Wine Gallery

AdamPennin

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -24%
quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

After reading the other reviews for Wine Gallery, I'm wondering if things have just changed over time. I decided to check out several of the top reviewed places within 128 (Boston area) to see if I could find any new favorites. If I lived around Wine Gallery, it'd be a great alternative to a corner six-pack store, but it isn't a best of Boston. While they had some various imports that I don't see as often, their craft selection was fairly weak. I saw nothing aged there, and only a single representative beer from places like Stone, Dogfish Head, Allagash, and Rogue. This would still be fine if the selections they had seemed like a best-of-the-best with great service to guide you through it, but they seemed more haphazard than not and the only guy working seemed puzzled when I asked about beer.

If I'm going to make the drive, in the future I'll probably go to Publick House Provisions, or Downtown Wine and Spirits.

02-20-2010 23:25:13 | More by AdamPennin

BattleRoadBrewer

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -13.8%
quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

There are neighborhood beer shops who dependably let you down.
There are shops which at least make an effort to carry a selection.
And there the 'go to' supershops with big selections, and discounts.

This place fits right into the middle category. So I'm scoring them for that category. They'd blow away the typical neighborhood store who can be expected to have all the different macro beers plus SA and maybe MH and Harpoon. But they're far short of the big stores out in the 'burbs.

They have a nice selection which is constantly growing. A row of Belgians. Plenty of American artisan beers. I went there looking for Leatherlips and found it. I was pleasantly surprised, and they are clearly growing, with some empty shelf space waiting for the next shipment & even more variety.

They do NOT discount beer, even though they DO discount wine. This amounts to a 5-25% surcharge compared to the stores that have discounts.

They do NOT break up 12 oz sixxers. Who wants six of one beer?

I was approached quickly by beer-knowlegeble staff eager to help.

Beers were clean, fresh, not dusty. "Quality" takes a hit because I need to dink them somewhere for the lack of discounts and lack of single 12s. If they break up six packs and apply their wine discount schedule to beer, then quality would jump to 4.5 or better.

I wish they were in my neighborhood! They will steer me away from the usual middle-category store I previously hit on a regular basis. But they won't keep me from driving out to Acton or Westboro for carriage-filling mega-shopping trips.

05-14-2007 20:11:10 | More by BattleRoadBrewer

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -12.7%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

My second ever visit to this location was this past Saturday for their annual grand wine tasting afternoon. Always a good time. This store has a great selection of everything you need. There are several large coolers in the back with an assortment of cold six packs. There are also at least six entire shelves (three rows) dedicated to bombers. One whole section has the best Belgian selection I've seen around. Each section is also clearly organized. They have a small glassware section in the back too. On top of this, they have a great selection of fine wines and gourmet cheeses. High quality place with a great selection and good service. Can't go wrong.

03-31-2008 23:50:48 | More by morebeergood

danadeny

Colorado

4/5  rDev -9.3%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4

I decided to check this place out and also check out Off Shore Ale that was doing a tasting, so I got to kill 2 birds with one stone. Pleasantly surprised by the selection, they seem to cater to the usual macros, as well a few well-known micros. Their selection of higher end, new to this area, and limited release stuff is great, and I was told by the beer buyer that he was going to be given more shelf space to expand the selection. There is a small amount of parking behind the building. The tasting area is cool, instead of the tasting being done between cases of beer, there is a room for tasting with a big wooden counter top area. The atmosphere of the whole place is clean and bright.

01-14-2005 13:51:14 | More by danadeny

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev -4.8%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Made the trek down from NH to obtain some De Dolle Still Nacht reserva after hunting it down via B.United and Craft brewers guild.
Easy to find via mapquest, with free 30 minute parking out back.
The store is uncluttered and all the shelves were faced, a good sign.
Selection is decent, a good cross-section of belgians, germans,english, and domestics. I think the selection could definately be expanded given the size of the store. Well stocked coolers also, and a couple of finds that I hadn't seen at other stores yet.
Prices were average for Mass, actually lower on most items than I anticipated for the area (Brookline). I would recommend they institute the same discount structure that Julio's goes by " 6 singles, any size=15% discount".
There were a few dusty strays that were on markdown, which I don't have a problem with. If the beer is old, give 'em a deal.
I was happy with the service..I guess? Spence, the guy I spoke to on the phone before heading down, held 2 of the Reservas for me until I got there- two thumbs up. I was dissapointed that they were "holding more out back for aging", and I could only get the two. One thumb down. I had left work early, drove down specifically for those beers, and sat in HELL traffic on the way back to NH afterwards. My choice, if I was to do again, I would have skipped the journey.
Spence and the other guy who rang me up were super nice and friendly, which counts for a lot nowadays.

02-22-2007 14:16:11 | More by brewandbbq

OldSock

District of Columbia

4.2/5  rDev -4.8%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

Quality – Seems clean with a nice open feeling. Dust free in my experience with plenty of cooler space for the craft beers. I've never gotten a bad bottle there.

Service – Pretty standard, generally you get a “Can I help you find anything?” and at least one positive comment about a beer that you are getting. However, I've never had a long solid conversation with anyone who works there.

Selection – Lots of good stuff, In particular every time I go in they seem to have a couple of bottles that the stores in my metro-west rotation have not, last time I went in I picked up the new beers from Southern Tier. They have a nice mix of locals, regionals and imports, but most likely nothing that will make your head explode if you regularly visit other stores around the state.

I often stop in when I visit The Publick House as it is pretty close by.

05-15-2006 02:08:36 | More by OldSock

Lnedrive14

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -2.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

A pretty good place to find some great brew. A lot of Belgians (including a bottle of scaldis prestige for like $40). A nice selection of British and German beers as well. The American micro selection was interesting. A lot of bear republic and great divide. A lot of stone. And even some AleSmith (although the guy told me that is probably a one-time offering). The day before I went here I spent about $80 over at Bauer Wines so I was broke and only able to afford a bottle of Liberator, which Bauer had sold out of.

Prices seem pretty good and as people have said, the store is really nice. Spend some time talking to the beer guy, Mark. He's quite helpful. Also, ask him what's he has in stock in the back (that's how I got the Liberator). I hear he has some Decadence hiding back there.

They do have tastings almost every thursday, and if their annual grand event is any judge, the tastings are probably pretty good. Check out their website to see when the events will be going on.

All in all, a great store, and definitely one my top few places to buy alcohol in Boston. So take the time to make the trip out to Brookline Hills - it'll be worth it.

N.B. - I havent been to the Kenmore store, which I hear is much smaller, but Mark told me that they do tend to carry different stuff in each store, so it might be worth it to check out both places.

10-23-2005 15:19:48 | More by Lnedrive14

bjohnson

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -2.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

First off, the Wine Gallery is one of the cleanest if not the cleanest store I've ever been in. It amazing how clean it is. It is also very, very well organized. It shows that this place takes pride in their stock and their store. When you walk into a place like this, you've already got a great feeling. About 6 coolers worth of top notch brew stocked by Kai located in the back left side of the store.

Well organized selection, by country. Almost all the really top notch local New England brews are in stock. Many of the "not from here" gems also. Alesmith, Moylans, Oskar Blues Gordon, Rogue, DFH, Sierra Bigfoot, Two Brothers, Founders, Stone, etc. They sometimes have great sale prices on brews, one of which was Moylan's for $2 and $3. Nice selection of German and Belgian beers also--could be a bit more extensive, but nonetheless, still good.

Tastings usually happen regularly at the Brookline location as well as the Kenmore location. Prices are right on par with where they should be. Kai, the beer manager, is very knowledgeable and always ready to offer advice if asked. A place you need to visit, if you have a car or not as it's accessible by train. Definitely worth it.

02-08-2007 21:17:46 | More by bjohnson

harsley

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -2.5%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

This is my go-to beer store near home. Everytime I'm there I get approached at least once (or more) by employees asking if I need any help with anything. Very friendly and very knowledgeable.

Selection is great. They have some cold in coolers along the back wall to the left (probably 8 fridges or so) all stocked with good brews. They then have beers in the store arranged by country/area. Nice Belgian selection, North American, German, UK, etc. Prices are around the same as anywhere else in the Boston area...I've found some beers less expensive elsewhere but also some that are more expensive elsewhere. They have a nice little cheese selection too and some crackers/snacks. They usually have a few glasses as well, but they are random and sparse. They have given me a free glass on 2 occasions in the past but that might have been before they started selling the randoms they get. They have beer tastings every week too, I think on Thursdays but not sure. They have a blog online that updates regularly. Ask them about it if you go to the store.

Huge wine selection as well (and some good liquors)...some of which (the wine, not liquor) you can sample at anytime in the store. Great place. Easily accessible too as they have parking right outside (off route 9), or it's less then a 5 minute walk to the D Line Brookline Hills stop.

*edit: This place has gone WAY down hill... (3/24/10)

03-03-2009 15:34:50 | More by harsley

PlaywrightSam

New York

4.35/5  rDev -1.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I don't live in Boston, but I come here somewhat frequently as my partner's family lives here. This Christmas was probably my third or fourth trip to Wine Gallery, and it will definitely not be my last.

The selection is really outstanding, especially for those looking for some of the more esoteric American extreme beers. Great selections from Lagunitas, Southern Tier, Great Divide, many many others. There's a wonderful selection of bombers on the shelves to your left and a cooler toward the back stocked with six packs.

The staff is very nice, very willing to offer help. Last time I was there, the guy told me about a black and tan that you can make with Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA and World Wide Stout. A crazy idea, but one I may have to try simply because I've never had an $18 dollar beer before.

Easy to get to, parking always available.

12-24-2007 04:14:29 | More by PlaywrightSam