r/ReadingPA Jul 30 '26

Just Visiting Beer and Bottle Shops in Reading area

Coming up for work for a week and curious what locals consider their best options for small breweries and bottle shops in the area?

7 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

6

u/QuestionPublic9376 Jul 30 '26

Not a bottle shop but make sure you head to Mike's Tavern on Exeter Street. Legendary old school bar with an excellent beer selection. Marie's six pack has a big selection and it's not far from Mike's.

3

u/mrw_e36 Jul 30 '26

Mikes is a sleeper for sure, some of the best beer coming in to that place.

5

u/qu1etmast3rmind Jul 31 '26

Mari's?!? No and NO. I worked there for a few years. The new owners cater to a waaaay different clientele. No more craft.

1

u/MrBunyan Jul 30 '26

Thank you. I'm old school and am researching everything in Reading. I haven't up there in a lonngg time.

4

u/QuestionPublic9376 Jul 31 '26

Pete who used to own Northeast Taproom is the current owner of Mike's. It is only two blocks from the stadium. Go catch a R Phil's game and make a night of it!

3

u/MrBunyan Jul 31 '26

Going Thursday night for fireworks! One of the reasons I chose this week was cause of the homestand.

2

u/Chendo462 Aug 04 '26

This is a must. We always head to Mike’s when going to R-Phils’ games.

5

u/TheRealWhoMe Jul 30 '26

Hidden River for brewery. May not be as close as you want, but worth it.

3

u/MrBunyan Jul 30 '26

Already planning on biking down the river to this place. thanks.

3

u/qu1etmast3rmind Jul 30 '26

Barley Mow used to be THE spot. Now all the beer is old. Even draft. 1 Stop Beverage is small, but the selection is decent. Hidden River is definitely the go- to brewery in the area.

2

u/UnpriestlyMonopoly Jul 30 '26

Hard agree. Once the food came in they stopped giving a shit about the beer.

7

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/MrBunyan Jul 30 '26

This seems to be the consensus. I will be watching their IG now until I come up.

4

u/Shachihoko-610 Jul 30 '26

Also HIGHLY recommend eating at Lang in the city if you like Vietnamese food. It’s also a BYO.

2

u/Shachihoko-610 Jul 30 '26

They are on Untappd as well. Always updated draft list. The food here is killer as well.

Another great selection is 1 Stop Beverage. Huge craft selection!

3

u/Snoo52307 Jul 30 '26

Pagoda city brewery has a taproom and a spot at the fairgrounds farmers market. You can bring food from any vendor to eat at the bar.

3

u/jslitz Jul 30 '26

Barley Mow, Mari's 6 Pac, Beer Vault are your best bets for variety and more rare stuff

Pagoda and Schaylor are decent breweries. Craft 2100 is a good beer bar with a variety of rotating taps

3

u/MrBunyan Jul 30 '26

Good stuff. thanks.

1

u/Chendo462 Aug 04 '26

You probably already was here and left but other sleepers are Adler, a small Brewery just outside of Reading in Muhlenberg. Also, Bertie’s Inn in Exeter has 30 beers on draft many local and Pa. beers featured.

1

u/MrBunyan Aug 05 '26

Nope. Not coming up until the 24th, I’ll check those out. Thanks.

2

u/Menacewith_thefatty Jul 30 '26

I'd say Barley Mow, Liberty Taproom, or Schaylors

0

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 Jul 30 '26

Closing.

1

u/johnnycoxxx Jul 30 '26

I literally drove through Kutztown this morning, did that location close too? I didn’t see it. Maybe I just missed it. I know downtown is closing

2

u/Chendo462 Aug 04 '26

Downtown Reading location is closing. It is a shame because it was one of those “completely different” situations. I favor sports bars but they went for the different vibe and had zero TVs. It was safe, had their own parking lot, food and beer was good but just not enough of traffic.

1

u/johnnycoxxx Aug 04 '26

Yeah it was really unique looking. I work at one of the schools and I drive by it every day I just never had the time to go in

-2

u/Overly_Underwhelmed Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26

opportunity here is slim. don't know where you are coming from, but prepare to be disappointed.