New beer specialty store opens in Jerusalem

It may be small in size, but for beer lovers and home-brewers in Jerusalem, it's a giant event.

The grand opening of Beerateinu.
(Photo: Mike Horton)

With the opening of Beerateinu at 3 Yanai Street, the city finally has an Israeli craft beer specialty shop where you can purchase close to 100 different kinds of Israeli craft beers from over 20 micro-breweries. 

The name is a play on words which means "our capital" and "our beer." 

The Israeli beers on display include: HaDubim, Sparrow, HeChatzer, Mosco, Dancing Camel, Buster's (cider), Negev, Alexander, Vilde Chaye, Fass, Lela, Herzl, Arava, Emek Ha'ela, HeChalutz, Jem's, Cabara, Malka, Bazelet, Shapiro, Ronen, Meadan and Beertzinut.   

In addition, selected imported beers are also on sale, as well as new lines of Israeli craft distilled spirits, which is a fancy way to say "liquor."  The new distilleries are Pioneer Spirits (from Isra-Ale, makers of Buster's Cider and Chutzpah Beer) and Golan Heights.

Leon Shvartz (left) and Shmuel Naky
pumping the taps at Beerateinu.
(Photo: Mike Horton)

"With all due modesty, Jerusalem has been waiting for a place like this," says Beerateinu partner Leon Shvartz, who is also the owner of the Glen Whisky Bar across the road on Shlomzion Hamalka Street.  "Tel Aviv has had at least three stores like this for several years, while Jerusalemites didn’t have any place to find the full range of Israeli craft beers, including some quite small but excellent micro-breweries."

The other partner, Shmuel Naky, a bartender at the Glen, adds that Beerateinu also sells cold beer in bottles and on tap.  "We have six taps where we will be pumping different Israeli craft beers on a rotational basis," he says.  "People can sit around and enjoy cold beer and light snacks right in the shop.  For the time being, we open at 11:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.  It's a very nice social atmosphere and we will be adding on later hours."

Leon Shvartz pours malted barley
into the miller.
(Photo: Mike Horton)

Beerateinu sells bottles of Israeli craft beers for 14-16 shekels per 330 ml bottle, which is somewhat lower than prices were even a year ago.  "Because of the recent reduction in tax on beer, we were able to lower our prices," Shvartz explains.  Prices for all beer on tap is 15 shekels for a quarter of a liter, 20 shekels for a third, and 25 shekels for a half.

The third role of Beerateinu is home-brewing, and the back of the store is devoted to selling equipment and ingredients, as well as giving courses in home-brewing. 

"Making your own beer at home is growing in popularity all over Israel," says Shvartz.  "You can brew beer in your own kitchen or garage very inexpensively, and get a much better product than buying from the big, industrial brewers.  Until now, home-brewers in Jerusalem – and there might be hundreds of them – had to travel outside of the city to buy their equipment and ingredients.  No more.  We offer them everything they need right here.

Shmuel Naky (left) and Leon Shvartz,
partners of Beerateinu.
(Photo: Mike Horton)

"And for those who want to begin home-brewing or improve their techniques, we are giving classes at all levels."

And here's more good news for Jerusalem beer aficionados: Within a short while, a branch of the Beer Bazaar, located in Tel Aviv's Carmel Market, will be opening in the Machane Yehuda Market.      

It's taken some time, but it looks like Jerusalem is finally on the craft beer map.