thataintchicken

Recipes 

Had a rare day off and spent a part of it at the MoreBeer retail location in Los Altos, CA -- technically the More Flavor ( wine ) location.

I went to gather the materials for a brew day on Saturday and I did not know what to expect. I have seen both retail perfect sterile LHBS stores and some that you need to kick the trash out of the way to get to the merchandise...
This was a mix of both.. lots of product in a small space, but well organized.

The store is fully self - serve, I scooped my own grains, inspected and weighed them then ran them through the mill. After bagging and tagging, I then grabbed hops and yeast out of the reach in refrigerators and loaded everything into a bag to take to the register...

The honor system rocks and I saved nearly $20 dollars plus shipping on a kit that I could have ordered online elsewhere for 50 plus tax plus shipping.
The grain quality was very good BTW. Additionally, they carry Wyeast products at this location which are not offered online. SWEET!
The wine yeast selection is huge if you are into wine making.

The best part was talking to the guy that had never brewed before and helping him choose an extract kit and supplies. A holiday wheat is what I built for him, based around one of the stock B3 kits.
He promises to let me know how it turns out. I think he will do fine.

The manager invited me to bring some beers to sample on Oct. 22nd. They are having a little brewfest there. I am still amazed at the friendliness of the staff. They treated me like I owned the place. It was very cool and laid back.
There are at least five homebrew/winemaking stores within 20-30 minutes of my home. This is my new favorite hands down.

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Subtle is too confusing. Subtle only has it's place for aroma, flavor, and insult. Anyplace else, you lose. -GilaMinumBeer

Dammit. I should have checked my wood before lighting the fire. -Marubozo

Chickens are on the far end of the spectrum for filth, chemicals, and lack of ethics. -Bottlebomber

zoebisch01

Recipes 

Sounds like a pretty well run place. I have had good experiences with their online business. I would love a place like that here.

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Event Horizon ~ A tribute to the miracle of fermentation.

Brew what you like. Do this, and you will find your inner brewer.

A4J

Recipes 

The retail location in Riverside is pretty cool too. You can walk in, give 'em a list and they'll get everything in the list for you. Great bunch of guys there - even the customers.

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Primary 1: pale ale
Primary 2: blondie

My mid-century modern keezer build thread.

Brooklyn-Brewtality

Recipes 

I go to both the Los Altos and Concord locations.

Los Altos has a great staff. Phil and Steve are very helpful nice guys, only once have I walked in there and not ended up just spending 15 minutes talking to them

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Kegged: Citra IPA
Bottled:*empty*
Fermenting: Dusseldorf Alt
Planned: Black IPA, Munich Helles, Belgian Golden Strong, IIPA, Serrano/Habanero Cream Ale...

toastermm

Recipes 

I'm so jealous....

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Bottled: Quad, Cherry Dubbel, Sour Brown, Flanders Red, 12-12-12 Wee Heavy.

SkinnyShamrock

Recipes 

Both of the homebrew supply places near me sound like the one you just described. Self-serve (mostly), organized, smallish, and with really chill people who love to talk about beer. It's a good hobby!

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Jeff, Brewer, Troegs Brewing Company, Harrisburg, PA

"RDWHAHB, right?"
"No, just do it right, damnit!"

fat x nub

Recipes 

I wish the LHBS around here was like that . The people that own the one i go to are into wine making more than brewing and the other one is farther away but I like that one more but hate driving really far. At least the people are friendly at the one I go to. Shopping online is just convienent for me but will make a couple trips to the LHBS every now and then

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Primary 1-This Bud's for you
Primary 2- Cream Ale
Secondary 1- Strong Scotch Ale
Secondary 2- empty
Bottled/Kegged- Centinneal Blonde, Apfelwein
Up Next- MyCastle (N.English Brown Ale), Hooch Pale Ale
Thinking About: Tripple Bock, Chocolate Stout, open to suggestions

"Every beer is a good beer if I can taste the brewer's intent"
-Jim Koch

Is this guy serious??: