33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar

rsyberg01

California

4.3/5  rDev -8.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

A - Quite tame, got a little loud here and there but overall very enjoyable. Really quite relaxed and a touch of class as well.

Q - Beers were served in proper glassware for the most part. Seemed as though the beers were taken care of as well. Couldnt really ask for more than what I got, it was really a nice little joint.

S - Great. The guy I was talking to was named Joe and could hold a conversation about beer, though he did mention he wasnt a beer geek persay, he did have a good hold on what the hell was going on. At one point he actually pulled out a Westvleteren Blue cap which was the only one in the entire bar and I believe was reserved for the owner unfortunately. We also got on the subject of Bell's and talked about Batch 7000, of which they had two in the chiller. This is a classy little joint right next to Bailey's Chocolate Bar and is definitely worth the stop.

S - They have a pretty above average list. I remember seeing St. Berny Tripel, St. Berny Wit, Bells Oberon, Two Hearted Ale, Third Coast Ale, Duvel, Del. Tremens, Rogue Mocha Porter (which I had), Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel (also which I had), Bells PA, Lindemans Peche Framboise and Pomme, Northcoast Red Seal, and about 20 or so more. Really a neat little spot in lafayette square.

The prices were decent as well, not to mention if you get beer to go its even cheaper. I would say that this place is a must if you are in St. Louis and are looking for a place with a good atmosphere, good staff, and good selection.

10-29-2006 07:44:06 | More by rsyberg01

Backer2004

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev -15.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$$

My wife found 33 out on BeerFly as the place we would take her dad out for his birthday. This definitely was a great place . . . for wine. It worked out real well that everyone in our party drank wine. Not to harp on anyone's comments, but it is a GOOD beer bar, but not a great one. Sign says no bachelor or bachelorette parties allowed, so you can tell that the atmosphere is tame.

Jake does have a passion for wine and beer, and told me about his support for Beer Advocate, but the selections were a bit above average. I chose the Bell's Two Hearted Ale, which I like, but I wasn't crazy about anything else in particular, except for the Gumbalhead bottle that was there for decoration. Very nice touch that it was served in a Bell's glass. Enjoyable . . . but not outstanding.

07-30-2006 23:01:36 | More by Backer2004

GreenWBush

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -9.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

Checked this place out in February of 2006, meeting up with fellow BA drewseslu. A caveat to this review: apparently this place is not as packed as it is when we showed up, so take my minor grumbles about the crowds with a grain of Saturday night on Mardi Gras salt.

So for the first time in my life I can say that I wished this place allowed cigarette smoking. You read right...normally i'm an unabashed proponent of smoke-free establishments, but in this case I would have taken cigar smoke in favor of a bunch of drunk-on-wine onion smelling yuppies. The place reeked like barfed-up-vino.

Anyways, the place was crowded and filled with wine-o-philes. We grabbed a beer (schwartzbier, rauchbier, and IPA respectively), presented lovely in proper glassware and assumed our wallflower position against the back part of the bar. Eventually the crowds would settle down, but we were still stuck next to some college girls who could talk, and LOUDLY at that.

The atmosphere of 33 (once it tamed down and we could actually look around) is minimal chic; exposed brick, well-kept servers, hanging globe lights. Its clearly a nice place to 'be' when you've got a few tasty beers swimming around in you.

Another great feature of this place: stratified pricing. Prices are fairly relative to high when compared to other beer bars, but you get a huge break carrying bottles out of the place! How sweet. According to drewseslu, the Two-Hearted works out to be like $8 a sixer, comparable with anywhere in the city.

I really appreciated the owner's rapport with us beer geeks (the rest of the place was obviously wine-leaning). All in all we had a good night. I'm sure we'd of had a phenomenal night when more beer afficianados were abuzz and the crowds were thinner.

A must when in St. Louis either way.

03-13-2006 22:18:40 | More by GreenWBush

DuqTroops

Texas

4.78/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I visited here in October 2005.

This is a hidden gem in St Louis and a must visit experience. It as if it was transplanted from Greenwich Village or Soho of New York City. There is an extensive wine list as well as a great beer list. Very authentic with use of specific glasses for each serving of drinks (both wine and beer).

The food is a mini tapas menu; a lot of small appetizers for you to share with a table.

The service was exceptional. The owner / employee knew his wines really well, as well as his food and beer. Very open to answering any questions. Also, recommended dinner across the street.

12-12-2005 00:50:31 | More by DuqTroops

karst

Missouri

4.55/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

Feb 26th 2001 Jake opened 33 Wine Shop and Tasting Bar. A one man operation he puts in 80 hr weeks. The clients are warmly greeted and cared for as only an owner who truely values his customers can. Hightly revered by St. Louis BA's I spent the afternoon from 3:30 pm opening til it started clearing out around 8:30. A true labor of love Jake adds a lot of value to his well cared for beer ( kept in wine cellar at 55°F with an outstanding stock of wines).

For extra value you may purchase bottles of beer at retail prices that are truely competitive. Visited mid week and the place was full. We enjoyed the beer garden in the back. Although food is limited to crackers, cheese, and sausage they too are carefully selected and very fresh and well presented.

The Lafayette Park store front is kept traditional outside. I enjoyed talking with local artist who displayed her paintings. I could tell that Jake is a good neighbor and a smart businessman who understandings providing a valuable service and quality products.

04-28-2005 04:05:44 | More by karst

Axelbay

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -9.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

First off, the place had no big sign outside so it took a couple times driving by to find it. But I am glad I did find it.

I loved the atmosphere of the place on a friday night. It wasn't too loud at all. The nonsmoking feature of the place was an extra plus. The first thing that stuck out to me was the little glass ornaments hanging from the ceiling. They reminded me of bubbles. They weren't very obvious, but once you knew they were there, it had a mini ambiance.

It was a smaller place then I imagined. The service was prompt giving me a wine and beer menu and greeting me when I walked in. They were pretty cheerful for working on a friday night when the crowd had died down.

The one feature that surprised me the most was that when I ordered the beer I had decided on, I got the proper glassware. I was not surprised by the proper glassware, as I had expected it from reading this site, but that the beer name was on the glass. I had never drank a beer before with the name of the beer right on the glass. I asked about that and they said that they tried to do it when ever possible.

The care to the menu was also nicely received. He had nice little stories to read about each beer. This was very well liked as I like to hear about where one first tried the beer.

The selection was not gigantic, but the diversity of the beer was very high though. Nice Job. I could suggest including a few more Rogue beers. I am always partial to Rogue and a nice 22 oz bomber is always well received with me.

Over all I am very glad I tried this place. I will happily go there again when I get the chance.

01-29-2005 07:09:31 | More by Axelbay

fizzyfred

Missouri

4.78/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5

It seems ironic that the best beer bar in St. Louis is a wine bar. The selection is about as good as you can expect from 30 beers. Mostly imports with some good micros, all in bottles. It is smaller than places like Cicero's or Growlers, but there is no weakness in the lineup and it rotates. The size of the beer list isn't really what this place is about though.

I once ordered a Westmalle Dubbel at Cicero's and the waitress brought me the bottle with no glass. At Growler's, I ordered a Chimay and had to watch the bartender pour it violently into an ordinary pint glass making sure to get every last drop of the bottle-condtioning yeast into my glass. When I ordered a London Pride at Llewlyn's, the waiter said he'd see if the bartender knew how to make it. At 33, each beer is stored at proper temperatures, is paired with the approprite glassware and is served correctly. The owner, Jake, is very knowledgeable about each beer he puts on his list. The glassware is also hand-washed and properly cared for.

Its one of those unassuming places that never will claim to be the best or biggest anything. The 500 or so bottle wine list is impressive and the beer is at the back of the menu, but it is definitly not a second class citizen. Also, every wine and beer on the list is availabe for retail without the in-store markup. And to top it all off, you get clean air to compliment the nose of that wonderful libation as smoking is not permitted anywhere.

07-16-2004 16:51:46 | More by fizzyfred

gemutlichkeit

Missouri

4.85/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

An exceptional little joint in a beautiful old neighborhood that's recently been brought back to life. The owner of this chill little place is one of its only employees so you know you're always going to get great service. The wine and beer list is priced retail but most people add the corkage and take a seat. There's a couple of sausage and cheese offerings but we usually just get some crackers to nosh with our drinks. The menu is of course the best part: most of the beers (and some wines) have a full paragraph describing them in the most individualistic, witty, erudite way that I've ever seen in a drinking establishment. As a rule I prefer to do my drinking in a pub atmosphere but this place is absolutely heaven in a wine bar setting.

05-23-2004 18:43:14 | More by gemutlichkeit

MJR

Missouri

4.72/5  rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

33 & Jake…

Establishments everywhere could learn a lot from the way this place is run. Despite primarily being a wine bar, its knowledgeable and passionate owner Jake Hafner takes better care of his beer than many beer bars I’ve been to. While limited to around 40 or so selections, each choice is not only well thought out and worthy, but kept in immaculate condition in one of his two cellars that are maintained at the proper temperature and humidity. And when you order a beer, you receive the proper glass. Sometimes, that means the exact branded glass, and if he doesn’t have that, you’ll still get something style-appropriate. Plus, his menu goes into a bit of detail, often humorously, about each one.

I won’t go into specifics about his wine selection, because I rarely take advantage of it. However, it’s a given that the same care and selection goes into it as the beer. I believe his wine list is around 400 strong these days.

Food selection is limited to cheese, crackers & a few choice meats. The herb-encrusted salami he serves is fantastic, and has a few times served as my evening meal, with a glass of Reissdorf Kölsch alongside.

Atmosphere is comfortable and a bit upscale, with seating both at the bar & several small round tables inside, and a large patio out back.

Any questions? Need a recommendation? Ask Jake. He’s the definition of helpful. It’s also worth mentioning that any beer or wine on his menu is available for take-out, and usually at prices that beat the local competition.

Bottom line: one of the top few beer spots in St. Louis

08-22-2003 17:32:52 | More by MJR