How about some updated Chicagoland LHBS reviews? There's a thread from '06 I think, but not much recently. OP: I don't want to hijack your thread. Feel free to tell me to put this somewhere else, just thought it'd be beneficial for all us Chicagoans.
Brewer's Coop (@Two Brothers Brewery)
Great prices, but very poorly & sporadically stocked. Decent selection of grains & adjuncts, mostly 1-5# bags. Almost non-existent hop selection. Good selection of White Labs yeast, and sell "expired" yeast for $3 each. Carries most basic equipment. Since it's really a giftshop attached to the restaurant, staff has little knowledge of homebrewing or inventory.
Chicagoland Winemakers in Elmhurst
Mostly a wine store, but decent beer stock. Typical basic grain selection (pre-packaged, Hop Union hops, most yeast brands dry & liquid, good equipment section. A little on the pricey side.
HomeBrewShop in St. Charles
Outstanding selection. I drool whenever I walk into this store; they have everything you need at fair prices. Great equipment selection, from basics to Blichmann. Great hop selection (Hop Union) 1oz and 1# packages. Most yeast brands, dry & liquid. Phenomenal grain selection: pre-packaged 1-5#, crushed or uncrushed, bags of bulk base malt, and bins in the back where you can assemble custom recipes. They'll measure & crush for you at no charge. Helpful staff.
Fox Valley Homebrew
Have not been.
Brew & Grow Roselle
Outstanding selection with very competitive prices. Tons of equipment from basic to advanced. Hop Union hops (1oz only I believe). Most yeast brands, dry & liquid. Full and robust selection of grain, but only pre-packaged (crushed or uncrushed), 1# bags are the smallest. Also sell bags of base malt. Most staff are homebrewers and are knowledgeable. Typically brewing on Saturday and offer samples.
