Overview
The Beer Spot was launched by local beer enthusiasts Laurence van Dam and Jason Payn in an effort to make great beer accessible to everyone. With their first Northcote freehouse the pair realised that vision by adhering to three factors: banning the use of "craft" to avoid scaring off novice beer drinkers, not using typical styles to list beers, and using smaller 350ml serve sizes to allow flavours to shine.
Last year the pair opened a second branch in Huapai to cover more areas for "amazing Enzee brewers who struggle to get retail tap space," — part of an overarching mission to have 200 hundred taps dotted around five Auckland venues by 2020. Number three in The Beer Spot family can now be found on New North Road in Morningside. Another is on course to open in Whangaparoa.
The Morningside opening includes all the trademark features of The Beer Spot, including a beer wall offering 40 rotating taps of local boutique brews. Beer lovers can currently order fresh releases from the likes of Sawmill Brewery, Yeastie Boys, 8 Wired Brewing Co., Tinker Tailor, Wigram Brewing Company and local cider brand Morningcider. The venue also operates as an off-license outlet, with all of the featured brews available to be taken home in 750ml bottles, purge and pressure-filled to keep the beer fresh.
Supporting fellow local owner-operators, The Beer Spot Morningside will host a different food truck every week to keep drinkers satisfied. Currently serving up the goods is iconic Auckland food truck The White Lady.
The Beer Spot is now open at 596 New North Road, Morningside from 12–8pm, Sunday to Tuesday and 12-10pm, Wednesday to Saturday.