Harvest Wines & Spirits

BeerDude203

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev -21.9%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75 | $$

Nice neighborhood shop tucked away in the middle of West Hartford off Farmington ave. Good feel and vibe. Some nice wines but seems to be a more beer centric shop. Kind of unorganized with beer being all over the place with no real meaningful set up. Not much product has pricing on it which makes it annoying to ask each time what a particular beer costs. The guy at the counter seemed pretty nice and helpful. In the back is a walk-in cooler with cold 6 packs and cases. A recommended spot to check out with a good selection.

01-14-2013 03:56:23 | More by BeerDude203

vfgccp

New York

3.94/5  rDev -15.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped by on a 2 day trip just to try and grab some things I can't get around me on Long Island. The man working there knew a good amount about beer, and seemed very nice. When you first walk in, there are a few fridges that have cold single beers. Towards the back they have all kinds of craft brews and a refrigerated room to keep a lot of craft beers and regs (bud, coors, etc) cold. Also behind the counter there are some rare treats if you keep an eye out. It was a little disorganized, you really have to look through everything, even the wine section to find the beers you want. For example I found some Stillwaters in 3 different places.

All in all a good selection but they really need to work on their organization.

03-17-2012 14:53:42 | More by vfgccp

BeerTruth

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev -6.5%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I'm an Upstate NY transplant (Syracuse to be exact)...so take this review with a grain of salt. I understand the CT market isn't as saturated as CNY in terms of variety, but this place was a very pleasant surprise. I've been to CT Beverage Mart and Manchester Wine & Liquors in my short stay in Hartford thus far and they were underwhelming to say the least. Harvest, although they're smaller, make up with service and class. I walked in on a random Thursday early afternoon in hopes to find some Gandhi Bot and the second I stepped foot inside the man working asked how I was doing and if I was looking for anything in particular. I right away told him Gandhi Bot and out of the corner of my eye I saw a few stray cans on the counter top so I was pretty optimistic. Luckily he had some 4-packs stashed out back and I gladly asked for two of them. The store itself is a bit cramped but I have no problem with that as long as I'm not walking on top of bottles, boxes, people, etc...They have a walk in "Beer Cave" for twelve/six packs and in front there are a few coolers for chilled singles which is a huge bonus. Ian also mentioned they plan on adding a few more coolers for singles which is definitely a plus because I'm pretty sure you don't see cold singles anywhere in the Hartford area. Young store with huge potential. One possible suggestion? With your future plans of more coolers...maybe look into getting a couple tap lines for growler fills. I understand space may be an issue, but it's just a thought. Highly recommended, I look forward to revisiting soon!

08-26-2010 19:27:57 | More by BeerTruth

SteveO1231

Connecticut

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

I'm not sure when the store opened but scoped it out last month and will be a regular from now on. I moved to West Hartford a little over a year ago. Unfortunately the beer store scene in WH kinda sucks balls, the wine selections are covered but beer not so much.

It's a small place off of Farmington Ave, on the left just past the Troutbrook intersection if you re heading toward Hartford.

Nice cooler in front full of some impressive singles. They always have rare and new releases right at the counter and up-front so you don't have to scour the floor for them. A couple shelves of wine & booze. They have a large walk-in cooler full of regulars, seasonals, 6 and 12 packs.

I have only met Ian, he seems like a pretty cool guy who knows his stuff and is eager to hear feedback on the store's selection and beer recommendations.

Harvest will be my go-to-move as long s I am living in West Hartford.

Cheers!

11-13-2010 21:38:20 | More by SteveO1231

DanE

Connecticut

4.64/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place is a gem. Reviews about Ian, the owner, are in no way exaggerating. The vibe is very laid back. Good music abounds you as you first walk in. The selection is as great as it gets in CT. Great selection of east coast and west coast varieties. Nice rarities and beers for special occasions. Anything you see on the shelves is for purchase. The prices are very reasonable. You will not be gauged. It isn't exactly organized but that's ok because it gets you to walk around, explore, and hang out. A place for either your favorite session beer or your unique treasure. I highly, highly recommend this place. But only those that...RESPECT BEER.

06-17-2012 22:10:46 | More by DanE

WhiteOak

Connecticut

4.65/5  rDev 0%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Harvest is a very welcome addition to the area.

Ian is helpful, knowledgable, and very friendly.

The shop is very welcoming, like a boutique setting without the attitude. The interior has a great character that makes a visit much more enjoyable than all the sterile, industrial, big-box-booze supermarkets.

Ian was also instantly able to order some beer for me that every other store in the area told me they "couldn't get" (or didn't want to take the effort to get.)

Good luck Ian on your new shop!

01-19-2011 17:59:56 | More by WhiteOak

Homebrew35

Connecticut

4.7/5  rDev +1.1%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This hidden oyster in CT that has just opened up. Great selection, service and well maintained. I wish Ian and his partner the best of luck with this place.

Now the beer details. A large cooler of singles greets you when you first step in. Just about every thing is price labeled and some descriptions are posted. Lots if north east brews with a nice complement to just about every where else in the USA. As of yesterday there still some neb Ghandi Bot left. I picked up a four pack. There was a few nice lambics. Notably a cantillion bottle was there. On the counter was a new mikeller offering and about 10 "October" fest beers. Wow! And then there's the beer cave with cases and growlers. BBC and Burnside.
Some suggestions would be maby some posted specials, mix a 6 discount, advertise beer samplings. I buy singles all the time when available.
Check Harvest see what you think. Oh and if you want somthing, Ian said just ask, he'll try his best to get it.

08-27-2010 16:05:17 | More by Homebrew35

winklebrau

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

I stopped in at Harvest tonight for my first time to check out a beer tasting even that was going on. The staff was very knowledgeable about beer and very friendly. The store is small in square footage but full of great craft beers. In the front they have a cooler full of singles. There are racks and shelves full of single bottles dispersed throughout the store and in the back they have a cooler called a "beer cave" that is full of 6 packs and 12 packs. They have a great selection of 6 packs including Anchor Steam, various local breweries and some imports as well. The friendly staff even gave me a few beer chalices for free when I inquired about glassware. I highly recommend this store to anyone in the Hartford area looking for great service and great selection.

12-04-2011 03:29:44 | More by winklebrau

shigg85

Japan

4.73/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

I frequent this place whenever i'm in or around Hartford. The staff really makes this place worth it -- very eccentric and passionate about beer, totally up to give you recommendations and warnings, knowledgeable and friendly. The beer selection is top-notch stuff, but a bit limited, possibly due to the size of the store. Stuff is also very much hidden sometimes behind other bottles/labels (but for me, that makes it kind of like a treasure hunt!) I found a 2007 Avery Mephistopheles' Stout sitting on the shelf here a month ago; I bought a Lava Stout today and a Procrastinator Ale, so they definitely have rarities and quality brews. Overall, I highly recommend this shop if you are in the Hartford area! You will NOT be disappointed!

11-04-2012 00:02:39 | More by shigg85

cookincal3

Connecticut

4.85/5  rDev +4.3%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Harvest is a welcome addition to our neighborhood. From my first visit I was invited to give suggestions of beers I would like to see on the shelves. Huge cooler (the beer cave) that houses lots of cold selections. With tastings every week and probably the best beer selection in a small neighborhood store you can't go wrong here! Have recently picked up Southern Tier Imperial IPA and Lagunitas A little sumpin ale, both of which are on the A list for our household now! Keep up the good work and great selections. Maybe add a beer club or frequent buyer club for those of us who visit often?

08-22-2010 14:04:34 | More by cookincal3