Tucked away in a humble strip mall, Bobby's Liquors is a craft beer oasis. This unassuming shop boasts a brew selection that will impress even the snobbiest of connoisseurs. They've got beers from well-regarded California breweries like Green Flash and Speakeasy as well as imported European award-winners like the Norwegian "living beer" specialists Nogne O, makers of the Two Captains Double IPA. Bobby's boasts more than 300 varieties of Belgian style, IPA, and dark ale. They also offer the highly regarded Pliny the Elder—one of over 100 keg options. As far as stores next to an Adult DVD shop go, this place has a top-notch selection.

This sizable shop has been catering to the needs of the thirsty private schoolers of Santa Clara University. Located just beyond the fountain in the quaint Franklin Square, half the place features the typical munchies of a convenience store and the other half offers a bountiful selection of more than 500 craft beers. They recently picked up some specials from Flat Tail brewery including the Cyanide and Hoppiness Apricot IPA and El Guapo, a blonde infused with cucumber, lime, and habaneros. To celebrate summer, they knock 10 percent off all craft beers on Sundays, and they frequently add to the selection—posting the new additions to their regularly updated Instagram page.

ISO Beers is aptly named because beer is all they do. This specialization enables them to offer an extremely wide selection of on-tap brews alongside a well-stocked fridge of bottled options. ISO Beers does double duty as a clean, modern and minimalist tasting bar, where no food is served, but you can BYO from nearby Ike's, Angelou's or Mexico Bakery and enjoy it on ISO's shady, stylish patio. With choices ranging from Fieldworks' Hot Chocolate Mexican Export Stout to Bocker Cuvee De Jacobins Rouge—which is aged in French cognac barrels for 18 months—it is the perfect place for obscure tastes.

Operating out of what looks like a quaint white house in San Jose's Japantown, Kelly's has been whetting whistles since 1938. So, in their own words, "they must be doing something right." They feature broad selections from well-regarded craft breweries like Rogue, Flying Dog and Russian River. Plus, they have a special focus on top-rated choices, often stocking the legendary Pliny the Elder, the fruity and crisp Sculpin IPA, and Supplication, which ages in Pinot Noir wine barrels with sour cherries for a whole year. Their Facebook page rolls with photos of their newest additions and features a charmingly sacrilegious "Beer Prayer."

In middle school, you asked nerds to help you find the right answer. In adulthood, you ask nerds to help you find the best beer. Jane's offers over 500 craft brews and their knowledgeable crew is more than capable of guiding you to your perfect match, or matches. They have a dizzying array of domestic brews, and a ton of imported stuff, including several dozen offerings from Belgium and a choice or two from lesser-hailed countries like Japan, Italy, and Norway. Each week, their "friendly neighborhood beer geeks" pick four of their favorites, and they constantly replenish their wares with fresh varieties, ensuring you never have to drink the same thing twice, unless you want to.

This Palo Alto haven for ritzy booze has been open since 1974, though the ownership changed last year. Staffed by the friendly and informative Bobby and Justin, this joint offers many rare selections of not just beer, but wine and scotch too. Operating under an inviting, tie-dye colored sign, this one-stop liquor shop has carries 30-racks of cheap domestics for drinking games and the elusive rare beers for when your impossible-to-please, out-of-town visitors are looking for something special. The owner, Bobby, graduated from Berkeley, but he's more than happy to help Stanford students find what they want while still hoping their football team loses.

Specializing in local craft beers, this low-key hangout is perfect for shooting the breeze with friends or enjoying the big game. Their fridge-lined walls offer 400 varieties from around the world, and they have 16 taps hooked up to a rotating cast of seasonal and limited releases, meaning you'll get to try something new every time. Their top-seller is the beer flight which goes for $7.50 and lets you sample four different beers, sours, or ciders. Their focus on the brands and styles of the region means you'll get an education on the fine brewing being done in our own state.

You've got to give the people what they want. Spread does just that, offering artisanal sandwiches with over 200 varieties of bottled beer, including niche varieties like the Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer, which leaves an unexpectedly pleasant fruity aftertaste. Unapologetically hip, this spot sports cozy couches for lounging while you savor their carefully cultivated offerings. A top seller, the Ono, features juicy pork belly, stir-fried bok choy, and a spicy pineapple garlic sauce. They boast ten taps and have great beer deals, hosting happy hour everyday after 5pm, and giving a 40 percent discount to anyone who takes their beers to-go.

The Willows Market has it all. They have high-quality fresh food, a stuffed deli and one of the most impressive selections of craft brews in the entire South Bay. Among their hundreds of choices, they offer some of the rarer varieties from big breweries like the Sierra Nevada Glissade. And you don't need to be limited by bottle size, as many can come in a keg. If you can't find something, Nick, their beer guy, has his number and email posted and will rustle up your preferred variety within a couple of days. The large market also hosts date-friendly events like their "Food Truck Night."