home brew supply shops in......NJ!

[postman]

I'm not too keen on the Brewer's Apprentice. The help is terrible, so slow! Gas being what it is, it's cheaper to order online than drive there. Plus their prices are up and down. It's like they wave a magic wand over the cash register. I have not been too satisfied with their extract either. I'll probably give them another chance though, if I happen to be in the area. I just wish they were quicker and cheaper.

 

[bkov]

do you remember about much the sack was from GL?

 

[Bobby_M]

I got an expired sack of Baird's MO from them back before the grain prices shot up and I remember it was $5 less than BA wanted. If their prices are tracking with everyone elses, they'd probably sell it for $55 right now. Just check the "use by" date because that was a big mistake I made.

 

[bad coffee]

if you're going to open a brewstore in NJ, make sure it's close to the city. There's exactly Fukall in NYC.

B

 

[postman]

Bobby M,

I realize that you are an all grain brewer, but have you tried any of the BA extract recipes? If so, what kind of success have you had. I've brewed 3 extract recipes from them, so so results each.

Postman

 

[Bobby_M]

I've never tried any of their recipes. I think I've been there three times. The first was for extract ingredients for a recipe I found somewhere and the next two times were just for sacks of grain. Even though my brew club gets 10% off sacks, it still feels like being raped.

 

[postman]

Really is too bad, it'd be nice to have a good home brew shop. I guess they must make most of their profit from the BOP. Even still, if I was in a pinch...I'd go. I'll probably stick with NB or Midwest for now. I kind of feel like Austin HB is a little pricey too. Best wishes bro!

 

[Bobby_M]

If you're really dedicated to sticking it out with extract, you'd probably benefit from a 50 pound bulk purchase of DME. If you're only looking to buy it in 3lb bags, check out www.brewbyu.com

 

[fat x nub]

i live very close to two great supply stores

 

[postman]

Thanks Bobby. I've never really thought much about DME. For the last year everything I used was LME, which has given great results. Is there any difference in taste? For now, I'm an extract brewer, but I have read a lot recently on all grain. Time is the biggest issue with 2 very little kids at home. Also, $$$$. It's like kegs vs All Grain equipment. For now, I'm extract who is considering partial mash. But even there I'd need to build a MLT manifold for my cooler - 50 Qt Igloo rectangle and get a larger pot. Thanks for the advice.

 

[oguss0311]

Postman- I hear you man- I have AG equipment and most often do Heavy PM (5lbs+ of grain) simply because my 1year old is not interested in my being busy for hours on end. I suggest you consider doing what I do- and use just one or two pounds of DME- and the rest grain- which means that you can get away with Not doing a full boil- which means that you don't have to chill 5 gal or wort, etc. I just use a 5gal cooler- that I converted to a mash tun with a procedure I learned here- mash while I prep/sanitize everything-etc. It only adds an hour to your extract routine. The difference- in my opinion is HUGE. And you get play around with different grains- etc. I love it. Plus- after you get the cooler squared away- you are saving about one third of so on your current price per batch.
Yup.

 

[oguss0311]

It's like kegs vs All Grain equipment.

Also- with the kid variable- I will tell you that Kegs not only give you more control over your carb. levels, but they take less time, and you sanitize ONE thing- not 50+- and that saves some serious time and effort.
Only downside is not being able to bring samples for buddies, etc.

 

[RIBeer]

The Defiant Brewery in Pearl River, NY is sometimes willing to sell grain to homebrewers. Give a call first. Pearl River is nust over the border from Montvale, NJ. Great beer, too!

 

[postman]

oogus311,

Little kids are time eaters, but time with them is so much fun. I recently went all grain on a 2.5 gal scale. I'm using a combo of methods from here to make my own procedure. I even upped one batch to 3.5 gallons by adding 1 lb of DME. I love the results. Your right, its a huge difference. I was considering an extract recipe recently, but the price hurt a little. That convinced me to stay with grains for most of the fermentables, then I can add in extra DME to either do a mini mash or a mini-mini mash.

As for kegs, I'm still up in the air on that one. The price is big. As of now, bottles are free. Obviously, my time is an issue though. So usually, my brew day begins during dinner, and concludes after the kids are asleep.

It's all good though. The beer has been great lately. I'm trying to convert one of the NB IPA recipes to mini mash right now. I'm hoping to buy that this weekend. Who out there invests in the bulk DME and if so, are you glad you made the choice to go bulk?

 

[oguss0311]

Just a note- Corrado's has really picked up it's act- there is a decent variety of base malts in 10lb bags, lots of 55lb bags, etc. Hops are even cheaper than what I see online a lot these days......It seems they intend to have our business. I'm almost scared that if everyone checks them out- they will sell out- but at least now I think they will actually reorder too.....and then things will be fresh!

 

[Bobby_M]

I've got to check the place out eventually. It's on the way up to my inlaws place in Paramus anyway. What are they getting for a sack of maris otter?

 

[oguss0311]

They only have pale malt, honey malt and two others-(65-69 bucks if I remember right) Morris is only in 10 lbs- which is 15.99 or 16.99 for them- two bucks more than their 10lbs pale malt. Having really good deals and selections for sacks would have blown me right over- this place only had 1lb backs of grain for Years. I'm really glad that they are restocking etc.

 

[jgln]

I'm in New Jersey as well although I'm down south right outside of Atlantic City. I've gotten everything delivered to me so far but I just found a place in Turnersville called Beercrafters Inc. Anybody gone there? Is it any good?

Used to go to Beercrafters many years ago 10+ but got into kind of an argument with who I believe was the owner (I had a co-worker who knew him and he said his name was Fritz and described him). I went in to buy wine bottle corks that I had brought there before. For some reason he kept telling me he had no idea what I was talking about, never carried such a thing and kept telling me all he had were the cork stoppers with plastic caps. After 5 minutes of telling him I brought them there before and us both getting annoyed he pulled something out from behind the counter and said with stupid look "you mean these??" "Why would you want them when it’s easier to use the stoppers????" I told him "that is what I want" and he sold me them. Now maybe I called them something different but you would think he would have pulled out the corks long before we both got annoyed with each other. I buy on line now. They were ok before that, didn't have a whole lot back then as far as grain on display.
Have you been there yet?

 

[oguss0311]

. What are they getting for a sack of maris otter?

I lied they Do have Morris Otter, and it was $79.99 (Their most expensive by a little bit)
Is this better then down by you? Now that a buddy and I are doing similar recipes, sacks are something we need to get on'.

 

[johnnybutt35]

im a noob and just started out and got all my stuff (kit and ingredients) from beercrafters in turnersville. i think i know the owner you had your argument with. kind of a grouchy old man. but the other people that work there that i spoke to were very knowledgable and i got alot of help from them. they also have a nice supply of grains. dont know what other places have in comparison but there looked to be a wide variety. i used 4 kinds of grains on my first batch and that was just a small variety compared to what they had.

 

[shotofeverclear]

Quick note about Corrado's - very overpriced. I went their this weekend while visiting family, and it was geared toward wine, not beer. But the prices were high. What usually cost me $70 online (with free shipping from morebeer) cost me $90. It was nice that they have their high quality supermarket next door, where I found whole chamomile buds for $1 an oz. For a quick run it, they have it, but you will pay the price. Liquid yeast is $7.95 a vial.

 

[devils4ever]

Okay, I live in western Morris County and have had similar issues finding a homebrew shop in NJ. Now, I go to Keystone in Bethlehem, PA. http://www.keystonehomebrew.com/

They are well stocked and knowledgeable. Their prices are good for a local place, they can't compete with Internet prices. I've bought yeast and specialty grains from them and can't complain. They must sell a lot of yeast because it's always fresh.

It might be a little far for some of you coming from NE NJ, but compared to these other places I've seen mention here, it might be worth the trip.

I've been going there now instead of Internet for most of my items.

 

[Bithead]

New LHBS, TAP IT HOMEBREW (Egg Harbor, NJ)
144 Philadelphia Ave
Egg Harbor, NJ 08215
(609) 593-3697

Haven't been there so I can't say anything about it other than they are advertising on CL

 

[HopheadNJ]

I'm in NW Morris County, I pretty much order online exclusively. I was using AHB for awhile, but usually use BMW due to their faster shipping, when ordering supplies. I was lucky enough to jump in on a bulk buy from the AG section here and have MO and 2-row stocked. Not enough time to brew it all!

I really dislike going to Corrados...besides the traffic and being a little ways away, they are def more geared to a wine making crowd. Besides, I gotta rehash the fact that they never have what I need. The food market is always worth stopping by when I have gone though.

 

[kskiles]

Stopped in this weekend for the Grand Opening. Met the owners and had a good chat.

They are getting things together in the store. Only LHBS in Southern NJ that I am aware of.

Great location on Philadelphia Ave just a block or so north of the WHP. I will likely be a regular patron.

 

[rtt121]

New LHBS, TAP IT HOMEBREW (Egg Harbor, NJ)
144 Philadelphia Ave
Egg Harbor, NJ 08215
(609) 593-3697

Haven't been there so I can't say anything about it other than they are advertising on CL

Wooooow this may be the best thing I have read on HBT to date. I hope they are decent!
(4 miles from work on the way home)

 

[xrobevansx]

For you SOUTHERN NJ peopple: There is also Richland General Store in Richland, NJ. on Rt. 40....Beercrafters has closed since this thread started YEARS ago.

I was thinking of starting a HBS in Vineland. Any comments/input?

 

[Bithead]

Would be good to find out how many brewers down your way. What would you do to make your store more unique than the existing ones?

 

[xrobevansx]

Would be good to find out how many brewers down your way. What would you do to make your store more unique than the existing ones?

The fact that there are none (that I know of) in Cumberland/Salem/Cape May counties would make it unique.

Finding out how many homebrewers would be tough I would think. Any ideas how?

 

[Great_Neck_Brewer]

I live on Long Island and prefer Corrado's.
The nice thing about them, they always have new things coming in.
The other day they had 10 gal. glass demijohns with spigots drilled into them.