5  rDev +0.5%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

the Westover Market is a medium-sized neighborhood grocery, not the kind of place I'd shop at regularly but they do have a wide selection of most standard items, the back wall of the store is one continuous cooler of beer, with additional beers stacked on top of them, a small shelf on the right side with various Belgians, and a small selection of singles near the entrance of the store, they apparently host tastings from time to time

there's a wide range of beer to be had, encompassing the entire range from macro to micro and all the pseudos in between, nothing particularly surprising that I haven't seen elsewhere, but did I live nearby this would likely be my regular beer stop, Victory, Stone, De Proef, a few locals, French Broad, and many many more

the Stoudt's DIPA was about five months old, glanced at a few other dates and they all checked out, being kept in the cold case can't hurt either

while most of the prices are towards the high end, a few of them are ludicrous (thirty bucks for a 4-pack of Palo Santo), I thought the $4 Zywiec was cheap but that's apparently double its going price elsewhere in the area

there was nobody at the back of the store to give service, but the shopkeep at the checkout line was friendly

10-27-2008 03:18:23 | More by blackie

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev +0.5%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Rumors of the fabled Wall of Beer brought me to this small gorcery establishment. Unlike Bigfoot and the like, these rumors paid off, and then some. The Wall itself consists of over a hundred different varieties from across the country. The international selection is quite lacking, but the American and local offerings more than make up for this seeming oversight. Also included is a smaller selection of singles and select rarities that are relatively harder to find in other nearby places. I haven't felt the need to ask for help, so I can't comment too much on it, but, while paying, I've had some nice (albeit brief) discussions about my selections. As others have noted, some of the bottles can be a tad bit pricey, but for the most part there isn't much of a difference between their prices and those of any other nearby store (until you cross into DC, that is). Overall, a very nice place to pick up some brews. Now, if only there was more parking...

06-07-2010 04:32:01 | More by TMoney2591

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev -7%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

It's pretty much a mini urban grocery store (right across the street from Lost Dog Cafe) with quite an expansive beer selection once you enter and turn right towards the back (their Wall of Beer). They have a very good selection of US micros like Bells, Stone, Victory, Bear Republic, etc. There's nothing here that you can't already get at other good Northern Virginia stores like Norm's or Whole Foods EXCEPT for a couple Southern Tier beers and Hoppin' Frogs. Compared to their US micros, their Belgian selection is somewhat limited but what they carry is good (Brasserie des Rocs Grand Cru, etc.). A pretty passionate beer selection for a grocery store. Worth checking out for your everyday beer needs or if visiting the area. Almost their entire shelf stock is refrigerated. The back patio is open during warm weather for beer drinking from their taps too.

02-17-2011 20:10:56 | More by CuriousMonk

Applesauce1

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +16.8%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I just moved to Arlington in April 2008. After spending about a month buying beers from Harris Teeter and Whole Foods, I discovered this gem. The Westover Market is small grocery store with a great selection of beer. The entire back wall is filled with beer. Some breweries include: Stone, Rogue, Troegs, Ballast Point, Sam Adams, Victory, Bell's, New Holland, Kona, Speakeasy....and the list goes on and on. I'm really impressed with the selection of West Coast beers here. You can also make your own six pack from a few select beers. Bombers are available from a variety of breweries too. Service is great...people here are nice and knowledgable, but not pushy. Overall, I'd say the best place in Northern Virginia for good beer.

08-18-2008 02:18:40 | More by Applesauce1

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -7%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

All around, this place seems like it should be really great. They have plenty of high-quality beer as well as a purportedly-large keg selection. However, the few times I've been have been quite a bit of a disappointment, and I've had other service issues as well. On more than one occasion in the past I've tried to order a keg and been told that it would be in after a certain number of days. Without fail each time, the keg never ended up coming in.

After discussing the same keg with another local retailer, I discovered that this brewery does not deliver kegs to the area for retail sales. No big deal, but this is a big brewery and something a credible beer retailer should know about.

Other than the problems with information, I will say that the individuals I spoke with on each occasion were quite friendly.

The selection here is pretty good, but not mind-blowing. I saw the reviews and thought I would have to check out the selection. While it's certainly above average for the area, I don't see it being any better than Rick's or most of the Whole Foods locations.

The pricing seemed on par with the rest of the area.

02-05-2011 13:37:46 | More by Thorpe429

claspada

New Jersey

2.76/5  rDev -30.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.5 | service: 1 | selection: 4 | $$$

Stopper here after lunch at Lost Dog across the street.
There is a pretty nice selection all long the right wall as you walk in of cold sixpacks, cold bombers and warm versions of both. After having stopped at State Line in MD a few hours earlier I was less than impressed but would be quite happy if I hadn't gone there first.

This is really just a low budget grocery store with a crap ton of beer. A better sixpack shop if that makes sense. Lots of seasonals and out of state options. Most of the beer is American craft. I questioned the freshness of some of the less popular stuff just because of the huge 6 pack variety, but they can say that they have new stuff as well because of the large Pumking and Founders Breakfast stout display.

The cons are the lack of anyone working there. There was like one person and he was running the 1 of 2 registers (for a grocery store) and i just wanted to buy a 4 pack of Maui Coconut Porter but chose to bag it because of the lady buying a cart full of groceries in front of me in line.

09-17-2012 19:21:52 | More by claspada

Rootdog316

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +13.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

This one of the few places in the Arlington area that will let you make your own six pack. On top of that, they are not very expensive either. The staff is courteous and professional, also very helpful. They have a great selection of beers there. When I llast went I picked up some Flying Dog, Abita Pecan, Circus Boy, etc. They have a heckuva lot there. By far the best place in North Arlington beer selection wise. Although it can be hard to get to because they are at the edge of the county, it is certainly worth the drive. Recommended to anybody who lives in the North Arlington area.

06-29-2008 14:43:51 | More by Rootdog316

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.31/5  rDev -16.8%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

been to westover a handful of times over the past year. just recently looked at the overall rating of 94 and was shocked. felt obliged to put in my 2 cents.

when you first walk into westover it simply appears as a dirty grocery store. small rows of goods, some produce, and then to your right a big wall of beer. single bottles (bombers, 750's, etc.) of some of the hard to finds on top produce cooler which hold 4 & 6-packs as well as a selection of mix and match 12oz bottles. the mix and match selection is something i always enjoy doing, but this place is really not the place to do it. very overpriced single servings of brews that are really not that rare (starr hill, SN, kona, etc.). the bottles on top are where you should keep your eyes focused as there are some gems. however, dont plan on walking out of this store with any steals. they know what they have and have marked up accordingly. i find it deterring when i see beautiful bottles of beer directly under florescent lighting covered in dust and then i am asked to shell out a buck or two higher than the average market price. buying beer in this area is a little more expensive than most, however this place is on my avoid list when it comes to doing some bottle hunting.

one cool aspect of westover is it does now have a beer garden that utilizes the side patio for some outdoor seating. they have about 10 drafts and the selection gives a nice range of diversity. the prices are a bit high, but if you have been reading my review this far that should not be unexpected.

i think way to many users are quick to give a high rating to a store if they see a large selection of beer. i understand because i was similar when i first began visiting different bottle shops and exploring new brews. however, the review should really focus on all the aspects that makes up a rating as i find atmosphere and price just as important as selection, seeing as atmosphere and price are the two areas where westover really doesnt cut the cheese.

02-12-2012 12:43:44 | More by Jimmys

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

3.61/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2.5 | $$$

Westover Market is both a beer store and a Beer Haus & Garden. To be fair, each should be evaluated separately. I will my best to discuss both in this review.

A
Store - I personally like the atmosphere. Laid back. A big focus on the beer. Others may say the store messy. I don't.
Beer Haus - Small and quaint. Once again focused on the beer.

Q
Store - I am always weary of a beers age in the store, especially with the singles. If the beer does not have a "bottled on date" I am typically hesitant to buy. Some of the coolers aren't so cold, but not much worry there. The beer is not hot and then I go back to the bottle on date.
Beer Haus - No worries here. They typically serve in an appropriate glass inside. Outside will be a plastic cup.
I give the place an average rating because of the age and potential storage issues. Just remember, buyer beware in the store.

S
Store - Almost non-existant at the Wall of Beer. I guess because the guys that know the beer are working in the Haus.
Beer Haus - Good. No complaints. David, Drew and others are very friendly. Remember that you can sit inside and still go outside to get a beer and they charge it direct to your tab inside. Easy accomodation, but somewhat unexpected.
Once again, the store pulls down the overall rating here.

S
Store - Excellent selection. A huge variety of six packs. Singles pulled from sixers. And large format bottles. Greater focus on domestic beers, but there are plenty of Belgian and English available.
Beer Haus - Six to eight on tap inside. Five to six on tap outside. Always varying. Regular tap takeovers. I always find two or three beers I want to drink when I visit.

F - Food is hit or miss. There are some great items on the menu (some specials, the burgers, the bolgogi), but other stuff like the pulled pork and the chili have been extremely disapointing.

V
Store - The store can be more expensive than other nearby establishments such as Lost Dog or Arrow Wine. I recognize that and never buy too much of a special item. Only enough to satisfy. But you can typically save $2/$3 on a bomber (e.g. Bruery) if you go someplace else.
Beer Haus - Standard bar prices for craft beer. Food is not expensive but you must weight that against the quality.

05-18-2013 04:03:52 | More by Sludgeman

ahalloin

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -3.3%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

This is an interesting place to visit if you live in the area. Basically, the entire back wall of this little neighborhood grocery store is beer. There is a good mix of large commercial beers, west coast craft beers, local craft beers, and highly regarded imports.
Use your imagination for the list of large commercial stuff. Standard stuff you can get in a gas station.
For west coast craft beers they have a few from Ballast Point, Stone, Green Flash, Sierra Nevada, Moylan's, and Lagunitas.
As for local breweries, they have a big selection of Flying Dog, Starr Hill, Clipper City, and St. George. In addition they have most all of the selections released by Dogfish Head.
In imports they have Unibroue, Chimay, Gouden Carolus, Schloss Eggenberg, DeProef, St. Bernardus, Orval, Rochefort, among others.
I would say their strength is local craft beers, as you (or I) can get most everything else at a somewhat cheaper price at a few other places in the area.
The only beers I hadn't seen elsewhere were Ballast Point (which is slowly making its way into this market) and a few selections from DeProef.
According to their website, this may be the place to get incredible kegs in the area though.

08-13-2008 20:05:59 | More by ahalloin