What if I told you one of the best places in the country to find the coolest, freshest craft beer is in Pasadena, California? That probably wouldn’t surprise. But what if I also told you that when you go to find the latest releases from Humble Sea or Trillium, or even a bottle of Cantillon, you could also fill up your gas tank a few dozen feet from that refrigerator door?
In this episode, you’re going to meet Shibli Haddad, who owns and runs a Shell gas station that has become one of the most important beer stores in the U.S. Not only does Shibli stock some of the most sought-after beer from across America, but he brings a clear passion for connecting with people because of it. You’ll hear him describe the way he talks to customers to learn about them and what would be exciting to find in his store, how he tracks trends, and why it’s important to offer special beer at an accessible price. He came to run the store because of his dad, started stocking unique beer because of his sister, and has become a part of California beer culture because of his commitment to forming relationships with his customers.
This conversation is part of Good Beer Hunting’s coverage for Gas Station Week, a series of stories, essays, and podcasts meant to highlight how people all over can find unique beer experiences in typically unexpected places. Make sure to visit goodbeerhunting.com for more voices that highlight this corner of the beer world.