Ok, I figured that since a dozen threads went around for people who hate their local shop, I wanted to bring the exact opposite experience to light.
My LHBS is small. Very small. In fact, it's 90% wine if you don't count the big bags of grain in the back room.
Prices are ok, maybe a little more than I could find online, but for the convenience of having it right there...worth the little extra he charges.
He was out of UK pale malt, but gave me MO for the same price.
He often sells me the whole grain bill at base malt price, because figuring out 1-1.5 pounds of 7 different malts is a pain in his ass.
He tastes my crappy beer, and makes recommendations. He tastes my good beer and compliments it.
He says: "Hey Alan, how's it going?" as I walk through the door. Aside from bringing my account up on his computer, and me telling him my name that first time we started buying there, I never really told him my name. He just remembers it from all the times I come in and punches my name up on the computer without me having to say a word.
He invites me to a big brew out with his local club, knowing I'm not a member and don't much care to be in a club, he invites me just to come drink and learn.
He shares his personal recipes for a kick ass kolsch. Another local HBS packages their recipes with bags labeled '60 minute hops,' but don't tell you what they are. They don't tell you what grains are in it, they just have a big bag of pre-crushed AG grains for the kit. If you purchase grains in bulk, you can't have the recipe to try and duplicate it again, you must buy the kit.
So, I just wanted to say happy thoughts about my local homebrew store because the owner and (almost) sole employee is an all around great guy who's happy to have me in his store and always makes time to chat while we're putting together a grain bill.
My LHBS is small. Very small. In fact, it's 90% wine if you don't count the big bags of grain in the back room.
Prices are ok, maybe a little more than I could find online, but for the convenience of having it right there...worth the little extra he charges.
He was out of UK pale malt, but gave me MO for the same price.
He often sells me the whole grain bill at base malt price, because figuring out 1-1.5 pounds of 7 different malts is a pain in his ass.
He tastes my crappy beer, and makes recommendations. He tastes my good beer and compliments it.
He says: "Hey Alan, how's it going?" as I walk through the door. Aside from bringing my account up on his computer, and me telling him my name that first time we started buying there, I never really told him my name. He just remembers it from all the times I come in and punches my name up on the computer without me having to say a word.
He invites me to a big brew out with his local club, knowing I'm not a member and don't much care to be in a club, he invites me just to come drink and learn.
He shares his personal recipes for a kick ass kolsch. Another local HBS packages their recipes with bags labeled '60 minute hops,' but don't tell you what they are. They don't tell you what grains are in it, they just have a big bag of pre-crushed AG grains for the kit. If you purchase grains in bulk, you can't have the recipe to try and duplicate it again, you must buy the kit.
So, I just wanted to say happy thoughts about my local homebrew store because the owner and (almost) sole employee is an all around great guy who's happy to have me in his store and always makes time to chat while we're putting together a grain bill.
I love my LHBS as well, Flying Barrel here in Frederick. 
to great Home Brew Suppliers!
