Pinky & Pepe's Grape Escape

Store

223 Kentlands BLVD
Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878
United States

(301) 869-9463 | map
pinkyandpepes.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.28
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
7
pDev:
31.4%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of daliandragon
Reviewed by daliandragon from Maryland

3.06/5  rDev -6.7%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5
So, weird story about this place. I came in when I first moved to MoCo and realized you can't buy beer in supermarkets, which was a major buzzkill. I was shocked by the high prices and didn't come back. Turns out, while they are still high, the local prices were way higher than I was used to in my previous locale. A few months later my wife got me a $40 gift card to this place for my birthday.

I went in to use it up. The selection is only okay. It's more of a wine place. They have music on the weekends but if I'm going to a bar, I will generally go to a bar. I found some reasonable stuff since I wasn't worried about the price with the gift card in tow. Pinky rang me up at the register. When I handed her my gift card she looked at it quizzically. Over the next five, uncomfortable minutes, I stood there as she tried unsuccessfully to get her own gift card to work in her own register. Eventually she implied that it was a forgery or I was trying to pull some chicanery. Finally she figured it out and rang me up. I don't go here much now, even though it is super convenient. Why? Oh, no reason.
Mar 13, 2017
Photo of Crveballin
Reviewed by Crveballin from Maryland

1/5  rDev -69.5%
I used to come to this place to pick up a 6 or 12 pack before my monthly card game in the Kentlands. Sadly I stopped going nearly a year ago around Thanksgiving. I took my brother there after our family Thanksgiving to check to see what they had in. Walking around the place, I could feel the owner's (Pinky) eyes on the back of my head the entire time. After looking through the beer selection, she finally asked me if she could help me with (with attitude in her voice). I asked if they got any Lagunitas Sucks in and she said "No." Then when asked if there was any update on getting taps in, she said "eventually." Finally she said "I have seen you two in here before. What store do you work for?" Ummm Well lady, you have seen me in here because I used to buy beer from you. We used to sit out with other Kentlands familys out on the "patio" when our kids were still stroller bound. Not any more. She then proceeded to follow us out of the store and stare at my brothers car until we left the parking lot.

Sad because Pepe seems like a genuine nice guy. I won't go here again on principle.
Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by TheMudMonkey from Maryland

Aug 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Beer4MyBrajs from Maryland

Mar 12, 2014
Photo of bum732
Reviewed by bum732 from Lesotho

3.68/5  rDev +12.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Situated near where i live in the Kentlands right next to Giant grocery store. Fairly small store but spacious at the same time. Definitely geared more towards wine with multiple deli fridges near the back. There is also a shelf holding a bunch of bombers and six-packs. Surprisingly, lots of good options, locals as well as West coast breweries. Stone, Dogfish Head, Flying Dog, Sierra Nevada, ect. I actually spotted some 120 min. DFH there, which brings me to my problem with the store.

Much like any liquor in Montgomery County, outrageously expensive. One bottle of DFH 120 was $19. That should say enough about the prices at this store. Love the selection, but i find it very difficult to pay prices like that, even if it is the Kentlands.

They also have a small outdoor patio area where you can drink wine and beer. Havn't been there when they've had live music or even people drinking outside, but could be fun, maybe i'll check it out some time. All in all, solid selection, but very pricy.
Jul 19, 2011
Photo of Bradthoc
Reviewed by Bradthoc from Nevada

3.54/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3
My wife and I stumbled into this place one afternoon back in December 2010, just after their opening the month before. Pinky and Pepe (husband and wife team), obviously pet names for each other, are very passionate about wine (Pinky) and beer (Pepe). Both are friendly individuals, with a friendly staff, that will gladly help you find something you might be looking for, or interested in, and just talk to you and answer questions if they are able to. I have heard that Pepe only brings in A or higher rating beers (based on Beer Advocate reviews) but I cannot confirm this. I'm assuming this doesn't apply to the small selection of Coors, Michelob, and Budweiser selection in the rear.

The name definitely suggests that the place is geared more towards the wine side of things, and I'd say this is true.
The front of the store consists of a large sitting area with oak barrels made into tables, a wine tasting bar, and an Eromatic wine dispenser which rotates out 3 whites and 3 reds from the store, keeping them at the correct temperature as suggested by the winery. This machine is activated by a card which tracks your purchases and you pay before leaving. A little pricey, a half glass serving of red or white will cost you $6.

The beer consists of mostly craft/international with a small area designated for the domestic drinkers in the far back corner. As the reviewer before me suggests, this place is indeed pricey, safe to say overpriced. The craft brew selection is your "typical" favorites from the region, and some well known national ones. You've been warned though, the prices are more than you'll pay at some other places.

However, this place does invite you to drink a beer or glass of wine while you browse, and sit down to enjoy cheese and meat trays (have not had), and on Friday and Saturday nights enjoy live music. We've been here several times during the live music sessions. The crowd is a lot of the same individuals each night and can be quite obnoxious (older mid-life crisis women drunk off wine), along with the mediocre music. You do meet some interesting people though and those who love to talk beer.

We'll continue to go back, but for the prices, not as much as we would like to.
Mar 18, 2011
Photo of hurleyjd
Reviewed by hurleyjd from Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
This place has a large sitting area where you can enjoy a bottle/glass of wine, or a beer. The name hints that this place is more geared to wine drinkers and that is also supported by the fact that the beers are in the back of the store and if you didn't walk all the back you would miss all of the domestics they have. The selection is ok, nothing special. They tried to throw in some decent beers, but saying they are overpriced is an understatement! I'm not talking a dollar or two. For example, a bottle of Rogue Dead Guy Ale can usually be bought for around $7-$9 depending where you are in the area. Here? I believe it's $16.99. And it goes on from there. The prices are awful, the selection is ok, but I'd stick with Magruders down the street.
Feb 25, 2011
Pinky & Pepe's Grape Escape in Gaithersburg, MD
Place rating: 3.28 out of 5 with 7 ratings