The Best Beer Shops of 2023
From big retailers to tiny corner shops, these are the retailers attracting bartenders, beverage directors, distillers and other drinks pros.
Drinking Guides
All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.
*Products deemed unacceptable (receving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.
98-100
Classic
The Pinnacle of quality
94-97
Superb
A great achievement
90-93
Excellent
Highly recommended
87-89
Very Good
Often good value; well recommended
83-86
Good
Suitable for everyday consumption, often good value
80-82
Acceptable
Can be employed
What We're Tasting:
Montagu 2021 Charles Heintz Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
What We're Tasting:
No Love Lost 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Red Bear 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Shortbread Wine Co. 2022 Buttery Chardonnay (California)
What We're Tasting:
Neo 2020 Sentido Tempranillo Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
Valdeorite NV Brut Sparkling (Ribera del Guadiana)
What We're Tasting:
Meyer Family Cellars 2019 Le Bon Bon Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)
What We're Tasting:
Benziger 2021 West Rows Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay (Los Carneros)
What We're Tasting:
Old Soul 2022 Chardonnay Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc (Lodi)
What We're Tasting:
Kettmeir 2022 Pinot Bianco Pinot Bianco (Alto Adige)
What We're Tasting:
Larchago 2016 Pagos de Tahola Selección de Martin Tempranillo (Rioja)
What We're Tasting:
Tongue Dancer 2021 Pratt Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Resalte 2019 Expresión Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
Altos de Torona 2022 Godello Godello (Rías Baixas)
What We're Tasting:
Altos de Torona 2021 Albanta Albariño (Rías Baixas)
What We're Tasting:
Regina Viarum 2022 Viticultura Heroica Godello (Ribeira Sacra)
What We're Tasting:
HGA Bodegas Y Viñedos De Altura 2022 Ilusionista Verdejo Verdejo (Rueda)
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