It's a little over a week into the new year and I find myself already falling behind. I wanted to put this post up during the last week of December but with the holidays and traveling it kept getting pushed to the side. So before the year gets any older it's time to shout about Capone's restaurant. Capone's is located on Germantown Pike in Norristown and is a must stop for anyone who enjoys great beer. If we all think about what makes a great beer place there are a few things that show up on any list. You want a good tap selection, great bottle list, beer events and comfort food. Well Capone's covers it all and they do it very well. From the outside it looks like your standard local family restaurant. Walking in the front door doesn't do much to change that impression. The bar almost runs the width of the building with tables on the opposite side of the room near the front window and along the sides. The locals are in place on bar stools, televisions are overhead, macro beer specials are listed behind the bar and a dinning room is viewable through an archway on the back wall. But a close look at the tap handles tells you this place isn't just home to the Bud/Miller/Coors monster. A few of the beers pouring were Troeg's Mad Elf, Bear Republic Racer 5, Victory's Baltic Thunder and Founder's Breakfast Stout. If your having a hard time deciding what to drink Capone's allows you to order a sampler. Then there's the bottle selection. If you didn't notice it on your way in you will know it once you read the bottle list. This place has a treasure in the back of the building, a bottle shop.
The bottle shop is accessible through the restaurant or from the outside on the left rear corner of the building. The selection is nothing less than amazing. Many of the beers are extremely hard to find anywhere else in eastern PA. The small space holds some of the best offerings from breweries across the country as well as around the world. On any given visit you can find Founders, Bell's, Avery, Three Floyd's, Middle Ages, Hair of then Dog, New Holland, Stone, Russian River, Olfabrikken, Otto's, Fort Collins, Rock Art, Left Hand, Hoppin' Frog, East End, Voodoo, Breckenridge, Port Brewing/Lost Abbey and Mikkeller just to name a few. Of course the local craft beers are all there along with a solid selection of Belgians. Any of these beers are also available to enjoy in the restaurant.
Another plus at Capone's is the food. I can only speak for what I have had in the bar, but it never disappoints. When I come here it's typically to enjoy the liquid offerings but a night of beer with no food is not a good night. The standard bar fare is done well. The Buffalo wings are spicy, crisp and a good size and the burgers are large and flavorful. At some point I will make sure to explore the menu and actually eat in the dinning room.
Finally, what really makes this a beer destination are the monthly brewery events. A few of the events from last year included owners, brewers and reps from Bell's, Russian River (My first taste of Pliny the Younger and Elder and a growler of each for The Beer Fridge), Allagash, Boulder, Legacy, Penn, Flying Fish and Founders. These events are always a great way to taste a wide range of beers from the participating brewery and to talk a little shop. So whether its for a beer event, comfort food, to find a unique bottle, or enjoy what's on the ten taps make sure that Capone's is on your short list of great beer destinations.
The bottle shop is accessible through the restaurant or from the outside on the left rear corner of the building. The selection is nothing less than amazing. Many of the beers are extremely hard to find anywhere else in eastern PA. The small space holds some of the best offerings from breweries across the country as well as around the world. On any given visit you can find Founders, Bell's, Avery, Three Floyd's, Middle Ages, Hair of then Dog, New Holland, Stone, Russian River, Olfabrikken, Otto's, Fort Collins, Rock Art, Left Hand, Hoppin' Frog, East End, Voodoo, Breckenridge, Port Brewing/Lost Abbey and Mikkeller just to name a few. Of course the local craft beers are all there along with a solid selection of Belgians. Any of these beers are also available to enjoy in the restaurant.
Another plus at Capone's is the food. I can only speak for what I have had in the bar, but it never disappoints. When I come here it's typically to enjoy the liquid offerings but a night of beer with no food is not a good night. The standard bar fare is done well. The Buffalo wings are spicy, crisp and a good size and the burgers are large and flavorful. At some point I will make sure to explore the menu and actually eat in the dinning room.
Finally, what really makes this a beer destination are the monthly brewery events. A few of the events from last year included owners, brewers and reps from Bell's, Russian River (My first taste of Pliny the Younger and Elder and a growler of each for The Beer Fridge), Allagash, Boulder, Legacy, Penn, Flying Fish and Founders. These events are always a great way to taste a wide range of beers from the participating brewery and to talk a little shop. So whether its for a beer event, comfort food, to find a unique bottle, or enjoy what's on the ten taps make sure that Capone's is on your short list of great beer destinations.
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