Beer House Wine List, And It Shows
Latham · Albany · American
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You're at a brewhouse, and the wine list makes sure you don't forget it. What lands on the table is essentially a greatest hits of grocery store endcaps — familiar labels, nothing challenging, nothing that suggests anyone in the building has spent real time thinking about wine. The beer program is clearly where the love goes.
The list reads like a shortcut: Apothic Red, Dark Horse Cab, Menage à Trois, Josh Cellars — these are checkout-aisle wines that exist because people recognize the bottle, not because they're good. California dominates, with a light nod toward Washington via Chateau Ste. Michelle and 14 Hands. Italy shows up exactly once with Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio and a Chloe Pinot Grigio, neither of which is going to make anyone reconsider their priorities. There are no producers here that signal curation, no regional surprises, no by-the-glass rotation worth tracking.
The by-the-glass program is essentially the whole list poured by the portion — which isn't a compliment when the list is this shallow. Pricing stays low enough that you won't feel robbed, but you're choosing between brands that coast on marketing budgets, not winemaking. If someone at your table insists on wine, it's fine; just don't expect a conversation starter.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $15
Ste. Michelle's Columbia Valley Riesling consistently punches above its price point — it's crisp, has actual character, and costs less than a craft cocktail here. On a list this thin, it's the clearest win.
14 Hands Merlot
At $20, this Washington Merlot is quietly better than its neighbors on the list. 14 Hands works with solid Columbia Valley fruit and the Merlot has enough dark plum and structure to hold its own — easy to overlook when Apothic is shouting from the next line over.
Chloe Pinot Grigio
At $35, this is the most expensive bottle on the list and it's a mass-market Italian Pinot Grigio with a pretty label. You're paying a premium for nothing but positioning — the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling at less than half the price is a more honest drink.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Avocado Egg Rolls
BJ's Avocado Egg Rolls are sweet, fried, and come with a tamarind dipping sauce — that residual sugar in the Ste. Michelle Riesling cuts right through the richness and plays off the sweet-savory sauce without a fight.
❌ The Bottom Line
BJ's is a brewhouse first, and the wine list is an afterthought that confirms it. Come for the craft beers, order a Riesling if you must, and don't let anyone talk you into that $35 Chloe.
Downtown/Clinton Square · Albany · Modern Mexican / Latin-inspired
Ama Cocina isn't a destination wine bar, but it's a Wild Card worth respecting — a food-forward Latin spot that actually thought about its wine list instead of phoning it in. Come for the tacos, order the Albariño, and be pleasantly surprised.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Warehouse District/Riverfront · Albany · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Shaker & Vine is Albany's best argument for the self-pour wine bar format — the markup is shockingly fair, the riverside setting earns its keep, and the list is approachable without being embarrassing. Don't come hunting for rare producers, but do come for a relaxed pour with a view.
Solid Range
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Colonie · Albany · Classic Italian-American
Lombardo's wine list is the culinary equivalent of a comfortable booth — nothing revelatory, but nothing offensive, and it gets the job done alongside a plate of baked ziti. Send a friend here for the food and tell them to order the Barolo if they want to feel like they tried.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse / Lounge
677 Prime Lounge is the wine list equivalent of a perfectly cooked strip steak — nothing surprising, nothing wrong, everything exactly where you expect it to be. If you're in Albany and someone else is buying, order the Silver Oak and enjoy the room; if you're watching your tab, lean on Jordan and don't let them upsell you to Caymus.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Traditional Greek and Mediterranean
Athos isn't trying to build the most ambitious wine program in New York State — it's trying to give you an honest Greek wine experience to go with honest Greek food, and it largely delivers. If you're eating moussaka and lamb in Albany, this is where your glass should be.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Modern American fine dining with Indonesian accents
Yono's is the best wine program in Albany and it's not particularly close — a thousand-label cellar, a sommelier who knows it, and a room built for the occasion. The markups are real and the by-the-glass list plays it safer than the cellar deserves, but if you're willing to lean on the staff and spend a little, this is one of the more serious wine experiences in upstate New York.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Southwest / Time Corners · Fort Wayne · American
Catablu is exactly what it needs to be for its neighborhood — a reliable, thoughtfully maintained list that won't embarrass you on a date night or bore you entirely. It's not a destination wine list, but it's a solid supporting act for a kitchen that clearly takes food seriously.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Otay Ranch Town Center · Chula Vista · American
BJ's is a fine place to drink a craft beer and eat a Pizookie. It is not a place to drink wine. Order a Brewhouse Blonde, skip the wine list entirely, and save your wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SanTan Village · Gilbert · American
The Cheesecake Factory is a perfectly fine place to eat — the wine list just isn't a reason to go. Order a cocktail, split a bottle of Santa Margherita if you must, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that earned it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.