Total Wine & More

Total Wine & MoreTotal Wine & More
Total Wine & MoreTotal Wine & More
Store

275 Harbison Blvd
Columbia, South Carolina, 29212-2222
United States

(803) 407-3737 | map
totalwine.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.9
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
26
pDev:
10.77%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of The_Snow_Bird
Reviewed by The_Snow_Bird from Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
This place has a large selection of single beers as well as packs. They have a growler station with around 10 selections and during the weekends they offer samples.
Sep 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.93 by RPM3334 from South Carolina

Sep 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by halo3one from Georgia

Oct 28, 2014
 
 
Rated: 4 by Rabbie from South Carolina

Sep 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Robyn from South Carolina

Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jshusc from South Carolina

Aug 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by jjveverka from South Carolina

Jul 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Ant4711 from South Carolina

Jul 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by huntermop from South Carolina

Jun 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Pearlstreetbrewingco from Florida

Jan 04, 2014
Photo of southside
Reviewed by southside from South Carolina

3.06/5  rDev -21.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 4
It's a pretty good spot but nothing special. They have some stuff here you can't find at either of the Greene's locations--you can also find stuff here that will sell out other places months after the fact. Found a few Founder's Nemesis from 2010 about 6 months after the release date. Prices are a bit expensive though, normally by about $1 a six pack. They do have a mix six pack deal though that is unique to Columbia. They put sales on beers too which is great...got a 6 of Bell's Java Stout for 7.99 when it was retailing full price at about $18 so that is a plus for making the trip out there from downtown Columbia. Service is pretty much nonexistant--you are on your own if you are a newbie.
Oct 03, 2011
Photo of Brewski4Drewski
Reviewed by Brewski4Drewski from South Carolina

4.44/5  rDev +13.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Been going to the Total Wine and More off Harbison for a while now, guess it's time to review it.
This is a HUGE store, basically a Lowe's warehouse full of brews and wines (wine section is a bit larger), I was a little overwhelmed at first. Once the hype settled I noticed they categorize thier beers according the style and country of origin, this made finding my brews fairly easy. As the store size suggests, selection is good and plentiful. After some mindless wandering I decided to ask some assistance from one of the faces on the shelf, TW employees offer thier favored selection by a tag with thier picture and beer info below. I wasn't assaulted when I first entered the store but when I asked for help they waited on me hand and foot. Chrissy and Paul were VERY helpful and friendly. Paul is the man. He's a cool, extremely knowledgeable guy who will help you snipe the ideal brew for your specifications. The growler station has 5-7 taps of rotating beers, one of which is usually leave with. They do not serve food but they partake in free weekly beer and wine tastings/ samples that I have yet to attend. Not too close to the homestead but the prices are noticably lower than stores in town. Props go to Davon McKracken for putting me on this one.
Aug 01, 2011
Photo of gatorbreath
Reviewed by gatorbreath from Fiji

3.31/5  rDev -15.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 1 | selection: 4.5
This is just a beer store. They have a large build your own 6 pack or just buy a single beer section. There are many obscure offerings that you wont find anywhere else available here.

They have some glassware for sale near the glass coolers and accessories all over the store.

They have a beer/wine tasting every thursday evening where your able to try a whole line of whatever they offer.

The staff is very knowledgable and willing to provide assistance.

There are many many beers here available that you cant get at the neighboring beer stores. I'd highly recommend going to all of them in tandem as they all have something different, to include total wine and more.!

EDIT: went in the other day and was told they don't fill 32oz half growlers, you can have 2 filled, for a total of 64 oz (1growler). This lack of flexibility is a huge negative if you ask me..
Jul 17, 2011
Photo of BrewCrew2010
Reviewed by BrewCrew2010 from Mississippi

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
I love the Total Wine in Jacksonville, so when I took my mother to her first TW I really amped it up. I'll try to be non-biased, but it's going to be hard. The store was a bit small for a TW. The selection was good, but spread out in a disfunctional manner in my opinion (I felt like it could be better organized). The staff I talked to didn't anything about the beer I was looking at (Founders, Great Divide, Terrapin) or anything about the local beers. I was kind of disappointed in that. Would I go here again? Of course! Found some great stuff I haven't found at my TW. Are there better stores in the area? Most definately! Good place to go, but not a must.
Aug 08, 2010
Photo of CampusCrew
Reviewed by CampusCrew from Florida

4.35/5  rDev +11.5%
Another great selection Total Wine as expected. Every Total Wine I vae been too has had all the beer in the area represented in a easy to find location. The store is very organized and clean for an older store. I always shop TW first when i go out of town before I check the other beer only stores in the area because I know I get the lowest prices at TW. I bought some Founders Devil Dancer and it was amazing and seriously fresh. Service is good. Employees know their store very well and are always willing to help the best they can.
Jul 27, 2010
Photo of cdizinno
Reviewed by cdizinno from South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
Okay, they offer a fairly good selection and may even have some items unavailable from the locals due to their national status, however, they carry some seriously 'AGED' beer. I've had some really BAD brews from their singles selection. A great idea, but if they throw their 'out of date' crap there, customers will never return to that beer again. It may not be the brewer's fault, but the retailer in this case. I have had several stanky brews here and would never buy any beers here without a 'brewed on' or 'buy by' date.
They do have a growler station, but I've had the same experience. Two growlers I have purchased were not good. It may have been the brewer, but I'd love to have been able to check the DATE on the keg!
They aren't necesarily pricey, but I have never had a really great value. Or I should say for every good value I get here at Total, there are about 4 or 5 stinkers. The complete opposite of their competitors on the other side of I-26!
The folks working here are nice, but not completely knowledgeable. Hopefully, they can improve in the future.
Jun 20, 2010
Photo of BS68280
Reviewed by BS68280 from South Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -12.8%
This place has a pretty good sized selection of beers. It is not as good at getting the rare beers the Green's gets in, however they do give you the option to buy a single to try something out. That is the only thing that would get me to go to this place instead of Green's. The prices are very good, but the service is not. It is very hit or miss whether or not the employees will have any clue what in the world you are talking about if you mention a beer. It is worth a trip in there if you have the time. Good selection and great prices but don't expect much help from the employees.
Jan 05, 2010
Photo of Nickls
Reviewed by Nickls from District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +2.6%
(From notes)

Little less impressive in terms of overall selection than the Green's in that area. However, the regional/local selection was much better at Total Wine. Also, from what I could tell, you could purchase a single of anything that was in six pack. Huge bonus when looking to sample.

Nothing terribly rare or interesting (unlike Green's), but the selection and quality of brews is really quite good. Didn't seek out the service as I was in and out pretty quickly.

Definitely worth a stop when in the area.
May 31, 2009
Photo of clemtig76
Reviewed by clemtig76 from South Carolina

4/5  rDev +2.6%
Total Wine is conveniently on Harbison Blvd just behind one of my favorite hamburger joints, Rush's. When the wife and I are in town and she wants to go shopping, I drop her off at the mall and head to Total Wine or Green's (next exit down). While Green's is a beer store that happens to sell wine, Total Wine gives me the impression that it is a wine store that happens to sell beer. The beer selection is located in the far left side of the store and not quite as extensive as Green's. They always seem to have a special going on though. On my last visit, I picked up a couple sixes of Mendocino Imperial IPA for $5.99. The same beer at Green's was $7.99. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
Mar 26, 2009
Photo of Gyle41386
Reviewed by Gyle41386 from South Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
Collection of beer is pretty good. Their buying guide features nearly 500 craft/imports, and they have all of the "popular domestics" as well. I love their selection of singles and their make your own six pack. It can get pricey, but I'd rather spend $20 on a six pack of great brews than over $100 picking up six six packs of them to find out if I like them or not. Perfect for the beer student. My most recent mixed six was Highland Oatmeal Porter, North Coast Old Rasputin, North Coast Ruedrich's Red Seal, Great Divide Hercules, Anchor Old Foghorn, and Founder's Breakfast Stout. As far as I know, you can't do that anywhere else in Columbia.

And they have much more than single 12 ouncers. Lots of bombers and 750's of domestic and imports. Two walls of six/twelve/mix packs.

Floor staff is very helpful. They don't bother you, but they're very quick to help you out and give you some suggestions. I always make a list out of 20+ beers to look at before I go, and I usually end up picking up a handful that aren't on it thanks to the floor staff's suggestions.

I prefer this store over Green's on Assembly, despite Green's being less than a 5 minute drive from campus. For me, it's well worth the drive out to Harbison and the unbelievably frustrating traffic.
Jan 22, 2009
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -12.8%
So I had to make a stop in here while passing through last time. I had pretty much snagged all I needed at Greens, but none the less wanted to stop over here for a mixed sixer or two. I found pretty much the same selection I can get in Greenville, with a few extras in the German Dept. Got to mix a couple seasonal summer sixers and the prices seemed about right as well. This store offers no real room to the brew aisle, and its not really their fault totally as this really is a predominant wine store after all and this is a relatively new thing in SC. Overall it was not a bad place, the selection was decent and the prices not too bad. But go to Green’s, much nicer and better selection for sure.
Oct 12, 2007
Photo of hellomcfly
Reviewed by hellomcfly from South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
Went here today and picked up a few beers I hadn't seen previously in Columbia. This is a really nicely laid out and clean store with friendly employees. The greatest thing about Total Wine was their selection of singles; the best I've seen in Columbia. Prices were fair and what you would expect at an alcohol outlet, a few seasonal that were going out of season were on sale at a good price. The only drawback for me is location as they are in the very crowded Harbison.

This and Green's Discount Liqour and Beer on Assembly St. are the two best places to purchase beer in Columbia in my opinion. I'll definitely be going back.
Aug 31, 2007
Photo of Nesued
Reviewed by Nesued from South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
As a resident of Irmo SC, I was pleased when Total Wine opened within a few miles of my house. This brought yet another quality vendor into the area to provide competition to Green's (see other reviews to compare.

Being both a beer drinker and a (marginal) wine drinker, Total Wine is well able to meet the needs of both sides. Suffice it to say, if you are a wine drinker and live in the Columbia area, I would recommend this location over Green's soley on the basis of selection.

Now, back to the beer.

Selection is the key here at Total Wine. I was able to locate many brands I've read about here on Beer Advocate (as long at the alcohol content was below the State-imposed cap). An added plus is a knowledgable staff who was able to provide not only recommendations, but also updates on incoming stock and the ability to place a few six-packs on reserve.

With both Green's and Total Wine in town, Columbia is well-placed to provide their Beer Advocates with a wide selection. Now if we could only get the alcohol cap raised!!
Jul 22, 2006
Photo of Karyyk
Reviewed by Karyyk from South Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
One of the better places to get anything that isn't your usual brew, Total Wine is worth stopping for. A decent selection of imports and microbrews, as well as just about any American macro you want (and wine too...). Prices are good ($10 for a 12 of Newcastle; $8.29 for the Red Stripe) and the service is helpful, but never intrusive (I hate that). They also do their part trying to bring some notice to local brews (not all of which deserve it).

It's where I go to get something good when I have the money (Xingu or Abita Purple Haze for instance) or something cheap when I don't (don't knock the classics like Stroh's & Schlitz).
Oct 10, 2005
Photo of GCBrewingCo
Reviewed by GCBrewingCo from North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +7.7%
Total Wine in Columbia is actually closer to Irmo. It is in a new shopping area which is highly developed.

The store is well laid out, but tight for space. Like many of the liquor/beer stores in SC it also has a separate area for liquors while beer and wine are in the main store.

The selection is good and I was asked if I needed assistance which is a plus. I also found a few beers I had never seen nor heard of before. The quality is high and even though SC is not a beer destination it does appear they take care of the stock.

The best thing about Total Wine is the prices. They meet Green's and on a few things beat them. You can get to Total Wine without driving too far from the Fernandina Green's location so you might want to check out both when in the area. I will certainly be back to the Columbia TW.
Dec 21, 2004
Total Wine & More in Columbia, SC
Place rating: 3.9 out of 5 with 26 ratings