Screw & Brew. The sign demanded attention. And even though a creepy doll head stood guard in the front window, it could not deter me from enthusiastically entering.

When I walked in the door, it was like stepping back in time. A quirky array of equipment, tools, hardware, paint supplies, gardening chemicals, and electrical and plumbing parts lined the aisles and walls. Beach gear, tiki torches, and camping supplies shared the packed space. And shirts, hoodies, and hats – all customized to prominently display Screw & Brew – occupied nearby racks.

I’m inside Cannon Beach Hardware. But I’m not here for tools or hardware or even nostalgia. This hardware store is also a Public House. My quest for local area craft beer drew me to this destination in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Screw and Brew – I’ll take a box of nails, two mousetraps, and a Triple IPA.

Cannon Beach is a small, coastal resort town. Until 2010, the town had no hardware store. If a resident needed some screws or a new toilet flapper, they had to drive 8 miles to the town of Seaside. Cannon Beach needed a hardware store but didn’t have a large enough population to support a local hardware business.

When Ryan Dewey heard about Foxy John’s Pub in Dingle, Ireland – a combination hardware store and pub – he thought the business model could work in Cannon Beach. So, he opened Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House.

But Ryan still faced another problem. Residents would become familiar with the business, but how do you attract passing tourists? The answer was a brand name that demands attention – Screw & Brew.

The business model has been a success. With a menu that features local area craft beers, cocktails, and cuisine ranging from halibut ceviche to a Reuben sandwich, the spot is a favorite hangout for locals and attracts numerous tourists.

While seated at the bar watching the locals at tables interspersed throughout the off-beat array of goods, I sip on my delicious IPA from Buoy Beer Company. And I consider buying a tape measure that reads Screw & Brew.