Not just a new location: The Beer Junction’s new features

Sometime in the next few days, wander past The Beer Junction‘s new location at 4511 California SW (first reported here last July), and you just might find the store in “soft open” mode. Proprietor Morgan Herzog will reopen with new features, not just a new storefront. Some are small – like the shopping carts on the left side of our top photo – some are large, like the added bar:

And then there are the familiar features, like Pliny the Oscar:

What about the beer, you ask? (And the other beverages?) 1,250 types of beer fill the refrigerated cases along the store’s walls – here’s the north side:

1,250 is not only double what Morgan opened his former location (across from Jefferson Square, on the site of <strong>Equity Residential‘s future mixed-use project), that’s also about 200 more than he had in stock when he closed that store earlier this month to finish the move. He’s also stocking 100 hard ciders, 50 meads, and 90 wines, plus assorted merchandise including T-shirts and mugs. Hours will be the same as the old location for starters, including Monday closures.

44 Replies to "Not just a new location: The Beer Junction's new features"

  • Adam March 27, 2012 (5:10 pm)

    I love this place. It’s great to go to a small business where you not only get better service, but a better product than what big stores are offering. Plus, the owner is pretty clearly having a great time with what he’s doing.

  • poc March 27, 2012 (5:24 pm)

    Congrats to Morgan. Can’t wait to see the new digs and stock up on some good beer.

    It’s great to see a small independent business succeed.

    Avoid the big box stores and support a local!

  • Tommyt March 27, 2012 (5:55 pm)

    Morgan is a great local business owner, it’s going to be a pleasure to visit his new store.

  • TM March 27, 2012 (5:59 pm)

    Looks great, nice job! See you there soon.

  • SudsyMaggie March 27, 2012 (6:17 pm)

    Taps, yes! And sometimes a beer shopping trip warrants a cart. Congrats to your continued success, Morgan!

  • Cstar March 27, 2012 (6:37 pm)

    Love that they added a bar! How fun. Congrats on the new digs. I’m not a big beer girl but I’ll buy some just to support these guys.

  • Tyler March 27, 2012 (6:45 pm)

    Morgan Rocks!!

  • Mike March 27, 2012 (8:03 pm)

    SO excited! Weeeeeeeeee

  • Laconique March 27, 2012 (8:20 pm)

    Morgan is the best! So glad there’s so many ciders in addition to all the fantastic beers. Can’t wait!!

  • themightyrabbit March 27, 2012 (8:26 pm)

    fantastic. more w.s. business success stories! and it doesn’t hurt I’m a beer geek that welcomed this one from the beginning!

  • Harry Reems March 27, 2012 (8:34 pm)

    As much as loathe all the damage alcohol has wrought on society, I wish this local small business great success. Remember, shop local!

  • Whitney March 27, 2012 (8:48 pm)

    LOVE the Beer Junction! Morgan is fantastic. If you never visited the old location, please come check out the new one!!

  • K March 27, 2012 (8:59 pm)

    Congrats Morgan! Can’t wait to visit!

  • Ian March 27, 2012 (9:04 pm)

    Awesome! Can’t wait to see it! Congrats!

  • GenHillOne March 27, 2012 (9:06 pm)

    Congratulations, Morgan – so exciting!

  • taprat March 27, 2012 (9:21 pm)

    Those new growler fillers are unreal.

  • Sam March 27, 2012 (9:34 pm)

    Morgan, congrats. Nicest beer guy in west Seattle!

  • Michael March 27, 2012 (9:48 pm)

    Congratulations Morgan and the taps!

  • Naughtygrl March 27, 2012 (11:17 pm)

    Love the beer junction! Great selection. Great owner. Thursday tasting events. And now taps? Sweet. Gotta get Trenton St. Brewery represented in there!

  • Sonoma March 28, 2012 (2:53 am)

    Morgan is a great guy – friendly and knowledgeable. Pliny the Oscar is a great fish – friendly (for a fish) and perhaps knowledgeable. I remember Pliny the Oscar was just a wee fellow when the store opened. Look at him now!

  • Jay March 28, 2012 (5:42 am)

    Is Beer Junction now a 21+ shop? My understanding was that Bottleworks (Wallingford) has to be 21+ because they serve from their taps. That’d be a shame, since my daughter comes along for most of my junction trips.

  • Franklin March 28, 2012 (7:57 am)

    Morgan is awesome! The Beer Junction is the best bottle shop in the Pacific Northwest, Portland included! It’s one of the reasons I moved to West Seattle. This is a truly great upgrade; can’t wait to try the taps and to see the new store!

  • LS March 28, 2012 (8:18 am)

    We love The Beer Junction! I just wanted to point out that, although we think Morgan is super cool too, his wife(forgot her name,sorry!) is totally awesome as well! She’s always there helping to run the business with Morgan, every time we stop in for the tastings. Plus, she always lets my kids feed Pliny and she’s oh so patient with them :) The kids will miss feeding Pliny but my husband and I will still enjoy tastings without the little rugrats in tow.

  • Todd March 28, 2012 (9:13 am)

    Congratulations and continued success! See you soon.

  • Marley March 28, 2012 (9:25 am)

    YES!!!! So excited for Morgan and Allison! I’m also wondering about the age restriction- if there is one. Super Deli Mart serves beer on tap and is all ages…hopefully Beer Junction will be as well!

  • 2krazy4words March 28, 2012 (10:38 am)

    I’m not sure of the rules or work arounds to the age restrictions, but Big Al’s & Super Deli (as mentioned) don’t have age restrictions…

  • carlton March 28, 2012 (11:05 am)

    Yaaaaaaay for more alcohol!

  • Morgan March 28, 2012 (11:54 am)

    Hi all! We’re excited about being able to offer pints on premise. You’ll be able to enjoy any of our 8 rotating taps at the tasting bar or shop the whole retail section with a pint in hand! In order to do this we did have to change our liquor license to that of a tavern, which does restrict those under the age of 21. We’re sorry for the inconvenience. This is the only liquor license available to us that allows us to offer pints on premise. Other places that are all ages have either a “Restaurant license” with full food service or a “Microbrewery license”. Thanks for all the great comments! We’re excited to open and hope to see you all soon! Cheers- Morgan

  • Jehu March 28, 2012 (12:02 pm)

    The Beer Junction just keeps getting better and better. How lucky are we to have the best bottle shop in Seattle right here in our hood? Congrats, Morgan!

  • ZD March 28, 2012 (12:19 pm)

    Congratulations to you Morgan!

  • 2krazy4words March 28, 2012 (12:55 pm)

    just got Morgan’s email – “WE’RE NOW 21+: Our new location now offers pint pours! You can grab a seat at the tasting bar or shop the whole store with your pint! We’re really excited about this new feature, but we did have to change our liquor license. We are now considered a “tavern” and can only allow those 21 and older into the store. We’re sorry for the inconvenience. Short of becoming a full fledged restaurant, this is the only liquor license available that allows us to offer pints on premise.”

  • sam-c March 28, 2012 (1:24 pm)

    it is 21+ (from the newsletter they just emailed)

  • Pete March 28, 2012 (1:25 pm)

    Congrats to Morgan! I second all the nice things people have said about him. He’s extremely nice and helpful, and this continued success is so-well deserved!

  • Neighborly March 28, 2012 (1:36 pm)

    They won’t be able to allow anyone under 21 in at all. The other places serve food, so have a “tavern area”.

  • beef March 28, 2012 (1:40 pm)

    boooo for 21+.

  • W Sea Neighbor March 28, 2012 (2:23 pm)

    yaaaaaaay for 21+!

  • Laconique March 28, 2012 (2:47 pm)

    Just tie the little ones up outside. Perfectly safe.

  • kellymayk March 28, 2012 (7:14 pm)

    @Laconique: Yeah, I think I saw that on Portlandia.

    If they are half as cool as Full Throttle Bottles in Georgetown I’ll be thrilled.

    I’m already thrilled about the cider. Mmmmm…cider!

  • Chrisd March 28, 2012 (8:15 pm)

    Just checked out the new location, build it and they will come. Place was packed! Congrats Morgan and Allison.

  • solu March 29, 2012 (4:12 pm)

    WOOO!! yeah i love beer junction :)

  • sciFiCraftBeer March 29, 2012 (6:39 pm)

    Thurs: Headed there now. Hopefully not tooo crowded.

    Morgan: Make Lots of Money $$$ and Good Luck !!!

    Nice to see more competition for S_deli_M, Beveridge PP, and West5 !

  • melissa March 29, 2012 (6:51 pm)

    beer junction was one of the few things we miss about seattle. keep up the good work, morgan!

  • Mike March 29, 2012 (7:24 pm)

    Well dang , my toddler can’t carry my growlers while I buy beer in bottles? Don’t worry Morgan, some of us parents don’t haul our kids to buy beer. ;)

  • Michael March 31, 2012 (3:59 pm)

    We stopped by the shop to wish Morgan congratulations today. What a remarkable shop – best wishes for continued success to all at the Beer Junction. Kudos!

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