Inari Wines

Store

39 Piedmont Ave
Bristol, Virginia, 24201-4160
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.21
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
10
pDev:
10.21%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jokelahoma:
Photo of jokelahoma
Reviewed by jokelahoma from Missouri

4.65/5  rDev +10.5%
Stopped in because I was in Bristol on business, and wanted to take home beers that aren't available back in Kansas. I'm glad I did.

I was greeted the moment I walked in by the owner of the place. He helped point me to the beers, and pointed out that they did have some cold as well. He explained to me how their pricing system works (splitting of any six-pack is not only accepted but encouraged, discounts on full sixes and on cases, etc.), and generally did everything he could to make certain I was comfortable in the store. That sort of service is commendable, but it got even better. More on that in a minute. The store was quite clean, nicely laid out, and generally inviting.

The beer selection is not fantastic, but they do bring in a great deal given the space they have to fit it in. I was impressed at the general variety of beers available, from good American micros to both well-known and somewhat more obscure imports. As stated by others, they didn't seem to have a full line of any brewery's product, but they did have a solid representation of those breweries whose beer they carry. I picked up bombers of Stone Ruination and a sixer of Oaked Bastard. At $6 a bomber for the Ruination and $2.25 or so for a 12 oz. Oaked Bastard, I wasn't dropping my jaw in shock. There were also brews from Dogfish, Troegs, Flying Dog and plenty of Rogue, as well as others. Imports were good on the Belgian and English beers.

In talking with the owner, I happened to mention my plans for the beer: Namely, flying it back home to Kansas in my checked baggage. He told me he would be sure to add extra paper wrap to any bottles I had to make certain they survived the trip. When I told him my plan was to go to Wal-Mart to purchase bubble wrap, he asked me to hang on a moment, disappeared into the back of the store for a few seconds, and came out with a decent sized roll of bubble wrap, apparently leftover from earlier shipments. He tossed that in a plastic bag for me to take back to my hotel. That, while a simple thing on the face of it, is an example of the little things that separate adequate customer service from excellent service. If he treats all his customers that way (and based on other reviews I've no reason to believe he doesn't) it more than makes up for a few cents difference in price between this store and their nearest competitor. I certainly appreciated the "above and beyond" gesture.

Overall I was impressed. It's not a huge "beer-mart-o-rama-lama-whoopee!" kind of place. You're not going to be walking the aisles for hours drooling over the one-of-a-kind beer selection. But it's a comfortable place with a decent selection with absolutely perfect service, and you really can't beat that. Seek it out.
May 21, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of theyeastyboy
Reviewed by theyeastyboy from Tennessee

4.6/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Inari Wines is a wine, craft beer and fine food shop in Bristol, VA. The shop is right over the TN border and carries many beers that are not distributed to TN. The beer is stored in a small area but is packed very densely, with a great selection from breweries such as Firestone Walker, Dogfish Head, Stone, Allagash, The Bruery, Ballast Point and many more. The husband and wife that own this shop are two of the nicest people you'll meet and are great at offering suggestions if you have them, but are not at all invasive during your shopping experience. Overall, this is one of my favorite bottle shops and I make a pit stop by every time I'm in the area.
May 30, 2013
Photo of BrewMichigan
Reviewed by BrewMichigan from Michigan

4/5  rDev -5%
I visited this place on my way back from the Nascar race in Bristol Tn. I found it because of this site and decided to pick up some things I can't get in Michigan.

The selection is small but what they have is great. The shop seems better suited for wine than beer but I did pick up a few good ones.

I picked myself up some Smuttynose IPA, Troegs Nugget Nectar, Old Foghorn BW, Green Flash Hop Red, Brooklyn Monster, and a couple other regional beers I can't get in Michigan.

All in all this seems like the best place in the area for beer.
Mar 23, 2009
Photo of nick76
Reviewed by nick76 from Florida

4/5  rDev -5%
If you are in the Bristol area this is the best place to get your quality beer. They have a great selection considering the small store and the out of the way location. They carry a lot of beers I can't get in Florida. I also like the couple that runs the place. They are always helpful and know a lot about alcoholic beverages and food in general. The prices can be a tad high on the new stuff that comes in but the older stock gets deeply discounted. I always stop in when I am in town and I never walk out empty handed.
Nov 28, 2008
Photo of Sponan
Reviewed by Sponan from Tennessee

3.15/5  rDev -25.2%
Update: had to up my rating a little. They seem to have done a pretty good job of keeping stock fresh, although there are still a few beers that are out of date. Maybe they will discover discounting out of date beers to get rid of them. Also, they have a few more limited release beers. Still think the A- rating the store has is quite high, as beer occupies about 1/4 of a small wine shop. 100 beers tops, and most are regular releases.

Also bumped the service, as a friend wanted to order a beer and they did not make him buy the entire case.

The prices here are a bit high, and I was not impressed by the selection. Nothing special here. They get beers from a fair selection of breweries, but typically only carry one or two offerings. No full lines.

Quality - This was a problem. I came in for the Smutty and Troegs, which I can't get in my usual haunts in TN/NC. Wanting some Smutty Robust Porter. The problem - bottled 11/07. Awfully long time to shelve a 5.7% beer. Saw the Unibroue was on sale. Same thing. I saw Best By 01/08 dates on a number of the botles.

Service - This is a mixed bag. The owners are very friendly and the customer service is excellent. But they don't know beer. To me, being able to answer questions about the beer is part of the package.

The selection was not bad, but I had to knock it because a fair amount was out of date. I was afraid of the British beers, as the clear bottles were sitting on the shelf next to the window.

Prices were higher than I have seen on a lot of the beer. Don't make a trip for this place, but if you don't have anything else that is close it might be worth a shot.

Contrary to other posts, you can find most of the beers they stock (with the exception 0f the Troegs and Smutty) at a number of places in the area. I picked up some Rochefort 10 and DFH 120 not 20 minutes from here.
Aug 16, 2008
Photo of ahatcher78
Reviewed by ahatcher78 from Florida

4/5  rDev -5%
I was in Bristol for a concert, and decided to check this place out. It's about a block off of State Street, and pretty easy to find. I was greeted as soon as I came in the door, and was told If I needed help to just let them know. The beer selection was pretty good for the area. It reminded me a lot of Vintage Cellar in Radford. The store was clean, and the bottles were free of dust so that was nice. I picked up a few mixed sixers for the evening. Everything was clearly marked with price, and there's a discount for buying in "bulk." The staff was extremely courteous, and seemed to know most pf the people coming in the store to shop. I was pleasantly surprised by this shop, and will make it a point to stop again when I'm in the area.
Jul 14, 2008
Photo of ernpac
Reviewed by ernpac from Tennessee

4.7/5  rDev +11.6%
I have been a long time customer with Inari. Their personal service, first name basis treatment of most of the people I see come in the door and good selection make them one of the top stores in the area. They specialize in Wine and gourmet food. Their foods are top notch, from my samplings. Their wine choices are fantastic. There beer selection is great for this area. Nowhere else can I get Troegs, Belhaven and Stone offerings in the Bristol/Kingsport/Johnson City area in one location. They do a great job of ordering and procuring beers they have available but not in stock. Some friends and I requested Maredsous 10 and 8 from them and within 2 weeks, they had 2 cases and now have it stocked for us regularly. I have not been very many better places overall with this type of service!
Jul 05, 2008
Photo of AleDrinkToThat
Reviewed by AleDrinkToThat from Tennessee

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
Quality - A very nice, quiet wine & specialty beer store in downtown Bristol, VA. They obviously specialize in wines, but their craft beer selection is entirely unsurpassed in the area. They also sell cheeses and lots of extra gift items like glassware. On Saturdays they do wine tastings with different cheeses and breads, and that's about the loudest and most crowded it ever gets in there. If one gets there early, they'll even let someone choose a beer to crack open for a tasting. For serious beer lovers, it's a very peaceful atmosphere.

Service - The couple who own/run the store are very unobtrusive, but very willing to help if requested. As I said, they run a pretty quiet store, but they're very polite and love anyone who shares a passion for good wine and quality beer. They are more wine-oriented and aren't as much into hoppier beers, but they love the malt bombs!

Selection - For the area in which they're located, the selection is fantastic. No, you won't find Bell's, FFF, Victory, Great Divide, or Great Lakes there, but they've got Smuttynose, DFH, Troegs, Rogue, SN, FD, Left Hand, Stone, North Coast, Brooklyn Brewery, Anchor, Breckenridge, R.J. Rockers, French Broad, Green Flash, and a few others. They don't have full lines, but typically anywhere from 4-12 varieties per brewery.

Belgium - Most Trappist breweries (except Achel and Westy), Val-Dieu, Duchesse, St. Bernardus, Duvel, Corsendonk, Leffe, Caracole, and a few others I can't recall.

UK - Sam Smith, Fuller's, Young's (Dbl. Choc. only), Tetley's, Boddington's, McEwan's, Old Speckled Hen, Beamish, and several other Scottish/Irish varieties.

Germany - Ayinger, Spaten, Tucher, Paulaner, Doppel-Hirsch, and a few others. German selection not as big.

Canada - Unibroue.

There are also several beers from Asia, Eastern Europe, and Australia.

Value - It's a mom n' pop wine/beer store, so the prices aren't quite as low as they are in bigger, more commercial stores. But they're not ridiculously high. I've found them to be on the more reasonable side of pricey.

Very nice store all around.
Mar 31, 2008
Photo of Enola
Reviewed by Enola from North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
I first tried to visit this place several months ago but it was closed. I was impressed with the selection. I guess there is not as much here as other places but it is stuff I don't see much of here in NC. The beers are for the most part on shelves in the back of the store. The staff were very freindly and helpfull. This place allows you to break sixers which I think is outstanding. I will return here when in town. There was a good selection of Belgiuns and Troegs. There were a few beers in the coolers but not many. They also carry wines, chocolates, spices among other things. I reccomend this place to anybody passing through Bristol.
Mar 25, 2006
Photo of mntlover
Reviewed by mntlover from Tennessee

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
This is the best place in the area for good beer selection they only carry good beer. They carry Troegs only ones in the area I was told they will be getting some Mad Elf this winter. They didn't last year because they just opened can't wait to try it. They also get Sierra Nevada's seasonals something also new for our area can't wait for the Celebration Ale. They carry good selection of German and Belgian brews. Selection is the best in the area and increasing when they can. The service is great the owner is trying to improve selection, main problem is distributers in this area don't carry much and the good distrbuters in Richmond only go as far south as Blacksburg. If you are in the Bristol area this is the place to go.
Jul 23, 2004
Inari Wines in Bristol, VA
Place rating: 4.21 out of 5 with 10 ratings