Fenwick Beer & Wine

Category:	Beer Store
Address:	1327 Fenwick Ln, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
Phone:	+1 301-650-5770
Site:	fenwickbeerandwine.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 12–7PM

Location

Photos 43

Reviews 11

Brian Kirkland

Lets just get this out of the way: yes, prices on beer can get a bit ridiculous. However, you cant blame the owners...place the blame on the Montgomery County Dept. of Liquor Controls four-tier system. Independent retailers like Fenwick have to buy their stock from the county instead of distributors. By the time it gets into their hands, its already been marked up three times (the brewer, the distributor, and then finally the county). It gets even more expensive if a retailer has to place a special order with the county...its a safe assumption that most of Fenwicks stock is a special order, which means more $$$ out of their pocket, and therefore more $$$ out of yours. You arent paying more because the owners are "greedy" or "making a killing." Youre paying more because its the only way they can keep their business afloat. If paying a couple of extra bucks bugs you that much, dont spend your money in MoCo. Go to DC, VA, or Total Wine or Perfect Pour (even if that means you just spent the money you saved on gas or Metro fare). Sorry for the rant, but it sucks to see an awesome business get slammed for something out of their control. Now for an actual review...I stop in here at least once a week. The six pack selection is very good, but I love the selection of 22oz/750ml bottles. Its a great selection of domestic craft and beer from all over the world. The stock changes frequently, and the owners do a great job of updating new arrivals via Facebook and Twitter. Also, the weekly sales are a steal (currently $6.99 for a sixer of Fat Tire).

A Private User

Great selection, absurd price mark-ups. A really nice beer/wine store with a great selection. I was excited to find one of my favorite brews-Hibernator by Long Trail Brewing Co. at Fenwick Beer & Wine. The price $12.99 a 6-pack, I first thought oh well the expense is probably in the fact that it is such a specialty brew from Vermont, distributing, yadda yadda yadda-WRONG! I bought the same brew at another store for $8.99. A $4 difference, is this really necessary? They also usually run a special for a $6.99 6-pack every week a great deal but I still cannot justify going back to this place until they can bring down the cost on all of the products they have to offer. Also, young customers beware of the horrid service you will receive when older customers are in the store you will be looked upon as 2nd best. Someone let me know when the prices and service to young clientele improve, until then I wont be going back.

A Private User

Wonderful selection of wine and beer. But dont ignore the warnings of overpriced six packs in the other reviews. One of my favorite beers is the Hell or High Watermelon by 21st amendment brewery and its somewhat difficult to find. They carry it. I was very happy. But its $14.99 for a six-pack of cans here -normally $10.99 at a place like Total Wine. This is by no means an isolated case. Most of the beer in this store has a 15-40% mark-up. Its absurd. I want to go back, but I cant justify spending bar prices at a beer store. They must be making a killing. The prices are not on par with anything else in the area.

Robby Frantz

This place is amazing. Its been voted one of the best places to buy beer in the area, and it definitely is. If you know MoCo, you know alcohol control is a sore point for business owners. They manage to get things as SOON as possible in MoCo, they always get the latest and greatest in craft beer, and the recent expansion of the store has allowed them to now serve chilled as well! The prices can tend toward the high side, but not unreasonable. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for craft beer thats hard to find at other places in the county. They also have beer or wine tastings every Friday which is a ton of fun!

William Brown

I also think the owner is great, and I like what hes trying to do. His beer selection is broad, but he doesnt carry much that cant be found elsewhere nearby - for a lot less. Smuttynose beer, for example, is fairly common in area stores for around $9-10 a six pack. At Fenwick, it is $14!! I suspect this is because many of these beers have to be special ordered through the county. The more common (and made-in-Maryland) beers are more competitively priced. Im not as familier with wine prices, so I cant speak to that. Id love to support this business, but not at an extra $4 - $6 a six pack.

Rich Frangiamore

Fantastic selection. I could go back every week for years and still discover new brews. The problem is that because most everything they have must be special ordered through the county, everything is reeeally expensive. Its convenient, and Im all about supporting local businesses, but its almost worth it to drive up to Total Wine in Laurel where I can save $4 per six pack. The service, mind you, is amazing. Because its such a small store, the owner is always around and is always happy to talk to you and make suggestions. Ill be going back, just not every time.

Clifton B

Im here all the time. Absolutely fantastic beer selection. The owner finally managed to get all his permits and the coolers have been installed, so cold beer is available! The tastings on Fridays are a good way to try different things, and the service is great too. If you tell the owner what you like or what youre looking for, he can usually suggest a couple things. As someone else mentioned, yes, prices are a bit high, but its Montgomery Countys fault, not the owners. Youre not going to find most of the beers he has anywhere nearby anyway.

Brian Murphy

Great bottle shop in Montgomery County. This place is great to visit for local beers and wines. Most of the local beers (brewed in Baltimore, Howard Co, Montgomery Co, DC, and No VA) are self distributed so they are very fresh. A lot of the other beer selections youll need to check the date on the bottles, because they could have been on the shelf for a while. Very friendly staff who will help you find anything.

Amy Cochran

Fenwick beer and wine has a pretty good, moderately priced beer and wine selection for a location of its eyes. Its pretty small, but its meant to serve the neighborhood. They always have something new and interesting to try, plus a good selection of local microbrews. Everyone there is helpful and friendly, and the owner has even offered to see if she can order a beer for me that they didnt carry.

Clive L

Good selections comes with a cost. They have a lot of crafts to choose from, including quite a bit of imports. But everytime I walk in to pick something up I know I am overpaying... I still go once a while because they are so close to me but thats only when I really feel like getting some new or trying something thats not available elsewhere but got little time to shop for it.

A Private User

Customer service from this place is great. It shows they want to be in this community. They seem to have a nice selection and also sell local Montgomery County cheese. The selection of beers is pretty good, and those complaining about prices are mistaken as to what can be found in the other local places.