The Beer Yard

Beer Yard is probably the best beer store on the Main Line. It’s without a doubt the most comprehensive in its selection (the only real competitor is Kundabev in KOP).
They tend to have reasonable prices, especially if you’re just stopping in to pick up a case of Pabst or Yuengling for the weekend BBQ. But that’s not where they shine. Their selection is absolutely incredible, with cases from around the world. Literally ranging from Kenyan or New Zealand lagers to Belgian monasteries you’ve never heard of. Looking for something specific, or want to try to find something new? The staff are all big beer nerds who are more than happy to help you out (even if you’re going for the cheap stuff). Want something they don’t have? Odds are they will be able to order it, which they’ve always been more than happy to do.
There are a few reasons to dock stars, though. The facilities leave a LOT to be desired. The closely spaced aisles of stacked beer make it difficult to search for something specific, and if what you want is near the bottom of the stack, be prepared to move five or six cases to get to it. They also don’t clearly mark prices, which means you’ll be asking for assistance quite a bit if you don’t want to be surprised at the register.
All in all, Beer Yard is one of the best options for a case of beer in Southeast PA.

Very helpful. Great people. Knows the town and can point you the right way for anything you need. Call ahead or email and they can make almost anything happen for you.

Huge selection, and helpful staff always ask what you’re looking for as soon as you walk in. I usually make a beeline to my favorites and know exactly what I want, and then I’m in and back in my car within 5 minutes, about $ 80 poorer. I feel confident that I like wheat beers, semisweet ciders, etc. However, when I get suggestions, I frankly don’t always trust them that much because I think the staff likes more typical fancy beers — darker, IPA, expensive, whatever. The other day, I picked up a case of Sprecher’s root beer (best root beer on the planet!) and he suggested their hard root beer. I was very skeptical, because, come on, that sounds awful, right? It is root beer flavored malt beverage, and I’m glad I passed on that. Once DH said that I liked fruity things (Leinie’s berry, homebrew hard lemonade, pear cider, etc.) and they suggested he buy a peach malt thing that was AWFUL. We spent $ 40 and had to marinate meat in the stuff and pawn it off on guests for a year to use it up.

Let me qualify first by saying that this review is based on one experience in this place, but one that will preclude me from ever returning. Admittedly I have been there a few times before and apart from one occasion when their sixtels selection was really limited, I couldn’t have said anything bad about the place. As the other reviews here point out, they have a huge selection of good quality brews.
My last experience was so bad it was laughable. In fact, when I recount it to anyone, we end up in laughter, so in a way I am thankful for it.
I went to the Beer Yard to replenish my kegerator in which I keep two sixtels. When I walked into the place, the dude at the register was busy doing something so I just walked back to the cooler where they keep the sixtels. The cooler is small, cramped, cold and dark. A lot of the kegs are in corners under shelves and hard to reach to identify. So after a few minutes of trying to find something I wanted, I left to ask for a list of what they had. When I got back to the register, the hipster clerk guy was helping someone else but asked me what I needed. When I asked him if he had a list, he said they didn’t and asked if I needed something in particular. I told him I was kind of poking around but it was really hard to see in the cooler. His response was to hand me a flashlight. As I turned to walk back, he did say that he would come back to help me.
After a minute or two of poking around with the flashlight, he did come back and ask me again what I was looking for. I rattled off about 5 or 6 names, none of which they had. OK no problem– I don’t expect them to have exactly what I am looking for. So he asked me what sort of beer I was looking for, and I told him that I generally like to put something really hoppy on tap, alongside something less bitter for folks who don’t dig on really hoppy stuff. So he points me to a summer wheat beer, and I said I wasn’t a fan of the wheat and then said «I kind of have a problem committing to a sixtel of something I have never tried in the event I don’t like it (which was the case with one of the beers I was replacing), know what I mean?» He looked a me and said «no, but whatever.» So he points to a couple of others that didn’t excite me, at which point his beer snob act became condescending to the point of being uncomfortable. I did however think of a few more popular names that they might have. Visibly annoyed, he said he would check the computer. So we walked back to the front of the store and he checks and none of the other names are in stock either. I then thought of another name, which he then informed me was not available in sixtels. I said that I thought it was but he assured me that it was not. So sort of scratching my head I just said, «you know I have had it on tap in a sixtel» to which he responded, «not in the last 5 or 6 years you haven’t.» Well, I had, but wasn’t going to do battle with the guy. At that point, I decided that my trip was a bust and I didn’t feel like dealing with the guy anymore. I may not be a true aficionado, but I buy a couple of sixtels a month of very good beer and my money is green. So in lieu of just walking out, I said that I would check back– trying to diffuse the tension that had clearly arisen to which he responded «you mean there is nothing back there that you can drink?» in a way that made it seem unreasonable for not buying anything. I told him that there wasn’t anything that day to which he responded, «whatever.»
Not really sure of what had just happened, I got in the car, drove to Exton Beverage where I was handed a remote control that allowed me to scroll through their entire list of sixtels, indicating which ones were in stock and which were not, picked two, which were brought out to me and put in my car and was thanked for my purchase. That whole affair took about 6 minutes.
If I owned this place and saw this interaction between my customer and my customer service representative, I would smack him upside his hipster head. Just sayin’.

As others have stated, this is the place to go in Pennsylvania to get the hard-​to-​find craft and Belgian (and other parts of the world) beers. They have an extensive (and occasionally dizzying) website listing all of their varieties and brewers available.
Invariably, I cannot walk in here and subsequently walk out without at least 2 – 3 cases of beer in tow. But, there always seems to be enough of some of harder to get in PA releases, such as «Double Jack» by Firestone Walker which can be tricky to find.
As far as the location and building… eh. It is what it is. Any improvements they should make, in my mind, would be aimed at protecting storage of the beer during the few weeks of scorching summer weather. But, ultimately this is a place to buy beer, not sit and drink it.
Also as other have mentioned, Matt is very helpful if you email him. He may take a bit to get back to you, but he has definitely let me know when choice releases are coming in so I have a chance to get some.
Don’t walk into this place and expect to pay $ 20 for a case of beer, unless you’re hunting for some nearly non potable InBev or Miller-​Coors concoction. On a 12-​pack of 22oz bottles of a limited release beer, I once dropped $ 190. The value-​to-​price ratio is determined by the customer’s desire to purchase beer that is both amazing and otherwise hard to find elsewhere. In that regard, the prices aren’t unreasonable. The Beeryard’s job is to provide you excellent options you won’t easily find elsewhere. And, in that they succeed.

Simple, no frills place, where you can grab a case of beer, with no hassle. Helpful staff, and wide selection of beer.

For a small shop these guys really run an impressive operation. They have a remarkable variety of beers (although I have stumped them twice with brews I found elsewhere). Very knowledgeable. The only real knock against them is that they don’t handle it very well when the store is busy. I’ve had the owner (?) ask me what I want and then dash down an aisle to get something for someone else, expecting me to I guess either run or yell after him. The entry gets crowded and chaotic. But all things considered, if you live anywhere nearby and you appreciate beer this is the place to go.

LOVE THIS PLACE. The guys (maybe girls too although I didn’t see any) who work here are very knowledgeable. I wish the prices were better posted so I didn’t have to badger the guy running the computer as much but he was always very helpful and didn’t seem to mind. I can’t wait to go back, this place beats the prices of many distributors around the area. Solid establishment!

Best beer distributor in the area. The website is up to date with recent beers they add to their stock. See something you want? Email them and they can get it, or put it aside for you. They get a good variety of hard to find beers. Check it out on a Friday after 5 for some free snacks and beer tastings.

This place is great! Matt and his team are very helpful and will hold cases for you if you request by email or phone. Their beer selection is truly amazing! I just wish PA let them sell six packs.

Matt should host a beer tasting show.

I LOVE the beer yard! They have the broadest selection of case beers than any other store on the main line. Trying to find that rare beer from Munich? No problem! That new beer that is made in limited quantities? They got it! The staff know what they are talking about too. You can ask them about a beer and will give you full detail about the selection and five others you might like. They are really nice guys too.
The only «downside» is that they only sell cases. so exploration is a bit expensive. But once you find what you’re looking for they have the best deals in town.

Columns and columns of craft beer!?! Ummmmm… did I die and go to hell (because there is no way the saintly people of heaven would allow for such fun stuff!).
I absolutely love the Beer Yard. Always accommodating, quick to respond to customers’ emails/​questions and very fair prices. I love how the beers we do not speak of get relegated to a back aisle (I guess that’s for the local college students).
Oh, and my dog loves The Beer Yard, too… Matt has joined up with Troeg’s and Delaware County SPCA on a few fundraisers. Dogs? Check. Good beer? Check. Supporting a locally owned business? Check!
Matt only hires nice people. Every one that works there has always been pleasant and ready to help me carry stuff to my car.
The one downfall is parking – those people at Starbucks like to dawdle and sometimes you have to wait for a few minutes for a parking spot.

You would never think that this place is even here since it’s in an awkward position behind the star bucks in Wayne. Super easy to find and the guys that work here are amazingly helpful.
Can here in search of a beer that Chris LOVED at TRIA (Hop Ruiter) since im one of the nicest people in the world i pilgrimage to Wayne on a dreary Saturday and inquired about this brew.
The beer staff here is very knowledgeable about beers from Belgians to pale ales and they were able to locate the beer. I walked away with a case of the hop ruiter for less that 120.00 and they threw in a glass for him to use as well.
Thanks to my boss for telling me about this place

Wow, I can’t believe the selection. I found some great beer here and the price is about right. It is behind the Starbucks on Lancaster Ave in Wayne. Parking may be tight but it’s worth it. There is also plenty of beer newsletters to pick up on the next seasonal ales and beers. I found out about the Father’s Day brew from Iron Hill Brewery from the newsletter. My dad loved this year’s brew and it was because of the newsletter that I picked up here. Thanks a million and the staff was really helpful and friendly.

This store is a Beer Lovers’ Paradise. It’s located behind the Starbucks.
There are so many different selections of beer. My bf was able to get a box of Duvel for a little bit over $ 3 a bottle. What a deal! (compared to NYC prices)
I agree with a previous comment here on Unilocal; there are no prices posted, so you do have to ask how much each case costs, which is a bit annoying.

The Beeryard has the best high quality beer selection in the greater Philadelphia area. The employees are extremely professional and knowledgeable.
I would give the Beeryard 5 stars, but I have two issues with the place.
1. Prices are not clearly marked. I have to constantly ask «How much is that?» Its usually overpriced.
2. There are no detailed descriptions of the beer. Each beer should have a little notecard describing the beer. (For an example go to State Line Liquors)

So I just moved back here after a two year absence. And immediately I went to the Beer Yard.
Why?
Well, I can walk in, at least when Matt, the owner, is present, and ask «I’m doing Brazilian Barbecue tonight. Any suggestions?» And I’ll get three different Brazilian brands to choose from, all of which are fresh.
Any pairing question will be answered with a selection of choices.
Any region or style has more than one option.
And they’ve got basically every style and region covered.
And by the way, when I did walk back in after 2 years, it was like I’d never left. Friendly and helpful as ever.
Yes, it’s small. Yes, the fridges ain’t huge. Yes, it’s out of the way. It’s cramped and claustrophobic; un-​air-​conditioned in the summer, unheated in the winter. The beer towers so high along one wall, that I, a 6′ tall man need to ask for help getting it.
But then, all that space is taken up with fantastic beer.
The place is totally no-​frills. But the selection and customer service are second to absolutely no one.

Beers, so many beers, stacked high to the ceiling. I think I get more excited at the Beeryard than I ever did as a kid in a candy shop — it is just delightful to see cases of high-​quality beers everywhere you look.
They have lots of interesting domestics in a range of prices, so it’s easy to pick up something different to bring to parties (Lakeshore fit the bill for me last time) as well as some special bottles to try (Jolly Pumpkin), and the import selection is rather mind-​blowing. The staff are friendly and super knowledgeable, and the pricing for cases is good enough that I always leave with several.

Glorious walls of dank beer. Probably the only time I wander into Wayne; I love my local distributor but when I get the craving for something I know I’d have to put on special order, I opt instead for instant gratification and head over to the Yard. Great staff and, considering the relatively small size of the place (not that many beer shops are huge in PA) they really deliver quality product. You won’t see towers of Bud or MGD wasting space here.
They also sell proper glassware, which is surprisingly hard to find, especially tulip glasses to enjoy the multitudes of Belgian beer they offer.