Beer Express

 

 

 

I've been going here for a few months and have always been satisfied with every trip.

It looks like your standard Western PA beer distributor. Large warehouse with lots of brewery signs and displays. They also have a walk-in humidor and have started to sell home brewing supplies. The home brew selection isn't all that big, but I've been told that they're going to be expanding the selection. I

A lot of the front part of the store is filled with macro beers, but you'll find that pretty much anywhere you go in the Pittsburgh area. Decent selection of craft beers, especially from PA. There is also a good selection of standard imports and some Belgians in the back of the store. They also carry some wine coolers/malt-ternatives, but I've never really bothered with that stuff. They have been able to order a particular case or keg for me if they didn't have it on the floor, so the service has always been great. The staff is also very knowledgeable.

Other stuff to know...
Do a walk of the whole store. They usually have raffles for beer stuff (coolers, bikes, cornhole boards, etc). Plenty of parking as well, but leaving the lot can kind of suck because of the busy road that it is situated on.

Drove by here many times going to the Sharp Edge Creekhouse finally decided to stop. The place is a lot bigger inside than I would have thought by looking at the outside. Everything is so spaced out it makes the place look a bit empty

There was an import section to the right with 4 sets of shelves marked: Asia/Australia/Mexico/Carribean and Euro/Russia and Germany/England and Ireland/Scotland there was just what you would expect to find nothing really out of the ordinary. The shelves were only half full making it look a bit empty.

There was a huge walk in cooler in the back of the store it was all Macros,there was plenty of room for some Micro's that ashame.

The sign out front read Large Selection of Micro's. I was dissapointed when I found the Micro section I was expecting a lot more. It wasn't bad just the size of store made me expect more. There was lots of Bells,Victory,Yards,DFH and a bit of everything usual in the area. The Steeler section in the front of the store was bigger than the Micro section.

The prices were about average, maybe a tad higher. The place seems to be more about Macros. If this was the only place around that sold Micro's I wouldn't complain,but there is better places around. Not a dissapointment,I was just expecting a bit more.

I live very close to the Beer Express and buy from them on a regular basis. They have a nice selection of my favorites from Victory, Great Lakes, Dogfish Head, Rogue, Troegs, imports, seasonal brews and too many others to name. They will also order anything I want provided they can get it but I would prefer they just have more on hand and save some of the hassle. The staff are always friendly but not the most knowledgeable about the craft brews. There is also a walk in humidor for a good cigar, snacks, soft drinks, and even some burgh and steelers stuff. My biggest complaint is they seem to charge a few extra dollars more then some of the other local distributors.

Update: Its been about 5 years since my first review and this is still my first stop for a case whenever I get thirsty for a good brew. As the years have gone on this place has grown in their knowledge of craft brews and the selection is one of the best around. The prices have returned to city average.

Only complaint I have now is that because of state laws I cant buy 6packs or single bottles here.

Well first things first let's look at location it's tucked right between Primanti Bros and the Sharp Edge Creekhouse...these are two stops that after leaving you probably want another beer...in this case you may have to settle for a case. I was leaving the Creekhouse one night and I finally stopped in after seeing a commercial while at the Edge drinking a few beers. In this commercial I see craft beers lining an entire wall...now this wouldn't have been such a shock but this place does not look like craft beer heaven from the outer decor. Don't judge a book by it's cover, righ? Well, I stopped in and sure enough there's a nice selection I left with some mini acid cigars (another dimension to the store) and a case of Penn Weizen to appease my summertime thirst. Service is like most of any distributors but if you ever have a special order I'm sure this place will work with you...I had a good experience and I recommend this store although nothing from the exterior urges you to make a stop.

Edit: Warehouse wholesaler started selling brewing supplies, a small humidor, and I found a case of KBS so I always stop in just to see what they have in stock.