My LHBS allows you to pick your yeast and hops. They have a couple of the TRUE glass door fridges. They also have a TON of room, having moved into quite a large space. I know space can be a premium.How do they display the old yeast? My refrigerator situation is tough because the yeast fridge is in back for employees only to keep it organized and that's where it fits. Do they keep a list out or something? I like the idea, before I just did a crazy experiment with it, see: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?p=6777333#post6777333
Things I'd like to see my LHBS do?
- Carry more hardware pieces. That said, cost is a factor. I have no problem buying local, but when outfitting an entire rig with camlock fittings, an extra 3 bucks a piece adds up. Internet wins there, even with the shipping.
- Offer discount pricing on larger hop selections. Unless this has changed, don't just change me the per oz price x 16. I know you're getting a discount on it, you know you're getting a discount on it, why rake me over the coals? Again, internet wins out here as well.
- Granted, having seen what you could get a sack of 2row for when the group buys were still going on, you're telling me the "best you can do" is $25 than what I was getting during the group buy? I go through a 55lb sack of MO every two months, for my house pale alone. That stuff adds up. They are a huge store, that I would imagine goes through more grain than your average brew pub.
- Offer a store discount to accredited/recognized/AHA registered homebrew clubs/members. They offer one to the club that is affiliated with them, but they aren't the only club in the area. And other clubs do more than just beer.
Things my LHBS does well:
- Fantastic selection of yeast. Many kinds of liquid, and many kinds of dry. Would be nice if they could get ECY, but that's not on them.
- Fantastic selection of hops.
- Pretty good selection on equipment. Certainly not as much as a Morebeer, but pretty close. They have the room, I would think they could stock more options.
- They do group brew days at the store, inviting new brewers to brew a specific recipe. They also do other things where they invite clubs to come brew, and offer barrels to store the beer in. Then have a competition to see which club made the best beer, and award the winning club with a gift certificate.
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff.
- Excellent wine selection.
- Great cider selection (in season).