Trader Joe's - Brookline (501)

Trader Joe's - Brookline (501)Trader Joe's - Brookline (501)
Trader Joe's - Brookline (501)Trader Joe's - Brookline (501)
Store

1317 Beacon St
Brookline, Massachusetts, 02446-5242
United States

(617) 278-9997 | map
traderjoes.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.6
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
23
pDev:
8.61%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by bignick:
Photo of bignick
Reviewed by bignick from Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
This place has a pretty decent selection for a supermarket. I have visited numerous times while getting food in the area. There is a limited selection of very high-quality beer. They have there own beers, which are slightly above average, plus a selections of essentials including: Sierra Nevada, Magic Hat, Unibroue, Smutty, Chimay, Ommegang, Sam Smith, and a few others. The storespeople do not offer help. While there is nothing particularly rare, it is never difficult to find something yummy at a great price (7 for SA, 7.5 for Smutty, etc). This is a good place to hit up for a sixer if in the area, but not worth traveling for.
Apr 23, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of Hyptochrons
Reviewed by Hyptochrons from Massachusetts

4.06/5  rDev +12.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
siiiiick prices, decent although limited selection. good place for cheaper beer, and also a good place to find good deals on more expensive stuff. for example bottles from maine beer co for 5.99 ... as opposed to 8-9 at other places. In addition, you can get single cans/bottles of anything for the same price per beer as a 6 pack would cost. great way to try new beers. staff is super friendly although the place is ridiculously busy.
Jun 02, 2016
 
Rated: 3.46 by Shellynix from Massachusetts

Mar 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.77 by WoostaBia from Massachusetts

Apr 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.28 by Coorsy from Massachusetts

Apr 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.69 by Dicers from California

Feb 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by StrayteEDGE from Massachusetts

Sep 28, 2014
Photo of MMarkMelly
Rated by MMarkMelly from Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%
Forget the Milk Pick Up an IPA.
Sep 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by harsley from Massachusetts

Aug 05, 2014
Photo of VictorWisc
Reviewed by VictorWisc from Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 2.75 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4
You don't go to TJ's for selection, period. If they happened to stock something you like, you're in luck. To add to the misery, the Brookline store--one of four in the state that has a liquor license (after they paid $200,000 to have a full license in Peabody, once the state removed the three-license "chain" limit)--is not well stocked and always buzzing with customers. That's good for turnover, but not for shelf organization--items are constantly moved, with no rhyme or reason for some items being next to each other. When I stopped in yesterday, they had Three Philosophers and Hennepin bombers, three Pretty Things, three CBC, a couple of Smyttynose bombers to go with 6ers or regular IPA, Bengali Tiger and another Sixpoint four-pack, Duvel and Chimay Blue 750s, Guiness & Smithwicks, SNPA and Summerfest, Brooklyn Lager, Allaghash White 4pk, plus Harpoon 12s and Anchor Steam. The rest were their own brands, mostly, most of which are pretty awful. Because of MA distribution laws, prices are higher than in most other states (and have gone up in the last couple of years), except on local bombers--CBC and Smutty are significantly lower than neighbors' prices and Pretty Things is 10-25% lower as well. The best deal in the house is TJ-branded Unibroue seasonal bombers at $6. The winter brew was pretty good and the current selection is a Belgian Golden Ale.

The kids who stock the beer section tend to know the selection but not distribution, but they are still learning and rotate around the store, so you should not expect a whole lot of information. If you've seen something in one of the stores and ask at the desk, they will find out who in the state carries it, whether they can get it and whether it was a one-off. They can usually put in an order, but they have no control of whether or when they will get the stock in.

Generally, it's a good place to grab some semi-random beer while shopping for food. But their wine selection is somewhat better and relatively cheaper. Don't expect any great finds beyond the basics. Oh, and one more thing--I heard TJ's is negotiating with Pretty Things and a distributor to be allowed to lower the price. That means bringing White Rabbit to $6 when the store across the street sells it for $9.
Jul 21, 2013
Photo of BostonHops
Reviewed by BostonHops from Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -8.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
off the top, giving food an N/A here; they have some tasty pot stickers and a free sample stand, but I'm unconvinced that this sort of thing applies. as for the beer: not bad. the usual locals (Sam Adams, Harpoon, Wachusett; lately I've started seeing some CBC stuff), a few Trader Joe's exclusives, and a handful of offerings from breweries like Sierra Nevada, Smuttynose, Unibroue, and Chimay. a couple Lindeman's lambics on the top shelf. everything reasonably priced. grabbed some SA Noble Pils, Smuttynose Barleywine (from the "big beer" series), Trois Pistoles, and a Wachusett Green Monsta sixer. definitely not a place you'd go out of your way for (beer-wise), but if you're here buying your granola or have been shanghaied by your wife (*raises hand*), the beer department is respectable. type of place where you might grab a sixer or bomber to complement dinner, but if you need a larger selection look directly across the street: Coolidge Corner Wine and Spirits.
Sep 05, 2012
Photo of calebkeen
Reviewed by calebkeen from Massachusetts

2.7/5  rDev -25%
This location is selling 22 oz. bottles of Smuttynose IPA for 5.99 as a 'Big Beer'. When I showed the manager that the regular IPA is not a 'Big Beer' while a Wheat Wine is (which I put next to the IPA bottle for demonstration purposes i.e. it says 'Big Beer Series' on the Wheat Wine bottle) I was told that I was wrong because 'That's what the computer says, and it's always been this price in the computer and this price came directly from the brewery.'

The manager clearly doesn't know the beer that exists in his own section. I tried again. I pointed to the 6-pack of Smuttynose IPA for 8.99 and asked him why anyone, in their right mind, would pay 5.99 for 22 oz's when they could get 72 oz's for only three dollars more? He told me that, yes, the 6-pack was the better buy but, sorry, the 22 oz. were 5.99 and I was wrong.

Idiots.
Aug 20, 2010
Photo of Duhast500
Reviewed by Duhast500 from Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +11.1%
This place did surprise me when I walked into this smaller grocery store and found rather good craft beer selection. There was some pretty interesting choices to be had with some Sierra Nevada beers and a Stone or two to some imports that looked really great. What I was really surprised about was the amount of beers that were exclusive to Trader Joe's. Not sure if these beers would end being any good but they looked like they could be worth a try and the prices were really good. There was essentially one person that seemed to know a little about the beer there but that would be enough for the amount of beer that was there. Worth stopping by.
Mar 12, 2010
Photo of FrankLloydMike
Reviewed by FrankLloydMike from Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
Because why not get a beer while you're getting your food? This Trader Joe's is right across from my favorite beer store, Coolidge Corner Wine & Spirits, but that doesn't stop me from buying the occasional beer here.

The selection is fairly good, carrying a decent selection of some more well-known American microbreweries and a pretty solid selection of singles, including the Smuttynose Big Beers. Of course, they also offer their brands of beer, which are good when you're feeling cheap. The selection is clearly better across the street, but if you're in here for food and don't have time to run over, you can easily make do.

Service in general is excellent, and I've found that a lot of the people working here are pretty knowledgeable about beer, which is definitely nice in a grocery store. Still, it is a grocery store, not a beer store, so unless you know what you want or are willing to take a risk, you're better off going across the street.
Sep 24, 2009
Photo of Freshie
Reviewed by Freshie from Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
It's a supermarket with good food and beer. A rarity in this blue law state.

Not a great selection, but a decent one. Magic hat, BBC, Chimay, Ommegang, the plethora of TJ brand beers.

The service is always good. The place however is always packed, and I always feel like pushing over people who refuse to move away because they need their organic granola and they need it now!

Sunday mornings will find the beer selection under the clever, and unstoppable barrier of fish nets. No liquor sales till noon.

Parking sucks, so walk or take the Green line (C train)

Yet, a convenient and handy stop off the C line.
Aug 20, 2008
Photo of leif86
Reviewed by leif86 from California

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
Trader Joe's is great in general but just alright as far as beer is concerned. Not a great selection to choose from but the beers that they do have are certainly not your run of the mill macro brands. Plenty of Magic Hat, Young's Double Chocolate, Beamish Irish Stout, and their own brand of beer are just some of the beer they offer. Definitely worth a look, especially because of the very reasonable prices, but don't expect to find bottles kept in great condition or anything that will blow you away.
Jun 11, 2008
Photo of jaygates
Reviewed by jaygates from Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
Trader Joe's? Hell, yeah! This place is awesome! Quality meat (even the frozen variety!), non-guilty snacks (mmm, flax seen tortilla chips!), fresh produce... oh, and beer? Yeah!

Quite the little selection for a grocery/natural food store. Sixers of Smutty, Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada and Sea Dog (which is the bargain of the day at 5.49 a six pack!) I've seen people break up sixers and mix and match as well. Also, sometimes they have singles set aside. They have a pretty decent variety of bombers too. I've seen Smutty, Rogue, and a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.

Get your belgians here, too. 8.99 for Duvel and I believe Allagash White was 3.49.

Also pick up some Chuck for the wife/girlfriend.

Word for the wise- DON'T go on the weekends, it really is a madhouse. And avoid driving if possible. Take the T, or park somewhere on Beacon Street, as the parking lot out back can be
chaos.
Oct 04, 2007
Photo of papat444
Reviewed by papat444 from Canada (QC)

4/5  rDev +11.1%
Whenever, i go to the States, i always swing by Trader Joe's. Good selection of micros like Mendocino, Rogue, etc. Also, imports like Sam Smith (counted 3 or 4 different ones). What i like about them is that you can break a case of 6 or 12 & they don't mark it up. So for 6 different singles, paid around 7$! That included some Mendocino, Sea Dog & others. Also, staff is very helpful, especially when it came to deciphering my Canadian ID. If you've never been to a Trader Joe's, you must check it out.
Aug 20, 2007
Photo of Dogbrick
Reviewed by Dogbrick from Ohio

3.7/5  rDev +2.8%
Stopped in here too early on a Sunday to be able to buy beer, but I still snuck in and checked out the selection. Located on one of the main streets through Brookline, Trader Joe's has a tiny rear lot that is well-policed. Otherwise you have to hope for some nearby street parking, or walk from a hotel like we did.

The interior is similar to other Trader Joe's. It's a grocery store with a pretty decent wine and beer selection that caters to more upscale products.

The beer selection is decent, as is the norm for this chain. Some regional fare like Geary's is available, as is Stone, Avery, Rogue, Allagash et al.

Service here is dependent upon who you happen to run into. However my requirements for beer knowledge at a grocery store are much lower than elsewhere.

Overall this is a good place to shop for beer in the area. The small liquor stores I either visited or passed did not come close to the variety I found here, nor did they seem to take as much care in stocking and presentation of the beer.
Jun 20, 2007
Photo of morebeergood
Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
I am not a huge fan of going grocery shopping, but if it has to be done, I'd prefer to got to Trader Joe's. There are not many grocery stores in MA that carry any beer as it is, so one that has an OK selection is a bonus. There are a good sized selection of six packs, and about a dozen bombers to choose from. I find the prices here to be very good, such as $5 Ommegangs, Rogues, and Smutty Big Beers. I like that they let you mix and match a sixer too. Shopping for veggies, cheese, and wine is always better when you can pick up a nice beer at the end of your trip.
Apr 23, 2007
Photo of snilsen13
Reviewed by snilsen13 from Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev 0%
You know, I hate to say this, but TJ's is a great place to buy good beers for cheap. I've finally gotten to the Mendecino Red Hawk 12 pack for $12 and, damn, I challange you to find a better beer at $1 a bottle (non sale) in the Boston area. They carry Anchor Steam Liberty too, for $7-8/6 pack. That's two winners. You can buy Smuttynose Big Beers for $4.50. Ommegang ($5-6) and Duvel ($8 22 oz) are excellent. Basically, they have some really awsome brews, just not much selection. So, I appreciate what they've done immensely, large distribution craft beer for cheap.

Selection is limitted to about 50 options, so it won't be the only place you shop, but you should try it if you don't object to shopping chains.
Aug 24, 2006
Photo of dbalsock
Reviewed by dbalsock from Vermont

3.3/5  rDev -8.3%
When I lived in Brighton I would come down here for some cheap beer, generally Magic Hat. The selection has improved immensly in the last year or so. I know it's been said... somewhere... but I am so impressed that they don't up the price on singles. It's even more convenient that they have both a singles nook, as well as the option to pull them out of six packs at will. It must be a pain in the ass for them when they have to do inventory, but I'll go out of my way there, and pick up some cheap groceries while i'm at it. Sometimes I get concerned how long the beer has been out and unrefridgerated, but it probably isn't a problem, and I haven't had any bad beers from there yet. The selection is decent, but I can see where they can improve. They have a lot of stuff I don't see in the liquor stores, but it's also not stuff I want to see there, at least very much. I am glad they carry a few Unibroue's and Ommegang, oh and Allagash all for cheaper than the Boston liquor stores.
May 15, 2006
Photo of bjohnson
Reviewed by bjohnson from Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +11.1%
Stopped in to check out their selection as I've heard good things. Was pretty impressed with their stock considering it's a grocery store. Huge wine selection and many people were purchasing cases of wine. Picked up a 6 of Sea Dog ipa and Smutty barleyewine. No need to mention their stock as Nick pretty much covered it. Cheap prices, a few bucks cheaper than I've see at other places. Definately a good place to go if you live in the area. Plus, you can do your beer shopping while you're doing your regular shopping and get good beer! Who doesn't like that!

Service was good. The staff at Trader Joe's always have permasmiles on and will show you where to go if you get lost. I'm not sure they'd be informative though, except on the Trader Joe's beers, which I've never had. They've got a parking lot, so if you're not in walking distance, shoot on over and pick up some good beer at really good prices.
Apr 22, 2006
Trader Joe's - Brookline (501) in Brookline, MA
Place rating: 3.6 out of 5 with 23 ratings