Business Profile: Fenwick Beer and Wine

Long-time Silver Spring resident Suman Shrestha has loved specialty beers and wines, and trying out new ones, for years.  But he grew tired of spending time driving out of town fighting traffic to find them.

So, he decided to do something about it: last December he and his wife opened their own Silver Spring shop, Fenwick Beer and Wine. The store is located close to downtown and within walking distance of the Metro station, at the corner of Second Avenue and Fenwick Lane. 

Lodged in a small house that was most recently a real estate office, from the outside it looks more like a cottage bed-and-breakfast. But looks are deceiving: inside, the shop houses a huge collection of specialty, hard-to-find beers and unusual wines from around the world. 

This is not the place to pick up a garden-variety six pack, but where to find small batch or craft beers and "boutique" wines. "90 percent of what we carry, you don't see in this area" said Shrestha. 

"We have the biggest selection in the whole county," he added. 

The boutique stocks nearly 400 beers, including American craft brews, Belgian, English and German beers, and about 700 wines, including such unusual finds as pomegranate or sparkling sake.  Organic beers and wines, gluten-free beers and kosher wines are among the offerings.  All 400 beers are listed on its website, and the store welcomes recommendations from customers.

One thing all the store's offerings have in common: they must pass Shrestha's taste test before hitting the shelves. 

"I try every single wine and beer.  If I don't like it, I don't carry it," he said.

Customers have come to rely on Shrestha's recommendations.  In its first year the shop has already attracted a loyal and growing customer following.  Beer or wine tastings are offered each Friday afternoon (and some Saturdays), and regulars stop in every week to sample or take something new home to try. 

"They come here to find what they can't find elsewhere," Surestha explained.

Jeff Barsky lives in Sliver Spring and has become one of the regulars.

"This is the best craft beer store I've ever been to," he said. "His [Shrestha's] recommendations are always excellent," he continued. "I would drive to Rockville and sit in traffic– now I come in here once or twice a week."

Corey Magwood said he drives past the store and stops in on his way home.

"Very nice shop. I like it here… I don't know a lot about wine but they are always very helpful,"said Magwood.

Local wines from around Maryland and Virginia are prominently featured, including two based in Silver Spring:  Penn OaksWinery, and Black Ankle Vineyards which offered samples for last week's store wine tasting.  Although the vineyard is located in Frederick, founder-owners Sarah O'Herron and husband Ed live in Silver Spring. Their wines are carried at Fenwick. 

Fenwick also carries Cherry Glen artisan goat cheese made in Boyds, Maryland.  The store has received several positive reviews from Bier Magazine, Beer Advocate, and Yelp.

Customers like Barsky seem to agree the store is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.  "I love it here.  I look forward to stopping in once or twice a week."

The store is open 7 days a week.  For more information (and to see the list of 400 beers), visit www.fenwickbeerandwine.com