A-Wines

Color me underwhelmed.
We ducked in one one very rainy Saturday night, hoping to find some beverages to ease the process that is unpacking. The «People on Unilocal Love Us» sticker on the door warmed my dorky little heart.
The beer selection was small but respectable, but not mind blowing. I couldn’t find the cider, which is what I was craving for the evening, so we decided to head down the street instead. Our decision was affirmed by a glance at the prices. While they’re not entirely outrageous, I noted that the price of the framboise lambic was similar to what I would expect to pay in a bar. The six pack he was holding and put back was also pricier than usual.
I can’t much speak to the wine selection. The section is small, as is the entire shop. However, to their credit, I saw the House Wine label. One which I’ve heard to be both good and reasonably priced.
I spotted the cider on my way out the door. It was in the fridge with the 40s, somewhere I would have never thought to look. I hope this was only for need of space (and they do need it) and not some sort of beer elitist snubbing.

I have to admit, I know nothing about the wine selection at A Wines, but that’s okay, because their a-​list offering is really the beer. Personally, I’m a fan of the «make your own six pack,”(Christmas gifts for everyone but grandma this year), where you can combine the likes of a Post Road Pumpkin Ale, Ephemere Maudite, Dogfish Peche, Victory Hop Devil, Founder’s Red Rye, and Delerium Tremens, and save 10%. Granted, the prices are moderate-​to-​high, but it’s pretty sweet when the guy ringing up your dogfish accidentally reads the 7 in «$ 7.95» as a 1.
The staff is suggestive and helpful, and there is often an ad posted at the register for ski boots. Oh, and you can pick up a six pack of Harpoon or a case of Sam Adams here too.

Well for one thing they carry Paper City Brewery products, which if you’ve not had your missing out. While it’s not prob straight from the brewery it’s the only place I’ve found that I can pick it up. If I’m looking for something different A-​Wines is where I’m headed.

Wow, I have to disagree about the prices — I have never seen such an insane markup. Selection is good, but I prefer to go down the block unless I’m looking for something very specific. I do agree the staff are friendly and knowledgeable — I ran in & asked if they had rye before realizing they have no hard liquor. The dude rattled off some rye beers and suggested some barleywines without batting an eyelash.
upgrading to 4 stars as they carry my favorite beer in the world and no one else nearby does. and the markup’s not THAT bad.

A Wines should really be called A Beers. Agreed that Downtown Liquors has a better selection, but when you live on the east side of Cambridge and you have no car and you are a bit of a beer snob, you are pretty psyched about A Wines. Good selection of fancy beers, and knowledgable staff. Confusing policy about buying individual beers, but this seems to be one of the only places in Cambridge that will let you split up a six pack, which is a plus. Though you get charged a premium.
This should really be 4.5 stars, and I’m only holding back from five stars because I’ve been to better beer stores, though not in Boston.

The wine selection seems nice, but limited. It’s really the beers that make this store interesting. The selection is excellent. For example, they have Rochefort 10 and 8, Ellezoise Hercule stout, and Brooklyn Chocolate Stout. Even better, the prices are the lowest I’ve seen in a long, long time. Rochefort 10 costs less than $ 7 there! I would not be surprised to see it at $ 11 at many other stores in Boston.
I doubt A-​Wines has many beers that Marty’s in Allston or Downtown Liquors in Davis Square doesn’t have, but it just feels good to get a bargain on a bottle.