HBS in Chicago

[BrewGrow]

Centennial hops is a stocking item, when we can get them. As most home brewers know, a hop shortage has been a problem for the last year or so. Prices are rising, and availability is short. As hops become available again we will stock them.

We are not a mail order company and are in downtown Chicago. I think when you compare prices we are very competitive. I encourage you to take a look.

5 gallon Better-bottle
Our price $21.95
Northern Brewer - $27.95 (ported no plug)
Midwest - $19.95
Morebeer - $24.00
Williams Brewing - $23.90

Thanks again for the feedback.

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.

 

[R2-D2]

BeerGrow, thanks for participating here. Will you being putting inventory online in the near future? I live fairly close to the new Bolingbrook location and would prefer driving there instead of into downtown Aurora. But, I don't have any idea what is in stock and if it would be worth it to drive there.

 

[BrewGrow]

BeerGrow, thanks for participating here. Will you being putting inventory online in the near future? I live fairly close to the new Bolingbrook location and would prefer driving there instead of into downtown Aurora. But, I don't have any idea what is in stock and if it would be worth it to drive there.

There is no intention of putting the inventory on-line. Since we do not participate in mail-order, we just do not see the advantage. We are retail only, in regards to the home beer and wine making supplies.

Bolingbrook, being a new location has a large stock and great selection. I promise it is worth the trip. If you are looking for a specific product, just give them a call (630)771-1410.

We are working on a simple catalog for downloading, should be ready within a couple of weeks.

Thanks again
Ron

 

[R2-D2]

Ron, thanks.

A simple catalog is all that I'm looking for. I do like to plan my purchasing ahead of time and knowing what is available (perhaps with slightly different pricing) would be nice to know. I have a queue of about 15 recipes I will be working on over the next 6 months and want to know if I can do it all in one-stop.

 

[DRoyLenz]

This isn't exactly an HBS, but I use it all the time to assist in my recipes (both beer and otherwise). The Spice House really offers a great resource for spices. They get their spices direct from the distributors, so they are REALLY cheap. You can buy them bulk as well. It's just so much fun to walk around and take a look at all the cool things they have there.

I would definitely recommend if you're making anything (from beer to steaks) that requires some spices (and you don't feel like dropping $7 a bottle at the supermarket, check this place out.

They have 3 locations, Old Town - Chicago, Evanston, and Geneva.

 

[Glasfeena]

Ron (Brew and Grow)-

I understand it is not your business model to deal in online shopping, and that's cool. There are plenty of alternatives if one feels compelled. I buy all my grain/hops/adjuncts/sanitizers/etc from your Chicago store, and am generally pleased with my experience there.

I was at that store last night (Monday night) as a matter of fact and had serious problems with your stock however. You were completely picked over. I changed my grain bill and hops selection drastically because you were out of stock. My question is, what day of the week is it best to come in when you have a full inventory? I've been at that location a number of times on various days and run into the same problem.

I am pleased to support my LHBS, but I want to know if I go down to your store to buy the ingredients I need, I won't be brewing something different that night.

Also, when are you moving to your new location? (on Kedzie)? It's much much closer to my house!

 

[MrInternet]

Just checked out the Bolingbrook Brew & Grow today... fantastic! Had a huge malt/specialty selection, and pre-crushed was only like .10-.25 more a bag. Great selection of equipment, kits, brushes, stoppers, $30 reconditioned cornies, etc etc... I think I just found my new "go-to" shop!!

 

[PurdueDerek]

So I've seen a lot of stuff in the northern burbs and Chicago proper, but I'm from NW Indiana and don't feel like driving out there on the few days of the month I'm back home to drive up there and get it. Anyone know HBS in the southern suburbs?

I use Kennywood in Crown Point since they're only a few minutes from my house and the owner is really nice, but their hours suck and I can't get there a lot when I come home.

P.S. - I only buy when I'm back home because there aren't any around W. Lafayette, and I don't like the ones that are kind of close

 

[BrewGrow]

Ron (Brew and Grow)-

I was at that store last night (Monday night) as a matter of fact and had serious problems with your stock however. You were completely picked over. I changed my grain bill and hops selection drastically because you were out of stock. My question is, what day of the week is it best to come in when you have a full inventory? I've been at that location a number of times on various days and run into the same problem.

Also, when are you moving to your new location? (on Kedzie)? It's much much closer to my house!

I will make a promise now, our stock will be going way up (3-4x) from what it is now. I hope you can have a little patience and accept our apologies for the problems. We just do not have the space in our current location. If you ever get a chance to check out our new store in Bolingbrook, chicago will be twice the size.

Thanks

 

[BrewGrow]

Ron, thanks.

A simple catalog is all that I'm looking for. I do like to plan my purchasing ahead of time and knowing what is available (perhaps with slightly different pricing) would be nice to know. I have a queue of about 15 recipes I will be working on over the next 6 months and want to know if I can do it all in one-stop.

We are working on a simple text catalog of our beer products, and should be ready for download before the end of the month. You will find the catalog when ready on our retail store location page.