Whole Foods Market, Alexandria (Old Town)

May 21, 2008
This store was considerably smaller than the Fair Lakes Whole Foods, and is more comparable to the Milwaukee Whole Foods, which is also in an urban setting...so perhaps there is a smaller store format for built-up areas and a larger one for suburban areas. Anyhow, the smaller store size didn’t do anything to enhance the store’s beer selection, and also this store lacked the hot/cold lunch options of the Fair Lakes store. I was not really impressed. This store did not seem to offer a tremendous number of brands that were not also readily available elsewhere.

April 6, 2008
I was in Alexandria for a conference and my hotel was two blocks away, so I skipped lunch and decided to check it out. I’m a big fan of this type of grocery store and deplore their scarcity in my neck of the woods. I still remember my first visit to WFM in Vienna a couple of years ago and how I was flabbergasted by the selection. This store didn’t come close to that experience, in fact, nothing really popped out and made me go ‘wow’, but there were plenty of old favorites I was more than happy to get to know again, like Stone, Bear Republic and Ommegang. I was disappointed that there was no Cantillon to be found, but not as much as my work colleague that joined me, who recently had his first taste of lambic and was dying for more. Some interesting imports were a tad pricey. Six dollar Orval is double what I pay back home. But the US micros were in the usual price range. For what it’s worth, there were a few interesting wines in that isle too, but I decided to stick to Beer. While this location doesn’t merit to make a 20-mile detour to visit, its’ central location is great if you’re ever in this picturesque town.

February 16, 2008
Beer selection was pretty good although, as mentioned below, many were six packs only. The two Ommegang beers and St Georgen Kellerbier I bought were enjoyable.

December 19, 2007
Since Jim works here now, this store has become the Va. flagship store for beer. Jim is always courteous and willing to help. Selection is better than most any other Whole Foods. I’ll be going back on a regular now that Jim works there.

September 13, 2007
Very helpful service. Person stocking checked in the back for any six packs that he had that were not cold as I was traveling. He did not have what I wanted warm, but helpful nevertheless. Decent selection of good beers. Great Bells selection.

January 13, 2007
Decent selection, but even the cheaper, regular grocery stores in the area are starting to stock many of the beers they have here. Service was good, as a person stocking the area asked if I needed any help. Clean.

January 1, 2007 [ Updated January 6, 2007 ]
Best beer selection in the area that I’ve found. Regularly stocks new and seasonal brews. Few if any single 12 ouncers for sale. Easy access from metro and free parking in under-store garage.

October 16, 2006
I’ve been to many a Whole Foods in the last few years - this one probably rivals Austin as having the best beer selections so far. Dozens of east coast micros - even found DFH Raison D’Extra - first time seeing this. Dozens of bombers and lots of Belgiums. Could have a few more single 12 ozers - but the world does not revolve around us beer geeks I realize. Quick jaunt from the King St Metro stop - hint - head to the left and look for Duke St.

October 1, 2006
Pleasantly located right behind my hotel near the King St metro station. Whole Foods always has a better than average lineup of frosty bottles and I even found a couple new singles to take back to the room.