BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Albany
Beer House Wine List, And It Shows
Latham · Albany · American
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
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.
Selection Deep Dive
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.
By the Glass
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.
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