Tasty Beverage Company Opening Soon in the Depot Building

July, 22, 2011 , by Khaner

Tasty Beverage owners Sean Pratt and Johnny Belflower are young and brimming with excitement. Whether it’s the optimism of youth or the knowledge that they have a sensational hit unfolding before them, the Raleigh entrepreneurs have a crystal-clear vision for their store. Opening night cannot get here fast enough.

While it isn’t Lord of the Flies, you’ll be hard-pressed to find the typical adult authority figure one might expect when meeting your average shopkeeper. Both in their twenties (Pratt is approaching the mythical 30-mark) the two defied monumental odds in funding and opening a new business during a time in which financial lending has crawled to a near stop.

“Trying to get loans in a recession wasn’t an easy thing to do,” Pratt says with a sheepish grin. “Especially when you are under 30 years old, don’t own a house, etc. Banks tend to get very wary…”

That hasn’t stopped Tasty Beverage from taking shape and their two-year dream of opening Raleigh’s flagship “beer-only” store, in becoming a brick & mortar reality. With 400 Facebook followers and just as many Twitter follows garnered months before their opening, it might be safe to say the investment was a smart one.

Sandwiched between Jibarra and Tuscan Blu in Raleigh’s Warehouse District, Tasty Beverage is devoted to beer and all things that go with it. After visiting Asheville’s Bruisin’ Ales, Pratt figured Raleigh could use such a store and fellow friend and beer enthusiast, Bellflower couldn’t agree more. “One day I became sick with my job,” said Pratt. “I didn’t have to work the entire day, so I sat down and wrote the business plan.”

With his degree from NC State’s School of Business and Management, Pratt kept on writing that plan while Belflower’s background in advertising and Web design laid the foundation for Tasty’s marketing strategy.

Stocked with bottled beers and a strong focus on seasonal brews that don’t make it to the area, the shop will also boast local meats and cheeses, a tasting bar with six drafts on tap, a small selection of wine, pint glasses and anything else that belongs to the crisp popping sound of a beer cap.

“Beer is our main product,” comments Belflower, “and that is very important to us. We’ll keep it rotating, keep it fresh but customer service will set us apart. The most important thing is that our customers get the experience we’ve always wanted in a beer store.”

Closing in on an opening date sometime during August, beer enthusiasts won’t have to wait much longer. Hours are likely to be weekdays 11 am – 9 pm, Friday & Sat 11 am – 11 pm and Sunday 12 – 6 pm.

For more on Tasty Bev, including shirts with their catchy logo, visit: http://www.tastybeverageco.com/.

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