It was always Morgan Herzog's plan to have a beer sales/beer and wine pub on California Avenue, in the Junction. He even named his business Beer Junction but for the past two years the store has been operating at
4707 42nd Ave. s.w. It's been good, business has been steady and growing but was only a first step.

When the Liquor store and the West Seattle Train Shop closed and moved, he saw his opportunity. Next week it all comes to fruition when he opens the new Beer Junction in a rather remarkable space at 4511 California Ave. s.w.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

At 2500 square feet Herzog has plenty of room, and he's put it to good use. In the 100 feet from door to door he has packed in a major beer cooler. By major we mean 36 total doors of a 50 foot long refrigerator case stocked with more beers than you could ever possibly remember. You won't find any big names like Budweiser or Miller at the Beer Junction. But you will find 1250 beers (up by 200 from the old store). "Its stuff we've carried before but we had to rotate through instead." They've added more than 100 hard ciders, 50 meads and 60 more wines and additional glassware. The beers range from the most expensive at $49.99 Dubuisson Scaldis Prestige to the famous Pliny the Elder to stouts, IPA's, Porters, and other dark beers. Herzog enjoys beer himself of course and samples one or two per night, most days. A favorite style right now is Imperial Stout with Northcoast Old Rasputin or Oskar Blues Ten Fidy standing out in that field. There is another bar/counter where retail sales will happen across from the beer coolers.

But the biggest difference is a beautiful copper bar, with 8 taps and seating out front for up to 22 people and a few more at the bar itself. In the bottle shop area it's, "whatever the Fire Department allows," Herzog said smiling.

At the moment the finishing touches are still going into the place so it will open, "Most likely Wednesday, possibly Thursday, and definitely by Friday," which would be March 30. "People are going to have to keep checking," Herzog said. Do that on Facebook, Twitter or their website and people on their email list will get a notice. They will typical open at 11 am (closed Mondays) and are open until 8pm except for weekends when it goes until 9pm.

This initial phase will be followed by a Grand Opening event, "probably in April," Herzog said. Call them at 206-938-BEER (2337)