Boston Wine Exchange

cbeer88

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Nice little store in an area that needed it *badly*.

First and foremost this is a wine store. You would walk past the place without giving it a second look if you weren't into wine. Nice atmosphere like you would expect at a high end wine store. Beer gets shoved in the back, but it does get considerable cooler space. Go around the corner in the back and you are presented with...

Two large floor to ceiling sets of shelves full of mostly bombers/750's. This place definitely focuses on large bottles, which is a-ok by me. I ballparked 200 or so different beers. Strong selection of Belgians, and a better than usual assortment of other international beers for a small store. The American beers consisted of a good variety of brands, though they did not have every beer available from every brand. The selection struck me as very "current".

In the cooler was mostly 6-packs and a few 12 packs of the larger craft beers.

I thought prices were very good, especially for downtown Boston. I've seen better but I've definitely seen worse. Everything was clearly marked, and I always enjoy a store that does not price everything ending in ".99". There is also currently a 15% off promotion on all beers, which puts their prices down to about as good as you will find anywhere.

I had no issues with service. I was greeted when walking in and asked if I needed help with anything. Like any well run small store I got the impression that they'd bend over backwards to help you.

I will be back here frequently, as I work right around the corner. I'm not sure I'd call this a destination store, but if you are in the area it is well worth popping in. For those who spend a considerable amount of time in the area this place is a godsend.

04-08-2010 01:27:20 | More by cbeer88

JohnGymnast

5/5  rDev +14.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

What is this place?
A. Beer Nirvana
B. Beer Heaven
C. A Great wine store
D. All of the above.

The answer is absolutely D !
If you're looking for that obscure beer or wine these guys will have it. If they don't they'll get it for you and usually within a day or two.

I was lucky enough to score some Lunch and DFH 120 the last tim I was there. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. I usually just buy beer here because the selection is tremendous but a few weeks ago I needed a bottle of red for my brother in-laws birthday, he's a big California wine lover. BWX has a section in their side room with some pricey upscale wines but they were able to work within my $100 budget and my brother in-law was impressed with my selection.

You probably pass this store every day if you work downtown and don't even notice it...well stop texting and GO IN! Keep up the great work!

07-13-2012 18:35:36 | More by JohnGymnast

jmlewisjr

Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Great place downtown that has a surprisingly vast selection of Craft brews. The staff is awesome, know their beer, and have always been willing to special order something or suggest something new. I think they were one of the first places in MA to get Maine Beer Co., and I've been fortunate enough to grab several bottles of Lunch (when they have it). Does enough volume that most if what they have is pretty fresh. I picked up a bottle of Peeper that was bottled the day before! Also picked up some Flower Power on another trip that was bottled that week.

They have a craft beer only email list that keeps you updated on what they have that's new. All told, a great little outpost downtown with a great selection.

12-29-2011 06:48:40 | More by jmlewisjr

messrock

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Aaaahhh BWX. The savior for the beer geek downtown. After work kicks my ass all week I can pick something up before hitting the train, saving myself an extra trip before hunkering down for the evening.

Te selection here is great - not vast, but extremely well picked. American craft and a good chunk of Belgian. Stock definitely moves in this place, no worries with getting something old.

Price wise, a touch higher, but this is a location/convenience bump. Not outrageously higher than outside of the city. Most prices are within $1, if not the same.

11-29-2011 03:42:09 | More by messrock

seanwhite

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -24.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

Downtown has a severe lack of liquor stores, especially ones that actually have GOOD craft beer. BWE trumps them all - and are pretty much open all the time.

First time to the Wine Exchange. AWESOME store. Full of great choices and options for the wine and beer enthusiast. If you're looking for good quality craft beer - look no further. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable when it came to making my selection! I'd recommend these guys anytime.

They are very helpful, and will let you reserve bottles you are aware of being released. If you are staying in Boston, check it out.

11-21-2011 17:33:15 | More by seanwhite

Fclfcs

Massachusetts

4.14/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

If you need to grab a good craft beer on your way home from work, BWX is the place to stop. It's located right in the middle of the Financial District on Devonshire Street. Their selection is very good - they have an entire room and a wall of fridge space devoted to craft beer. They also usually get a small number of the big release bottles - recently Parabola and Dogfish 120 Minute IPA, although they did not get the Canadian Breakfast Stout. They also have frequent wine and spirits tastings by local businesses (90+, Bully Boy, etc).

The only thing I would knock them on is price - their prices are often $1-2 more than other places around Boston. If you don't mind paying a little extra for the convenience and selection downtown, it's a great place to stop by.

10-18-2011 15:49:50 | More by Fclfcs

mbanchick

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I stumbled across this shop in the Financial District after work, and called them the next day to see if they could deliver beer locally. They deliver in Boston and have a minimum order of $100, so I'll probably do that sometime soon. They have an impressive variety of regional, national and import beers. The fridge is full of larger brands, and mostly 22oz smaller brands on display. They will throw 22s in the fridge if you call ahead for pick up. I picked up a small order for a beer tasting downtown (Hennepin, Jack D'Or, and Notch Session Saison) and they offered me a discount for buying in bulk.

07-15-2011 21:54:11 | More by mbanchick

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.14/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I walk past Boston Wine Exchange twice a day getting to work. When it opened, I figured I'd check out their beer selection and was surprised at what they carried. Most wine centric stores I've visited typically have a standard craft beer line up, but BWX has the beers craft enthusiast look for.

BWX has local favorites like Harpoon, Pretty Things, Sam Adams and Smuttynose. However, they are the only store convenient to me that carries Element beers, Maine Brewing Peeper and Zoe, plus hard to find Goose Island brews and Ballast Point Sculpin. I've also signed up for the weekly email list and always know when something new comes in.

Prices are average for Boston. Maybe a dollar or two higher than outside of the city. Service is great. The guys know their beers and can answer questions about new releases and what's in stock.

Recently they expanded the store into the space next door. This will almost double the size of their floor space and I'm curious to see how they'll expand their beer selection. The displays are clean and orderly. It's pretty easy to see what's in stock and find what you're looking for.

They are located about a 5 minute walk from Fanieul Hall, right next to the Elephant and Castle. Parking could be a problem in the area, but the orange line is just 1 block away. Definitely stop by BWX if you're in the area.

05-08-2011 19:17:03 | More by WanderingFool

potownbill

New York

3.73/5  rDev -14.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$

I was looking forward to checking this place out on a recent visit to Boston. I can understand that the selection may be as good as you can get in downtown Boston, but it doesn't even come close to some of the beer superstores (Julios, State Line, Halftime, etc....) There was a decent selection of Southern Tier, a few Pretty Things, some Allagash, Pizza Port, and one variety of Clown Shoes. Yes, there were other varieties, but I walked out wit 4 bottles, when I expected to walk out with a case. Yes, it is worth visiting if you are downtown and need some good beer, but not worth a special trip. Save that for Julio's.

03-18-2011 23:12:34 | More by potownbill

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

Wow, I was really impressed with this place. When I first saw the name and the wine racks at the front of the store I was going to pass it off as just a wine store. I saw the glass cooler in the back and decided to peak at what was to be had for the beer selection. There is a side room in the back that is filled with great imports and some really great American craft beer. I felt like a kid in a candy store then realized I was short money and now have to go back. The prices seem just a little more then other places I have shopped. I was in the shop more then two minuets before some volunteered to help me out. I'm going to be coming here often.

12-01-2010 21:55:17 | More by Duhast500