northernlad
Well-Known Member
Really?????
WORST Home Brew Store experience ever!
- Thread starter gonzoflick
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Really?????
MrWiggles
Well-Known Member
wow, if my LHBS treated me like that, I probably wouldn't be here now. Luckily the owners of ALABREW are very kind, helpful, and respectful of their customers' needs. Every time I have gone in there they seem so happy to see me (as they are with every customer) and seem to take joy in helping me find exactly what I need to make sure that, as a new brewer, I get the best product and service available. Example, I was purchasing ingredients for my weizen and they didnt have a specialty grain I wanted, but he took the time to try to find the closest thing to it as to not offset my recipe too bad. In fact, he joked around with me for a while and commended my idea of adding caramel wheat to a weizen! I have a personal thing against ordering anything off the internet, so I am really lucky to have as great a LHBS as I do.
billvon
Well-Known Member
Not at a true local one, but I've been at a few like that outside San Diego.
But even down here some are better than others. There are some places you go if you want to talk, try a beer they made or get advice; there are other places that are best if you just need ten pounds of two-row and some yeast quickly.
Then there's ones like Hydrobrew that kick every kind of ass imaginable, and the guys that work there are absolute crackups.
Same here in Chicago @ the Brew and Grow on Kedzie and Addison. I even trade beers and recipes with some of the awesome guys and girls that work there. Absurdly knowledgeable and more than happy to special order something that you need. I pity the fool that has to go to a ****ty homebrew shop because nothing decent is local.
fusa
Senior Member
Exact opposite of the LHBS when I started brewing. They were extremely friendly, and helped out explaining recipes, what equipment to get and methods to use. This was before there was so much information on the internet about homebrewing. If it wasn't for them I doubt my hobby would have progressed very far. Now they have moved to a larger location, with a much nicer store (but unfortunately just focusing on beer and wine, no homebrewing supplies)
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RobWalker
Well-Known Member
Same here! mine even gave me a 4-page book for free because I was just starting out and didn't have a clue. I purposely won't shop at places like Wilko's for home brew stuff now purely because I want to support a local business!
There's a few who work in the store, every one of them's warm, happy and helpful. I went in for advice once and didn't buy anything and they still helped, hahah.
Just to play devils advocate...You can see why this store owner got angry...He has ribbons and awards for his recipes on the wall...and in walks some dude saying pretty much..."hey..your recipe is weak...I want to kick it up a notch"...do I agree with the way the store owner treated the OP??? NO!!!. But, you can see where he is coming from...there are always 2 veiws in life. Like many who have posted before me...I am gratefule for my LHBS ...they are always willing to help and answer any questions that I may have....which is seldom (sarcasim)!!!
To add to this well aged thread -
We had a similar shop called Marietta Home Brew Supply a few years ago. Every time I went in there, I felt like I was an intruder. I finally started ordering online and paying more for shipping than I would have paid in state taxes just because I didn't like feeling like I was inconveniencing them. Evidently, their other customers got the same vibes and quit patronizing them. The store folded, and everyone is happy about it.
We had a similar shop called Marietta Home Brew Supply a few years ago. Every time I went in there, I felt like I was an intruder. I finally started ordering online and paying more for shipping than I would have paid in state taxes just because I didn't like feeling like I was inconveniencing them. Evidently, their other customers got the same vibes and quit patronizing them. The store folded, and everyone is happy about it.
RobWalker
Well-Known Member
hahah. in that sense, maybe there's pride and then there's arrogance. home brewing is all about experimenting, but maybe he didn't like his recipe being messed with
You should go back and act like nothing happened. Come in with a list of a bunch of things you need to make a couple of very big batches of beer. Try to take up as much of his time as possible.
Then when it comes time to check out. Tell him you changed your mind and walk out.
Then when it comes time to check out. Tell him you changed your mind and walk out.
jonbomb
Well-Known Member
I noticed something about these LHBS . All of them think that the way THEY do things is the only way to do it. I wrote a post similar to this a few months ago. I like the owner of my LHBS hes a nice guy not really nice but hes a little snobby with the way he brews. I think its because hes real old school. He doesn't believe in a long primary and no secondary and we all know that that secondary thing has been debunked.
The problem was when I asked him if I can just leave it in primary a little longer he looked at me like I was crazy and shook his head.
I went back to get somethings to brew a hefeweizen. I read on here about puting fruit in beer. When I asked him if I can put fruit in beer then he was like "No WAY! thats disgusting!" I know its the yeast that does all the bannana and clove flavor but I read that its ok to put fruit in beer. Then there is the plastic carboy thing. He said I can never use plastic to ferment in because it can possibly melt the plastic and your beer will taste like crap etc. Then he tried to sell me his glass carboys...
I understand everyone has there own opinions but don't treat me like im crazy because I have some ideas and don't brew the "old school" way. He's a nice guy just not very welcoming to new brewers. I think its because he thinks hes more elite then everone else. Not to mention his shop is really dusty and dirty and there is crap everywhere... kinda looks like my basement.
All in all I came to the conclussion these guys think they are better then everyone else because they have been doing it for such a long time. I goto him for specific things I don't want to order online and thats it.
The problem was when I asked him if I can just leave it in primary a little longer he looked at me like I was crazy and shook his head.
I went back to get somethings to brew a hefeweizen. I read on here about puting fruit in beer. When I asked him if I can put fruit in beer then he was like "No WAY! thats disgusting!" I know its the yeast that does all the bannana and clove flavor but I read that its ok to put fruit in beer. Then there is the plastic carboy thing. He said I can never use plastic to ferment in because it can possibly melt the plastic and your beer will taste like crap etc. Then he tried to sell me his glass carboys...
I understand everyone has there own opinions but don't treat me like im crazy because I have some ideas and don't brew the "old school" way. He's a nice guy just not very welcoming to new brewers. I think its because he thinks hes more elite then everone else. Not to mention his shop is really dusty and dirty and there is crap everywhere... kinda looks like my basement.
All in all I came to the conclussion these guys think they are better then everyone else because they have been doing it for such a long time. I goto him for specific things I don't want to order online and thats it.
Special Hops
Well-Known Member
Surprised places like this stay in business!
RobWalker
Well-Known Member
One guy in my local is the total opposite. He must be 30 or so, and I told him about the wine from tinned fruit thing, explaining that it's not exactly a fine vintage but it's a good laugh, great on the cash and i'm learning a lot doing it anyway. His reply "Well, as long as it gets you pissed, who cares?" Legend!
I just don't see why you'd badmouth equipment if you worked in a home brew place - surely it's better to sell you cheap starting equipment in the hope that you'll have to upgrade one day, from a business point of view.
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The only reason they stay in business is people like you learned that he's a tool. Now you get what you need strictly as a commodity. The idea that he has any services to offer has long been dismissed.
If Wal-Mart had homebrew supplies you'd probably shop there for them.
F'em
robertbartsch
Well-Known Member
...you guys must not live in NY....
...you will probably need to go there on an emergency basis from time-to-time, so I would ignor the owners and just get in and out as fast as possible. In the mean time, try to plan things out so you order what you need from the Net and don't have to go to their store and get abused by them often.
The folks here are an excellent source of opinions on receipes, brew methods, etc, so getting their so-called expert advice at this retail store is not critical, anyway; right?
...you will probably need to go there on an emergency basis from time-to-time, so I would ignor the owners and just get in and out as fast as possible. In the mean time, try to plan things out so you order what you need from the Net and don't have to go to their store and get abused by them often.
The folks here are an excellent source of opinions on receipes, brew methods, etc, so getting their so-called expert advice at this retail store is not critical, anyway; right?
Wow, I can't believe the way this guy is treating his walk-ins. My LHBS is fantastic and the owner is always interested in helping to configure/tweek recipes. I started brewing about two years ago and I've made so many upgrades going from beginner to all grain. The owner has always looked at my recipes and made suggestions...and not just suggestions for him to make a bigger profit. I'm sorry your shop is so horrible.
robertbartsch
Well-Known Member
Oh, yeh ....my typical experience at my retail outlook in NY is a blank stare into space by folks who don't speak English. Sometimes, I get this:
....."Daaa we are not brewers, we just sell this stuff and the owners make a big profit...."
....."Daaa we are not brewers, we just sell this stuff and the owners make a big profit...."
Seriously?
If that's the case I gotta give a HUGE shout out to my Brew Shop. Brew and Grow in Boilingbrook IL. They are STOCKED with extracts, full grain selection, tons of hops, better bottles, carboys and accessories. I think there are only three people that work there. You walk in the door and all three people greet you with a hello. There is a taller guy that always comes around the counter to ask if I need help finding anything. He is super friendly. There is guy that seems to really know his **** (not that the others don't - but he spotted my grain bill from 15 feet away and started asking me about the Pale Ale I was going to brew) he usually stays behind the counter and asks me which FREE beer sample I would like to try. On top of that there is an attractive lady that works behind the counter that wanted to hold my newborn son for me while I shopped. All three of them are great. So great that I honestly don't look at the prices (and I'm not rollin in the dough).
I just assumed that all brewshops were like this. Now I know how lucky I am.
aerod1
Well-Known Member
WOW!! I'm proud of our LHBS in Richardson TX. It is Homebrew Headquarters and they are the nicest, most helpful, friendliest LHBS on the planet!!
itsbeeryo
Well-Known Member
A new LHBS opened this year < 5 miles away from me and the owner is so happy to be in the business of home brewing I just feel like sitting and finishing off his kegs he's eager to let you sample. (free beer, why not) But really, I feel like it's a home away from home anytime I go. I guess some of us are fortunate. (PLUG www.homebrewprovisions.com)
ReverseApacheMaster
Well-Known Member
I'm glad to hear that. I'm very close to the other two HBS in DFW -- Foreman's and the Winemaker's Shop in Fort Worth. Unfortunately neither have a great grain selection, although Foreman's is really cheap for all the basics.
I'm in need of a new store to purchase from that has a great selection. I used to pick up orders from AHS when I went down to Austin but they have quickly gone from very good in my book to inexcusably terrible and I refuse to patronize them anymore.
Thankfully every time I have went to my LHBS (Brew Your Own Brew in Gilbert, AZ) everyone has been extremely helpful. I'm still a noob who has only done 4 batches, but both of the guys in the shop I go to have been extremely helpful. They may have more employees, but I've only seen the two guys. They offer sound advice when I have questions and never try to upsell me unless it's an answer to a question I have.
As a matter of fact, when I went in the first time to buy my kit one of the guys took me to the back (no homo) and showed me the trick with fermenting in a bucket of water with a shirt draped over top of it.
Nothing but praise for the shop.
As a matter of fact, when I went in the first time to buy my kit one of the guys took me to the back (no homo) and showed me the trick with fermenting in a bucket of water with a shirt draped over top of it.
Nothing but praise for the shop.
Ok, since this has taken a positive turn, I have to give major props to Brewer's Warehouse and Brew Depot, our two local (to Atlanta) suppliers.
Both are very helpful. Brew Depot is a huge store with large selection, and the other one has a super website. Both stores have employees that will freely offer advice, and you can tell they love the hobby. Brewer's Warehouse helped us out with a grain buy, and the prices were so low I couldn't pass up on two bags of grain.
Both are very helpful. Brew Depot is a huge store with large selection, and the other one has a super website. Both stores have employees that will freely offer advice, and you can tell they love the hobby. Brewer's Warehouse helped us out with a grain buy, and the prices were so low I couldn't pass up on two bags of grain.
Yeah, I've noticed this too. The guys at my LHBS are really nice and knowledgeable. But, I find a lot more expertise on here. Granted we have the benefit of hundreds of several hundred collective brains...
I would just assume that if you owned or worked at a homebrew shop, you would reading this site to keep up with the latest info. I also think that LHBSs are used to dealing with lots of people who come in to buy their first and only kit.
Yeah, I've noticed this too. The guys at my LHBS are really nice and knowledgeable. But, I find a lot more expertise on here. Granted we have the benefit of hundreds of several hundred collective brains...
I also think that LHBSs are used to dealing with lots of people who come in to buy their first and only kit.
I think you are right about the first timers. Still, if you love the hobby, you'd never tire of the opportunity to initiate someone and help them catch the spirit.
I introduced one of my good football buddies to brewing. I still remember him calling me late one night with 'no fermentation yet' woes. Years later, he has passed me up in his brewing skills. I would love to have many similar success stories. And get paid for it? Awesome.
As for the forums, again agreed. This site would be linked on my browser toolbar.
BulldogBrewer
Well-Known Member
Wow, some of these stories would drive me to buy everything online, even bulk grain with the high shipping costs!
My LHBS has been great. While a little pricey here and there they are always willing to talk through a recipe or technique. Even told me after going all grain that if I buy my grain online they would be happy to crush them for free.
My LHBS has been great. While a little pricey here and there they are always willing to talk through a recipe or technique. Even told me after going all grain that if I buy my grain online they would be happy to crush them for free.
knotquiteawake
Well-Known Member
They were pretty rude to me the first time I went there. EVERY (3 that i've been to when i lived in California) shop i've been to has had some premade kits to choose from, or at least suggested recipes that they can easily put together. I was asking if they did and got very cold responses about how I should know what I want to make before going there and the guy just handed me a book or recipes and said I can use that and then tell him what I want. Then gave me grief because I didn't have a container for the malt.
I went back a second time to get what I needed to brew a batch of Graff and that went a lot easier because I just handed one of them a list, this guy was a lot friendlier (although he thought the cider idea with malt was odd). Although it looks like they were expecting me to build and weigh all my own grain bill? Are they there just to ring me up, he acted like it was a inconvenience to put together the grail bill? That was last year, I haven't been back yet, I just recently ordered from AHS and that worked great.
