Bamsdealer
Well-Known Member
Ingredients yeast and little odds and ends are usually bought at the lhbs. Bulk grain is especially cheap there. Bulk hops, equipment and hard to find stuff usually gets ordered
Ingredients yeast and little odds and ends are usually bought at the lhbs. Bulk grain is especially cheap there. Bulk hops, equipment and hard to find stuff usually gets ordered
First rule of homebrew.. we buy local unless absolutely necessary.
I've pretty much stopped using my LHBS, way too much attitude and their prices are ridiculous.
My problem is my LHBS is Northern Brewer/Midwest and I've more or less refused to shop from them anymore given their shady business practices.
What's the concern with them?
They (Midwest) had a security breach which exposed customers' credit card numbers to hackers, then when asked about it, denied it happened for months, then finally admitted that yes, indeed they had been hacked months earlier and we should all get new credit cards.
Having a supportive LBS is a 2 way street. If the dude at your LBS is a jerk, it may be that he's frustrated that he started a business in an area that he loves and everybody and his uncle is buying their stuff online. Even if he's a tool, go there anyway. Take the time to get to know him. Share some of your best brews with him. When I lived in Northern Virginia, I used to bring a growler of what ever I had on tap to my LBS. Of course, I didn't feel bad about asking him to order something funky. When I did, I was certain to bring a sample by so that he could taste it. When I moved, I had a couple of half finished kegs that I couldn't transport because I was going to be in a hotel for 3 weeks, so I swapped them for a couple of empty NEW kegs. Try that with an online retailer.
I order online even though my LHBS is 15 minutes away.
Lower prices (even free shipping with large enough order) and less attitude.
I don't buy yeast via mail anymore.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LandoLincoln View Post
I don't buy yeast via mail anymore.
But every shop you buy it from does.
Yeah, nobody wants attitude from a brew shop. Despite the lack of competition here in Finland, the guy at my LHBS is amazingly knowledgeable, helpful and doesn't try to push extra stuff on me just for the hell of it. I tell him, for example, which style of beer I want to make, how I want it to taste, what ABV I want, etc. He will tell me what I need to buy to make it the way he would do it, but doesn't care at all if I change his recommendations for something cheaper or just different. I like him.
But every shop you buy it from does.
But every shop you buy it from does.
I'm pretty sure that if my LHBS orders yeast via mail and the yeast comes with dry ice that completely melted away or ice packs that thawed out and the yeast was warm, then they'd send the entire shipment back.
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