Justin Lill Wines (Berry Bottle Shop)

Not a bad little bottle shop for a small town. Has a good range of beers most of which seemed to be sold as singles - not that many 4 or 6 packs of local craft beers that I could see.

Stopped in for the first time last week after driving past many and writing it off as just a wine specialist. Glad I finally took a punt following a suggestion in an online audio forum of all places, as their beer selection was great. Quite a lot of Belgians and belgian-styles, most of which you wouldn’t find anywhere on the South Coast, and also a few that I haven’t even been able to find Sydney. Justin was very helpful and we had a good chat about what he had in stock based on my tastes. Not sure if the ’out of date’ comment below was warranted, as all the beers I’m into only get better with age. He had quite a few nice looking Italian beers that he recommended (now waiting in my fridge for the weekend). If you’re passing through Berry or you’re in the nearby area, I highly recommend stopping in and having a chat.

Bought beer from here every time I have been down that way. You are never overly sure what you are going to find. Some local stuff, plenty of UK and a little brittish. Agree with the comment about used by dates. Some stuff on the shelf which woul definately be better in the fridge. Find the guy therea little annoying. Assuming it is Justin. Does think he knows a fair bit about beer but his advice is usually a little odd.

Actually this place is called Justin Lill Wines... I come back here again and again mainly because it’s the only nearby bottlo that stocks anything apart from megaswill. The guy I usually see there would not get any awards for his manner. He never says a word and always looks grumpy. He is obliging though, so probably I shouldn’t judge him so harshly. The second guy who is rarely there thinks he knows a bit about beer but I take his advice with a grain of salt. Beware of use-bys on some of the stock though, there are some beers in the fridge that have been sitting there ever since I started going (over 3 years ago now) I have to give this place a good rating just because noone else stocks the beers I like around here. Update: Dec 2013. Justin has greatly expanded things since my last review and he seems to be in the shop himself more often. Make sure your wallet is well packed though, because the price of imported beer is going through the roof. No longer a problem with best before dates, as the place seems pretty popular these days, which is a good thing for all.

Updated Jan 2010: A worthwhile stop in the beer desert that is the New South Wales south coast. The selection is modest but considered. Justin, the owner-operator, knows his beers and goes out of his way to stock good local micros and international brews. The current stock is heavy on bottled English beers but included a few I hadn’t seen in Sydney. There were also a few Belgians and plenty of Unibroue. Haven’t seen another bottle shop on the NSW south coast with anything like this level of variety. The wine selections are imaginative, too.