September 16, 2009 [ Updated September 17, 2009 ]
Went here on a tip from rayg1, and man was this place fun. I didn’t know what to expect when I went through the door. I was met by Chuck, the proprietor, a kind, friendly-looking man who reminded me of a cross between Uncle Jessie and Santa Claus, only instead of giving toys to kids, Chuck sells a rock solid array of beers, including rare locals, a smattering of many top 50 brewers, and a smorgasbord of other stuff, to adults! The place had a very rustic quality. It might be called a tiny bit cramped and weathered and worn in, but it felt warm, welcoming, and comfortable, like an old tennis shoe, and for some strange reason I felt a strong deja vu, as if I had been there before and met Chuck before. Chuck was as affable, accommodating, and enthusiastic as could be. We talked NC beer, life in Pennsylvania, and PA/regional beer for most of half an hour while he showed me his selection of shelves and informed me that any sixer was splittable. As I told Chuck, this is the kind of place I could spend all week in, just hanging out, drinking beer, shooting the bull, and maybe playing cards for fun, not for money. Wow, what a place, what a memory, and I damn sure hope I get to visit this place again before the Reaper pays me a visit. Speaking of the Reaper, I picked up Reaper Ales Sleighor IIPA here, and can’t wait to try it tonight. The only things missing were the collard greens (and they have a collard festival in Ayden every year). If you are in Raleigh, Cary, or anywhere within an hour or two of this place, do yourself a favor and check it out. I guarantee you not only won’t be disappointed, but will likely leave as I did, with an ear-to-ear grin, a grateful feeling for having been tipped off to the place by a generous ratebeerian, and a half hour mingling of Northern and Southern men who share a love for beer that really made my week, and forget for a few hours about the stress filled life I live.

July 20, 2009
Little beer/wine shop in downtown Ayden. I was surprised to find that Ayden had a shop. Small beer selection but not bad. Have some Highland beers on tap and a little bar if you just want to sit and have a few. The owner seemed really cool also.

February 23, 2009
Great beer (and wine) and great friends