Austin Homebrew Supply

[BrookdaleBrew]

Wish I had known about the issues they've been having. I have been ordering from them semi-regularly for years. I have a good LHBS and spend most of my homebrewing budget there, but AHBS was always convenient because it was delivered right to my door.

I placed an order for a couple Stone clone kits just to fill out 2 soon to be vacant slots in my kegerator. I specifically ordered 2 vials of WLP007 because that yeast is often recommended for Stone clones. I received 2 vials of WLP005 instead. Honest mistake, right? So I thought, but I checked my original order confirmation e-mail, which had 007 listed, then checked my shipping confirmation e-mail and the yeast had been changed to 005, so someone changed my order on their side without notifying me or asking if the substitution was okay.

I sent them an e-mail 2 days ago immediately after realizing what had happened. No response. Sent them a second e-mail this morning and still nothing. Based on what others have said, I'm assuming I'll never receive a refund or replacement yeast. Luckily I'm really only out $15, but makes me wonder what kind of other substitutions may have been made in my grain bills without me ever knowing. Guess the local home brew shop will be getting 100% of my business from now on. Sad to see a once awesome business go to crap.

 

[Clweed]

I have ordered several times over the last few months without any issues, they did forget my free growler but sent it out after I called them. Did you try using the Phone?

Wish I had known about the issues they've been having. I have been ordering from them semi-regularly for years. I have a good LHBS and spend most of my homebrewing budget there, but AHBS was always convenient because it was delivered right to my door.

I placed an order for a couple Stone clone kits just to fill out 2 soon to be vacant slots in my kegerator. I specifically ordered 2 vials of WLP007 because that yeast is often recommended for Stone clones. I received 2 vials of WLP005 instead. Honest mistake, right? So I thought, but I checked my original order confirmation e-mail, which had 007 listed, then checked my shipping confirmation e-mail and the yeast had been changed to 005, so someone changed my order on their side without notifying me or asking if the substitution was okay.

I sent them an e-mail 2 days ago immediately after realizing what had happened. No response. Sent them a second e-mail this morning and still nothing. Based on what others have said, I'm assuming I'll never receive a refund or replacement yeast. Luckily I'm really only out $15, but makes me wonder what kind of other substitutions may have been made in my grain bills without me ever knowing. Guess the local home brew shop will be getting 100% of my business from now on. Sad to see a once awesome business go to crap.

 

[BrookdaleBrew]

I have ordered several times over the last few months without any issues, they did forget my free growler but sent it out after I called them. Did you try using the Phone?

Oddly enough, I received a reply 10 minutes after posting my complaint here. What a coincidence!

They are going to refund the yeast, which resolves the issue as far as I'm concerned. I still don't like the idea of them making the substitution without my consent though.

 

[evsol]

I have ordered twice in the last month...no issues here..they emailed me a few hours of my order asking about a particular grain substitution or if I wanted to wait...I waited and it came in a day later...I have always had good luck with AHS..

 

[chezhed]

I've had up and down experiences over the past few years with AHS. But the down is enough to make me seriously research opening a shop. Our closest is San Antonio but I don't know anyone that goes there...they either trek 4 hours to Austin or order from AHS.
But they always seem to be out of something...and I am dang near forced to use them for WPL yeast most of the year because of the heat factor.....If I had a LHBS, I'd go there.....and I believe so would the rest of the area, including Monterrey, MX!....contributions to startup gladly appreciated:cross:

 

[DromJohn]

and I am dang near forced to use them for WPL yeast most of the year because of the heat factor

Chezhed,
I have always received high quality White Labs yeast from AHS in the summer travelling four days UPS from hot Austin to hotter Macon. Your heat factor is not dang near forcing you to buy local.

 

[chezhed]

DromJohn
You may have such luck...your shipments go North and then East...DFW to ATL. Mine go South, form anywhere. I have had some arrive from other sources that were so damn hot when they got here, you could barely hold them and 2 have failed to do anything in starters. At $7 a pop, I don't like being disappointed..... It's a big complaint from Monterrey as well, though they are actually cooler than I because of elevation, but the shipments traverse South Texas and Northern Mexico.

 

[scone]

I love AHS and the staff is awesome. I've gotten a lot of really solid advice, recipe help, never gone wrong with a grain order with 'em, and I will try my best to continue to shop there but I also just had a crappy shopping experience....

That notice about re-stocking is dated 7-31. Anyone know the timeline their are working on? Just went there last week and the place looks like a ghost town. No US-04 or US-05, no stainless faucets, no cornies of *any* kind. I would have waited for them to have the cornies and faucets back in stock but they couldn't even tell me when that would be, and as far as the employees knew they hadn't even been ordered yet. I'm super confused. I would think stuff like high dollar stainless equipment should always be in stock since it sure as h$ll doesn't go bad....

 

[Bigcorona]

I visited thier store in Austin yesterday. Was not able to find everything I was looking for. A lot of empty shelves and empty bins. Seems like they are actively reducing inventory. This could be a cause for late shipping as well. Service was good.

The above was from 12/2013.

I have visited the store 3 times in 2014. The first 2 visits showed the same lack of inventory. However my visit yesterday was much more productive. Only one item I was looking to purchase was out of stock. Overall inventory looked much better. I hope this means they have turned the corner on this prob!em. Since Austin is 5.5 hours away, I only get there about once a quarter, so it is important to me that they have everything in stock.

 

[pumpkinman2012]

I give Austin Homebrew two thumbs up on the last transaction I had with them 2 weeks ago.
I was given a bag of wine corks for Christmas, unfortunately they weren't the corks that I use, I called Austin Homebrew and spoke with a gentleman that ensured me that I could return the corks, even without a receipt (they were still sealed in the Austin Homebrew bag/packaging). I was promptly issued a store credit for the total of the corks, and I purchased the correct corks; these were shipped out the same day they received them, all verified by tracking numbers and emails that Austin Homebrew emailed me every step of the way through the process.
I received the replacement corks much faster than I expected even though I selected the normal shipping option.
Like I stated before, a big 2 thumbs up!

 

[Homercidal]

I recently needed some supplies and decided to go online since a trip to my regular stores was not on the schedule. I originally shopped Midwest because I wanted to order a Plastic BMB primary too, but I had problems with their site. I ended up at Austin when Midwest wiped my cart clean on 2 separate attempts to purchase. S crew that!

Austin was much farther away but I got my stuff in a good amount of time. I got milled grain, but that may have been my fault in forgetting to uncheck the default option.

 

[hunter_le five]

I give Austin Homebrew two thumbs up on the last transaction I had with them 2 weeks ago.
I was given a bag of wine corks for Christmas, unfortunately they weren't the corks that I use, I called Austin Homebrew and spoke with a gentleman that ensured me that I could return the corks, even without a receipt (they were still sealed in the Austin Homebrew bag/packaging). I was promptly issued a store credit for the total of the corks, and I purchased the correct corks; these were shipped out the same day they received them, all verified by tracking numbers and emails that Austin Homebrew emailed me every step of the way through the process.
I received the replacement corks much faster than I expected even though I selected the normal shipping option.
Like I stated before, a big 2 thumbs up!

The one time I had to return stuff they were super cool about it. Got a bunch of stuff from AHS for Christmas gifts, and it turned out about half of the stuff I got I either already had, or otherwise couldn't use. Very thoughtful of my family, but poorly executed.

AHS took it all back, no questions asked, and gave me a bunch of store credit, which I was perfectly happy with. Used all of it right then and there on the spot getting stuff I could actually use.

 

[gometz]

I've become very disappointed with AHS. They were my original store when I started brewing (I remember their tiny location from about 12 years ago), but over the last few years they've gone way downhill.

I know there were issues with stocking items when the owner put all his money into his brewery, but even now they don't even stock normal items. I got a $50 certificate from there and have tried ordering three recipes from them and they are always out of something or just don't carry it (Belgian pilsner malt and 6 row were out and don't carry dark Munich malt).

Their customer service is great though. When I was young they'd be nice, but not too helpful to be honest.

 

[011COACH]

I've become very disappointed with AHS. They were my original store when I started brewing (I remember their tiny location from about 12 years ago), but over the last few years they've gone way downhill.

I know there were issues with stocking items when the owner put all his money into his brewery, but even now they don't even stock normal items. I got a $50 certificate from there and have tried ordering three recipes from them and they are always out of something or just don't carry it (Belgian pilsner malt and 6 row were out and don't carry dark Munich malt).

Their customer service is great though. When I was young they'd be nice, but not too helpful to be honest.

Are they still owned by the same guy? Does anyone know? Has anyone thought to contact him directly?

 

[Rhumbline]

Are they still owned by the same guy? Does anyone know? Has anyone thought to contact him directly?

Oil used them all the time but stopped when they were reshuffling things. I did recently place an order and it arrived promptly and was well packed.

Off topic... 011Coach, are your stats correct? Joined in 2011 and this is your first post?

 

[austinbrewer123]

AHB got bought out and the old owner is gone. I was in there last week and was blown away by the amount of product they had in the store. THere were hundreds of wine kits, kegs, keggels, pots, you name it. I haven't seen that product much in that store, ever! Two of the guys working there had adventures in homebrewing shirts on and said they had bought Austin Homebrew and were going to turn it around. I've heard this from AHB before, but seeing those two guys and all that product gives me a lot of hope that my store is back and that I don't have to shop with northern anymore.

 

[gometz]

Somehow my post from Friday didn't go through.

I ordered the grains for 2 batches and everything arrived within 2 days of my order. Their customer service is really top notch, Adam helped me out when I had issues with my coupon (I was entering it into the wrong place) and followed up to make sure everything was alright. He also mentioned that they are under new ownership, so it looks like they are on an upswing. Great to hear and I'll be ordering from them more often now.

 

[Frostbrewer]

If AIH bought them out then they are in great hands. I love adventures in homebrewing

 

[DromJohn]

If AIH has bought AHS, then should we expect an increase in organic offerings from the town of Whole Foods and Jester?

 

[gometz]

So a little update on my recent order. I don't know what setting they use on their mill, but I got ridiculous efficiency on both batches made with grain from AHS.

My hefeweizen (65% wheat) had an efficiency of 80% (I actually had planned to do a 6 gallon batch but forgot to increase my grain in my spreadsheet, this allowed me to do it anyways). Then the export (target OG of 1.057) had an efficiency of 90%! I had to double check my hydrometer, but it was right.

So keep that in mind when ordering, they do a great job.

 

[BigJack]

I found the Cereal Killer mill on their website. I guess they are basically AIH South at this point, which is a good thing.

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/Beer/Mills/

 

[steveoatley]

If you check the AIH website
Go to
Join our Team - Jobs
They have a Job posting for Austin - TX for a Shipping clerk (7/7/15)

http://www.homebrewing.org/Join-Our-Team_ep_66-1.html

AIH was my First !!!

Still Love them - Jay is the man !

S

 

[joe_four_strings]

I placed my first order from AHS last week. I ordered grain and yeast for a small batch and decided for them because they sell the grain in 4oz increments, which worked perfect for what I needed. I got my order yesterday and it was very well packed and it only took 3 business days. I'll definitely return.

 

[DromJohn]

By the quarter pound means no longer by the ounce. Quarter pound is still better than most.

 

[fenners]

AHB got bought out and the old owner is gone. I was in there last week and was blown away by the amount of product they had in the store. THere were hundreds of wine kits, kegs, keggels, pots, you name it. I haven't seen that product much in that store, ever! Two of the guys working there had adventures in homebrewing shirts on and said they had bought Austin Homebrew and were going to turn it around. I've heard this from AHB before, but seeing those two guys and all that product gives me a lot of hope that my store is back and that I don't have to shop with northern anymore.

Yeah, stock levels have improved in store & they have large piles of kegs, keggles etc that have been unavailable for a long time. Staff in-store is almost totally different to 18 months ago too - haven't seen any of the old faces in a long time.

It does feel like some prices are creeping up, particularly hops, but is that happening across the market?

 

[Bigcorona]

Unfortunately I am reporting another fail at AHS. Was there last Friday to purchase a couple bags of 2-row. They were out. Also only 1 package of US-05. Hard to understand how a LHBS can be out of 2-row and US-05.

It is unlikely I will shop them again.

 

[noggins]

I LOOOVE AHS!!! I've got 3 LHBS near me, Austin is so much better. I placed an order 2 days ago and it just arrived on my doorstep for free!

Ok...I agree with everyone their site is a little weird and hard to browse and sort the hundreds of kits they offer in any sort of useful way; so I made this to help me peruse, feel free to use it at your own risk: http://ahs.noggins.info

 

[jschein]

I LOOOVE AHS!!! I've got 3 LHBS near me, Austin is so much better. I placed an order 2 days ago and it just arrived on my doorstep for free!

Ok...I agree with everyone their site is a little weird and hard to browse and sort the hundreds of kits they offer in any sort of useful way; so I made this to help me peruse, feel free to use it at your own risk: http://ahs.noggins.info

Nice sheet!

 

[czmkid]

I LOOOVE AHS!!! I've got 3 LHBS near me, Austin is so much better. I placed an order 2 days ago and it just arrived on my doorstep for free!

Ok...I agree with everyone their site is a little weird and hard to browse and sort the hundreds of kits they offer in any sort of useful way; so I made this to help me peruse, feel free to use it at your own risk: http://ahs.noggins.info

Wow thanks for the spread sheet! So much easier to find stuff and that's saying a lot as they are local to me and I shop 95% of the time there. Wayyyyyy cool!

 

[kerklein2]

I can confirm they were bought by AIH. I was able to get some parts that AHS didn't have by having them shipped in from AIH. The sales guy had me just go to AIH's website to show him and it came in a couple days later.