Adventures in Homebrewing: homebrewing.org

[Sammy86]

Since I couldn't find any reviews on here I wanted to share my recent experience with www.homebrewing.org

I recently purchased a starter kit with an upgrade of kegging and since the wife and I recently moved home to CT there was no point in unpacking the stuff to just repack it later on (yes, I know I could have easily brewed a low ABV beer and had it kegged and transported back to CT, but i was over-ruled.)

So when we got back to CT my honey-do-list has been excruciatingly long so I haven't had the opportunity until today to open everything up and take stock with what I just purchased.

I am pleased to say everything was there and was packed wonderfully. There was no damage to any of the glass products and the keg that i got even looked like new.

I was also pleased with their customer service, they sent an e-mail notifying me that the packaged had been delivered (which I knew because I got it from the delivery guy) and then recently received an e-mail asking how i was enjoying my purchase and for my opinion on anything that I felt they could do better.

Overa1ll, excellent experience and I would definitely purchase from them again :rockin:

 

[Airplanedoc]

I have ordered from them a couple times now. Always great service and prices. I preordered a keg last month, and got 2 emails today saying that my order had shipped. It was originally scheduled to ship first part of Aug, but apparently is shipping early.

Planning to swing by there in September, when I head up to Canada for a week

 

[cruizer8]

That is good to know. I just ordered something from them cause it was a great price but I was a little curious about their service.

 

[NFB]

AIH is my LHBS. Great place to order - even better to stop by.

 

[swackattack]

Ordered some items that I needed expedited. Aih was fantasic, shipped all items complete and promptly and for a very reasonable price. Highly recommend

 

[timrox1212]

Adventures I my LHBS as well. The place is great, the staff is super knowledgable and never try and sell you something you don't need.

 

[finsfan]

AIH is leaving me in the dark. I ordered 3726 because they did not say anything about not having it in stock on their website. I got an email a few days after I ordered telling me that they didnt have it in stock but they would get another shipment in the next few days and ship out. 2 weeks later I havent heard from them so I emailed them to see what was taking so long. I was told again that they hadnt got the order but it would be in the on the next truck. They are really holding up my saison brewing and have not communicated very well. Their website still does not say that they are out of 3726 or that its back ordered. Probably wont be using them in the future.

 

[SupervisingChildren]

I got a whole bunch of stuff on the black Friday sales, and can say I was pleased with the products, price, and delivery. I think I received mine 5 days later

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[BannyBrewer]

Ordered a cereal killer mill from these guys Saturday and received today (Wednesday), everything was in order and packaged well!

 

[finsfan]

AIH is leaving me in the dark. I ordered 3726 because they did not say anything about not having it in stock on their website. I got an email a few days after I ordered telling me that they didnt have it in stock but they would get another shipment in the next few days and ship out. 2 weeks later I havent heard from them so I emailed them to see what was taking so long. I was told again that they hadnt got the order but it would be in the on the next truck. They are really holding up my saison brewing and have not communicated very well. Their website still does not say that they are out of 3726 or that its back ordered. Probably wont be using them in the future.

I did end up receiving this yeast, probably a month after I ordered it. Although it took way too long to get to me, at least the yeast was very fresh. I thought 3726 was a PC strain that had past its release dates, but they sent me a 2 week old smack pack. I would probably use them again, but not order anything that was a limited release type product.

 

[davekippen]

By far the best HBS I've been to. Most stuff is cheaper than anywhere else. They didnt have the wort chiller I wanted on the shelf when I was there, so instead of telling me sorry about my luck, the guy ran into the back AND MADE ONE for me while I waited! 10 minutes and boom, new wort chiller.

 

[ram5ey]

I have spent way too much at this shop. They have great customer service and will do what needs done to make any issue right. Great online shop.

 

[Jawbox0]

I'm still wrestling with the impulse for four more of their 3 gallon pinlocks.

I picked up three of them with a paintball tank and CO2 regulator. Got here super fast, well packed, and was a great deal.

 

[gabeweisz]

I've bought a bunch of things from them over the years and they do a good job. They've always made it right whenever I've had an issue.

And I once visited their Ann Arbor shop - it was one if the biggest and nicest that I've been to.

 

[mors]

They are one of my LHBS and they are pretty hard to beat on equipment prices and selection. I have bought over 30 kegs from them over the years. If you ever have an issue with anything you get from them (even old used kegs) they have no issue making it right and keeping you happy.

 

[skylor60]

Not sure what the problem was for you fins but I was very pleased with the times I ordered from them

 

[Yesfan]

I recently ordered a pump line cleaner (never could get the right fitting for the DIY version) and noticed the dip tube was missing. I sent an email and Jason called me within ten minutes to let me know personally that the diptube would be sent out.


I've had nothing short but great service from AiH. They have been an awesome company to do business.

 

[Yellowirenut]

They are my go to place for Internet brew supplies.
quick service, normal prices and I have received follow up e mails after a big order making sure everything was ok.
Usually I receive my order 2 days after clicking

 

[JBOGAN]

So i made it out to this store finally(AIH) and i wanted to put a cot on the floor and live there if,..Maybe one of the staff had a pleasing personality.Here I was in awe of this vast and limitless supply of home brewing gear and i wanted to tell them how awesome this store was and I did but it was bland business as usual conversation about selling product.There are three types of brew shop employees,one who loves the shop and the customers,one who wants to go pro and finds customers a PITA and then there is the clueless.Dropping 200 dollars is not the highest amount of money but hell,you may want to pander a little bit and talk to me like a human and ask a few questions yourself. After all I am paying your bills so show a little interest and for the love of all things holy brighten up.

end rant...

 

[JLeuch]

I too agree you hbss (home brew shop specialist) should be your best friend, curteous and thoughtful, guiding you to the next lesson and next killer home made brew. He / she should know everything about your setup and everything about how you brew (styles and what not) as if he/she was right there with you brewing on brew night. I was lucky as my home brew specialist is one of those guys and if he reads these forums a big thanks and cheers go's out to Jesse thank you!

 

[MindenMan]

The first time I walked in, clueless as could be, to a home brew store in Reno, there was a feeling of "how can we help you?". I had an event in 2003, and the owner donated both a home brew kit and 20 gallons of the most incredible beer I had ever tasted. Fast forward to now; I no longer live in Reno, but, I will stop by not only to purchase ingredients, but just to hang out with fellow brewers.

 

[Yesfan]

So i made it out to this store finally(AIH) and i wanted to put a cot on the floor and live there if,..Maybe one of the staff had a pleasing personality.Here I was in awe of this vast and limitless supply of home brewing gear and i wanted to tell them how awesome this store was and I did but it was bland business as usual conversation about selling product.There are three types of brew shop employees,one who loves the shop and the customers,one who wants to go pro and finds customers a PITA and then there is the clueless.Dropping 200 dollars is not the highest amount of money but hell,you may want to pander a little bit and talk to me like a human and ask a few questions yourself. After all I am paying your bills so show a little interest and for the love of all things holy brighten up.

end rant...

I've been in your shoes before. It sucks, I know, but sometimes you gotta take a step back and see if the guy was just having a ****ty day or something. That's doesn't excuse his behavior I know, but when I've experienced things like that I tell myself, maybe that's what it is. Heck, he doesn't know what goes on in my life, so why should I assume I know what goes on in his/her life?

The bad thing is, if it happens more than once from the same person....then you kinda know that person is just a D-bag. Hopefully the next trip back is much better for you.

 

[JrBeerGut]

Taylor or Ann Arbor store? I really like the Taylor store, the staff is always polite and helpful. The staff at the Ann Arbor store was polite on the homebrew day back in April or May, whenever it was.

 

[fizgig]

I've been to the Taylor store once when I started brewing, I felt like I was interrupting the 3 dudes having a conversation behind the counter when I asked a few questions. I drove out there in a snow storm that wasn't supposed to come until night time, so it took we like 2 hours to get there from Royal Oak. I haven't been back but I have ordered stuff from their site.

 

[govner1]

Maybe that's what the whole "adventure" is about. You never know what to expect


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[masskrug]

I tried to read your story three times, but the lack of space between your punctuation marks makes it very difficult.

 

[pricelessbrewing]

I went to the taylor store once, I was new. Was more of a transaction and less of a hobby store than my other experiences, capital city homebrew in lansing. Tried to get me to buy stuff I didn't want or need. I've since been frequenting the wine barrel on Plymouth rd, which is slightly more for grains 2$ specialty, and I buy hops online.


They've been nice and helpful.

Ps: if capital city happens to be readinf this, you guys are great. Answered calls sevral hours after closing and assisted me when I freaked out about getting some dirty snow in my wort during chilling. Snowflake stout turned out okay, just a little darker than intended.

 

[Flipadelphia]

That was very difficult to read.

 

[ktblunden]

So was the guy rude? I'm unclear on what your expectation was vs what you experienced.

 

[insanim8er]

So was the guy rude? I'm unclear on what your expectation was vs what you experienced.

I think he made it pretty clear...

So i made it out to this store finally(AIH) and i wanted to put a cot on the floor and live there if,..Maybe one of the staff had a pleasing personality.Here I was in awe of this vast and limitless supply of home brewing gear and i wanted to tell them how awesome this store was and I did but it was bland business as usual conversation about selling product. There are three types of brew shop employees,one who loves the shop and the customers,one who wants to go pro and finds customers a PITA and then there is the clueless.Dropping 200 dollars is not the highest amount of money but hell,you [the employee] may want to pander a little bit and talk to me like a human and ask a few questions yourself. After all I am paying your bills so show a little interest [again referring to the employee] and for the love of all things holy brighten up.

Does that help?

 

[catdaddy66]

Whole lotta butthurt in this thread...


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[Vaureywwc]

Unfortunately our local homebrew specialists know absolutely nothing when it comes to homebrewing. They started as a winery supply store, and they still don't know much about that. They can find you anything you need, but when it comes to asking advice I'm best left to making a stupid question on here.

 

[insanim8er]

Unfortunately our local homebrew specialists know absolutely nothing when it comes to homebrewing. They started as a winery supply store, and they still don't know much about that. They can find you anything you need, but when it comes to asking advice I'm best left to making a stupid question on here.

You live in Milton free water... what did you expect?

I have family out there. I spent summers out there. My aunt used to manage the DQ, now I think she's the deli manager at Safeway. When your town only has 1 stop light, and it turns off at night, don't expect a good LHBS haha (It's been a while since i've been back. So unless the town upgraded their traffic light system, that's how I remembered it)

 

[ktblunden]

I think he made it pretty clear...

So i made it out to this store finally(AIH) and i wanted to put a cot on the floor and live there if,..Maybe one of the staff had a pleasing personality.Here I was in awe of this vast and limitless supply of home brewing gear and i wanted to tell them how awesome this store was and I did but it was bland business as usual conversation about selling product. There are three types of brew shop employees,one who loves the shop and the customers,one who wants to go pro and finds customers a PITA and then there is the clueless.Dropping 200 dollars is not the highest amount of money but hell,you [the employee] may want to pander a little bit and talk to me like a human and ask a few questions yourself. After all I am paying your bills so show a little interest [again referring to the employee] and for the love of all things holy brighten up.

Does that help?

Again, what was the expectation? He describes a business transaction.

 

[tagz]

I'm pretty sure the expectation is that folks working in the service industry will be pleasant and engaging to customers.

 

[redwing_al]

Dude, I had a similar experience, but it wasn't quite as bad as yours. However, if you really want to feel like an incompetent, ass, take yourself to Siccilianos in Grand Rapids. Wow...

So i made it out to this store finally(AIH) and i wanted to put a cot on the floor and live there if,..Maybe one of the staff had a pleasing personality.Here I was in awe of this vast and limitless supply of home brewing gear and i wanted to tell them how awesome this store was and I did but it was bland business as usual conversation about selling product.There are three types of brew shop employees,one who loves the shop and the customers,one who wants to go pro and finds customers a PITA and then there is the clueless.Dropping 200 dollars is not the highest amount of money but hell,you may want to pander a little bit and talk to me like a human and ask a few questions yourself. After all I am paying your bills so show a little interest and for the love of all things holy brighten up.

end rant...

 

[sandyeggoxj]

This thread is full of win!!

So where did the employee get lost? Did they quit? Were they unable to read the signs on the roads to get to work?

Heck, now I am lost! Here is my takeaway: you went to a homebrew shop and talked to a guy and didn't like how he talked. So you bought $200 worth of stuff and left. If you didn't like it why not go somewhere else? While you are caught up paying his bills remember that as a consumer in a semi-capitalistic economy you vote with your dollar.

 

[2drunk2]

This place sounds awesome.

 

[Pappers_]

I merged the AIH thread in the general beer forum with the AIH review thread in the company review forum. One of the rules of the company review forum is no back and forth responses about other people's reviews. Anyone who is a customer is welcome to post a review. This makes this sub forum different than the rest of the HBT - usually we encourage back and forth discussion, here we don't. Post your review, but not your response to someone else's review, please.

 

[Vaureywwc]

You live in Milton free water... what did you expect?

I have family out there. I spent summers out there. My aunt used to manage the DQ, now I think she's the deli manager at Safeway. When your town only has 1 stop light, and it turns off at night, don't expect a good LHBS haha (It's been a while since i've been back. So unless the town upgraded their traffic light system, that's how I remembered it)

I was actually talking about Walla Walla WA.Nothing exists in Muddy Frogwater.