Whole Foods Market - Los Altos

Whole Foods used to be great, until about a year ago, they deemphasized craft beer. They still have lots of good beer, but mostly in 4 packs or large bottles, which aren’t the best for rating. I visited this Los Altos store today hoping they would be an exception, but they are the the same.

Meh. It's a Bay Area whole foods. Beer is by the butchers counter. I feel like Whole Foods has lost its fastball a bit in terms of having really cutting-edge beer selection. There is some Russian River stuff here though if you're hunting for it, but you can find Russian River at so many better places nowadays.

Visited June 9, 2013.

On El Camino right across the street from Artisan Wine Depot. Beer selection isn’t bad at all. All the California staples like Green Flash, Speakeasy, Ballast Point, and Lost Abbey but also some Italian and Japanese imports and some Deschutes. Park here, check out the beer selection, and then go across the street and check out Artisan as well. They also have a section for Sake and for Kombucha if you’re interested. Bumped in to the "beer specialist" and he was friendly and made a couple of suggestions.

Not quite as good as the Cupertino store IMO, but still a decent place to find good beer. Selection varies, but there are usually a ton of 99’s and 100’s on the shelves.

This place is pretty solid for a Whole Foods, even if it still hasn’t come near the NYC location that had Melange #3 ON TAP. Ramon, the beer buyer, is a good guy who is into the local BA scene. Very knowledgeable and helpful as far as beer goes, and he has definitely improved the beer selection here. They now sell many bottles in singles and have been getting more and more fairly rare stuff in. Prices are good and they sometimes have great sales. Firestone 13 for $20, Black Xantus for $8, fairly fresh Pliny for under $4. Awesome. Other than the beer aisle, this is your typical yuppie haven like every other Whole Foods, but if you’re from around the area, this should definitely be on your short list of beer stops.

Great place to find good beer and food. You can buy singles.