I'm all about supporting the LHBS...

[TexLaw]

That "one week in primary" bit makes me crazy, too. If you work in a craft supply store, you need to have more than an elementary understanding of the craft. Period. The end. Put your pencils down. Close your books. Go home.

The expired yeast also is virtually inexcusable. If it were expired by a few days, well, okay. However, they should check yeast inventories at least once per week and remove anything expired (or, at least, put it in some "expired yeast" bin and let the brewer take his chances). In any case, take that stuff back.

I cannot get too wound up about the burner, though. I don't expect an LHBS to be in the business of selling burners and other equipment that is both low volume in an LHBS and available other places. Oh, sure, they'll carry the stuff, but only because some customers expect them to, but those same customers should expect to pay a premium. Low volume means high price, as low volume also means high cost to the LHBS. For example, my LHBS carries 5 lb. CO2 tanks at $110. That's far, far more than I pay at the welding supply store. However, the welding supply store is in the business of selling those tanks, and my LHBS is not.


TL

 

[c.n.budz]

The expired yeast also is virtually inexcusable. If it were expired by a few days, well, okay. However, they should check yeast inventories at least once per week and remove anything expired (or, at least, put it in some "expired yeast" bin and let the brewer take his chances). In any case, take that stuff back.

Yeah, this was the only thing that really could have caused a problem. Also, they were expired by over a month so I wonder how many other people got old yeast...

 

[david_42]

I don't have a local either, they range from 30-55 miles away and the closest is just a corner in a commercial winery shop. Shipping is generally cheaper than diesel, even at 26.8 mpg. So, it's mail-order or plan my brewing around other trips. Fortunately, one of the better ones is in Corvallis and I can hit it before HoV meetings.

 

[ClutchDude]

MS has no LHBS so I've looked for stores when I'm on the road. The two places I've been to are Alabrew in Birmingham, AL and BrewDen in Tallahassee FL

Both places have accommodated my schedule. I shot them an email telling them I would be passing through and would have a buy list ready to ahead of time. Prices were a little bit higher, but they saved me on AG shipping. 2-4 All grain kits + hops + liquid yeast.

All in all, very friendly and helpful.

 

[Evan!]

No local for me. Maybe soon. The closest is 90 mins away each way. Sux. But they have reasonable prices on most stuff except yeast. Dunno what yous guys are paying for yeast at your LHBS, but their WL Tubes are over $8 ea. (I pay $6.50 online typically) But the good price on Briess bulk base grain makes up for it ($48 for 50 lbs 2-row, $50 for pils). The owner is nice enough, but he creeps you out a little sometimes and follows you around trying to help you. I appreciate the effort, but it's kinda uncomfortable after awhile.

 

[Philip1993]

That "one week in primary" bit makes me crazy, too. If you work in a craft supply store, you need to have more than an elementary understanding of the craft.

+2. Not to mention they passed up an opportunity to potentially sell a hydrometer and a hydrometer test tube.

The expired yeast also is virtually inexcusable. If it were expired by a few days, well, okay.

Not even a few days. One of the reasons LHBS supplies are so high is the spoilage rate for old stock. If I'm going to pay premium, I want premium.

Low volume means high price, as low volume also means high cost to the LHBS. For example, my LHBS carries 5 lb. CO2 tanks at $110. That's far, far more than I pay at the welding supply store. However, the welding supply store is in the business of selling those tanks, and my LHBS is not.

+2 again. My LHBS swaps tanks for us. Would the weld supply be cheaper? Probably about $8/fill. But I am there getting stuff anyway and won't have to make another stop. That, and I'm sure he's not getting rich since he has to buy all the tanks to start with and make the trip to get them all filled.

I'm sure there are a lot of loss leaders in the LHBS business. I know the previous owner once commented that her annual gross was about $75k. Doug has done a much better business running it as a business and not a "public hobby", but I don't see him retiring to Maui next year...

 

[c.n.budz]

+2. Not to mention they passed up an opportunity to potentially sell a hydrometer and a hydrometer test tube.

Nope, I already have those...

 

[stevea1210]

I have a shop 10 minutes from work. It isn't a LHBS, more like a LHBWMGSILR (local Home Brew, Wine Making, Gun Shop, in a Living Room). Really nice lady runs it, although it is really a sureal place. No hours per se, just call and see if shes going to be around for you to stop by.

On my 1st visit, I didn't have cash (expected she'd take my card), and said I'd run to the mac and be back. she told me not to worry about it, and just to mail her a check when I get a chance?!?!?!? This is in 2008, and they are saying, just send me a check.

When I got home I compared prices. $130 from her , $170-175 online BEFORE shipping. On Monday I got 5 lbs of 1 step for $10 compared to $16.99 and 17.99 from NB and MWS.

 

[McKBrew]

I have an excellent LHBS. Generally cheaper than the online guys, decent selection, and great service. Wish everyone were as fortunate.

 

[Philip1993]

Nope, I already have those...

Yes, but he didn't know that. Every customer who asked me about when to vacate the primary would get a hydrometer, and test tube, and a lesson on final gravity.

 

[c.n.budz]

Yes, but he didn't know that. Every customer who asked me about when to vacate the primary would get a hydrometer, and test tube, and a lesson on final gravity.

I told him what my OG was and that the gravity was still dropping, he knew

 

[DUCCCC]

I have been extremely satisfied with my LHBS. The owner is self-admittedly more into wine, but he's been really responsive to requests for specific items for beer.

I have no shame plugging them, Lumina Winery, if you happen to be in the Wilmington, NC area.

That said, if your shop is gouging you, screw 'em. I know there's a premium to be paid these days for a brick and mortar storefront, but a fair markup coupled with good customer service will win repeat customers. Taking advantage of new brewers by shafting them on equipment might get a quick profit on the initial layout, but in this day of comparison shopping via the web, those newbs won't become repeat customers, and the business will fail.

 

[DUCCCC]

I have a shop 10 minutes from work. It isn't a LHBS, more like a LHBWMGSILR (local Home Brew, Wine Making, Gun Shop, in a Living Room). ...

Oh Man, that sounds awesome! If I could pick up USGI mags for the AR15-A2, or some new tritium sights for the 92FS INOX, along with potassium metabisulfite and 2-row, I'd be all set for one stop shopping.

Does she have a range out back?

 

[BakerStreetBeers]

I love my LHBS, but I can't offer them complete fidelity. I would miss them if they were gone, miss them sorely, but I don't have a lot of concern about that happening.

This being Sonoma County California and therefore hardcore wine country, they are a combination wine/beer/cheese making supply store and education emporium, though the founders have their roots in 1980s homebrewing culture. My take on this is that they probably bring in a lot of revenue from the hobbyist viticultarists and vintners and so seem to be able to keep the markups reasonable on homebrewing staples.

With that in mind, I don't have a lot of guilt about buying equipment from other (online) sources, particularly when it comes to things like kegging/kegerator conversion stuff which they don't seem to carry a heck of a lot of or be especially knowledgeable about.

I have a HUGE appreciation for the convenience they offer when it comes to buying ingredients and can't imagine going online for that. I can work up a recipe on Friday night or Saturday morning, show up there and fill my grain bill, pick up the hops or yeast that I need and be out for a reasonable price. I have only had to make one grain substitution in 5 batches, none for hops yet.

And I've probably spent more on equipment there than ingredients since I (re)started brewing a couple months ago. Better bottles, autosiphon, grain bags, hop bags, racking tube holders, airlocks, etc. Could I have saved money on some of these by buying online? Probably, but not enough to make it worth my time (especially after shipping costs). And I'm probably being delusional here, but I do imagine that I will reach a point where my setup is satisfactory (for the time being) and I'm only buying ingredients.

 

[EvilTOJ]

Going back to the OP, have you ever gone into Lets Brew? Their prices are about the same as Steinbarts (at least as far as I can tell from going into Steinbarts once) but super friendly and really know their stuff. I like going in there on Saturdays when people are making 12 gallon batches.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Evil...I have not. But a few others have suggested checking them out. I may just have to one day. It's all about convenience working two blocks away from Steinbarts.