Southampton Beer Store Holds Weekly Tasting Event

Bobby Clark from Weyerbacher Brewery was on hand at The Beer Store in Southampton on Saturday afternoon, offering samplings of some of the Easton beer maker's seasonal and year-round microbrews.

"They're definitely a brewery that puts their imagination up to task," said Clark, who recently began working for Weyerbacher. "I can't say I've ever really been disappointed with any beer I've had from them."

Clark had quite a crowd gathered around the small table he'd commissioned for the afternoon's sampling.  Empty beer bottles and small plastic cups were strewn about, as patron after patron lined up to try each of the brews Clark was serving up.

The clear favorite amongst the crowd: the Weyerbacher Blanche, a mild, light, Belgian beer that Weyerbacher makes available from April through July.      

Some people were there specifically for the tasting, but most were there simply to buy beer.  The tasting was just an added bonus.

For Darren Patel, owner and manager of The Beer Store,  this is just business as usual.  

With additional stores in Northeast Philadelphia, Patel has been in the industry for five years now.  His goal is a simple one: to bring his love of fine beers to as many people as he can.  It's part of the reason he hosts tastings every week. The Southampton location, which opened the first week of September, is his newest venture.  And people in the area seem to be taking to the idea.  

“Everybody that walks in here is kind of shocked by the selection,” said Patel.

Truth be told, it is a bit overwhelming at first.  

“Just start at the front of the store and work your way back,” was one employees advice on where to even begin.    

The shelves and refrigerators are lined with single bottles and six packs of some of the strangest beers you’ve probably never seen before.  All the big regional craft breweries are represented - Yards, Troegs, Victory, Dogfish Head, River Horse, etc.  But with more than 2,000 beers to choose from, you probably can’t do much harm trying something truly obscure.

“This is just a great place,” said Beer Store regular, Marek Bursztynski, as he pondered the merits of a $15 pint of Horny Devil Ale.  “It’s the only store around here that has anything like this - it’s a beer drinkers heaven.”

Of course, if you don’t care to grab a six pack and run, The Beer Store has a bar in the back and you’re more than welcome to pull up a chair and while away the afternoon sipping on an exotic draught.  

With 9 taps to choose from, and different beers slotting in and out every day, there has to be something that will grab your taste buds.  Chances are you won’t find Miller Lite or Coors on tap here though.

“Some of them are very limited, very expensive beers,” said Patel of what was usually being served behind the bar. 

Oh, and if you’re hungry - they have that covered too.  Their kitchen boasts a wide selection of pub fare - wings, fries, poppers, and mozzarella sticks to name a few.  Hey - if you’re going to drink a few hundred calories, why not just go the whole 9 yards, right?

Patel says new beers are coming into the store daily.  The Beer Store website has a running counter totaling the growing selection.  Currently that counter stands at 2,254.

You’re not going to get a $10 case of P.B.R. at The Beer Store, but don’t let the prices deter you.  Good beer is worth a few extra bucks and Patel is committed to keeping his rates competitive.

“You can look around all you want,” he said.  “But you won‘t find better prices than this on high quality beers.”