I will no more stop brewing to buy local craft beer than I would stop cooking to buy from restaurants. It costs too much, and I enjoy producing something enjoyable.
I shopped at the Hoptron HBS, it was small and open only a few hours a day. Twelve miles west there is a much more comprehensive HBS.
I think the article failed to address a number of reasons that HBS sales may be down:
1. Hobbies are cyclical. People brew for a few years, then move on to something else.
2. Much of the equipment lasts forever. While we have probably all bought a bigger kettle or a kegorator, at some point equipment purchases taper off.
3. Simpler methods. BIAB requires far less equipment than three vessel. Small batch kits can be done on the stove.
4. The above mentioned online shopping.
I shopped at the Hoptron HBS, it was small and open only a few hours a day. Twelve miles west there is a much more comprehensive HBS.
I think the article failed to address a number of reasons that HBS sales may be down:
1. Hobbies are cyclical. People brew for a few years, then move on to something else.
2. Much of the equipment lasts forever. While we have probably all bought a bigger kettle or a kegorator, at some point equipment purchases taper off.
3. Simpler methods. BIAB requires far less equipment than three vessel. Small batch kits can be done on the stove.
4. The above mentioned online shopping.