Self Serve at LHBS?

[VApatriot]

SgtSparty - yes it's the Taylor store. I can go there on my way home. It used to be better when Jason was there but some of his employees just don't seem to give a crap now. I'm kind of tired of it and I really don't want to have to drive all the way to the "Peoples Republic of Ann Arbor" store just to buy grains, hops and yeast.

Sparty on dude!

 

[DromJohn]

While I might prefer if I could self serve, I definitely prefer that others not self serve. Not y'all, those not us. For the greater good, I'd let the HBS serve.

 

[seatazzz]

When I first started all-grain I had the guy at the LHBS measure & mill for me. After I think my 3rd batch I went in for a grain bill; everyone was busy helping others at different areas of the store, so I helped myself (but did need help with milling because the drill got stuck). Since then I always measure and mill my own. Jon at Larry's loves it when people are self-sufficient enough to get their own. I also bring my own HD Homer bucket with lid to hold the milled grain, after having to throw away 10 or so empty Briess 50# bags lying around the garage that they used to dump my milled grain into. Not only is it fun to do it myself, but it really makes me feel like I kinda know what I'm doing.

 

[Zuljin]

I like self serve because it's part of the process, and because I know I got what I want.

That said, one shop I use is self serve and the other is full service. I have opened bins at the self serve and found partial scoops of other grains. Some people.

That said, I've had the full service misunderstand that I wanted each different type of grain in a separate bag, and they put three one gallon batches all mixed into one big bag. They fixed it without charge, but that wouldn't have happened at the self serve. And it's a quirk, but even when I'm buying for a single brew, I just like having each different grain in its own bag.

 

[Auger]

Even with the inconsistent mill you still find it a plus that you grab your own grains right?

Yeah absolutely. All the grains are in labeled buckets, and still in the sack so I generally check the sack label to confirm what is in the bag I'm grabbing from. I'll still get grains from there even if I start milling them at home. Only caveat there is if I can get in on a group buy to pick up a few sacks of base malt to save money, but even then, not sure I want to worry about storing it.

 

[kristiismean]

my favorite and the one I prefer to go to is a do it yourself, over 100 bins, write the number and weight. all labeled, all neat and organized correctly. multiple calibrated scales and bins, please help yourself...

and the bag is perfect for putting the spent grains back into. I know what went into the bag, and how much, 4oz of black malt, not 3.5, not 4.5 so if it's great, I get the credit, if it's horrible, I get the blame.

the other place that is nearby, and I don't like it as much, higher prices in a higher priced type area, heat seals it. so yeah, they have an okay crush and prices on the high end, thin plastic bag, heat sealed, which is okay (it's a tube, but easy to poke a hole in it. have to be careful. and not sure what really went into it.