Beer distributors in Pennsylvania aren’t usually known for offering a curated (or particularly comfortable) retail experience. The spaces often more closely resemble a garage or warehouse than a storefront, with concrete floors, mile-high, drafty ceilings and not much by way of merchandising—perhaps a tower of 30-packs here or there and some bags of pretzels by the register. However, at Exton Beverage Company, Chester County’s premier beer store, these stereotypes are being disrupted. Thanks to a law passed in January, the folks there have been rethinking and redesigning what a beer distributor can look and feel like.
On January 17, 2017, a new state liquor law went into effect that allowed beer distributors to “break the case,” enabling them to sell beer in any denomination, not just the 12- or 24-packs they were once limited to. In addition to the half-barrel kegs, sixtels (smaller kegs) and cases of beer it still carries, Exton Beverage Company (and other outlets like it) can now sell six-packs and single bottles of beer.
“The game has changed, so to speak, and the playing field has leveled out a little bit,” says Gregory Ramirez, owner of Exton Beverage Company. “There are a lot more outlets for buying beer, so I wanted to make more of an inviting, welcoming retail environment as opposed to the old-style warehouse retail.”
Over the past few months, Ramirez and his team have undertaken big changes to their 4,300-square-foot space, which is located off of East Lincoln Highway in Exton. A drop ceiling, LED lighting and all-new shelving have been installed to bring the aesthetic of the store closer to a market than a warehouse. Customers will be delighted to know that climate control (both heat and air conditioning) systems have also been added—no more bundling up or sweating it out to grab some brews for the weekend. They’ve also added 12 reach-in cooler doors to feature 6-packs, single-serve cans and bottles, bringing a hip bottle shop vibe to the interior, as well.
Ramirez says that the renovations coupled with the new opportunity to buy six-packs has been hugely popular with Exton Beverage Company’s customers, and has noticeably changed how people shop for beer.
“You see people buying a bigger variety. That was the hardest thing for consumers—investing so much money in a whole case of a beer they’ve never had before,” he says. “Now, people can experiment and expand their horizons without breaking their wallet.”
Exton Beverage Company’s six-pack selection is no joke. It offers hundreds (“upon hundreds,” Ramirez adds) of 6-packs, with between 5 and 15 new kinds of beer added to the rotation every week. Fun fact: Did you know that there are currently over 5,500 breweries in the United States, up from just 100 breweries in the mid-1980s? So in addition to the heritage, craft and local brands shoppers have come to expect, offerings from new breweries, plus one-offs, single-batch and special seasonal releases are always in the mix, too. Ramirez notes that some of the most popular brews in his shop right now are New England-style IPAs, which often come in a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans. He name-drops Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company’s The Shape of Hops to Come and Half Acre Beer Co.’s Daisy Cutter Pale Ale as examples of this hot craft beer style.
Ramirez notes that autumnal beers are also flying off the shelves. Of course, pumpkin beers, like Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale and Pumpking from Southern Tier Brewing Co., remain customer favorites. While he says he’s scaled back a bit in the variety of pumpkin beers on shelves, Exton Beverage Company still has nearly a dozen brands on offer, and can always take special orders. German-style Oktoberfest beers from Great Lakes Brewing Co., Victory Brewing Co. and Samuel Adams are also having a moment right now.
While the change in the liquor law has extended the six-pack and single-bottle sales to other beer distributors (with many chain grocery stores hopping on the train, too), Ramirez feels confident that the recent renovations, convenience, selection and pricing at Exton Beverage Company will attract customers and keep them coming back. He’s encouraged by the many positive comments he’s gotten on the new improvements to the store, as well as compliments from customers on its fair and competitive pricing.
Plus, Ramirez points out, “You don’t have to fight a huge supermarket parking lot to come here. People can come in and be out in three minutes, or we encourage people to take their time. We have customers who stay here for an hour, looking up info on their phones, chatting with us about beer and just hanging out in the aisles.”
To check out the new renovations and peruse the incredible selection, stop by Exton Beverage Company, which is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.–10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Find Exton Beverage Company at 310 E. Lincoln Highway in Exton; phone: (610) 363-7020.
- Feature photo: Bigstock
- All other photos: Exton Beverage Company
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