In Support of All Home Brew Stores

[Carter1932]

I wish mine would have better pricing. I want to support the shop but its hard for me to justify buying hops at nearly twice the price I can get them online even after accounting for shipping.

I also think a LHBS can benefit from a good website design that not only includes the ability to shop and order online but also provides reasons to return to site like brew calculators and local brewer forum discussion and recipe sharing.

 

[davesrose]

Hops and vines offers classes with hands on instructions that take you thru the whole process. At the end of the class you take home some of the beer that the class has made. They have a mailing list, facebook, etc.. They sell beer and do all sorts of free tastings and events. Lastly they have an open meeting once a month where home brewers are encouraged to bring in their beers, share and talk.

Sounds like a good program. I'll let my mom know about HAV's programs to see if she'd be interested in any of them. Thanks for the info!

 

[Bottenbrew]

I also think a LHBS can benefit from a good website design that not only includes the ability to shop and order online but also provides reasons to return to site like brew calculators and local brewer forum discussion and recipe sharing.

Or even the ability to see inventory online so I know if something is there and how much it costs before I go in. That is my only beef with my LHBS, their website is just a splash page with no info. I don't want much, just something that shows what grains/hops/yeast are in stock, and how much they cost.

 

[maida7]

Sounds like a good program. I'll let my mom know about HAV's programs to see if she'd be interested in any of them. Thanks for the info!

I just got an email that the informal meeting is tonight at HAV. First Thursday of every month. Brewers are encouraged (but not required) to bring 2 bottles to share.

 

[samc]

I've got a choice of at least 6 LHBS's within half hour of me. We have some with low prices, some with great selection, others with good info. I tend to stick to one place that has low prices & great selection, but even the more expensive places are not outrageously overpriced.

Some offer brewing classes, although from what I've witnessed you'd be better off reading online instructions from Denny or Bobby M on All grain,etc.

As to pricing in general, most LHBS's operations are not gold mines and for them to compete with online operations that don't have big rent & payrolls, it really is not possible. Sure they could do a loss leader or two, but they'd be out of business quickly if they sold you hops @ $.80/oz. You are paying for convenience and hopefully some good info.

Yeah, we are a bit spoiled in Portland.

 

[SwampassJ]

The one down here does beginner classes and group brew days periodically throughout the month. First Wednesdays (yesterday for example) is a tasting from a predetermined style with commercial brews thrown in as well to compare to ours. I just wish it wasn't 45minutes away (atleast it's off I-95)

 

[CompassBrewing]

I live in san diego and know of 3 lhbs: Hydrobrew, ballast point homebrew mart and American Home Brewing Supply. I have bought from hydrobrew and homebrew mart. While I have received excellent service, tips and advice from both hydrobrew and homebrew mart their prices were much higher then what i have found online-specifically norther brewer (where i have done the majority of my shopping). I was very happy with the service and free classes of hydrobrew but they're about 30 miles out my way. homebrew mart (and I love love love ballast points brew) is also very good but again the prices are high. I do, however purchase my yeast through them (always whitelabs) as they too are local and that just makes sense to me. Plus I can pick up some hops when i'm in a pinch and they always give out some great advice. The taster bar is always nice too!
I have yet to visit American Home Brewing Supply but I have heard the man that runs it is extremely knowledgeable but can be a bit rude and his prices are again high.

The bottom line for me is, while I'd like to support the lhbm it all comes down to balancing pricing and quality. I'd love to buy exclusively through homebrew mart but if i can buy what i need cheaper on line with out compromising on quality then i will.

 

[osagedr]

Like to see my LHBS handle their pelletized hops better. They are kept in little bags rather than vaccuum sealed and often sit around like that for a long time, just kept in a cooler rather than a freezer.

I have to say, though, it's really really nice having a place that carries about three dozen malts, couple of dozen hop varieties, lots of equipment, all the Wyeasts, etc.