The Inn Beer Shop
657 Lord St, Southport, PR9 0AW
01704 533054
This is without doubt one of our favourite places to pick up some cracking beers. Our first visit was to have a quick pint in the bar (found on Lord Street in Southport) and to pickup some bottles to drink over the Christmas season. At the time the bar was the only place to buy beers to take away with an amazing selection of Belgium and Germany bottles and a good source of local brews. Not a massive amount of the newer craft breweries but the choice was great especially the Belgium and Germany range on offer. The owners have also now opened a bottle shop next door to the bar so the range available has increased massively. Stock is mainly focused on Germany and Belgium with an amazing choice of the best both countries have to offer. Especially good is the choice of Belgium Trappist ales including the Chimay, La Trappe, Orval and the ultra rare Westvleteren (£10 a bottle but worth the money). Some other highlights from the German section included the great Schneider Weisse Tap 6, tasty Fruh Kolsch and the always drinkable Augustiner Helles. The stars buys for us during our many visits included Kasteel Rouge (slightly sour cherry liquor beer), Delirium Tremens (bought in a mini keg for a bargain price of £35), Erdinger Dunkel (wonderfully dark wheat beer) and Tripel Karmeliet (Gold Medal at the World Beer Awards for a very good reason).
The other great thing about The Inn Beer Shop is it super relaxed and friendly staff. Always welcoming especially with our 4 year old in tow. They not only sells some amazing beers but they also do tea and coffee for the none beer drinkers. Another great aspect is the decoration inside the narrow little bar. Old and dusty with lots of old beer posters and signs, shelves and fridge lining the walls full of amazing brews and a rustic charm that makes you relax and want to stay for a beer or two. The bar is small but always has an ever changing selection of beers (two pumps and two taps) that range from local traditional ales to classic German lagers. Is the beers on pump or tap are not to your choice the fridges always have some cracking stock chilled to just the right temperature. The bottle shop next door to the bar is simple and well stocked. The selection between the bar and bottle shop is staggering with some very unique beers. We recommend you bring plenty of cash, have a couple of beers in the bar while looking at the bottles on offer to take away. Maybe even buy a couple of glasses (again a cool selection on offer) and enjoy this wonderful gem of a bar/bottle shop.
