Hi from Suffolk, VA.

[bamaboy1975]

Just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I am originally from Alabama (Roll Tide) and now live and work in Virginia. I am in the Navy with 2 years left before retirement. I just purchased my first brewing kit from Midwest Supplies. I went all out and got the Master Brewers Kit with full upgrades and my first beer batch. I really have no earthly idea what the heck I am doing but, thanks to YouTube and chat forums like this one, I should be ok. I would like to find some people locally to chit chat with or hang out with if possible. Kind of a "Brew Buddy" if ya will. Anyways, just wanted to say hi and I am sure I will be posting some questions REAL soon. Gonna try my hand at some beer brewing today when I get home. Wish me luck!!

 

[GrogNerd]

first, thank you for your service!

2nd, welcome to the obsession! good luck with today's batch! what are you brewing?

I'm not at all local to you, but am in VA and former Navy. Sonar Tech, surface. almost 20 years since I got out. read a magazine article on homebrewing on my last deployment and said, "I GOTTA DO THIS!" Had a couple batches done before I moved to a smaller place and didn't have room for my equipment.

late last year I got back into it and brewed my first batch in 17 years. just brewed my 4th batch, 2nd all-grain since re-starting and have almost my entire brew year mapped out. several being brewed for competition, others just because I can.

from the AHA site, there are a couple homebrew clubs you could check out. I joined 2 here in northern VA. great people brewing some great beers having a great time

Hampton Roads Brewing & Tasting
Norfolk, VA 23502-2475
Phone: (757) 459-2739
Email: [email protected]
www.hrbts.org

Honoring Of Patriotic Service (H.O.P.S)
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1515
Phone: (757) 812-3785
Email: [email protected]

 

[Brewskii]

Hey, Williamsburg here. Several good clubs in your area. There great for all the things your looking for. Closest to you i think would be the big blue brew crew from Old Dominion University. Don't know if the do open membership though. Check here;
http://m.facebook.com/BigBlueBrewCrew?id=274042669302318&refsrc=http://www.google.com/search&_rdr

There are no slick LHBS around- they are all hole-in-the-wall type places but close to you and by FAR the best IMHO is Wine and Cake hobbies. Go here;
http://www.wineandcake.com/
A girl named Chris runs the brewing/ wine section and they have good prices ( believe it or not). If they don't have it they'll get it. I am always shocked at what they do have. They are well-appointed for grain, yeast, and hops.

Go to the website and sign up to their newsletter. They have a monthly discount coupon they come
Out with and they TELL YOU when their Groupons and Living social deals come out ( and they are usually like $40 for $20 or $100 for $50)

Can't vouch for their kits or advice; I know they have both. I went to homebrew USA and drive past their store to get to wine and cake.

And I don't know or work for them

Good luck with the addiction!

 

[skamanGA]

Suffolk, VA: Homebrewing population, at least two. Welcome!

I've been doing it since September, and have batch 7 lined up for this weekend. First batch with my recently converted cooler mash tun. Hope your first one goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions I can share my relatively limited knowledge. I too started with youtube and the forums, which is great to start, but it is amazing how much you learn by actually doing it, since everyone's equipment is a little different.

As far as Homebrew USA, their Hampton location is pretty sketchy, but they've had what I needed the few times I've been there. Their Norfolk location at JANAF is way better.

Brewskii, I didn't even know about Wine and Cake, I'll have to check it out, thanks for the heads up.

 

[Brewskii]

Yeah, the website is a little lacking but I think you can "like" them on FAceBook for the newsletter with the discounts.
http://m.facebook.com/wineandcake?id=215746271790086&refsrc=http://www.google.com/search&_rdr

Last year they did ridiculous groupon deals 4 or 5 times during the year. They also seem to have things like Simcoe Citra and Amarillo when no one else does. That may be because people don't know about them yet. I only found them
Last year and the place has doubled the homebrew stuff in that time. The even carry Blichman now.

 

[bamaboy1975]

I just went to Wine and Cake store on Friday and I have to admit, it was a really cool store! I love to bake also so it was a twice as good for me!!! Thanks for all the suggestions. Next, Home Brew USA!

 

[bamaboy1975]

Also, to all that where wondering, my first "Extract Brew" went AMAZING!!! Can't wait to rack it in a 2nd fermenter this Friday! Planning my next brew already. Gonna go with a German Octoberfest beer I think!!!

 

[Brewskii]

BTW...Wine and Cake has a groupon available right now ;

$20 buys you $40 worth of whatever they sell.

Go to Groupon and search Hampton, VA or try this;

http://www.groupon.com/deals/wine-and-cake-hobbies-2?c=all&p=12

 

[rekoob]

Welcome to the forum and nice to hear of a few on here that are in the area. I don't live to far from Wine and Cake and will admit they have greatly improved the selection over the years.
Now if we could just get bulk grain for a cheaper price we would be in business.

 

[rekoob]

hmmm, never did that groupon thing before, might have to give it a shot. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Brewskii]

Welcome to the forum and nice to hear of a few on here that are in the area. I don't live to far from Wine and Cake and will admit they have greatly improved the selection over the years.
Now if we could just get bulk grain for a cheaper price we would be in business.

Do the groupon, get a 50# sack of malt for <
$30.

Works for me.