Caitlin W.
Yelp
First heard about Beyond the Pale when we got some Pink Fuzz (its grapefruit-infused beer -- yummmm) on recommendation from Wellington Gastropub (yay for supporting locals!). It was delicious, so my husband and I walked into their little shop to pick some up for the weekend.
Beyond the Pale isn't a bar, but they do have a tasting bar you can sit at and the staff can let you sample beers. From there, you buy a growler ($12-13) or a (I think) liter ($10) in reusable bottles for a refundable deposit fee ($2-3) plus the beer price. They generally have about four brews on tap of varying types, and each beer uses local ingredients. Simple, and it works
Where it doesn't work it when it gets busy. The friendly, knowledgeable staff has a tendency to get snippy when there are more than five people in there, and the stock runs out SO quickly. I've never gone in there, even very early on a Saturday, and not have had beers sold out, despite just opening the night before.
They're still new, so I hope Beyond the Pale can work out some of the supply kinks because it's a great, simple concept and the beer is really good. One staff member even had me drinking some dark oatmeal stout, which is usually not my bag, and I really really liked it. I plan on drinking Pink Fuzz all summer long. Plus, the growlers are a good idea to bring to a gathering, and every time we have, everyone has loved it.
I hope more places start carrying Beyond the Pale, and so far it seems to really have spread across Wellington West at the Gastropub, Hintonburg Public House, Absinthe, and a handful of other places. I also believe they plan to start offering smaller bottles in a four pack.
I love seeing a local microbrew beer scene emerge here, and I'm cheering for this place to succeed.