Wish I had taken pictures but it's an awesome setup for cold beers and bottles of wine. I was focused on the beers and their instore availability, online shopping inventory, and Untappd beer lists were all in sync. Made it super easy to find unique beers that I hadn't had. Prices were 2026 reasonable - but don't I wish beer prices would return to 2006 :) Prices listed on the shelves showed the singles price which was awesome and you can break apart 4-packs to grab a solo can. Overall a great experience and one that I'll revisit with future trips to the Berkeley / Albany area! read more

Great variety, and helpful staff recommendations. I like that you can buy everything as a single so you can really try a lot of different cans. Staff are always nice, which was exemplified tonight when the 2 men working helped me out when an odd stranger was following me and trying to talk to me. I've never had this happen on Solano before, but they readily kept an eye out and made sure I got to my car safely, which I appreciated. read more

A spectacular beer shop with an unrivaled selection of unique and rare choices. When it comes to getting your hands on the tastiest and rarest brews, you won't find a better spot in the east bay. They're also super friendly and personable - especially Jesse, he's great. Can't recommend enough. read more

You have to go in and see their selection. It's stunning. I have been a fan since they were in a shop just across the street and was a regular for tasting at their tasting room. The staff is very well informed and educate you on the various products that they make, and I was really impressed by that. You, this is a go to place whether you're from Albany or nearby town . The product is always above and beyond.. read more

Great selection of beer, clean space, & friendly service. Definitely be back to try other selections.

Wow, I have never seen such a fantastic selection of small craft beers! Helpful, expert service, too. Took home a couple of really nice ones and a case of Pliny the Elder. read more

Ale Tales is a beer bottle store started 2017 on Solano Street in Albany. It is a nice establishment and the ambience is inviting. I was impressed by its very good collection craft beers, in terms of both the selection of high quality beers and the coverage of many beer styles. The staff at the store was also courteous and knowledgeable. read more

Ale Tales - the entrance to the building - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Albany, California

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From NYC to Seattle and the Bay Area, there are few beer distributors with impressive service and selection. Trust in Sam, the knowledgeable and friendly manager to introduce you to your next favorite beer or give you similar beers to your preference. Want lambics? Hazy IPAs? Imperial stouts? This place really has them all. Warning. Before bringing your spouse, warn them that "buying beer" does not equate to $20 for a 12 pack. My wife may have been horrified when I walked out with a 3 fontenein lambic magnum plus a few hazys and a few hundred dollars poorer. read more

Ale Tales - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Albany, California

I have been looking for wine in a can in California ever since YSB17 because it's so hard to find - enter in Ale Tales. Ale Tales is a smaller shop with a breathtaking selection of craft beers and wines in a can. The honey and I enjoy stopping in for him to get a four pack of new beers to try because the service is always friendly and check out is always super quick. I myself had planned to stop in before the Yelp Lake Tahoe event, but alas, my wine in a can hog purchase was waylaid by the fires. However as soon as the event is back on the calendar, you better believe you'll find me here stocking up on weekend libations. Many thanks Ale Tales, for helping connect me with my adored wine in a can once again! read more

One of my new secret beer joints. And I can't tell you where otherwise I know y'all will be buying it all up and I can't let that happen. Ale Tales situated on Solano Ave two blocks east of San Pablo Ave is a treasure for all you craft beer lovers. Seems like a small place but very well laid out fridges for you to look at from a safe distance as you decide on what and how many beers you're planning to buy. Each door or doors has a sign to guide you to what you're looking for. With so many amazing breweries popping up it's really hard to decide but you know what YOLO and try new things. Better yet, ask the gentleman for advice and don't be shy. When ever I'm passing through I always try to make a pit stop and see what new ones I can find. Purchase it and take a stroll up and down Solano Ave sipping on some good refreshing beer as you enjoy the beautiful bay weather. There's so many great restaurants and shops in the area so plan it right and you'll have a fantastic and find yourself coming back here for more beer. read more

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Quite an interesting collection of unique microbrews. Got a lil bit for everyone's palette.

My fiancé has been going to Ale Tales since it was Hopsy. We both have accounts, but he is the regular who is always coming in to see what they have. We have one of those Krups machines at home, so we always buying torps from different breweries around California. They are from craft breweries and have different types; Saisons, IPA's, Hazy IPA's, Pilsners, Sours, etc. Whatever you like. I love having the Krups machine at home, as I can just pour what I want to drink (or cook with) in a glass and it stays cold and fresh. They also have a wide range of specialty bottles and cans in the fridges along the wall. Definitely a great place for someone who likes a selection of fine beer. read more

Great selection of craft beers, along with a great staff who know their stuff! Come through & grab a brew!

Ale Tales sells microcraft beers in the bottle and plastic "torps". torps need to be dispensed in a Krup beer dispensing machine, sold separately. brew: Pelican Brewing Export Stout (22 oz. 7%, 7.99) oregon brewery -surprising strong brew. seldom experienced even in a brewery. hen house, oyster stout, 16 oz. 3.49 -back up in the cooler. on draught: -microbrews from california, west coast. seldom found in liquor stores. read more

This place had been on my radar for awhile now... always looking for local and west coast beers, especially when they keep the rotation fresh. I was impressed with such a great selection! Beers from So-Cal to Alaska breweries. Definitely made for tough decisions. It was helpful with all the selections, that they had them categorized, by style and hoppiness. After much debating, I selected a 4 pack from Laughing Monk and one from Humble Sea, it was great to be able to pick some up without driving to SF and Santa Cruz, both selections are delicious, hazy, and juicy. I was originally in the area, just to pick up some brews from Fieldwork, was glad I checked into how close these two great beer places are. I'm still learning about all the towns in the Bay Area. Albany downtown is definitely a place I want to check out some more, for the restaurants as well. Service was great with any questions. Looking forward to visiting again soon. Cheers! read more

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Ale Tales used to be my jam. The problem is that it has grown incredibly expensive. Recently I grabbed a four pack of IPA from Alvarado, and the total was $32. I was embarrassed when the clerk said the amount out loud. I've also noticed that some of the cans are over a month old, which isn't great for the hoppier varieties. I've switched to purchasing from grocery stores, or when possible, direct from the breweries. Too bad, because this place still has an awesome selection. read more

I honestly don't even drink beer sooooo their non alcoholic beers were a m a zing!! Go there and get the milkshake ipa (non alcoholic) it is so delicious read more

Great spot to stop by, staff on duty was very helpful and knowledgeable on what I was seeking for (IPA). Made recommendations and gave great info. on what to look for. I'd recommend you stop by here if you're in the area. read more

Just been getting into drinking beer again and had no idea this place has been here for a few years. Awesome selection of craft beers with things you will likely not find elsewhere. read more

Excellent slection, friendly, knowledgeable staff, can buy any beer as a single there. Can't go wrong.

Great little shop with a good selection of beers and wines. Overall catering to the beer enthusiast, I'm a big fan! Very nice staff and an easy grab and go. Definitely a spot to find some local beers! read more

This has become one of my favorite stores on earth. Top notch beer selection, friendly staff. Albany is lucky to have this gem!

Bay area folks thought we had it so good when anchor, lagunitas, and pliny came out, our beer choices are intense and vast. The best and freshest quality. Living in the bay area isn't cheap, but its because this is where the best artists create and learn from Each other. We consume the results of their passion. Anywhoo, ALE TALES is where you can get the best of the best without traveling the length of the bay and back. They are available online, for delivery and pick up. It can be pretty overwhelming, all the choices, but of course they are organized and the sales folk are mellow and know the answers to all of your random questions. read more

Ale Tales - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Albany, California

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I love this spot because Fatima is the dopest. Thank you for your excellent customer service and recommendations. You're the best! read more

Ale Tales - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Albany, California

Great variety of local beers, super helpful and knowledgeable staff - clean, simple

Great selection of pilsners. lagers and kolsch. I stop by there once a week, friendly and cool staff.

Fantastic bottle shop, if you want great beer, come here. Alvarado, Moonraker, Grimm, Great Notion etc. If they don't have it, no one does.

Been to this place twice. Has tons of different dank beers of all styles. Has these cool like plastic growlers and even a card program to most likely get a free one after you get 10 (haven't gotten one yet but had a lot of beers from local breweries). Anyways this spot is about four blocks from my house and my new go to spot for interesting beers from all over the states and sometimes internationally. Got a Grimm dessert beer that I had just heard on the podcast Suds, Sips, and Smokes along with the Belgium Mikkeller. Beers are pricy but for quality beers from amazing breweries from all different states and countries it's worth it in my opinion. read more

Ale Tales - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Albany, California

Ale Tales used to be Hopsy and although I'm ignorant as to what happened behind the scenes thankfully they still carry the Torps. Even if you don't know what the hell a Hopsy or a Hopsy Torp is, Ale Tales has a fantastic selection of craft brews in various shapes and forms from the finest breweries in California (and beyond?). In fact, I fully blame Ale Tales, Hopsy, FieldworX, and Adam, for changing my main drinking preference from wine to beer. Shame on all of you!! Oh, and by the way, if you really don't know what Hopsy and a Hopsy Torp/Sub is, you should. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. read more

I went in initially because Hopsy will deliver your order to Ale Tales and you can pick it up there. I did that because I was getting the machine and everything and didn't want to wait for shipping. I was so pleasantly surprised by the store, though. Sam, who I think is the owner is super funny and pleasant and I enjoyed chatting with him! I am seriously one of those people that NEVER leaves reviews, but I loved this place enough to reset my yelp password that I forgot three years ago. He has a whole cooler full of Torps that fit the Hopsy Krups Sub machine. He also has coolers full of hard to find rare beers that the Bevmo around the corner isn't going to carry. Thanks, Sam!!! (P.S.....consider "Alebany" haha!) read more

This place has really gone down hill since Sam left. My recent experiences there have been bad enough to where I won't be coming back. There are much better places in the Bay Area. I hope Sam opens his own shop. read more

Great spot in downtown Albany. Wonderful beer selection and carries my favorite Maitre de Chai vino. Really cool guy working there with lots of advice too. read more

It's my go-to for small batch beer in the east bay. They always have a good selection of hazy IPAs and stouts. Staff have been very nice and helpful. I have gotten solid recommendations when they didn't have my usual Alvarado DIPAs and TIPAs. It's pricy, but you pay for the quality product and the good service. read more

Selection is very good. Especially if you like Russian River. Very friendly and helpful if you want suggestions. Will definitely be going back, probably pretty often at that. read more

Great new bottle shop that seems to get different beer than the other bottle. The also the only legit bottle shop besides bottle craft that has some parking. read more