$upport your local store, until....

[sibelman]

I'm fortunate to have two splendid local homebrew supply stores within easy reach. I get almost all my ingredients there. But things are changing. I needed some hops, and had price and availability shocks.

Even with shipping Yakima Valley Hops offered what I sought for about half the price of one local store. The other was out of stock, possibly until the new harvest comes in.

I try to resist the pressure from internet sellers and continue to support the locals, but when the price difference is big enough... Today, I buckled and went with YVH. But it doesn't feel right.

I'm curious how those who (still) have local shops deal with this tension.

 

[BrewZer]

I deal with it by not even looking online until I can't find it in either of my two local shops.

 

[esdill]

It's easy for me, everything is purchased online. The nearest homebrew store is a 2 hour drive each way.

 

[SFC Rudy]

I miss my LHBS.

 

[jdauria]

Before my local shop closed a few years ago, I would buy grain, yeast and supplies there, but always ordered hops from Yakima Valley in bulk. The shop tended to get hops in larger bags and then would break then down into 1 ounce plastic bags and they never marked the year on the plastic bags. I did not want to buy a hop that was sitting in the fridge for a year or two in a plastic bag that lets oxygen in over time. Guys who worked there even admitted buying in bulk was better. But alas, the shop is gone and the only full size shop left in Greater Boston is up on North Shore and almost a 2 hour round trip for me (without traffic, and Boston always has traffic!), so I order everything online now.

 

[bailey mountain brewer]

I have 1 lhbs, I will buy everything I can from them, even if I have to let them order something specific for me, I've done that with some malts that they don't stock... I do order some hops from YVH that they don't keep or if it will take them to long to get, and he understands that.. I have developed a pretty good rapport with my lhbs so they aren't afraid to order me things as they know I won't stick them with it. I bought my first kit from them 13 almost 14 years ago and they have helped me many times, they have my full support.

 

[shoengine]

Mine stopped carrying about half of the yeast stains I used. I've been making due for now, but the Internet is calling.

 

[Bassman2003]

I hear ya but I have never purchased hops locally. The prices were always very high and the age was always a question mark. I figured a fresh bulk buy from Hops Direct vacuum packed and stored frozen would take me much farther. It is a tough business. The local shops have to be good as the shipping economy is not going away anytime soon.

Bottom line, as I have progressed as a brewer, I am more demanding as a customer. That often does not fit the LHBS business model. So it is a mismatch. I don't need perfection but I can't stand old.

 

[Closet Fermenter]

My nearest store is 60 miles away, and not a fun drive. I go there for bulk grain purchases, or if I find a recipe I want to try; they keep a lot of grains in stock. However, I will check their online prices when I need something. I usually have to pay a little more there, but if it’s not too bad, I’ll give them the business anyway. If I need it right away, well, I can go get it, and that’s nice. If it’s a no rush thing, I have buddy who lives 10 minutes from the store who can pick it up for me and I can get it from him later when we get together.
However, there are some things I can get delivered to my door way cheaper than the store price, not even considering the time and travel costs.
There are also some things that they just don’t carry at the store like eva barrier line and duotight connectors.
I can go to Bobby M and Kegconnection for these.
I like to do business with all of them and hope they all stay in business.

 

[Steveruch]

125 miles, one way, to nearest shop. I average 63 miles a month in my 32 year old car: no thanks.

 

[mac_1103]

I buckled and went with YVH. But it doesn't feel right.

Dude. You're in Portland. YVH practically is your LHBS.

 

[Broken Crow]

I'm curious how those who (still) have local shops deal with this tension.

When I've found a huge price difference on something I need, I offer the deal to my LHBS. I've traded some excess items for either off the shelf products at my LHBS or for store credit to my next purchase. Most hardware I can in fact find cheaper online, but I Love my LHBS and don't mind paying the overhead just to do my part in keeping them around, but like you've encountered: Within Reason. If you've found a huge price difference btween in-store and online, there's a good chance that your LHBS simply didn't get that deal...give them a call and ask if they'd like some of whatever you need so you can place a larger order and both benefit. It doesn't always pan out, but it does sometimes and it certainly builds a lot of goodwill.

 

[Mark3885]

I can text my LHBS about 2 weeks or so before I need my supplies. If they are out , they can get what I need and have it ready when I get there. About 1.5 hrs total round trip, but the wealth of knowledge I get from a face to face is priceless. Oh , and did I mention that his prices are 40% cheaper than online.

 

[MaxStout]

I miss my LHBS, Brew & Grow. The store was a mixture of brewing and hydroponic gardening supplies. It was 4 miles away, so it was even worthwhile to run down there for one or two items. Good selection and prices. If I wanted really fresh liquid yeast the owner would tell me to call it in and he'd add it to his weekly order. I would stop in to get a pack that was only a couple weeks old.

Sadly, they closed in 2019. They were experiencing declining sales and the owner wanted to retire.

We still had MW and NB in the Twin Cities until last year when those went online only. And their prices are getting too high now.

There is one place, Beer Meister, but I've never been there and it's on the other side of the metro from me. Maybe I'll check it out some time.

There are some good online options, and those take care of what I need. But I do miss being able to drive a few minutes to get a few incidentals.

 

[scrap iron]

I have a local brew store about 20 miles from my house and am grateful that they are still in business. The shop owner knows me by name, and we have an enjoyable conversation every time I shop there. I buy all my ingredients and other supplies possible except when I buy hops in bulk. I will sometimes buy hops there for a brew when I don't have what I need on hand. The shop hop prices are still reasonable at $2.50 - $3.00 an ounce. I do what I can to help him stay in business because so many disappeared since covid.

 

[HM-2]

Mine closed three months ago, but their stock was always really...odd. Only whole cone hops, no pellets, reasonable selection of different malts but only stocked about 10 MJ yeasts (which as most people who known MJ know are almost invariably mislabelled as to what their proper use should be). I only ever really used it when I was out of something and didn't realise when I was ordering ingredients for a recipe.

It's a bit of a shame really as the guy who ran it was awesome, and clearly he was stocking in line with most of his buyers (because duh, why wouldn't you), but never hugely useful for me.

 

[Carolina_Matt]

I don't think it's 'cheating' if you buy from YVH or Hops Direct. They're not really an internet store to me - they're a hop farm that sells direct to customers. To me, that's different than buying hops from Morebeer, Northern, etc.

Having said that, I've always bought hops in bulk and never thought twice about it. I would use my local shop mainly for grains and co2 refills, but grain prices crept up to the point where I can have a 50lb sack delivered to my door for less than he was asking. And his co2 prices were per pound - a 5lb refill was about $20, which was reasonable, but a 20lb refill was about $80, way out of line with getting it swapped elsewhere.

He's out of business now though, so I have no qualms about buying 10lb bags of grain from Morebeer instead.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Hard to define "local" these days. It seems as much as everyone tries to support the local shops they close up for various reasons. I know it's not easy running a business, it never has been.

I shop at a local home brew store but he's not a store front. Mostly mail order business and the local pickups. Internet order goes in then I get an email saying my order is ready to pick up. It works for me but I know exactly what I want.

The owner is always willing to help, but for anyone just starting out it might not be so easy. I wonder how many people want to try this hobby but there's no LHBS to go to . . .

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I wonder how many people want to try this hobby but there's no LHBS to go to . . .

They probably start a session with their favorite LLM and ask

I want to make my own beer. What are the top five YouTube channels, FaceBook forums, and books?

 

[redrocker652002]

I wish I had a LHBS close by. The closest is about an hour away and I have to cross a bridge with a toll of about 8 bucks. And it is actually a Morebeer. There is a place in Berkley I might take a ride to one day, but that is also about an hour or so and another bridge toll. LOL, but that is an independent so I might give it a go.

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

There is one place, Beer Meister, but I've never been there and it's on the other side of the metro from me.

As a brewer living in Hastings, I object to your claim that Beermeister is on the other side of the metro!!! Fortunately, work takes me near Maple Grove pretty regularly, and sneaking in a side-trip to Medina is easy enough. Altho it was a little awkward that one time the boss watched me carry a 50 lb sack of grain from the work-van to my car!

Maybe I'll check it out some time.

You should! The grain selection is actually pretty good (if Midwest Supplies in SLP was a 9/10 for grain-room, Beermeister is a solid 7/10).

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I wish I had a LHBS close by. The closest is about an hour away and I have to cross a bridge with a toll of about 8 bucks. And it is actually a Morebeer. There is a place in Berkley I might take a ride to one day, but that is also about an hour or so and another bridge toll. LOL, but that is an independent so I might give it a go.

Expensive brewing for you, at least your road trips. Bummer!

 

[MaxStout]

As a brewer living in Hastings, I object to your claim that Beermeister is on the other side of the metro!!! Fortunately, work takes me near Maple Grove pretty regularly, and sneaking in a side-trip to Medina is easy enough. Altho it was a little awkward that one time the boss watched me carry a 50 lb sack of grain from the work-van to my car!


You should! The grain selection is actually pretty good (if Midwest Supplies in SLP was a 9/10 for grain-room, Beermeister is a solid 7/10).

I might next time I'm in the area. Sometimes we go to Maple Grove to eat (our burb is a restaurant desert).

But I've gotten into the habit of keeping a running list of supplies I'll need for future brews, then order from Ritebrew or Brew Hardware once I have enough on the list to make an order worthwhile.

I just miss being able to get last minute stuff from some place nearby. E.g., if I need a pound or two of specialty malts or a packet of yeast.

There is a small store in Mankato, MN. We have family there and drive down every few weeks or so. I might check that out next trip.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

I order online from my "local home brew shop". They're about 2 hours away. They charge flat rate shipping, so that's good for me. The only thing I don't get online is my bulk grains, they can't do the flat rate shipping on that, so that's when I make the trek.

Oh, and if I order during the week, it arrives the next day.

 

[Cincybeer]

When i started brewing there were 3 LBS all less than 25 miles away from me. Now down to only 1. The have been a brewery with a brew shop attached for 30+ yrs. Sold last year to. New owners. Stock has gone WAY done on grains and hardly any liquid yeasts. Unless they get better i will be heading to the online purchases for my next brew

 

[FloppyKnockers]

When I lived in Portland I had 3 within 20 minutes. One closed leaving me with a regular Sophie's choice. Had a handful a little further away.

Didn't realize how fortunate I was until I moved back to Texas. Granted, at first, I had one right next to my work - score! Now that they went wholesale only, I have to drive about 45 minutes to get to my closest one. Next closest is Dallas, but ew... Dallas.

 

[Jonakr]

When i started brewing there were 3 LBS all less than 25 miles away from me. Now down to only 1. The have been a brewery with a brew shop attached for 30+ yrs. Sold last year to. New owners. Stock has gone WAY done on grains and hardly any liquid yeasts. Unless they get better i will be heading to the online purchases for my next brew

This is my situation as well. We had three, down to one. The one is a 40 minute round-trip, so I don't do it too often.

 

[matt_m]

Mine was Adventures in Homebrewing. It wasn't particularly convenient but we made regular trips there until Covid shut down the one store which made it a little harder. Then Northern Brewer suddenly closed the other and fired the staff. Cadillac Straights in Madison Heights has a decent shop (and brewery) but its 110 miles round trip. There's a garden store closer that carries some product but I might keep almost as much grain inventory as they do. Now I mostly support a NSLHBS (not so local homebrew shop), Great Fermentations. Depending on the season we're there or our kid comes home from there every 1-3 months so with some planning I rarely have anything shipped.

I buy Imperial Yeast almost exclusively and feel that a 6-month-old pack of that from my fridge is at least as good as any in-date White Labs or Wyeast pack. I might do a starter when they get that old...or not. I recently learned I can order that online and get "overnight" delivery from Cadillac Straights because we share a USPS mail sorting center and shipping is reasonable because of the light weight and short distance.

I buy all my hops from YVH, not only are prices better but I know I'm getting fresh--or knowingly buying 1-2 years old that have been treated well. I keep a good stock, probably too much, and reorder when my inventory of one or more regular varieties gets low.

 

[Steveruch]

125 miles, one way, to nearest shop. I average 63 miles a month in my 32 year old car: no thanks.

There is a hardware store closer that has some supplies, but when I checked them out they had hops and dry yeast out at room temperature making me less than impressed.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

There is a hardware store closer that has some supplies, but when I checked them out they had hops and dry yeast out at room temperature making me less than impressed.

Yeah, but a hardware store selling yeast and hops? Maybe there's hope yet, Home Depot having a section for home brewers!

 

[BongoYodeler]

My LHBS, leases two buildings located in an industrial park, and has been in business since the early 90's. The original owner is also a brewer, like most are I assume. He invested in a 10 barrel system and began doing contract brewing for local micro-breweries who don't have capacity meet demand. Fast forward to a few years ago and a couple guys in my HB club opened up their own brewery and would often contract with the homebrew shop to keep up with demand. After doing that for a while they did the math and offered to buy out the HB shop and 10 barrel system, and the owner agreed. They split the space up into three areas - the shop, a tasting room, and the brewing area. The tasting room is fairly large and they put in a stage and have live music, trivia night, bingo, etc. They get a good crowd for event nights. They're also still doing contract brewing for other breweries. In talking to one of the owners he told me the brew shop alone doesn't make much money, and if it weren't for the tasting room and contract brewing they wouldn't even be there. He wants to keep the brew shop open as long as it is a net positive though.

 

[redrocker652002]

Expensive brewing for you, at least your road trips. Bummer!

Yea, but if the one in Berkley might be a fun ride depending on where it is and what is around it. If I can get 2 or 3 recipes at one shot it would not be too bad. Then I can grab some liquid yeasts and start trying those out.

 

[bkboiler]

There was only one LHBS that I would go to that was independent that wasnt an hour plus each direction. That closed. The other LHBS is local, but it's owned by a conglomerate, so I don't feel any special draw to patronize them...

In theory they create jobs locally, but the profit goes into the coffers or a large company far away and doesn't stay local.

From that perspective I see it as more beneficial to patronize the local (to socal) Internet LHBS. It's not in person, but it is somewhat more local than the brick and mortars I have available

 

[MaxStout]

My LHBS, leases two buildings located in an industrial park, and has been in business since the early 90's. The original owner is also a brewer, like most are I assume. He invested in a 10 barrel system and began doing contract brewing for local micro-breweries who don't have capacity meet demand. Fast forward to a few years ago and a couple guys in my HB club opened up their own brewery and would often contract with the homebrew shop to keep up with demand. After doing that for a while they did the math and offered to buy out the HB shop and 10 barrel system, and the owner agreed. They split the space up into three areas - the shop, a tasting room, and the brewing area. The tasting room is fairly large and they put in a stage and have live music, trivia night, bingo, etc. They get a good crowd for event nights. They're also still doing contract brewing for other breweries. In talking to one of the owners he told me the brew shop alone doesn't make much money, and if it weren't for the tasting room and contract brewing they wouldn't even be there. He wants to keep the brew shop open as long as it is a net positive though.

I think that's the recipe for many LHBSs to survive: have some kind of joint venture. We'll be seeing more brew suppliers joined at the hip with breweries, grocery stores, liquor stores, etc.

Maybe one with a marijuana dispensary. A true joint venture.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I think that's the recipe for many LHBSs to survive: have some kind of joint venture. We'll be seeing more brew suppliers joined at the hip with breweries, grocery stores, liquor stores, etc.

Maybe one with a marijuana dispensary. A true joint venture.

Yup, joint venture, home brew, munchies and pot. You got my support!

 

[Bassman2003]

When I lived in Portland I had 3 within 20 minutes. One closed leaving me with a regular Sophie's choice. Had a handful a little further away.

Didn't realize how fortunate I was until I moved back to Texas. Granted, at first, I had one right next to my work - score! Now that they went wholesale only, I have to drive about 45 minutes to get to my closest one. Next closest is Dallas, but ew... Dallas.

What about BrewHound?

 

[SonomaBrewer]

I wish I had a LHBS close by. The closest is about an hour away and I have to cross a bridge with a toll of about 8 bucks. And it is actually a Morebeer. There is a place in Berkley I might take a ride to one day, but that is also about an hour or so and another bridge toll. LOL, but that is an independent so I might give it a go.

I assume the one in Berkeley that you're referring to is Oak Barrell Winecraft. Fantastic spot, old school LHBS.

 

[Snuffy]

Yeah, but a hardware store selling yeast and hops? Maybe there's hope yet, Home Depot having a section for home brewers!

But you'd have to use the phone app to find the aisle it's on and then stand around waiting for the forklift guy to get your grain off the top shelf.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

What about BrewHound?

That's where I'm referring to. Great store, just way further that Texas Homebrew Supply was.

 

[bwible]

It's easy for me, everything is purchased online. The nearest homebrew store is a 2 hour drive each way.

Thats where I am also. We used to have 3 or 4 stores. I took a shot at running my own for a few years around 2000 but it didn’t work out. The closest well stocked store is an hour and a half each way now. I try to buy from them whenever I can online.

We have one guy trying to hanging on who is closer, but he has very limited stock, operating out of space in a restaurant that is under construction. He doesn’t do much business so much of what he has is not fresh. I don’t like that he re-packages hops. I’d rather have the little nitro flushed packages because I buy them and don’t always use them quickly myself. He doesn’t have liquid yeast. He doesn’t have any online site, but every so often he sends out emails for pallet orders, bulk grain, etc.

It pretty much sucks not having a place to go to for things. Its harder now buying during the summer even from the place thats an hour and a half away. Most of the time they ship quickly and I get my stuff in a day or two days but still. Tip: never online order on a thursday or a friday lest your package get held over the weekend. I try to order on monday or tuesday.