BEER ZOO 219 Portobello High Street, Portobello, Edinburgh EH15 1EU

"Edit of my earlier review - something has changed at Beer Zoo... Hence the reduction from 5 Stars to 3 Stars. I really want to like this place. I really do. Every time I return to the shop I enter with a fresh attitude of "it will be different this time..." But still - every time - surly, uninterested staff who would rather fiddle about on a computer and pay more attention to the music playlist than say hello to customers. In fact, the only interaction was a grumpy, "10 pound mate". Not even a 'thank you' emanated from underneath the brim of his hat. Secondly - I love beer. Hey! I even brew my own beer! Cheers! But seriously, seriously, the prices in this shop have rocketed. I know, I know, duties, imports, etc, I hear you! I know! But really? Some of the pricing is way out of whack when comparing to other retailers. So, dear reader, should you make the trip to Beer Zoo? I still think so. Give it a try. See what you think. Were the staff welcoming, cheery and looking to chat beer? You might find something special from a brewery you've only ever read about in hipster/crusty online beer forums and at a reasonable price. I however, am losing faith. I tend not to visit any other zoos, and I think I may have to extend that rule to include this beery one... Shame."

"If I could give 0 stars I would. Found some beers on my partners 100 beers to try list so ordered them up. A week after placing order the order they informed me one of the beers was out of stock offered a different one or refund. Said I would take the refund, nearly another week later they refund the entire order without talking to me. Then contact me to say most of the ones I’d ordered were out of stock and they had been waiting for them to come back on stock. No contact advising me earlier of this to allow me to decide if I wanted to wait or order from elsewhere. So 12 days after placing my order they tell me they never had the stock in the first place. Appalling service won’t be using them again and wouldn’t recommend them"

"The most staggeringly rude staff member/ branch manager I've come across in more than twenty years, if you feel like being gratuitously insulted then this is the place for you. Complained to the owners but they never bothered to reply. Don't know what the beer is like but I know there are plenty of other places you can go to without the unprovoked sarcasm. Better still take a look at their range online and buy there, it will be cheaper, I checked. No point in supporting a local business when you get treated this badly."

"Brilliant little shop, some of the best German Helles, Lager and Pills to choose from. Shop keeper well invormative. Well worth a visit, I will be back."