One thing to note from any trip to Pennsylvania by a beer fan are some of the strange laws of vending said beverage. Simply put, they try to deter you from doing so by making it difficult and taboo. To buy a six-pack or a 12 pack you have to go to a bar with a sign that says "six to go" or some such thing. Most with the sign looked like they held ammo swaps on Saturday mornings, too. The beer shops you see are only allowed to sell cases of 24. I took a few photos as you can see below but was advised, when I asked if I could take some with the flash, that taking any was illegal according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Maybe the guy was pulling my leg but he went on about the Liquor Board and how it makes doing business impossible. As a result, we have a few hazy photos to work with buy you get the idea that rough planking shelves and bare concrete floors are what you can expect. Asking directions to the nearest at one pharmacy was greeted by the adults who owned the place with all the embarrassment as if I had asked a 14 year old to point out where I might locate the condoms.
That all being said, the friendly folk at the Home Brewers Digest directed me to a few distributors of worth such as these noteworthies:
But depending on where you're coming from, or going, if it takes you along I-78 near Allentown, make a side trip to Emmaus, PA and visit Shangy's. This is THE supermarket of distributors, with sections for cases of beer from all parts of the world. A great place to shop for beer as a kid in a candy store. Google them; it's worth the trip.This just illustrates the point that if you want to know anything in the way of ale location information, subscribing to the HBD is the way to go....
I have to say that there is no place greater anywhere on earth than Shangy's
SHANGYS THE BEER AUTHORITY
40 E MAIN ST, EMMAUS, PA 18049
Phone: (610) 967-6793It is about 75 miles from Hershey and it is worth a 7,500 mile drive. You will never again be at a distrubutor that has this selection of beer. Take a suitcase of cash and leave the car half empty... You will need the space for the beer you buy. C'ya!
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The best beer distributor is about 30 mins away from Hershey in Shiremanstown (near Harrisburg) - selection is huge. If you're like me you'll wander around in there for a while trying to deicide which beers to adopt. Def worth the short drive! In PA you have to buy an entire case at a time unless you buy it from a bar/restaurant where you can get 6 or 12 packs (its quite stupid). One of the best beer selections at a pub is Kclingers. Again, closer to Harrisburg than Hershey but well worth the drive. They have 2 locations, the one in Etters is closer to Hershey and the bigger of the two: 895 Old Trail Road, Etters, PA 17319. They have an impressive food menu and brew some beer in house. Both those places are right off interstates so the drive is pretty easy. Hope this helps. Cheers!
So what did I get? Two great Variety Pack 2-4 of four styles of beer from both Tröegs in Harrisburg and Lancaster Brewing in Lancaster. I have only sipped a few on the road of these and can say that Lancaster's Milk Stout is one of the finest beers I have ever had. Milk Stout is a faded variety that uses lactose, an unfermentable sugar from milk, to give it body and roundness. A generous use of chocolate malt makes for a beer unlike but still reflective of chocolate milk. Sounds weird. It isn't. Think of an iced mocha coffee. It's still better than that. I have three bottles left and I have hidden them.
On the way back I also picked up Yuengling Traditional Lager, a six of Red Hook ESB as well as one of Ithaca Flower Power. I have now had Yuengling Lager, Nut Brown and Lord Chesterfield, the latter at the Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca (Ed.: as illustrated). I have yet to have the pure porter, a style which is the progenator of our dearly beloved Guinness and all other stouts. Founded in 1829 and a survivor of the dark years of prohibition, Yuengling is a gem. I also had a porter at BJ's Steak and Ribs in Selinesgrove on the mighty Susquehanna and home to Susquehanna University. A little research indicates that this was likely contract brewed by The Lion Brewery in Wilkes-Barre, a century old brewery which sits off highway 309. Eastern Pennsylvania is one of the few spots in the world, along with London and the Baltic Sea, that has had continuous porter production since the heady days of the early 1800s when the brewing industry was something like 20% of the English economy and porter was the majority of that.
Travel and history and diversity not to mention a sterile source for and storage of water and carbs, the things of life. Too bad the Pennsylvania Liquor Board spends its time on shame and perhaps the weirdest kiddies page I have seen on the internet.
By the way, cost of declaring 60 beer at the border? $6.63 Canadian as we two adults had a 48 bottle free pass already. The helpful customs man said you can bring in and pay taxes and mark up on 45 litres beyond your personal limit. As there are 2 litres in a six pack, that makes...ummm...5 and a half 2-4s each after a 48 hour trip. At an extra cost of around 12 to 15 bucks at the border, go ahead...import...declare...feel free. Think Lancaster Milk Stout all winter.
Comments
Brian Kicker - December 26, 2004 8:03 pm
I want to try the Pumpkin Ale. Where can I order this from via internet?
David Kelley - June 24, 2005 8:54 pm
True, Shangy has a great selection of beer but go there more than a couple of times and I guarantee you will get skunky beer. Shangy buys in bulk and stores his beer in a warehouse that is not air conditoned or heated. The more obscure and less purchased beer really suffers. I have stopped buying any beer that he distributes from any of the distributors in the area as they have to buy from him and they all say the same thing - that they wish they could get their beer from someone else as they constantly have problems with bad beer and he refuses to take it back. I wish someone would pull there line from him and give him a wake up call I love beer and would like to enjoy the selection that he has but I have repeatedly taken home skunk beer. I finally went to return it when I spent over $150 on three cases of beer and all were bad and he refused to take them back this man is a terrible business man and he has a lock on the market because of the crazy laws in Pennsylvania.
Joe Reed - September 6, 2005 12:02 pm
I realize this is an old post, but David Kelley is correct. I once lived only a couple of miles away from Shangy's, and can vouch for the quality problems.
Alan - September 6, 2005 12:25 pm
Interesting. So far I am most impressed by the Finger Lakes Beverage Center in Ithaca which has masses of quality and quanity and good price because it is both a wholesaler and a retailer. A tiny big box.
Alan - December 7, 2005 10:38 am
Things are changing in PA.
Mike Kaas - January 7, 2006 1:28 pm
If folks are having problems with skunky beer at Shangy's in PA and getting no satisfaction from the distributor, try contacting the beer manufacturer, after all it's their reputation and sales at stake.
Andy - March 2, 2006 12:39 am
Pennsylvania has a very rich history when it comes to its original tasting beer. Being a native of Northeast Pennsylvania, I’ve had the pleasure of growing up with many of them. Shangy’s absolutely offers these great native beers and many others? They arguably have the biggest selection of beers in the area. It’s worth the trip, especially if you’re looking for some exotic beers. Expand your beer horizons! I see there have been some questions about quality. I haven’t run into any problems when buying beer at Shangy’s, but I suppose it’s bound to happen every once in a while when there are so many international beers. Like I said before, its worth the trip to check it out. Happy Beer Drinkin’.
Nell Caulfield - March 5, 2006 10:15 am
Shangys...it just doesnt get any better! Over 3,000 beers, and the best prices I have ever seen. Their staff is always extremely helpful, and the stock is always fresh....I have NEVER seen any out of date beers...well not yet anyway. Thus I whole hearted DISAGREE with the posting from redporsch. It should further be noted that our beer club has purchased nearly 60 cases a month from Shangy's for the last 3 years and NEVER had any issues.
Here's to Mr. Shangy for giving us the BEST BEER STORE IN AMERICA!
Alan - March 5, 2006 10:41 am
Good to hear.
Rick - August 1, 2006 9:47 am
I agree that Shangy's has the greatest variety of bulk brew that I have ever seen in one place. However, of the 6 cases I bought there last Thursday, one was a severely skunked case of GBX Malt Liquor from Minnesota Brewing. It sounds like trying to return it there from here in Levittown (PA) would be a waste of time and gas, judging from the comments above. As a beer can collector, I must admit that the $9.99 case price warranted buying the product, if only to acquire the cans. I think that the suggestion about contacting the manufacturer would be my best next step, in this case.
Bob Weiss - August 14, 2006 10:17 am
I live in PA , but was never at Shandy's.
I once bought a case of Hop Hazard (River Horse Brewery) in MD.
It was the most skunky beer that I had ever tasted.
I contacted the Brewery, and they sent me a
fresh case in the mail.
It was one of the best beers that I have ever had.
Grant - November 20, 2006 5:59 am
Just to let everyone know, the Kclingers in Etters closed it's doors back in mid June. Apparently the one in Hanover is still in operation. Another great place is the: Brewhouse Grille, 2050 State Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 (717) 737-0030. They have a great selection of bottled beers and they're always rotating many great beers on tap. Furthermore, there is also: Market Cross Pub, 113 N Hanover St.,
Carlisle, PA 17013-2422. Also a great place for beer drinkers.
Cheers
Varsi Padayachee - November 30, 2006 1:21 pm
Do you carry Castle Lager, Windhoek and Castle Milk Stout?
Walter Heim - December 4, 2006 11:59 am
I'm lookinf for a beer outlet in the Reading area witch has a very large stock of imported beers.
Matt - February 20, 2007 10:12 pm
Check out MacGrady's pub on the south side of bethlehem, in eastern pa. they have 40-ish beers on tap, and tuesday nights 2.50 wings $3 domestics and $6 import and microbrews.
Another nice six pack shop is Jerry's Deli, on the border of Allentown and Bethlehem on Union blvd. They do 12 packs, mix and match and single 22oz bottles and 40's.
Kenny G. - April 12, 2007 12:48 pm
Looking for places near Bethlehem, PA where I can buy a six pack of 6 different beers as I like to sample before I buy a whole case. I'm familiar with Gerry's Deli, Abe's six pack and the six pack shop on Broiadway in Bethlehem, but I'm always looking for new places for perhaps different available beers.
Emacee - December 15, 2007 4:23 pm
I live in Pennsylvania and I have lived in or worked in New York, New Jersey and Delaware, as well. I am a huge fan of Pennsylvania's beer stores. Beer by the case in Pennsylvania is one of the great bargains available. The beer stores have a much better selection than you'll find in grocery stores, convenience stores or liquor stores in other states. The places look like warehouses (inside and out) but the staff is generally helpful and they are usually beer lovers, too. I only wish I could try a new beer without having to buy a whole case, but many of the regional breweries do offer sampler cartons in PA beer stores.
The practice of selling six packs in bars and delis dates back to the old days when you'd take your bucket down to the corner tap room for draft beer to go. I wish they still did but beer by the six pack is usually a major rip-off.
Jim Becker - September 6, 2008 11:21 am
Where can I see a map or list of all beer distributors in PA?
JayZeis - August 11, 2010 3:28 pm
Sorry for posting on an old blog post, but if you ever get through Selinsgrove again, you have to go to the Selin's Grove Brewpub. Definitely worth the trip. The beer is spectacular.
Alan - August 11, 2010 4:53 pm
No problem - sounds good.