Stockertown Beverage Center

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev -3.2%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $

Easily accessible from Route 33. Overall appearance is typical of PA distributors, though it did seem cleaner than most I've been to. Small room features craft beers, though some are featured in the main body of store. Heavily featured: Heavyweight, Lancaster, Stoudts, Victory, Troegs, Weyerbacher, Ramstein, Cricket Hill. Not everything each one makes, but a representation at least.

Couple things that jumped out were Southhampton Secret Ale and Imperial Porter, which I've picked up a case of each, and Landmark India Red Ale, which I may be back for. First time, the woman working was friendly and helpful, but I did nothing to test her knowledge. Second time, an extremely helpful and knowledgable gentleman assisted me (and was nice to my daughter, bonus points from me).

Prices seem very reasonable, at the very least.

I rarely buy beer in PA due to the case law, and when I do it's usually at Shangys. This ain't no Shangys, but it's closer, and way better than the typical PA distributor, and my gut thinks it's still on the upswing. My wife like's to shop at the Sam's Club down Rt 33, so I'll check in again periodically.

01-09-2005 05:56:10 | More by RonfromJersey

johnrf

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -6.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Anyone been there lately? They closed off the whole back of the store, cleaned the place up and seem to have cut way back on the selection. I did not notice any hoppin' frog, founders or bear republic. They had victory so I did not leave empty handed.
I wonder if the local Wegmans is hurting their craft business? Or maybe the back is only closed temporarily. But the doors to the back had employee only signs.
Just wondered if anyone knows why they made this big change.

Bring back the bear and founders!

05-01-2010 18:25:11 | More by johnrf

doppeljr

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +5.9%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

What a great place this is. It is a pretty decent size and their selection is excellent. They have pallets and pallets of some of the beers that are difficult to find, especially in NJ.

They have a large supply of cases from Founder's, Troeg's, Summit, Bell's, etc. They usually have several varieties of each brand as well.

The PA laws requiring case purchases is silly, but I still purchased from them and will do again as it is a convenient stop on my way top NE PA.

Their prices are very fair and their excellent selection makes this a place that I will definitely visit again.

I hope that this helps.

02-15-2010 17:50:52 | More by doppeljr

TheLastEngineer

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +4.7%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

To look at it from the road, you would think that this was a place to pick up a case of mega-swill and some scratch-off lottery tickets. And you would be wrong.

Impressive variety of far-flung beers including an entire side-room filled with mysterious boxes of Belgian descent. Owners were extremely helpful and generous with their time, opinions, and freebies. Was awe-struck by the back room full of kegs from around the globe.

Nice people, interesting beers. Worth the trip. I just wish the place was bigger so that there would be more of it to enjoy.

02-27-2009 16:32:29 | More by TheLastEngineer

wtrbeer

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev -2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

OK, Stockertown Bev. I have only been there twice, although I have lived in the Lehigh Valley all my life. Positives are that they have a great selection of beers (some you can't find at other, bigger places). Staff is very nice and helpful. I also e-mailed them a few times about thew availibilty of certain beers, and they responded right away. The only drawback (for me) is that it is a bit of a drive. It also is a little hard to find and can be missed if you take a wrong turn. But, over-all really cool place.

02-06-2009 21:47:55 | More by wtrbeer

BigIrishman

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -6.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

This is my case/keg depot when in NEPA. They have a solid selection which includes plenty of founders, troegs, lancaster, etc. Prices are pretty good especially on kegs. The staff there knows a lot, if the owner is around he has a ton of knowledge so pick his brain if you can. They have a very high turnover rate so if they run out of something, they will let you know when they expect it to come in and will reserve a case for you. Overall a gem in a part of the state that doesn't have a whole lot.

01-30-2009 01:35:52 | More by BigIrishman

leftmindedrighty

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +1.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Wow, I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place. One of the best case and keg stores in the state, bar none.

I found this place only last year, when the Founder's Breakfast Stout was released. I heard a rumor (Thanks Jason) that the Breakfast Stout was hitting the shelves, and immediately called them to reserve a case. They set one aside for me, thanked me for my business a couple of times, and the rest is history. I've since come back for the Kentucky Breakfast Stout, and for their awesome selection of Rock Art beers.

The service is top notch, and they are very much customer service driven. The store is on the small side, and a bottle of Formula 409 wouldn't be a bad idea. But that said, I look forward to each and every one hour drive to this place. I've never left short of blissful with what I carried out of this place.

08-24-2008 22:37:44 | More by leftmindedrighty

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev -2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I finally got a chance to stop in here today while i was (kind of) in the area for business. It is as good as promised.

As the master distributor for Bear Republic, Founders and Hoppin' Frog (among others), there is great stuff here, sometimes in skid quantities. Some local breweries also and the requisite selection of BMC if you look for it. Unlike other master distributors (e.g. BV or Shangy's), there was a limited, perhaps nonexistent, selection of craft beers "imported" by others.

There is also a large room of imports. Which looked pretty cool but given the stupid PA case law and the fact that I had not just robbed a bank, I let it pass.

Service was very knowledgeable and friendly. I am looking forward to trying the beer I got on his recommendation.

Worth a stop if you are anywhere nearby.

HV

08-04-2008 20:09:01 | More by sholland119

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -6.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Ever since finding out about the great selection here about a year ago, I've made the roughly hour long drive at least a dozen times. The selection is great. They are the wholesaler for Shelton Bros. (Cantillon, Mikkeller, Nogne O, Coniston, etc.) as well as Founders, Bear Republic, Hoppin' Frog, Lancaster, Middle Ages, Penn, Rock Art, Summit, Hooker, Breckenridge, etc. Prices are reasonable and they frequently have cases on clearance that are out of season. They also usually have a keg or two on tap for samples, but I've never been offered one outright, I've always had to ask for one. Service is usually friendly and helpful and they will hold a case of something rare for you no problem as long as their bar/distributor accounts have been satisfied first. Worth a stop if you are anywhere near the area.

02-15-2008 15:47:39 | More by ClockworkOrange

mymrnngjckt

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev -3.2%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

I had the good fortune of stopping here a few times. The quality is great. The beers are fresh and easily displayed (except for the Belgian beer selection.)

Service here was great. On one stop, the owner spoke to my party and I for about 30 minutes about the beer and helped us with any questions we had. He even gave my party and I some galssware.

Selection is great. Lancaster, Middle Ages, Fantome, Cantillon, Founder's, and Breckenridge to name a few. The only complaint is the room housing all the Belgian beers was a bit crowded and the prices were not clearly marked on the cases.

01-22-2008 18:27:27 | More by mymrnngjckt