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 achieved 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.
Fresh from winning a business award for the concept, The Beer Spot has opened a second branch in Huapai. Payn says the reason behind the north-west expansion was to cover more areas for "amazing Enzee brewers who struggle to get retail tap space." They hope to have 200 hundred taps dotted around five Auckland venues by 2020.
The Huapai location has a very similar set up to Northcote. The beer wall — something they call The Tap 40 — makes another appearance, featuring 40 rotating taps of local boutique brews. "We're here to encourage people to be brave, try something new and realise the opportunities and flavours you can experience with great beer. Every glass has that potential."
Beer lovers can expect fresh releases from the likes of Auckland's Laughing Bones Brewing, Gisborne's Sunshine Brewery and Wellington's Juice Head, while those looking for a different kind of buzz will find 12 varieties of wine on tap. It 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.
The 100 capacity space is intended to be a place to network and relax, rather than a party spot. It is family and dog friendly, and features reduced hours, no screens, jukeboxes, pokie machines or pool tables. Supporting fellow local owner-operators, The Beer Spot Huapai will host a different food truck every week to keep drinkers satisfied. Upcoming vendors include Fillipino food truck Hapunan, Peach's Hot Chicken, Bacon Brothers and Ramen Takara.
The Beer Spot is now open at 321 Main Road, Huapai from 12–9pm, Sun-Weds and 12-10pm Thurs-Sat.