HBS in Chicago

[Eves]

The Fox Valley store in Aurora is my favorite in the Chicago area. The prices aren't as good as some places or what can be found on the internet but every single employee there is knowledgable or at least will admit their lack of knowledge on a particular area and get someone else to handle a question. Their supply is quite good as well.


The Bev Art place on the south side in the Beverly neighborhood is OK at best. If you look at their website the few items they do list they are priced really well. But those are online prices. Go into the store and the prices are higher (sometimes way higher). Personally I hate it when stores do that. Their staff is nice but not nearly as knowledgable as many other HBSs I've been too. And sadly they've often been out of stock of common ingredients. Even though Bev Art is way closer to my home than any other Chicago HBSs I've decided not to frequent them anymore. The longer drive to other locations is worth it IMO. OH...lets not forget the nasty sales tax (IL + Cook + Chicago = way bad).

 

[Irish1225]

The longer drive to other locations is worth it IMO. OH...lets not forget the nasty sales tax (IL + Cook + Chicago = way bad).

ahh, exactly why i prefer to drive out to dupage for just about anything (i live about .25 miles from countyline rd.). and, yes, i do love fox valley home brew, and some of their items are competitive to online prices, but kits are what i've found to cost too much there. very nice people, great brewing club anyone can join.

my father, back in his brewing days, mentioned going to elmhurst, but visiting their website, i don't see a mention of brewing supplies; any comments?

 

[vav]

Perfect Brewing FTW.

 

[Halaster]

On the few times I have been passing Savoy, I have stopped at Friar Tucks. Their supplies are erattic, but they usually have great prices on kits. I've picked up some of their Brewers Best IPA kits for $27, it's not $32 and the Brewers Best Scotch ale kit for $22 from there. Best part is they charge only food sales tax since it's not beer yet.

 

[chirs]

I hate to add in on the Brew and Grow bashing...but it's good for people to know what they're getting into. Like someone said earlier, the master brewer is friendly and pretty helpful...if you happen to catch him on a Saturday.
I've had a succession of terrible experiences there. I could get into details...but let's just say that when someone comes in to buy their first kit and brew their first beer it's probably a good idea to NOT recommend a lager beer and NOT treat your customers like they shouldn't be considering brewing in the first place.

 

[Glasfeena]

That sucks dude. They're probably more eager to get you to buy your first hydroponic kit for home growing. Silly stoners.

I really do wish there was an alternative in Chicago proper, and I'm not about to spend my Saturday sitting in traffic on 90/94.

Has anyone been to the Two Brothers HBS? A friend works at Fermilab right across the street, and I can always have him pick stuff up for me.

 

[slimer]

It's alright for the basic stuff. Very small. I did get my funnel there and it's awesome (with a strainer built-in).

 

[RC0032]

It's alright for the basic stuff. Very small. I did get my funnel there and it's awesome (with a strainer built-in).

basic..sparse...same thing

 

[WheeledGoat]

I'd love to be able to recommend Two Brother's - it's the closest to my house... but for anything but the most basic, it's not worth the trouble. Plus, the hours are pretty limited.

For me, that leaves St. Charles or Elmhurst Winemakers... it's pretty much an equal drive for me to either one, but the drive is nicer out to St. Charles so I've been leaning that way. No more! I've now made my 3rd and final wasted trip out there to St. Charles. Their hours seem spotty to me. I think it's Wednesdays that their hours are shorter (or they're closed all together) so I'll take the responsibility for not checking their hours before heading out... but 2 other times I showed up at their door during their posted business hours to find them closed for a 4-5 days stretch. Maybe I'm just unlucky; everybody's entitled to a vacation, but I'm done making wasted trips.

I like the guy that just bought Elmhurst Winemakers anyway; plus, there's a good barber shop right next door. Kyle at Winemakers always makes me feel welcome, offers me a homebrew while I mill my grain, and always has at least a good, if not great selection of hops and yeast.

Unfortunately he doesn't do bulk specialty grain yet, but he said he's looking at moving to that. Currently you have to buy your specialty grains in 1-lb bags.

Plus, his hours are predictable and reliable!

I haven't checked out Fox Valley yet - might give them a whirl since I work in Geneva...

 

[RC0032]

Unfortunately he doesn't do bulk specialty grain yet,

What are you looking for? I want to open up the next group buy for more specialty!

 

[Halaster]

As mentioned prior, Two Brothers has extremely basic supplies. I bought a kit from there and my friend did also and they were the worst two kits we ever had and the beer would not carbonate up also.

If your close and you need some WL yeast it's a good place to stop or a pound of specialty grains, other than that they have limited selections.

 

[WheeledGoat]

What are you looking for? I want to open up the next group buy for more specialty!

errr.. when i said "bulk" I meant per-wt sales; i.e. weight out however much I want and not have to buy in increments of 1-lb bags...

there's a homebrew shop in Maryland where I used to live that did this - was WAY convenient. It actually keeps you going back to the store more often since you only buy exactly what you need for that batch. You don't find yourself buying to stock up, and you don't have leftovers. Seems like a no-brainer move to me (if I had a brew shop)...

 

[slimer]

The place on Western is like that. Walked in, bought 5#'s of Rye Malt. Done.

 

[bdnoona]

Perfect Brewing Supply is a really nice shop if you live far enough north (in Libertyville). They have a great selection and it's run by good people. I just stopped there over lunch to get a new hydrometer.

Shouldn't they sell hydrometers in three packs? I brake these things all the time.

 

[RC0032]

The place on Western is like that. Walked in, bought 5#'s of Rye Malt. Done.

what one on Western?

 

[slimer]

BevArt

Bev Art Brewer & Winemaker Supply in Chicago | Make it the Best

 

[mklawz]

That is to bad you have had bad luck in St. Charles. But that is why there are websites and phone numbers. Sure the hours are a little unconventional, but once you learn them its easy to remember. And keep in mind, most brew shops are small individually owned operations, not Targets and Walmarts that are going to be open 18-24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Its unfortunate you work in Geneva and cant make it to St. Charles during shop hours. Its only the next town over!

Incidentally, Ive been to the Aurora shop 3 times, and every time they were not there during POSTED business hours! One time I desperately needed rice hulls, I was there at 10am on a Sunday morning. The owner was 45 minutes late. Totally inexcusable. They dont know much about beer making there either. Not that I need much help these days but its still nice to talk beer-making with knowledgeable people at the brewshop. :cross:

For me, that leaves St. Charles or Elmhurst Winemakers... it's pretty much an equal drive for me to either one, but the drive is nicer out to St. Charles so I've been leaning that way. No more! I've now made my 3rd and final wasted trip out there to St. Charles. Their hours seem spotty to me. I think it's Wednesdays that their hours are shorter (or they're closed all together) so I'll take the responsibility for not checking their hours before heading out... but 2 other times I showed up at their door during their posted business hours to find them closed for a 4-5 days stretch. Maybe I'm just unlucky; everybody's entitled to a vacation, but I'm done making wasted trips.


I haven't checked out Fox Valley yet - might give them a whirl since I work in Geneva...

 

[SkewedBrewing]

Is it too late in the conversation for me to give my typical rant on the Chicago Brew and Grow?

 

[bdnoona]

Is it too late in the conversation for me to give my typical rant on the Chicago Brew and Grow?

My friend jackson_d lives close to Brew and Grow in the city so he goes there most of the time for his stuff. He HATES that place. They never have what he wants, screw up his order half the time and have no interest in brewing.

 

[Synovia]

Elmhurst Winemakers...

Any idea what they charge for bulk 2-row/etc? I haven't been out to their shop in a couple months, and I was brewing extract then. Always seemed like nice guys.

 

[BoilerInSoCal]

Hey Irish, where in LG do you live? I used to live on Brainard, but moved to SoCal about 6 mo. ago. When I lived there, I would buy bulk from North Country Malt down in New Holland, and usually would order online for most other stuff. I would hit Winemakers in Elmhurst if I needed ingredients ASAP.

 

[slimer]

Any idea what they charge for bulk 2-row/etc? I haven't been out to their shop in a couple months, and I was brewing extract then. Always seemed like nice guys.

IIRC, it's about $1/lb.

 

[WheeledGoat]

Shouldn't they sell hydrometers in three packs? I brake these things all the time.

heh, heh... gravity has a special affinity for these things, doesn't it? +1 on the 3-pack idea!

Its unfortunate you work in Geneva and cant make it to St. Charles during shop hours. Its only the next town over!

Yeah, you're right, it's super-close... but I work night-shift so they're not open on my way in or when I get off in the AM... so I always have to make the trip on my day off anyway.

 

[BrewGrow]

Hello Everyone,

It’s Ron here from Brew & Grow. I just wanted to say how sad we are to hear the negative comments regarding our store in Chicago. We are listening. We recently made a management change within this location with a renewed emphasis on customer service. We are striving to make Brew & Grow the best brew store available to you, and we would appreciate your help. If you are looking for an item that you do not see in our store, please let us know. I cannot guarantee that we will stock everything, but if the item is something we should be stocking, we will. And, if we do not stock a particular item that you are looking for, we may be able to special order it for you.

If you have an issue with Brew & Grow or one of our employees, please call David (the owner) at our toll-free number (800)444-2837 and allow us a chance to make things right. Your comments and suggestions are important to us!

Some have complained about our stock levels, and we do apologize. We currently have space restrictions, however, I am excited to say that this will soon be a problem of the past. Construction has begun on our new location at 3627 North Kedzie Ave. The store will be three times the size of Besly Ct, which will allow us to greatly increase the beer and wine making section. Grand opening will be towards the end of this year or early 2010. We hope to see you there!

Ron Strobel
Brew & Grow


Illinois

Brew & Grow
359 W Irving Park Rd Unit E
Roselle, IL 60172
630-894-4885

Brew & Grow
1824 N Besly Ct
Chicago, IL 60194
773-395-1500

Brew & Grow
3224 S Alpine Rd
Rockford, IL 61109
815-874-5700

COMING SOON 09/10
Brew & Grow
181 W Crossroads Parkway
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
630-771-1410
(Southwest corner of Crossroads Parkway & 53)



Wisconsin

Brew & Grow
285 N Janacek Rd.
Brookfield, WI 53045
262-789-0555

Brew & Grow
3317 Agriculture Dr
Madison, WI 53716
608-226-8910

 

[slimer]

Good to hear that someone is listening out there.

Welcome to the community.

 

[Synovia]

Nice to see you Ron, I haven't really had any selection issues at the store, every once in a while theres something I want that you don't have, but usually its one of those things where theres 5 bags of 40L, 5 bags of 80L, and no 60L. Chances are, someone just bought the last bag or two.


What I'd really love to see from you guys though, is some beer related stuff on the website.

 

[Lcasanova]

FWIW I've been to Chicagoland Winemakers several times and have not been disappointed by what they had. Granted, I've not gotten into beer yet because of the whole Gluten Free thing but I am planning on placing an order online to get some things they don't normally carry. I recommend it, but I am biased because 1- they are near me and 2- I've not been anywhere else.

Chicagoland Winemakers

They have their hours and prices online.

 

[jackson_d]

If you are looking for an item that you do not see in our store, please let us know. I cannot guarantee that we will stock everything, but if the item is something we should be stocking, we will. And, if we do not stock a particular item that you are looking for, we may be able to special order it for you.

How about some Caravienne and Caramunich and Carapils Malt? Those are pretty standard in a lot of recipes and you dont even carry them. How can I clone Bell's Two Hearted without Carapils? How can I clone 3 Floyd's Gumballhead without Caravienne? How about Whirlfloc? Great big wooden or ss mash paddles? Better Bottles? Can you get a big employee grain mill and let them mill orders and put it all in a big bag if a customer calls ahead?

All of those things listed above are items I've purchased/ services I've enjoyed at other home brew shops and those are just the things I can come up with off the top of my head.. There are many more instances of the shop not having what i need and me taking my business elsewhere..

The hop selection just expanded and its pretty good now. The one guy in there Steve is super cool and so is the brewmaster. They are friendly with suggestions and thoughts on recipes when I have questions, but I too have had to alter many recipes becuase the day you show up to purchase ingredients, lots of stuff is out of stock..

 

[kyleobie]

I'm a recent homebrewer, but I have noticed the stock of Brew & Grow has increased over the last couple of months. They now carry Better Bottles for example. However, the price is just too high against online websites and that's not even considering the lack of stock (no Centennial hops, for example).

By the way, I'm a Wicker Park brewer too. So rock on.

 

[BrewGrow]

Grains now in stock ready for sale.

How about some Caravienne and Caramunich and Carapils Malt? .