Amazing assortment of domestic & imported suds. Nice choices of snacks. Very clean & well lit. Competitive prices & friendly service. read more

On our way home from a recent trip to Gettysburg we found ourselves in Emmaus, PA and saw the sign for Shangy's and, being a lover of good beer, we had to go in to see if it lived up to its "Beer Authority" claim. Well, it did. I was hoping to find some specific beers I couldn't find at home (porters and stouts) and was able to find four I was searching for and I then added eight more to walk out with two six packs of singles. I also found a few large bottles of higher end beers. Wifey out together a six pack of her own (mostly IPAs) and we walked away happy. I really love places like this that are giant beer warehouses. They have a LOT here to choose from...so if you're a Miller Lite fan or a fan of high end foreign brews you can find something here to whet your whistle. read more

Shangy's the Beer Authority - a grocery store - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Emmaus, Pennsylvania

See all

If you want to walk into probably the biggest beer store in the country , then this is the place. They literally only sell beer and the place is humongous. That's about where the good stopped for me. At first I felt like a kid in a candy store, then as I started looking at the different beers, most of the craft products were extremely old. Under the "new arrivals section there was an IPA canned in 2020, I'm not joking! Any beer enthusiast knows that is absolutely ridiculous. Get rid of the beers already!!! Then they had canned 4 packs of craft beers for 30-35$ which I used to purchase back in NY for 20-22$. If you want to go for barrel aged or older styles that age well then you're good, otherwise go to all the other local beer stores with better products for cheaper prices. Seriously throw out your 2-3 years old ipas guys. read more

This is an exceptional beer distributor. I've been coming for a couple of decades now but only every now and then when I am in the area. It's always been on top of things. Great selection, organized, clean, and care about the product. They recently (to me) refreshed the place and it's got bigger, better options for singles, mixed sixes, cases etc. Frankly I wish they were closer to me. read more

These cheap A-holes will sell you expired beer. Purchased on 8/24/23. Got home to took one sip and knew it tasted off. Come on man, beer authority? Laughable. Not the first time this happened here. Shouldn't have to check dates on a common ipa like stone to find it over a year old. They're all about appearance. Find a smaller better distributor. Should be easy. read more

Shangy's the Beer Authority - a person holding a can - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Emmaus, Pennsylvania

See all

Best beer store ever? Ridiculously incredible selection. I could easily spend hours there to explore the different types of brews they have. Highly recommend stoppin if in the rea. read more

CHECK THE DATES if they're still on.. I was going there all the time buying beer at full price that was WAY OUT OF DATE one was from 2021! This review is 6/2023 When mentioned to the staff they had to text to see if it was ok to discount, then said they usually don't do it but will. Then said well we have plenty of beer that not out of date.., and honestly said " we put that out there for people that don't check the dates" AT FULL PRICE!! We're talking $26 a 4 pack.. I'm all about local business not shady business. Every beer I get from there now I feel is out of date and something could be wrong with it.totally ruined the experience.. I have gotten a bad one.. and one I bought that night had no date and I feel Was bad as well. It was so carbonated it was like drinking champagne and had weird aftertaste. Do better that's not ok business. read more

I always come out of Shangy's with some interesting beer, but feeling upset and frustrated. They have a selection like no other, so you almost HAVE to shop there if you are a Lehigh Valley beer geek. But the customer service is rude and unfriendly. I never see the employees smiling, and they almost seem angry to be working there. The place seems to be well organized, with offerings displayed alphabetically in different sections, but the signage is poor and it takes a while to get used to their system. There are multiple rooms but it's not clear what is where. There are cases stacked all over the place, but there is no sign saying "please do not open the cases" so you are never quite sure what to do. It seems like the employees are probably just waiting for you to open a case so they can be angry with you. One other pet peeve: I am a retired gentleman who loves to read the labels and shop the unique single bottles (such as aged sours). But they are all displayed about 4 inches off the floor on the lowest shelving unit! Some days I just don't feel like getting down on my hands and knees to peruse the offerings. read more

Employees were hanging out in pairs and talking when I got in, which was fine as there were no other customers in the store at this time. But when I had questions they put virtually no energy into answering... They did not blatantly blow me off, but their responses to my questions about the brands I was looking for were little more than, "Yeah, I don't know." When I asked a pair of cashiers if they could look it up on their computer, they both starting looking but both looked like they were expecting the other to lead the effort. Kind of slowly, almost blindly poking around the system. I would have preferred to do the search myself, but I do not have cell service and rely on Wi-Fi. Shangy's has a guest Wi-Fi, but no one there knows the password. OK, that happens, but clearly this has been the case for some time. None of them said, "Let me make a call and see if I can get that for you. If not, I'll see if I can at least get the password for the next time you are here." I spent twenty minutes in / around the store (I walked next door to McDs, to use their Wi-Fi to search Shangy's website, which the Shangy employees could not or would not do for me in their store.) I left without a purchase. This is my first review, but my third straight poor experience at Shangy's in Macunigie. The employees at Shangy's act as if their job it to stock shelves and check out customers. And nothing more than that. I have options. read more

I am a loyal Shangy's customer. Just got a small (32oz) growler and one of your beers. Good. Just realized I paid $20 for 32 oz or 2 glasses of beer. Seems a bit excessive. Yeah I needed a growler so I paid the $8 jug. Still, seems kinda not worth it. read more

If you're looking for a welcoming experience or nice manager then don't come to Shangys. Not once but TWICE we were legitimately yelled at by a nasty what I assume is manager or owner (an older woman that's always there) and she made me feel very embarrassed/called out. The first time I was apparently not forming the line correctly at the unmarked register area and not in the right place to wait next in line. Next time when I decided to give the place another chance I was apparently supposed to leave the slushees on the counter until I paid for it and was not allowed to hold them while my husband paid. She was also answering the phone at the same time and yelling at the girl working for her to clean the windows. Yikes! Not welcoming at all or a place I want to spend my money again. read more

What an impressive store! If Shangy's doesn't have it, you just don't need it. The draft selection is impressive as well as the different fresh can sizes and growlers. There's over 20 something adult slushees available. You can pick your own six pack and everything! This is a beer enthusiast heaven! The staff is great and attentive. I especially had a very pleasant exchange with Meredith, the cashier. She is certainly an asset to this business. read more

There is no denying the fact that Shangy's has an impressive beer selection in both domestic and imports and their pricing is reasonable, but the fact that they continue to sell beer that is past it's prime is inexcusable and allows unexpected victims to have negative opinions on a brewery that has been unfairly represented. Check your cases for dates people.... As a past victim, they were not willing to exchange or accept a return of beer that was over a year old. In this case, the box was not dated w/ a "bottled on" or "best by" date. read more

Really does have a very large selection of beers to purchase by the case only thing is when trying out new beers a case some times is too much so if they could have more 12s and 6 packs it would make it that much better. Over all great place to pick up beer. read more

I walked in this place with the idea I was buying all the beer for my daughter's wedding party about 200 worth my wife ask the man at the slushy counter a question and the he asked her if she was drinking. My wife doesn't drink she has speech problems she gets nervous sometimes she stutters or can't think of the right words to say it she never drinks we where looking for certain beers for our in-laws who like higher end beers we also got three cases of miller lite I got two four packs of Guinness but one of them fell off my hand truck on the floor I picked it up and moved on one of store personnel stopped me and said" jut leave every thing there we will not be serving you and your wife both of you appear to be intoxicated I said sir I am handicapped I tried to show him my card he said no it doesn't matter so we left and went to the place down the street t no problems there read more

Super friendly staff!!! Beer Over-stimulation. Frozen delicious available to go!!! Clean and spacious read more

Five stars for their unbelievable selections, zero stars for their confusing system for mix and match six packs. Some have prices, some have color codes, nothing displayed as to what makes up the $9.99 and $11.99 in the non refrigerated area. Staff was also not very helpful and the girl at the checkout was rude and also not very helpful in her explanation. Although Wegmans does not have the selection they do not have the confusion or attitudes. read more

The selection here is amazing. Bottles from around the world, and the keg selection is VERY impressive. (I have a keg system at home, and partake of Shangy's often.) While the global selection is quite impressive, the selection of Belgian beer is where this place shines. A stunning selection of Abbey and Trappist bottles, and a wide selection of Belgians in kegs. Be aware, however, that keg prices are quite high ($150 for a 1/6 barrel on the low end; some, like Hoegaarden, come in at $70). Now, some important notes: Buying beer in PA. For you out of staters, or the locally ill-informed, you cannot buy six-packs at Shangy's. As a beer distributor, they must sell cases and kegs. No sixers, no mix-and-match, no singles. Like the latest from Pyramid? You're buying 24 bottles. That fancy corked Belgian Trappist you like? You have to buy 6 in a case for $80. Accept it. If you want sixers or mix-and-match, find a bar (usually bad selection), head to NJ, or shop with friends and split your haul. Freshness may be an issue. I've spotted old cases and kegs in stock, so check your dates or bring your brewery date-code decoder ring. I'm not saying I've gotten anything skunked, but when I spy a 1/6 barrel of Brooklyn Chocolate Stout in June, it's old. They carry a lot of exotic stuff, so not surprisingly, not all of it moves quickly. If you're buying rarities, check your dates before you purchase. Caveat emptor. Some brands just aren't there (in kegs). You'll find some wacky stuff. You won't find Sam Adams, though. Shangy's is not the wholesaler for Boston's finest, so forget getting a keg of it here. Better off looking at a retailer for that, who gets his beers from Shangy and other wholesalers. Shangy's is a wholesaler. This is not some mom and pop beer retailer. It's a warehouse. Floor selection for cases is good and easy, but kegs are trickier. They won't "get" you anything. If Shangy's doesn't carry it, they're not going to order it for you. Recommendations can be spotty. I've been recommended bad beer. Simply put, some beer is not good. To have someone on the floor recommend it to you as "good," and have it not be is a problem. Truth be told, every beer in stock is recommended as "good" because they need to move merchandise. Do your homework before you come here. (www.ratebeer.com) Those notes aside, Shangy's is beer heaven. Beer lovers, rejoice. read more

I'm glad I went, but I won't be back. I've lived just an hour away for almost 30 years and have frequently thought of going, but seeing as I have a great distributor only 5 minutes away, I've just never been able to convince myself to make the 2 hour round trip. But I had to be in Allentown for something else and figured, here's my chance. For starters, the store is well organized and well lit, with rows of pallets of cases on the floor and the wall space devoted to 4/6 packs and singles, both cold and room temp. Beers are organized alphabetically by brewery, which also helps a lot - at least I was able to quickly dash my unrealistic hopes of finding product from Russian River, The Alchemist, Tree House, etc. :) The selection is undeniably good, but to be honest, I found about 75% overlap in breweries carried vs. the place near me. Shangy's advantage was that they carry a much broader selection from many breweries, including seasonals and limited releases that most distributors can't get their hands on. To be fair, however, there were brewers that are well-represented at my local shop that I didn't see at all at Shangy's. Pricing is fair, but not exceptional, by any means. I quickly loaded my cart with about $200 of 4/6 packs, sticking exclusively to the domestic craft section due to having limited time. I will say that Shangy's does have a HUGE selection of imported craft that I didn't really have time to explore. So, if that's your jam, they are probably going to make your head explode. So, with all that, why won't I be going back? Well, as I was headed to the checkout, I noticed a display of cases of Surly's Rocket Surgery - a beer I've enjoyed in the past. So, I stopped to consider buying a case. That's when I noticed that every case on the top of the display was stamped "Packaged on August xx, 2020." Now, I'm not one of those hard cases that believes IPAs, in particula,r have to be consumed within 12 minutes of being bottled or there's no point, but 17 MONTHS? That's just wrong. Especially when you're presenting yourself as the Beer Authority, the Beer Mecca, Beer Heaven or whatever. That marketing suggests you care enough to treat the beer and your customers properly. I did consider that this was just a one-off issue (especially since they had beers that weren't nearly that old on discount close-out tables). But when I got home and checked what I bought I found that of the 10 packages I'd purchased 2 were packaged in December and 2 in November - so those are fine. The others included an early October (borderline, but not too bad) 2 Julys, 2 Junes and a January 2021 - so basically half the beer I bought was well out of code. Bottom line, for the marginal gain in selection (much of which is likely to be past its prime), I'll pass on the 2-hour round trip and stick with my local guy who I can return stuff to in a matter of minutes and never get an argument (something I've only had to do twice in 30 years). I'm not saying don't shop at Shangy's. You're sure to find some beer you won't find anywhere else, but CHECK THOSE DATES. read more

I'm standing in line with a case of beer ready to pay when Old Man Shangy tells me I just picked the worst case in the whole store. "You want a good Belgium White Ale," he asked. "Then try this beer." I took his suggestion. This one had a little boy peeing on the label! When I gave the case as a thank you (for putting me +5 on the guestlist), he was ecstatic. Old Man Shangy had suggested a great beer. This is invaluable. The store owners know the shit out of beer and that's awesome. read more

We miss Shangy's...when we lived in Macungie, this was our standard stop. It's almost overwhelming to see their stock. If you want a lot of advice, this may not be the place for you. It's hit or miss for beer advice. But if you are looking for something odd, or just the everyday stuff, you'll probably find it here. You can also admire their crazy land of Indian crafts & delicate items back near the door to the keg room, and the Indian owners will probably be lurking around, making sure the girl at the counter checks your ID. Though she always remembered us, she always asked for our IDs and whispered that her boss was looking over. At least he's persistent. :) If you want smaller quantity than a case, try Wegman's. You can buy up to a 12 pk at a time there since they are a "restaurant" (though the prices are nearly double per bottle what you'd pay at a beer store). read more

Came here looking for a Brazilian beer I had at a local restaurant. From the sounds of the reviews here it sounded like if anyone around was likely to have it they would and they did. I imagine most people come here for the imports and many of them are expensive but there are plenty of domestic/more affordable options available as well so I wouldn't let the price range turn you off if it's convenient to your location. PA law mandates that businesses with a distributor license may only sell "original containers of no less than one case of twenty-four (24) containers or seven (7) ounces" and this is why you can only buy by the case. Kind of a bummer but so is buying booze in PA in general. read more

The lady that answered the phone was so rude and hung up on me on 4/9 2:24pm! I got a package delivered to me by mistake and it says there name on it. Now it's there loss because of her, when I was going out of my way to get it to them! read more

While Beer Advocate rates Shangy's as "World Class", sadly I don't think that any beer distributor in Pennsylvania can be rated as such due to the draconian liquor laws. This is not Shangy's fault, but it is a big pain to have to buy 12, 20, or 24 bottles at a time. The good: Shangy's selection is outstanding. Their prices are as good as you can get within 100, maybe even 250, miles (California and Ohio sure do have great prices but that is not a fair comparison). The "expediter" who bosses around all of the other staff is hilarious. The not-so-good: They have to follow the stupid Pennsylvania liquor laws that don't let you buy one bottle at a time. They don't take American Express. The "expediter" who bosses around all of the other staff is horrible to the staff. The odd: They have no website and only a Facebook page. Definitely worth a visit. They have the largest cold room and best cold room selecton I've ever seen anywhere, even Total Beverage in Colorado. read more

Easily one of the best places in the area in regards to selection. Everything about this place I had no issues with. Some of the other comments I feel are old customers who have an issue with this place blowing up. Great pace all around. read more

Wow, they definitely have the deepest selection of beers I've ever seen. Andrew H is right: "If they don't have it no-one does." Their prices seem to be very, very reasonable. read more

Incredible selection of brews from the U.S. and from Europe. Delicious and exotic beers from Belgium. Prices are great compared to Philadelphia :) I got Weyerbacher Merry Monk, Allentown's Rude elf and Bell winter ale. Yum! read more

Holy beer!!!!!! This place is a mecca for beer lovers - there are sooooooo many beer options by the case! Then, the prices!!!! *swoon* So good! I was looking for something pretty rare and I couldn't remember the name of the brewery. The guys helping out there knew exactly what I was talking about and, while they didn't have that beer, they suggested two other options, which I was really impressed by. This place is gooooooood!!!! read more

Shangy's the Beer Authority - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Emmaus, Pennsylvania

When you walk in the door at Shangy's, you're greeted by a sign welcoming you to "Beer Heaven", and they're right. This is the place to go if you're looking for more exotic, imported beer, as their selection is really diverse. I've found a couple beers here that I couldn't elsewhere, like the case of Augustiner (from Germany) for $40. I really, really wish PA beer laws weren't so ridiculous, it'd be great to be able to pick up 6 packs of different varieties to try, but unfortunately, you're stuck with buying everything by the case. read more

This place rocks. If they don't have it no-one does. Mom's Busch is cheapest too. read more

We were making a daytrip to Allantown last year in August, to visit folk-singer Cheryl Dilcher's early apartment there. Since we have to drive about 2 hours to get to that area, I was googling the area to find out what else we can do while around there. So we came to find this beer place. Being German, I know some good brands. My (american) husband LOVES german beer, and while still in Germany (when he visited me), I always made sure he would have a nice variety of great beers at hand. At that time I used to think this would be just normal. When I came to the US in 2003, I realized you can't even buy beer in the supermarkets here, and the brands you can find in beer stores are either ridiculous or fakes or worthless. You need to search long and hard before you can find a real good beer. BUT IN EMMAUS YOU HAVE ABUNDANCE!!! Yes, this place was heaven! Beers from several continents, the german selection was pretty good, all local german varieties were covered (Koelsch, Franken, Alt, Bock, Doppelbock, Eisbier, Pilsner). The prices were unbelievably high, but I guess you have to pay for the airplane ticket or ship's travel of the cases. I have seen a case of frankish Icebeer that would cost 71$. Although I would have loved to try that, we simply cannot afford that. Especially when you want to take home at leat 2 varieties. My husband took a case of Einbecker Dunkel and another case of Ettaler Doppelbock, and we ended up paying 100$ for both together. My sister in Germany would simply not believe these prices were real, but hey, this is considered "exotic" here, and if you want it, you gotta pay. We will go back later this month to get more ber for the later spring and summer. Definately Maibock and a Pilsner for the summer, and maybe a Wheatbeer too. I wished there was a beerlover who would like to share the cases and the costs with us. I would prefer to get 8 various 6 packs in stead of 2 cases with 24 bottles each, especially when it is something special like a Maibock which you should only drink during the merry month of May. My husband will definately NOT be able to drink 24 bottles in only one month, so we might be forced to keep the leftover rest until next year. But that might ruin it. If anyone reading this would like to meet us there and share, please drop me a note!!! The need to buy whole cases is the reason why I can't give 5 stars. But the beer is really great, and besides german beers they als have bavarian, belgium, dutch, chinese, danish and other brews which I don't remember now. AND: they are also selling the original mugs/glasses/Humpen with the beers. Not every beer has its own glass or mug, but look around, they have more than 100 various, and your favourite beer's glass might be there on the shelf. My husband took an Einbecker Humpen for the Ettaler Doppelbock, because the bavarian brew had no Humpen available. I also got him an original glas for his Einbecker Dunkel. read more

As other reviewers have noted, buying beer (or any alcohol for that matter) can sometimes be a drag in Pennsylvania. But Shangy's has among the best beer selection of ANY place I've ever been in ANY state. I don't think you can mix and match six packs as another reviewer stated, but I have seen groups of people buy several cases and than mix them up to form their own variety packs. And for those wishing to buy smaller quantities you can buy sixes of run-of-the-mill beer at bars in PA, at "Six Pack" shops that have been springing up, and now at Wegman's. Of course, you'll pay a hefty premium for buying smaller quantities, but it's a good alternative when you want to try a beer you are unsure of. Speaking of trying beers you are unsure of, Shangy's has placards located above most stacks of beer that give a brief description, rating, and origins of the beer. I'm not sure where the information is culled from, but I've had pretty good luck using their recommendations as a guideline for beer I may not be familiar with. As noted by other reviewers, you need to be check the dates on the boxes as some of the slower-moving beers may have been there for quite some time. I find the prices to be average. Sure the Trappist ales and other exotics are expensive here, but they are anyplace else you can find them, too. And most of the mass produced beers seemed to be priced about the same, or even cheaper, than smaller retail outlets. I have never seen a sale there, however; other beer distributors I visit have sales at the end of a seasonal beer's run, or as the product goes beyond its expiration. For example, I've picked up cases of a summer brew as the weather turns colder for $7 off the regular price. Anyway, I love Shangy's for a selection that can't be beat, and I drive all the way out there from Bethlehem to stock up on a bunch of cases every few months. When I don't have the time to run out there I'm always disappointed by the same old offerings at my local distributors. read more

There is no place in the WORLD like Shangy's! If it is brewed, they will have it. Beer, cider and a bunch of other things. Prices are also the lowest in the Lehigh Valley. read more

They are the beer authority! If there is one they don't have i can't think of it but some local beers are not available like Baltica (russian) beer. The workers know the products. They don''t have many selections of hard apple ciders which my family enjoys. The workers will help you to the car with your products. They can't help you drink it! That's against the rules! read more

shangys is no doubt the best beer selection in the valley. i unfortunately am a bit of a snob when it comes to beer, so i typically can not walk into any old beer distributer and find what i am looking for. their selection is fantastic, however the woman who works at the front desk is the opposite of that. the older woman who works at the front counter is the least friendly and most unwelcoming individual i've ever spoken to. was not polite when i simply asked where i could find a certain beer and was even worse during the check out process. her alone makes me want to not return. to make it worse, an older woman who was shopping at the same time as me asked if she could get some help loading her beer into the car. the woman said she was "busy" when very clearly she was just wiping shelves. i ended up helping her load her beer into the car. overall excellent beer selection, terrible customer service. read more

This is not the be-all and end-all of my relationship with Shangy's, but to a certain extent it sums up at least part of it. I was looking for beers from a brewery that they handle. Shangy's is the "ID" for them, so they're the first stop, and if I were to buy it anywhere else I'd still basically be buying it from Shangy's. I called to find out which beers they carry and what they cost, and they couldn't (wouldn't) take the time to even tell me which ones they carried, let alone the prices. I was told "You can come in and look" - jaw drop - really? I'm a good distance away, more than just a drive, so I asked if I could e-mail them for the information and I was told "ahh, no". Seriously? You won't give me the information about an item your selling, and you won't let me e-mail you to get it either? read more

Today is May 7, 2014 at 6:07pm...the cashier was very rude and unpleasant! This is for the owners to know what is going on when they are not there! I will never come back here again! read more

WHOA!!!! check your receipt before you leave this place!!! they have prices on most of their products but when you go to check out, they manipulate their system/register and charge differing amounts. after i noticed it and presented my concerns to them, they just laughed it off and basically said, "Well we have to do some creative things when we're checking out our paying Customers and well, sometimes sh*t happens!!" they recognized their errors (after i 'caught' them) offered no refund nor any sort of compensation whatsoever. cripes, their prices are high enough; why would they do this to local Customers...or ANY Customers for that matter? get your stuff elsewhere and you're likely to get a better, more honest value for your buck. read more

The only thing this place has going for it is their beer selection. This place needs a huge lesson in customer service. Rude cashier, what a miserable person. I have been going here for years out of convenience. No more! read more

While the selection is great and the prices fair, I will not go back. An employee standing around do nothing while I wait in line holding a case of beer with no offer to help. Other stores I have gone to always offer to carry to register or load into car. One young man did show me to where the beer was that I was looking for. So much for customer service. read more