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:
DFJ Vinhos 2020 Aluado Reserva Alicante Bouschet (Lisboa)
What We're Tasting:
DFJ Vinhos 2021 Casa do Lago Grande Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Lisboa)
What We're Tasting:
Wente Vineyards 2022 Riva Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco)
What We're Tasting:
Broadside 2020 Blackletter Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
What We're Tasting:
Villadoria 2019 del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba Nebbiolo (Barolo)
What We're Tasting:
Bledsoe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
What We're Tasting:
1850 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Sierra Foothills)
What We're Tasting:
Valdeorite 2022 Magus Dark Garnacha Garnacha (Extremadura)
What We're Tasting:
Harvey & Harriet 2021 Red (San Luis Obispo County)
What We're Tasting:
Santa Eulalia 2017 Conde Siruela Reserva Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
Santa Eulalia 2020 Riberal Crianza Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
Château de Fieuzal 2019 L'Abeille de Fieuzal (Pessac-Léognan)
What We're Tasting:
Pinea 2018 Single Vineyard Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)
What We're Tasting:
BiancaVigna 2022 Spumante Rosa Brut Sparkling (Prosecco)
What We're Tasting:
Il Valentiano 2018 Campo di Marzo Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
What We're Tasting:
Paris Valley Road 2019 L'Entente Red (Paso Robles)
What We're Tasting:
RGNY 2022 Scielo Sparkling Riesling (North Fork of Long Island)
What We're Tasting:
Quinta do Crasto 2021 Reserva Old Vines Red (Douro)
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