CRAFT Beer & Wine

I'd first heard about this place from Dr. Dave Jalen about 13 years ago.As a guy that doesn't drink, doesn't buy wine, and isn't very fancy...I'm at a loss about anything alcoholic. Wine scares me.Dan has been my trusted advisor for the past 13 years. He's not only provided me very solid recommendations (with a 100% appreciation rate), he has also helped me buy some legendary wine for some dental legends (Dr. Carl Misch (Dentist to pope John Paul, RIP), Dr. Jeff Brucia).Some of his wines are impossible to get, even for the dentist of the pope.Thanks, Dan!

A perfect small wine shop, especially for consumers looking for those a.b.c,P! wines (anything but california, PUH-LEEZE!). Of course there's a selection of our own homegrown product. but if you're really sick of fermented juice from overripe grapes, or simply have a hard time finding authentic french, italian, greek and other imports that really aren't much available here, visit this place. it's especially well versed in a fine selection of red greek wines, about which i can talk a fair game based on maps but actually know very little else, which is unfortunate because that's what I needed to buy this particular day. fortunately i did some homework and found a guy worth the time to seek out here in alameda who really knows that territory, manager Dan Marshall. he speaks with an easy and refreshing informality that is hard to find in this business. and he obviously knows a lot about greece from apparent considerable travels into some of the backwoods regions where the best wines are usually found regardless of the country. funny how that works. Dan knows wines as evidenced by his inventory, which after all is up to him to buy in the first place. amazing how enjoyable it is talking with someone who knows something from personal experience rather than listening to some clerk repeat whatever the wine reviews have to say. rule of thumb about wine talk: the more someone actually knows, the less they need to show it. so i checked the shelves as i browsed around to see what else one finds here; all are very efficiently stocked and displayed, especially the italian and french departments. these definitely aren't the same wines you'll find at your local grocery or liquor/wine store and especially not in the major alcohol beverage warehouses. the buyer here knows and cares about what he's doing. this shop is a very good find, one i'll keep on my list of places to go to treat myself. i recommend it highly.

I only come here for the craft beer selection and they never let me down. They have crappy hours but are always punctual. Love that you can get singles of everything and they always have a decent selection of DIPA and TIPA. Street parking only BUT that end of Santa Clara is never that congested. I always get some Indian food next door and that makes me happy.

I can't say enough nice things about this small family-run business. They have beer and wine impossible to get elsewhere and seem open to ordering new things. I found this is the only place which has a particular Irish craft beer I cannot get anywhere else. I suggest calling the night before to ensure they have what you're looking for before you make the trip; since most people seem to not live in the local area. They'll box up however much you buy and help you if you're looking for something specific. You can't get any better service and there's two parking spaces located in the back. This property was residential at one time and not very large. If you get trapped on High Street because of the canal bridge being opened for boat traffic, you can make a right on to one of the residential streets followed by two lefts and eventually end up at the 98th Street onramp for 880 below the Coliseum. The owner is inquiring about ordering Beamish from Ireland, which is largely impossible to get outside Ireland and the UK, so I'm quite excited. It's also nice to see a place for small craft brewers to have their products sold that wouldn't exist otherwise. The folks who work here also value good beer and wine that's not easy to find, so it makes for a fun experience.

So many beers to choose from over here. I'm currently drinking a can of Cocoa Cow Chocolate Milk Stout from Sunriver Brewing in Oregon. Really delicious and has the sweet, chocolate milk taste. I also bought some single cans of sour beers they had in stock. A neat thing I found out you can do is that you can create your own 4-pack of beers that have the same pricing on it and the top price on the label is the total amount you pay for a 4-pack. I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm back.

Great people with a good selection in a small shop. I usually make the mistake of showing up on the wrong day or the wrong hour, but that's not their fault.

Great selection of beers and wine! The great thing is that there are tasty options at all price range; we've gotten cheap bottles that were still really good. Knowledgeable owner as well.

Great selection of craft beer for the area. They've got everything you need from German beer to stouts, IPAs and ciders. Although I don't buy the liquor or wine there, they do have that as well. The only real downside is they are priced pretty high compared to the market right next store that also sells beer. Great for a single can or two, but the 4 packs are priced at a premium for sure.

Amazing selection of curated mezcals! The owner was very well informed. We spent over an hour perusing the selections and came home with many fine spirits!

I don't know much about wine, but the folks here were very helpful. I buy a couple bottles here ever so often. They always have great recommendations.