California Heights Market

bierkoning

California

3.35/5  rDev -25.6%
vibe: 1 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

I drove by this place probably 50 times after starting a new job near by and it's on my to and from home. I never noticed it as it appears to be just a ghetto, smelly, ugly, dirty liquor store. Then one day I was stopped at the traffic-signal outside of the store and noticed a small sign with a pink elephant on it! Needless to say I pulled out my smart phone and looked up the store on BA at once. All of the stellar reviews helped me to decided to stop by the next day on my way home from work. And what did I find when I walked in? A ghetto, smelly, ugly, dirty liquor store...with a decent selection of craft and exotic beer. No one said hi to me, the place smells like the stuffy incense burning typical liquor store, and they had Delirium right next to the Steele Reserve. They had a lot to choose from, some hard to find stuff, but it was pricey. Lots of stuff I can find at my local Bev-mo for 20% cheaper. One of the beers I bought (a single 12oz bottle for 9.99) was rotten when I opened it up at home, caked up, chunky sediment floating around, no carbonation to speak of, etc.

An okay place that I still will stop at, but only because it's so convenient. Otherwise I'd just as soon hit up Wine Country or my local Bev-Mo.

Don't avoid, but don't go out of your way.

07-28-2011 16:40:07 | More by bierkoning

MarkVegas

Nevada

3.6/5  rDev -20%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

BA helped me find this place a couple months ago and I had to stop by again last week.

First time I went I was able to secure beers that weren't that easy to find, (most of which aren't available where I live) some Lost Abbey/Port offerings that I'd been dying to try. I was even able to score a Pliny which was pretty cool.

Second time around I ended only getting a few brews two of which were Pliny and Blind Pig (sadly the Blind Pig was 2+ months old).

Overall, not a bad place to go if you are ever in the area. Please do keep in mind this place is tucked into a corner in a mostly residential area, don't blink or you'll miss it. A bit pricey, as some of their stuff is marked up a bit, but, not a bad little place with the most unexpected beer selection.

08-25-2011 19:42:00 | More by MarkVegas

drewmprs

California

3.8/5  rDev -15.6%
quality: 3.5 | service: 5 | selection: 3 | $$

Stopped by this place without knowing it had a good beer list. Everything is kept refridgerated in the back as well.

Raz is an up and coming beer manager. His selection is small but it is all quality. He is really looking to help out is customers and if there is something you want ask him, and he'll buy a case of it. I asked about some Cantillon and he called up his rep immediately and tried to order some for the next delivery. Strong selection of california beer here as well as belgian beers.

12-29-2010 22:22:45 | More by drewmprs

UCLABrewN84

California

4.08/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

My last stop of my day in Long Beach brought me to this small liquor store/market surprisingly near my in-laws. The outside looks a bit dumpy but inside there are neat rows of liquor, wine, and beer. Most of the beer is out on the shelf but there are a good number of coolers stocked full of great beer as well. This place has a really good selection of beers from around the world including some beers I have never seen anywhere else before. They also have a section of the store with singles so you can build your own 6 pack if that's your think. Service was good with the cashier coming over to talk to me for a few minutes. Prices were a bit higher than other places but I gladly paid them for some beers I found that I had been looking for forever. I recommend this place if you are in the area and are on the hunt for harder to find beers.

04-03-2012 02:29:58 | More by UCLABrewN84

Jajoro67

California

4.15/5  rDev -7.8%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

This is a relatively new beer destination. The owner is really making it a premier stop to pick up great craft beer. He has all of the big players Sierra Nevada, Stone, Deschutes as well as a great selection of hard to fing craft beer. His selection of European beers is also quite extensive, with a good selection of Belgian beer to anchor them. He will also take requests to get you what you would like.
His pricing is quite reasonable. Definitely cheaper than Bevmo.
I would definitely recommend that you stop by and support this shop. He is working hard to make a great craft beer selection.

08-07-2009 21:44:48 | More by Jajoro67

fourplayed

California

4.3/5  rDev -4.4%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

A small market that appears to have once been a small 1000sq ft home that's been converted to a neighborhood mini-market.

VERY Good selection of quality beers in all sizes and shapes. I could spend and hour plus just window shopping. Beer kept in a refridgerated section as well as a shelf full of many craft brews and imports...Very nice! I'll be a regular here for awhile!

Take a moment to talk beer with these people. Best way to find out what new brews are coming in and more! Worth the time and effort. They'll do special orders or breweries they stock as well.

Prices reasonable. I've also shopped at the wine country over on Redondo where brews are not refridgerated, and are comparably priced.

Southeast corner of Bixby and Orange. Ample parking behind store on Bixby. They also specialize in cigars for those who are interested.

10-11-2010 21:33:38 | More by fourplayed

walows

California

4.35/5  rDev -3.3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

What a great little place, stumbled in due to curiosity. What a pleasant surprise. The owner is very nice and knows his beer. There is a pretty good selection of year round craft beer but the seasonal and speciality beers are a little lacking. They had the 090909 vertical epic. I also picked up a old viscosity for 5.99. The owner will also order beer for you if they don't have what you are looking for and he also has claims he has a lot more beer in the back that he doesn't keep on the shelf. Overall a great place with some great beer that is really close to my house. Great Find!

10-19-2009 17:21:53 | More by walows

KMDouds

California

4.43/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I had been told about this local gem for approximately a year prior to doing anything more than a drive by. Finally walked through the doors in February as part of a 'research effort' to stock an offering for a neighborhood beer club- was pleasantly shocked by the range of brews that Raj has assembled.

While I didn't expect a small neighborhood market to compete with either the inventory or prices of say a Bev Mo or Total Wine, this one is plenty competitive. And as some have aptly pointed out, with the price of gas what it is, the distance to either of these larger retailers makes Cal Heights Market an even better deal- besides I'm supporting the immediately local economy!

I'm a bit conflicted about writing anything that would unduly
contribute to a run on this small local market (i.e., it's beer inventory), but mostly want for the success of the place that it might persist... altruism is never totally unselfish. Bravo to Raj, may your enterprise- the California Heights Market thrive!

05-15-2011 03:02:40 | More by KMDouds

acemathew

California

4.6/5  rDev +2.2%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I went in there just to see what they had to offer. I came out with a Pliny and a 2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout, these 2 were definitely a rarity. I hadn't been able to taste Pliny yet and had mentioned it to Raj and he went right to his fridge to grab me 2 from Russian River. I really enjoyed the conversation and the knowledge that Raj has about the products he sells. From wine and beer to cigars the guy knows his stuff he does his own research and relies on word of mouth(the best kind).

If you have a desire to leave your big box no personality beer and wine store please do yourself a favor and drop by. Even if you don't buy you can still make a list or ask if he can get something you haven't seen around here or something you have been dying to try. It is his store and he makes the purchases.

Nice new large fridge gives them the capacity to hold more Specialties. All of the fizzy stuff really doesn't even get exposure there I am not even sure if he sells their beers. The specialty fridge is right in front of the check out for you to drool over.

Seriously there is a REAL BEER SHOP IN LONG BEACH its called California Heights Market.

03-08-2010 17:08:50 | More by acemathew

jmgrub

California

4.64/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Hit this spot on my little Long Beach beer-buying excursion today. I hit it up right after Stearns Liquor, so it had some big shoes to fill, but it didn't disappoint. All of the CA regulars were well-represented and there were a few highlights (Marron Acidifie, Uinta Crooked Line Series, Black Betty). More than adequate for a neighborhood liquor store, I would definitely say it was worth the 25 minute drive (which is pretty short by LA standards-thanks Mothers' Day!). While the owner didn't necessarily seem like a BA, he was helpful and asked what I thought of the selection and if there were any good beers I thought he should carry. Short of being a BA themselves, it's hard to ask anything more of a store owner. Pleased that I stopped by and would come by again if in the area.

05-08-2011 23:55:33 | More by jmgrub