Westy's Beer Distributor

Westy's Beer DistributorWesty's Beer Distributor
Westy's Beer DistributorWesty's Beer Distributor
Store

420 Saint Johns Church Rd
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, 17011-5735
United States

(717) 737-2621 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.43
Reviews:
52
Ratings:
64
pDev:
12.64%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JohnnyM2002:
Photo of JohnnyM2002
Reviewed by JohnnyM2002 from Maryland

4.85/5  rDev +9.5%
If you live in Central Pennsylvania, you must visit Westy's!!


First of all, the guys here are all awesome...they can have an intelligent conversation with you about any of the 800+ beers they have for sale, and if they can't, they'll get as much information for you as they can. Also, if there's something you want that they don't carry, they'll get it in for you.

The selection is the best in the area, hands down. That's not saying much, coming from the Harrisburg region...but it's still amazing. There's an excellent selection of Belgian, German, and UK-region beers to accompany their already great domestic supply.


You're gonna pay a little more to shop there...but they do have great cheaper selections - my buddy picked up a Blue Ridge sampler for around $24...not too bad. We went because they're the only distributor (thanks, PA) within 100 miles that sells Brooklyn.

Anyone in the Harrisburg area should definitely check this place out! I actually just got an apartment about 4 minutes from the place...so now it's gonna be my second home!
Mar 01, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.94 by Boone757 from Virginia

May 05, 2022
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Reviewed by jojo2112 from Pennsylvania

2.1/5  rDev -52.6%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 4 | selection: 2
This place is crap. Make sure you check the recent reviews. Was actually excited to check this place out due to what I had heard. It's not worth a visit at all. Even the macro prices are high. Walked out empty-handed.
May 12, 2017
 
Rated: 4.18 by Budlum from Maryland

Mar 26, 2016
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Reviewed by blkdth1313 from Pennsylvania

1.96/5  rDev -55.8%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 4.5
I am so done with Westy's. You'll be damned if you can find a fresh beer there and it's gotten worse over time. I had some old geezer tell me the enjoy by date was crap and have been told several times that it didn't matter how old an IPA was. This whole enjoy by thing started with Pepsi! Go to Wegmans, just picked up nugget nectar that was canned 1/11/16...that's two days ago! Peace
Jan 13, 2016
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Reviewed by qchic from Maryland

3.34/5  rDev -24.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75
I'm not used to shopping for beer in PA, but it does seem like laws are slowly evolving. I can't fault businesses for what they can't control. What they can control is organization, price labeling, freshness, and service. I saw room for improvement in each of these categories. Two employees were "stationed" at the registers and did not offer assistance as I wandered about trying to figure out the layout. The place isn't huge, but it's packed with some good stuff. Too bad everything that caught my eye did not have a price tag. The case I picked up ended up being a bit overpriced, but since it's unavailable in MD, I sprang for it. They have a out of date section where prices are discounted, but not enough for the age of those beers! Oktoberfest beers from last year? No thank you. 2013 winter ales? Pass. Also seemed a bit warm for a building full of beer. For the rave reviews, this place is not worth driving out of the way for.
Sep 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.73 by helpingphriendlybook from Pennsylvania

Apr 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.37 by PA-Michigander from Pennsylvania

Feb 27, 2015
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Reviewed by StudlyMcHandsome from North Carolina

5/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I've been in the military for a few years now. I've lived in Virginia, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Louisiana. Westy's has a better bet selection than all of them, maybe even put together. Outside of PA, where I'm from, the best craft beer store I've found, and i've looked hard, is a place here in NC where I can buy singles and six packs, and the selection is probably about a fifth of what Westy's offers.

Vibe: It's a warehouse full of beer. Probably not gonna meet any gorgeous, young, single women, that want to drink craft beer with me and talk about Arnold Schwarzenegger movies but I believe in unicorns. I'm more of a cougar guy anyway. Go ahead and tell me how much your mother pisses you off now that you're 43 and divorced. I'll comfort you with the D....elicious beer from Westy's, a charming personality, and funky fresh rhymes. For this, I give Westy's vibe a 5. What more could you ask for? A Lazer show and a live band?

Quality: I have never bought any infected, old, or out of condition beer from Westy's. This has been a problem at other places.

Service: I've never not been asked if I need help. Maybe I look lost, or maybe the employees there actually want to help me select the beer I'm in the mood for.

Selection: Like I said, one fifth of the variety of Westy's in these other places. The best I have in NC is a small, but good, place that sells singles, six packs, and bombers. Very respectable, and great for sampling, just not as much variety or quantity as Westy's.

I wish Westy's had a website where they listed the current selection. When I visit home, I always stop by and get a case for myself and a case for the guys in my company. Honestly, if they had a website, I'm sure I would get orders from the guys for certain beers that they love or can't get ahold of in NC while dutifully serving the country. A taste of home can mean a lot to these men. I'd bet that I could walk out of there with 5 or 6 cases, filling orders for the boys.

Westy's is the beat place in America that I've found so far for beer selection, quality of product, and quantity available. I've lived in five different states and trained in a dozen. Appreciate what you've got with Westy's. It's world class.
Feb 08, 2015
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Reviewed by dodge408 from Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5
The selection is quite well for this area. Only negative I would say is some price matching to where the case or cases are located can be out of whack, but if confused ask and they will help you. Overall I like the place.
Jan 19, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by BeerCon5 from Pennsylvania

Sep 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Mipper from Pennsylvania

Aug 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by twenteone from Pennsylvania

Aug 07, 2014
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Reviewed by drtth from Pennsylvania

4.56/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
Not a lot to add to the earlier reviews. This has to be one of the best retail distributorships in PA.

Wide selection of quality beers. Several hard to find things usually in stock.

Staff knows their stock and their beer.

Worth a visit if you are nearby and haven't been there yet.
Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by BcOneSeven from Michigan

Jul 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by jschwamb from Pennsylvania

Jul 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by stakem from Pennsylvania

Jun 10, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by WarrenKone from Pennsylvania

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by jaltland from Pennsylvania

Feb 02, 2014
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Reviewed by RLaCoss from Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Service was excellent and selection incredible. We lived in PA from 2003 - 2006 and was really disappointed with the selection after moving from California. Just bought my husband a kegerater for his birthday and can't wait to try all the different beers Westy's offers.
Mar 21, 2013
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Reviewed by TheGreatGodGeb

3.58/5  rDev -19.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5
I rated quality at 3.5 because some of the cases are randomly strewn about without pricing. If you do not ask for help it may take some time to find what you are looking for.

I rated the service at a low 2.5 because I was neither greeted nor treated any better than I would be at McDonald's. I tried to have a conversation while being checked out (90$ spent) and neither person seemed interested in talking to me. Now I know there could be different people working there at different times (and I only went once, just yesterday actually) but I would hope that workers would have a little interest in some conversation with a customer spending a little bit of coin. When I had asked the two people working if they knew anywhere I could get Russian River beers in the area (I know for certain they are obtainable in Philly and Pittsburgh, as I have had them there) they became offended and began speaking condescendingly that it was impossible to get in PA, completely. I told them that I have had it in PA and both workers looked at me like I had three heads. I did not mean any offense nor was I speaking pompously or pretentiously, I was asking very nicely about it. Although I may seem over-sensitive, I don't think anyone would enjoy being treated as such when spending near 100$ in any store.

The only reason to go here is, as you can gleam from the other reviews, is the incredible selection. Although only cases are available, I refuse to hold that against the store. The selection is the best I have ever seen. It is a shame, however, that there is no Founder's selection at all. The person working there told me it is impossible to get in the area blah blah blah. I know for certain you can get Founder's in the Drive Thru distributor next to the Walmart in Carlisle so if you don't mind going out of your way, it is in the area. Anyway, I do, overall, recommend going to this distributor. They could have trolls and ogres working there and I would still go for the selection alone and good pricing.

I don't know what to expect/look for in atmosphere beyond obvious qualities like well-lit, tolerable temperature, etc. so a 3 is fair. It's a big warehouse. Maybe they could play some music?
Jan 06, 2013
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Reviewed by bvdubn from Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Westy's is the biggest beer store in the area in terms of volume of craft beer (that I know of). They are the distributor for North York Beverage as well as Wegman's (and probably a few other distributors that I am not aware of). I think the volume of beer that Wegman's sells has greatly helped Westy's ability to get other craft beers in their store. I think they could do a better job of organizing the store because there is beer all over the place and the craft beers are just mixed in with everything else. They have a section in the back of discount beer that is slightly older which I appreciate because it lets me know that they are keeping an eye on the dates. I have asked them numerous times to help me find beer or to look up prices and they are always willing to help. This isn’t the most distributor but they get my business because they have the biggest selection. I do wish they would get Founders and then I could pretty much stop shopping at other distributors.
Apr 11, 2012
Photo of bum732
Reviewed by bum732 from Lesotho

4.74/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Second time i've been here, always blows me away. Pretty good sized warehouse, doesn't look like much from the outside. Upon entering, there is a couple pallets up front advertising craft beer, they were selling some oktoberfests and Sculpin. Multiple aisles with almost every beer you can imagine. Even those hard to find Belgians were in fairly unlabeled brown boxes, very impressive. The one that blew me away was the two cases of Fred from Hair of the Dog.

They have a back area with cases on clearance as well, if you're looking to score a cheap case of beer. Its like being a kid in a candy store, i can imagine buying cases and cases of their excellent selection. Definitely blows away any other distributor by a large margin. Check it out.
Sep 06, 2011
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Reviewed by orangesol from Pennsylvania

4.51/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5
Since I have lived in the area my entire life I am very familiar with Westy's. Having just noticed that I hadn't yet reviewed them I set out to rectify that situation immediately.

I stopped in earlier today to pick up a case of beer for this weekends festivities and I spent a little extra time looking around. Simply put, you are not going to find a better selection of cases and kegs within an hour or so drive. Everything from Cigar City, Lost Abbey, The Bruery, and even a bunch of Belgians. They even offer quite a few "rarer" kegs for take out purchase. Not every day you see four different kinds of Bruery beers available in kegs to the general public.

The quality has been greatly improved over the last few years. I remember when I first got into craft beer I bought a case of 90min. from Westy's and it was four months past its "Best By" date. I understand it is my bad for not noticing when I bought it but at least check them every three months. Swing back to today and I noticed none of those problems. Everything was fresh and well within its "Best By" dates so kudo's to them for stepping it up.

As far as the atmosphere and the service go, it is pretty good. On one occasion you may seem them act like total jerks to people and on the next they are the nicest guys on the planet. I have always had good experiences with them but I know a few others who would say otherwise. Overall Westy's is a great beer distributor with one of the best selections I have come across. I am glad they are so close by, even tho I don't buy very much beer by the case.
Jul 14, 2011
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Reviewed by VikeMan from Pennsylvania

4.94/5  rDev +11.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
IMO, Westy's is clearly the best case distributor in the area. I can't think of another distributor on the West Shore that I would even consider going to. Selection is amazing... from BMC's (if you like that sort of thing) to the most outrageously expensive Belgians, and everything in between. The only 'problem,' and it's a Pennsylvania distributor problem, not unique to Westy's, is that of course you can only buy cases. The prices are quite reasonable.

About that case problem...in the area... for a great selection of 4's/6's, there's Wegmnan's (Mechanicsburg). For great taps, singles, and mixed sizes, there's Al's of Hampden (Enola).
Jul 01, 2011
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Reviewed by prdstmnky from Vermont

4.65/5  rDev +5%
Westy's is has always been a go-to spot for locals, and seems to have quite the reputation for those beer geeks traveling through the area as well. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you step inside, your opinion will be quickly changed.

It is a warehouse style shop, with a vast array of just about anything available in PA. They carry your typical macros, a nice selection of imports, and tons of craft brews. Everything from locals like Troegs & Victory, to popular breweries like Bells, Terrapin, DFH, and even some harder to find brands from all over. There is a nice turnover, as it is a popular place, so you are generally getting really fresh beer.

I do find that Im able to find better prices on popular brands (just as fresh) if I shop around the area. However, there is alot of stuff that I just cant find elsewhere, so don't mind paying a couple extra dollars at Westy's for those cases.

Ive been shopping for cases at Westy's for over 10 years, and as long as the selection remains top notch, I dont see that changing anytime soon.
Nov 23, 2010
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Reviewed by philbe311 from Pennsylvania

4.16/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Q - Unassuming and easy to miss from the street... Stellar establishment... Clean and well organized... Not everything is clearly priced, but more than most... Loaded to the gills with mostly craft beer...

S - Nice folks that seem more than willing to help... Loads of hand trucks by the door... Also great service and rapid response via facebook...

S - Wow... Arguably the best selection that I've ever encountered at a PA distributor... In addition, they don't have one or two cases of everything but rather a full supply to keep all of their customers happy...

Now that I live in the area, I will be a regular customer...
Nov 13, 2010
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Reviewed by bigfnjoe from Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +9.5%
Made my first trip to Westy's today since I was in the area...it blew my mind. All of your macro junk is put in an aisle near the front of the store, and the rest of the place is a beer mecca. They had nearly everything I could ever imagine...west coast brews like Stone, Rogue, Bear Republic...east coast beers like DFH, Victory, Heavy Seas...even some from the southeast, like Duck Rabbit and Terrapin. And then the imports...Samuel Smith among tons of others was the highlights, as was a case of ROCHEFORT 10 if you're really loaded. I ended up with a case of Bells Two Hearted dated 2 weeks ago for around 40 bucks after tax...more than reasonable IMO. Will definitely be back when I need to purchase cases in the future.
Oct 01, 2010
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Reviewed by gator0877 from Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +6.1%
This is the place to get beer in Central PA. It really doesn't look like much from the outside but it is what is inside that counts (my mom taught me that). It is just a big ol warehouse of great beer inside. There aren't too many place in PA where the the craft beer section it 2-3 times larger than the BMC side. If you can't find it in Westy's (with the exception of Founders) it probably isn't worth looking for. George, the General Manager, really knows his stuff. He is very personable and takes time to answer any questions you might have. He has spent alot of time and energy bringing breweries like Terrapin, Duck Rabbit and Bear Republic to Central PA. This is an outstanding beer distributor.
Sep 09, 2010
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Reviewed by prodgerm from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.7%
True, Westy's is the place to go is you are a serious about beer. Always something new as well as old favorites; many micro brews. I have been buying my cases of beer there for years.
Check the date before buying, especially in the clearance area where I once bought a Sam Adams pale ale that was more than a year off code. Also, the main floor area is not air conditioned and temps can top 90. I had to return a Allagash Triple that was three months old and sour. (I called the brewery and spoke with brew master just to make sure this was not one of those Belgian types that are made sour.)
In warm weather I pay the extra 50 cents and buy from the cooler, which is very well stocked. I'm not sure it makes all that much difference if they are moving the beer from the hot floor - but I feel better after 10 minutes wondering around in the cooler!
So, if you want a good lawn mowing beer like Yuengling or PBR or something extreme such as Stone's Double Bastard or any thing in between check out Westy's.
Jul 11, 2010
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Reviewed by reizorc from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%
I've been a visitor to Westy's many times and each time I go, they always seem to have something new (usually many new items). I've hit all the usual suspects in the area and not one of them can touch this distributors selection or their prices.

My one complaint is that not all Beers are priced, requiring customers to go to the counter to ask the price. Not that it's an issue for people who have time to meander. It's just that there are so many new beers in this place they just can't keep up with the price signs.

Highly recommended for any beer enthusiast!

Drink up!
Feb 16, 2010
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Reviewed by jmjackson6880 from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%
Westy's selection flat-out beats the snot out of any other distributor in this area. I've found the service to be very friendly and the per case prices consistently at $4 - $5 below other local distributors.

I feel that they do a good job keeping fresh products and new offerings on the shelves. That said, be sure to head to the clearance area at the back right corner of the store. Beer in that section is often heavily discounted and there's no telling what you might find.

FYI, they do fill CO2 bottles.
Dec 24, 2009
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Reviewed by lionking from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.7%
Heading back from the Appalachian Mtns decided to come thru Camp Hill and stop at Westys. When I visited Jones Brewing a few years back they said they distributed their beer as far east as Westys. Luckily for me they still sold Stoneys. Had Stoneys in cans, bottles, Light and 16 oz returnables which I am a bid fan of. Had all of the PA favorites Iron City, Iron City Light, Straub Beer. Forgot to look for Stegmaier though. Prices were good too! Even had lolipops for the kids. Oh yeah, also a good selection of all beers and PA craft beers. Will definitely make a return trip to Westys. Once I found it, it was easy to get to from the major highways (581, 81, 83).
Jul 16, 2009
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Reviewed by John_M from Washington

4.05/5  rDev -8.6%
My first visit to this beer distributor in the Harrisburg area. Interesting place. It really doesn't look like much from the outside, but is surprisingly good size once you go in. They had a nice selection of the usual craft beer and import suspects, along with the expected macro swill. This place is really just a warehouse that happens to have boxes/cases of beer for sale. The guys working here were pleasant enough, though I didn't get the impression they knew a whole lot about craft beer. No one looked as if they had any interest in going out of their way to help someone out.

I was here to pick up a special order and there was some confusion about where it was, whether the case in question was really for me or someone else. I eventually got the matter straightened out and picked up my beer, but for a while there I had my doubts. Prices seemed pretty reasonable all things considered; the case of sculpin I picked up was a good $10 cheaper then any price I saw elsewhere.

Probably wouldn't go out of my way to visit this store, but if you're in the area, this is a very solid place with better then average prices.
May 18, 2009
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Reviewed by ClockworkOrange from Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev -1.8%
I've been stopping in at Westy's for a few years now. Your typical PA warehouse style distributor upon entering. Look out for the forklifts and pallet jacks. All I can say about the quality, from what I've seen, is that most of the out of season cases end up in the clearance area located on the end cap of the back aisle. So, most of the stock seems relatively fresh. Selection is very large. You will find most of the beers available in PA here. Bells, Founders, Middle Ages, Bear Republic, Hoppin' Frog, Stone, Sly Fox, Tröegs, Victory, Stoudts, tons of imports, etc. Don't hesitate to stop by if you are in the area.
Mar 30, 2009
Photo of Kolsch
Reviewed by Kolsch from Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -19.9%
Stopped here on a Saturday morning, pretty busy even at 10:30am.

Case selection is outstanding as others have said and nicely laid out. For the most part, prices are reasonable and on display. Too many quality beers to even attempt to list. You could end up browsing for an hour easily.

But I did not come here for cases; I came for the Sixtel Keg selection. This is where I was disappointed. Not with the selection itself, but with the organization. Sixtel Kegs were all over the place. They were stacked on top of another, hidden under shelves, stacked up high that you could not see what they were. This was just a complete mess. I counted at least 7 kegs that did not even have identification as to what style it was or who even was the Brewery. Organization was an afterthought.

Service: I had to inquire at the register several times about certain kegs and the man working there wasn't the most helpful. I did purchase 2 though, Weyerbacher Raspberry Imp Stout and Bear Republic Racer 5. I also wanted Pikeland Pils and was told that they did have it in stock. I could not find it at all, so I gave up.

I drove 2 ½ hours because I can't get this kind of selection in Pittsburgh. I may drive the extra hour to Exton Beverage, just for the Organization.

George, if you are reading this....please clean up the keg room!
Jan 18, 2009
Photo of jrw5061
Reviewed by jrw5061 from Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev -1.8%
The selection at Westy's is pretty amazing. I always end up overwhelmed when I walk in to take a look around and often end up browsing for a long time. If you're a lover of craft beer and are from the Camp Hill area this is certainly the place to go. They have a contract with Bell's and just recently started getting some great beers from Bear Republic. There are a few beers I would love to try that I can't find there but I realize that's not always possible. To keep it short and simple let's just say I'm pretty thankful to have a place like this near by.
Jan 14, 2009
Photo of thain709
Reviewed by thain709 from Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Westy's is the place to go if you are in the Harrisburg area. Their selection is top notch. The macros are tucked off into the left hand corner...which the micros and imports take over most of the floor. The cases are stacked on the floor and on skids...and are pretty easy to get to.

The owner is a great guy. The help he has there are very friendly. The prices are decent and can be a little steep at times...but I like when he runs specials on the micros...you don't often see that. You have to stop in if you are ever in the area!
Dec 24, 2008
Photo of ckaufman
Reviewed by ckaufman from Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +6.1%
If you live near Harrisburg, or are in the area... Westy's is a MUST!!! This is probably one of the best distributers in the state of Pennsylvania. The quality is incredible and the staff is great. They always seem to have an answer to any questions you may have... and if they don't... they will try to find the answer for you. The selection is great, and if you can't find it on the shelves... they will try to locate it for you if it's available in PA. Westy's is also a good place to find out what some of the local bars have just purchased in kegs or bottles. I live in western PA and I visit Westy's EVERY time I'm in that part of the state. Thanks George... your store rocks!!!
Sep 30, 2008
Photo of TonyT
Reviewed by TonyT from Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +12.9%
Having to contend with the out-dating liquor laws, which the state of PA is notorious for, Westy's Rocks. No questions in my mind.

I've been in multiple beer distributors in the Harrisburg area, and Westy's is on top. I will drive by other beer distributors, just to get to Westy's.

George is usually there and is always on top of his game. (Pick his brain if you get a chance).

Westy's prices are reasonable and the selection is phenomenal...Most distributors in this area have an 80/20 split of Domestics to Crafts...I would have to say that Westy's has an 80/20 split of Crafts to Domestics...and I'm not even including the Imports.

I have friends that live in other parts of the state, and when they're in Harrisburg they always say, "This weekend we need to get to Westy's."

Kudos to George and the Westy's Staff for allowing the power of consumer choice.
Sep 02, 2008
Westy's Beer Distributor in Camp Hill, PA
Place rating: 4.43 out of 5 with 64 ratings