Wells Discount Liquors

cpanossian

New York

2.7/5  rDev -31.8%
quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 3 | $$

I was visiting family in Silver Spring so I decided to stop here on my way back home in New York - a bit of a detour from I-95.

I really went to scout out a good source for mid-Atlantic beers. Wells Discount Liqours had a decent selection for the local brewers. Also an interesting, if modest, selection of UK and old world beers from Belgium, Germany, etc.

So I picked up some beers from DuClaws, Brewer's Art, and some Clipper City stuff. Found a bottle of Sam Smith's Yorkshire Stingo which was a nice surprise.

As I was checking out I asked the clerk if they sold "singles", as in "mix-a-six six packs."

The guy just shrugged and said: "No - it would be a nightmare for us to manage."

Well sorry, wouldn't want to make your life difficult. I just think offering that option is a great way to get people to experiment with a new or unknown beer or brewer without having the fear of purchasing an entire 6-pack and not liking it.

I'll stick to Oaktree Discount Liqours in South Plainfield NJ - Dan the owner is a really nice guy and the shop is incredibly well stocked.

10-17-2010 22:26:13 | More by cpanossian

cwps48

Maryland

2.75/5  rDev -30.6%
quality: 3.5 | service: 1 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

This place is kinda dirty with unstocked inventory all over the floor. The selection is decent, though I have found that the Wine Source is better all in all. I was the only person in the store at the time, and yet nobody working there apparently had enough time to stop and actually answer a question. The prices were also a bit higher than other places, generally a dollar or so.

There was a good selection of glassware. Though not so good as to make me want to go back for that. I'd go back just to see if perhaps I went too early in the morning, and that's why there were bottles all over the floor and people seemed so grumpy, though I would think 10:30 is not so early.

Edit: Went back, and the customer service was worse than before. The woman at the register was giving my Singaporean friend and me attitude because my friend only had an international ID and wouldn't let me pay. The security guard standing there told my friend off for having an international ID too. I will not be going back to this establishment.

12-09-2009 18:35:58 | More by cwps48

BaltimoreBeerGuy

Maryland

2.85/5  rDev -28%
quality: 3 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4 | $$$$

Used to be the best seleciton in Baltimore till the Wine Source stepped it up a few years ago. The selection is still good including craft beers, Belgians, a nice German section. It is dirty and cluttered, though, and many of the beers have a layer of dust. I was quite disappointed to find a four pack of Weyerbacher Fireside Ale (a year old, not really cellarable beer) on the shelves layered in dust.

While I have always had my questions answered, they definitely arent the friendliest people around, especially the beer guy.

Prices are also high on average very high for some. For example, Ive seen a 4 pack of Samichlaus priced at about 8-10 bucks more than other stores.

01-15-2010 00:12:33 | More by BaltimoreBeerGuy

jwff

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -20.5%
quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

I live in the area so I find myself here once every few weeks. It is generally a clean store except for loose bottles and cases in front of their shelves mainly in the wine and beer departments. The shelves themselves are always stocked and in order with descriptive tags on certain items. I'm not sure if I should give credit to the store or to the vendors but these are helpful if I'm not there to buy anything specific.

As far as the service goes there doesn't seem to be any on the beer side of things. Any help would be nice because their selection is where this store really shines. Wells has an extremely large selection of Belgian, English, German, and finally a very serviceable amount of American beer. Their collection of sours is one of the best I've seen around here. They are well stocked and up to date with the seasonal beers and special releases. Be warned their prices are generally 2 dollars or more higher than almost every store I've been to in the Baltimore area, especially on 6 packs. Luckily all the prices are on the website so you can check in advance.

Overall this is a good place to visit every once in a while or when you are looking for something special.

09-30-2010 18:36:55 | More by jwff

gillagorilla

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

The atmosphere is a bit classy, but it everything is a very bright white. The beer selection can be quite messy with boxes everywhere and things a bit disorganized.

They have a good selection, but only a few bombers and most of what they carry is six packs, which isn't an issue, except for specialty beers.

The guys here seem to focus on wine, with beer as an afterthought. I haven't gotten help with beer here before.

Pricing is decent here as well, but they don't sell singles and thus no mix-six.

It is out of the way for me, but I originally came here for cider and the selection is ok compared to most places.

05-18-2013 00:44:32 | More by gillagorilla

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -6.6%
quality: 2.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Quality - I have made several trips to Well's. Their quality is my biggest problem. I have bought more skunked or otherwise tainted beer from Well's than any other establishment. Be careful what you buy.

Service - The staff is knowledgable and helpful generally. They know more about wine than beer though it seems. Although I have never asked many questions.

Selection - Great, best in Baltimore area (except for perhaps beltway). Their import selection is outstanding.

Price - The wine souce is a bit better generally, but the prices here are not too bad. Add on average 50 cents to any purchase.

01-09-2006 22:17:46 | More by mrasskicktastic

3.7/5  rDev -6.6%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$

Overall, a very good experience. Service was not an issue for me as I was happy to just look around, but they get dinged since no one offered. I have read about the quality issues from other reviews, so I was careful to select current/non-dusty beers only. Selection was probably the best I have seen in Baltimore, with several beers I have not found anywhere else (Urthel Hop It, a couple of Fantomes, and a few other rarities). No complaints, but I have not drank any of the beer yet...will follow up if skunked.

06-30-2006 02:05:28 | More by

marburg

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -4%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

The shelf devoted to Belgian and French beer was something of a mess, with beers of varying styles put in seemingly random places. Half the bottles had a solid, well-aged coating of dust on them, including a disappointing beer of biere de garde that tasted like it had been brewed before prohibition.

Still, the variety of labels was nice, and it included a few hard-to-find treats, including some OTOP from Heavyweight.

While the woman at the checkout counter was pleasant, the staff hanging out in the beer area looked at me like I was insane when I spent a few minutes perusing the shelf, and they actively growled at me and my wife when we were trying to maneuver around them setting up a new display.

A good stop, but make sure you know what you're buying is fresh.

11-28-2005 21:16:33 | More by marburg

Umbra

Maryland

3.8/5  rDev -4%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Back in the day, I came here several times a week during college. We experimented with local microbrews, to Belgians and seasonal beers. They are located in that area between the city and the Beltway that has seen resurgence. The surrounding buildings have been spiffed up and get loads of workers from across the street.

Wells has stayed stuck in the same place for two decades (from both a layout and selection perspective). The staff is friendly and will help you carry your armloads of brews to the car. Though they have impeccable staff, they will really only be able to help you with wine. Even on many basic, everyday needs. There is one older gentleman with dark thinning hair that is very good, assuming he is working. Most other workers in that area are local high school kids.

They do have multiple different great beers at good prices, but beware the lower priced stuff. A decade ago, I would jump at the opportunity of $3 six packs of pumpkin beer in January, and that is something they still practice. Where they have an incredible selection on paper, some of these puppies are well past their prime.

Overall: If one goes by awards, this would be considered the best place in the Baltimore area to buy both beer and wine. However, I’d argue that those awards only tell you what the best in the city was once. If you are looking for fresh rarities and great customer service, then you need to shop at the Wine Source. If you are looking for bulk, take a hike out to Beltway Fine Wine. For what it is, Wells is very good, it's just that other local places are starting to do it better.

09-14-2006 14:41:33 | More by Umbra

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -2.8%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped her on way back from day trip to Fells Point based on good recomendations from other BA's. Selection was very good and I was able to get some good buys (and they were in date) and there were some other specials that were not in date that I passed on. Stock appeared fresh except for some Belgians that were very disty and old looking. There was also a nice glassware selection. The only thing I did not like was that one of the employees stood about 10 feet from me and watched everything I did, which made me feel like a shoplifter. He asked me one time if I needed any help without looking at me.(I had to ask him if he was talking to me)> Not a bad place but I've been to better.

06-09-2005 02:27:02 | More by tgbljb