Whole Foods Market - Pearl District

Whole Foods Market - Pearl DistrictWhole Foods Market - Pearl District
Whole Foods Market - Pearl DistrictWhole Foods Market - Pearl District
Store

1210 NW Couch St
Portland, Oregon, 97209-4115
United States

(503) 525-4343 | map
wholefoodsmarket.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.04
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
35
pDev:
7.43%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by Rifugium:
Photo of Rifugium
Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota

3.74/5  rDev -7.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
One of three Whole Foods I visited in Portland. Not that we don't have them here in PA, but I figured I'd see what I could find. Strangely it seems that prices on beer on about on par or even higher than the more strictly beer-centric shops such as Belmont or even Beaumont, since the PA Whole Foods price tags are typically a bit cheaper. Still reasonable overall. Atmosphere: it's a supermarket. The majority of the beer here was in a convenient cold room, and not quite as good a selection as the Whole Foods Hollywood market, or even the Fremont market. Still good though, and top notch as far as finding beer in a supermarket goes. Service rating is really an n/a, but I'll just give an average rating for technicality's sake.

One thing that PA WFs have that Portland WFs don't have: pubs in the store!
Jan 04, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.01 by MaximumYuks from Oregon

Jan 09, 2020
Photo of Beersnake
Reviewed by Beersnake from California

4/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25
Stopped by on a recent visit to Portland. The beer section is predominantly located in a walk-in fridge in the back of the store. Great selection of Oregon (and Portland) beers, with some nice surprises (e.g. Mother of all Storms). If you are downtown and don't have the option to head out to craft bottle shops, this is a nice option.
Mar 19, 2019
 
Rated: 3.91 by Budlum from Maryland

Mar 04, 2017
 
Rated: 4.22 by GreatStoutman from Texas

Jul 05, 2016
Photo of elNopalero
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan

3.93/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5
It’s a Whole Foods in downtown Portland. They have a walk in cooler that is kept at freezing. It's great for chilling the beers but it makes it tough to linger while making your selection.
May 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.87 by jakemn91 from New Mexico

Feb 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.86 by lpothier from Oregon

Feb 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.08 by South2NW from Oregon

Aug 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.6 by blastoderm55 from Texas

Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.82 by kamikazeokami from Oregon

Dec 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by TheBungyo from Washington

Dec 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.4 by BeerRox from Massachusetts

Nov 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by anteater from Oregon

Oct 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by duceswild from Heard & McDonald Islands

May 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Hobbit from Oregon

Mar 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by cjw333 from California

Mar 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by cgrz from Michigan

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by williamjbauer from Colorado

Oct 31, 2013
Photo of jdense
Reviewed by jdense from Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Typical Whole Foods store in the trendy Pearl District,. You know the deal, overpriced but quality products. They recently put in a walk-in cold box with automatic doors on both ends that serendipitously open up whenever anybody walks by, irrespective if they want to come inside or not.

On a positive note, the cold box allowed this location to expand their beer offering significantly, at least in terms of shelf space. Decent selection of Belgians and Germans, along with usual array of craft beers. Prices, are to be expected, on the high side. If you are staying downtown and car-less, this is probably one of your better bets to pick up a bottle or two, but selection pails in comparison with Belmont Station or John's Marketplace and price to The Beer Mongers.

As with all Whole Foods locations, there is usually a beer person on spot, but when I asked if they had gotten any Pliny in (the same day all other stores in town received their shipment) I got a blank eyed stare. Evidently, they changed the secret handshake when they put in the new walk-in cold box.
Dec 26, 2011
Photo of Briken
Reviewed by Briken from Washington

4.01/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
An amazing selection for a grocery store and good service from the guy who was stocking at the time. He seemed to know his stuff. When I picked up a Mikkeler beer he must have known I was someone who knew what they were looking at and let me know he had Speedway Stout in the back as well as Parabola. On the high end since it's in the Pearl District but to a Washington boy like me it's more reasonable since I don't have to pay tax. There is certainly enough of a selection individual beers you could easily find something interesting.
Oct 24, 2011
Photo of squaremile
Reviewed by squaremile from Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -12.1%
This is a pretty large grocery store in the heart of downtown that serves the yuppie health food crowd, sometimes that means me. The bottle selection is pretty good for the area since outside of Bailey's, there isn't much. You can get all of the regional brews and the out of state stuff that you can pretty much find anywhere else. I found Hair of the Dog Blue Dot here when it was no where else in town once, that was pretty cool. It is what it is: a grocery store with a Portland style beer selection.
Jun 01, 2010
Photo of djbreezy
Reviewed by djbreezy from Washington

4/5  rDev -1%
After living in town for a few months now I finally made my way to this location to check out the beer selection. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and a reasonable number of bottles. The prices were fine, although I felt like they were priced to nickel and dime the consumer. Whatever, it's called Whole Paycheck for a reason.

The store is incredibly clean, organized, items faced. All of the staff were knowledgeable and friendly...not particularly about the beer but the employee vibe helps.

Overall it was a good experience and I picked up some decent Goose Island and Boulevard bottles. I'd go back. It's close to where I'm at and obsessively organized. I can dig it.
May 06, 2010
Photo of nomomentwasted
Reviewed by nomomentwasted from Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
Stopped in here before my reservation at Henry's earlier, forgot about checking out their beer selection! I tend to frequent Zupan's on 23rd for my beer selection, surprised it's not on BA, but Whole Foods had a pretty solid selection of pretty much all the local must-haves and a nice selection of outsiders as well. Coming home to Portland from San Diego reminds me of how different the two are in terms of beer scenes, but so similar at the same time. Seems like wherever I've been going, Whole Foods has a pretty awesome selection of crafts from both near and far, and reasonable prices to accompany that selection.

As far as being head and shoulders above the competition, it's not, but for a grocery store, with nice hours as well and not shut up early like most liquor stores have to be up in Oregon, it's a very solid option in a very beer-friendly area to pick up some of the beers you can have on tap across the street at Henry's fantastic establishment.
Aug 04, 2009
Photo of morebeergood
Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -8.4%
Day 2 & Stop 5 of the Portland Pub Crawl. Before our flight home, we stopped in here to grab a few beers to bring home. This store had a great selection of NW beers and other craft beers. We got six bombers from Bridgeport, Lompoc, Rogue, Laurelwood, HUB, and Alameda. All made it back safely, wrapped tightly in my checked luggage. Service was average, it's a grocery store. Most bombers were $5.99. We got six bombers for about $32. We didn't come across a lot of "beer" stores staying downtown, so this Whole Foods Market came in handy due to location and selection.
Jul 18, 2009
Photo of indiapaleale
Reviewed by indiapaleale from Maine

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
I stopped into Whole Foods in search of some Alaskan bombers to take back to New England with me. They had the Alaskan Barleywine and Arctic Devil so that was cool. Its not a HUGE selection here but what they had was very respectable and very reasonably priced. Pliny and Blind Pig bottles were under $4 and they had a bunch of Oregon bombers for under $5 as well. If you need beer this is a good place to get it as its pretty convenient for anyone staying/living in the city, not to mention that the store itself is huge and full of great food.
Feb 22, 2009
Photo of tbeck
Reviewed by tbeck from Washington

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
I had this place recommended to me by my good beer buddy dnichols. As I was walking around Portland I just happened on to it and decided to check it out. It took a little while to find the beer aisle, but the selection was outstanding. They had quite a few of the local microbrews and a number of Belguims at the best prices I have seen to date. They did not have the quantity of beers that the Belmont Station had (as I stopped there the same day) but it beat any of the grocers I have in my area. I recommend stopping by if you are in the area, but not to seek it out.
Dec 08, 2008
Photo of ccrida
Reviewed by ccrida from Oregon

4/5  rDev -1%
This place has a pretty good selection, tends to be a bit more then New Seasons, the local competitor that I prefer to support. They're local, a bit cheaper, and give you 10% off cases, which whole foods doesn't. I did special order a case once though and he cut me a small deal and sympathized with the fact that 'corporate' won't let him formally discount beer cases even though they do with wine. Still I always check this place out when I'm in the area, and they tend to have a bigger slightly bigger range with some Germans and Belgians in particular that I never see stocked at New Seasons.
Jan 30, 2008
Photo of ndekke39
Reviewed by ndekke39 from Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
Made a quick stop here after having dinner at Henry's 12th Street Tavern. It's in a great location downtown, with its own parking garage. Big, huge cooler of beer in singles and six-packs, with a wide range of things. Too many to list here, but plenty of good micro/craft beers, just about anything you could want for party. Prices were pretty good, maybe $0.50 to $1.00 higher than other places. Didn't interact with any workers there, so couldn't tell you about service, but it's been great at every Whole Foods I've ever visited. Overall, a great stop for beer!
Nov 12, 2007
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

4/5  rDev -1%
stopped in this joint after drinking at Henry's and buying books at Powel

quality: beer cooler wasnt really that large or anything but it was pretty packed with goodies. the size was certainly bigger than madison wholefoods and probably a little larger than raleigh whole foods which are the two i know the best. everything looked to be in good shape though i did notice some 2006 vintages that would not be too old to buy

service: not needed

selection; i read the reviews and was expecting a lot more honestly. the bomber selection was quite nice. There were a ton of moylands which i avoided since i have tried before and its coming to wisconsin. Rogue was well covered as were many other northwest breweries. There were some Alesmith products (yulesmith, ipa) but nothing too rare. There were some nice seasonals and a good selection of 6 packs. I think i am being too harsh on this place, and its probably because im spoiled. Dont come here to find ultra-rare stuff but come for a solid selection that covers the area well

i bought a deschutes anniversary and an eel river old ale
Sep 19, 2007
Photo of dnichols
Reviewed by dnichols from Washington

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
I stopped in based on the recommendation of a friend. I was early for a trip to Powell's Book Store so I visited Whole Foods. I was pleasantly surprised by the diverse selection of beers, especially Belgium's. They had 5 of the 7 Trappist breweries represented. I was able to buy a half dozen Rochefort 10s!! Prices were on the high side but not out of line. The store is new and well laid out. While I went there for the beer I was pleased by the selection of ethnic foods. Nice store. It gives me one more reason to like visiting Portland.
Sep 15, 2007
Photo of scarletfire79
Reviewed by scarletfire79 from New Hampshire

4.7/5  rDev +16.3%
stopped in before heading back to the hotel for the night. awesome awesome awesome selction. anyhting you could want from the pacific northwest in sixers, singles, bombers, growlers you name it. not to mention the have a real solid selection of some belgian and asian beers. really nice store, great location and great prices. i pay more for guinness back east than i do for quality craft brews here at wholefoods. awesome . i would definitly recommmend a stop for anyone who is in the area and not looking for a strictly beer store.
Apr 11, 2007
Photo of zuggy9
Reviewed by zuggy9 from California

4.3/5  rDev +6.4%
I love this Whole Foods. I can't really say much about the rest of the store as I barely got past the beer aisle. This one store has more different beers than I've ever seen at almost anywhere. I ton of craft and import beers, in everything from pints, to bombers, to six-packs and more. I would expect good things for the city of Portland where beer is concerned, but some of what they offered I've never seen anywhere else. The quality was good and so was the service. I was very happy with this store.
Jan 05, 2007
Photo of msubulldog25
Reviewed by msubulldog25 from Oregon

4.14/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
I've shopped at Whole Foods on many occasions and find that they have perhaps the best beer selection of any grocery store in Portland (this excludes all bottle shops, of course). They stock an excellent range of NW/Pacific/Rocky Mtn. craft beers. There are also a fair number of choices from the Midwest and East Coast.. International beers have a strong representation, too: choices from Belgium, UK, and Germany are plentiful and run the gamut of styles. Areas such as Canada, Asia, France, Italy and South/Central America are represented, too. Nothing terrible rare, just a broad selection from many breweries both local and from points afar.

The beer area is towards the back of the store, tucked away next to the cheese department. It's one of the quieter parts of the store, which allows ample time for browsing. Beers are stored in open coolers under what appear to be UV-filtered fluorescent lights. Suffice to say, I've not had any issues with the quality of beers I've purchased here.

Prices vary between reasonable and slightly more expensive than expected. Because of the size of this grocery chain, they are able to buy larger caseloads of some pretty hard to get releases (Stone Vertical and Hair of the Dog Blue Dot are two that come to mind), yet the prices are not any lower than the small retailers. They do not allow 'mix & match' and charge $1.99 minimum for singles from a 6-pack. They sometimes have a "bargain bin" of discounted leftovers.

Service in the evenings can be lackluster to non-existent. However, I highly recommend a visit on a weekday. I recently met Jeff in the Beer department; he's quite knowledgeable about everything in stock and gave great tips on upcoming releases and hidden gems kept back in the stock room.

Recommended for a visit when in Portland - the best place to buy bottles in downtown. Location at W. Burnside and 12th means it's central to everything.
Aug 16, 2006
Photo of joedon
Reviewed by joedon from Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
In the same block as Henry's Tavern.

Decent selection of craft brews in an open, grocery-store cooler. Also large display of Bigfoot 2006 adjacent to the cooler. I'd estimate there were 35 varieties of beer in six-packs and another 45 in 750's or singles. Mostly craft beers from the NW but several English, Belgian and German choices.

Since Whole Foods is basically a trendy, up-scale grocery, service is a non-issue. You would have to track someone down to answer a question and beer would not be their best subject.

Prices were fair [$10.00 for the Bigfoot] and they did have a lot of stuff you can't find in Minnesota.

Lots of god eats in the store, too.
Feb 16, 2006
Whole Foods Market - Pearl District in Portland, OR
Place rating: 4.04 out of 5 with 35 ratings