Overview
Craft beer aficionados of Auckland can rejoice with the launch of specialty bottle shop and tasting room, Bottle Stop, this week.
Officially opening in Grey Lynn on Thursday, 15 November, this store's specialty is craft beer, with more than 300 frothy options lining the shelves. Aiming to please both punters and practiced pint guzzlers, it covers everything from easy drinking lagers to strong barrel aged sours.
The shop is owned and operated by Rich Yong, who has over 16 years of experience in the beer scene, including stints at London's Camden Town Brewery and Wellington's Garage Project. Yong has personally selected and tasted each offering to bring rare beers from overseas to our shores and share hidden gems from unknown breweries in Aotearoa. The store is Yong's way of pursuing his vision to make beer accessible, using his store as an "unpretentious gateway into the wonderful world of beer."
Lining the shop walls are refrigerators displaying the drinks with bottles and cans separated to be perused by beer style. For those who haven't jumped on the craft beer bandwagon, it also offers a range of boutique wines and locally made craft spirits.
If you've yet to be swept up by the trend, Bottle Stop will host 'beer 101' workshops to help Kiwis learn, discover and experience a variety of bevvies. Those not well versed in the world of wheat versus stouts can taste a tipple on site with four rotating taps designed to try before you buy. Green-thinking pint drinkers can also use the taps for take-home bottle fills.
Bottle Stop will celebrate its launch at 12pm on Thursday with a limited edition pour from Behemoth Brewing Company. Following the launch Yong will periodically host in-store tasting paddles with paired meat and cheese boards, and offer a weekly beer delivery service via the online store.
Find Bottle Stop at 5 Vinegar Lane, Grey Lynn.