Your LHBS

[tom_gamer]

I have two that I know of, Houston TX, and also have one good and one bad.

I did give one an unfair chance because I only went in there once, which was because I happen to be in the area. I was walking around for about 30 mins and not one person approached me. There were more employees than customers during that time, it was on a Saturday.

Never been back. I go talk to Ray, he's an awesome dude.

 

[billf2112]

I have a great store near me. Prices are good and they are so helpful. I recently moved 2 minutes away from them, they will never get rid of me now.

 

[Fizzycist]

I've got one in town and one more up the highway a bit, both run as a side business by homebrewers out of their garages. You can imagine there isn't enough business for a full time shop in this highly... religious... community. I always go to the guy in town, just got to call first. He's always ready to shoot the breeze, give advice (but not pushy), help weigh and crush grains, etc. I definitely buy from him whenever I can before going online.

 

[Slyko]

I have 4 LHBS in my area. Competition is Good!

That said, I have had the best experience buying online. I saved over $100 on my keezer buying online from a vendor I found on HBT.

But the best part is...................... when I started brewing I was a total newb & they knew it. Took advantage. Now as a result of the knowledge I've gained here on HBT, I know more than they do. They have tried to sell me overpriced goodies and when we lock eyes, they're embarrassed & move on.

YOU guys Rock!

 

[GioGomez2010]

I sent you a PM but I don't have any problem saying that Salt City Brew Supply is my preferred LHBS. http://www.saltcitybrewsupply.com/

I love Salt City Brew Supply. Used them the first time the other day and they were great! Answered all my questions, helped me with the mill which I'd never used, had suggestions, and made me feel welcome. This is now my preferred LHBS, plus it's not all the way in downtown so its great! (I'm from Provo) Those from SLC area know the other two which aren't bad, but this is better.

 

[kingwood-kid]

I have two that I know of, Houston TX, and also have one good and one bad.

I did give one an unfair chance because I only went in there once, which was because I happen to be in the area. I was walking around for about 30 mins and not one person approached me. There were more employees than customers during that time, it was on a Saturday.

Never been back. I go talk to Ray, he's an awesome dude.

Houston has 4 now. Humble, Seabrook, Woodlands and Stella Link. I buy most of my stuff online, but having an LHBS less than ten minutes from the house is awesome when I need odds & ends or want to dig through the expired yeast for bargains.

 

[tom_gamer]

Houston has 4 now. Humble, Seabrook, Woodlands and Stella Link. I buy most of my stuff online, but having an LHBS less than ten minutes from the house is awesome when I need odds & ends or want to dig through the expired yeast for bargains.

Actually I remember the humble one now, didn't know about the Seabrook, but that's also far from me. Which one do you go to?

 

[Dogzbone]

There are a couple of them in Rochester, though neither are solely dedicated to homebrew. The one is mainly known for beer and the other is mainly known for hydroponics. I think Rochester is in dire need of a third option!

 

[cfonnes]

You can imagine there isn't enough business for a full time shop in this highly... religious... community.

Funny that the area you live in is a huge producer of barley and I believe that both Budweiser and Dos Equis have malting operations there.

 

[Darwin18]

To the OP:

Here in Raleigh we have two LHBS that I know of. One is a gardening/hydroponics store that just starting selling homebrew supplies, so it is very hit or miss. The other is more established and solely focused on wine/beer making. That being said, I do the majority of my brewing purchases online through Brewmaster's Warehouse and Northern Brewer. The owner of the established LHBS is an ass - he belittled me when I was first starting out and I've heard him do it to other brewers as well. I only purchase CO2 at his store and that's it.

I do not feel bad about not supporting the LHBS. The online stores provide excellent customer service and have extensive selections of products.

 

[MisterTipsy]

I wish they would leave me alone when I'm browsing.

If I have a question, I'll find them. No, I don't need help selecting a bottling spigot. :cross:

 

[kingwood-kid]

Actually I remember the humble one now, didn't know about the Seabrook, but that's also far from me. Which one do you go to?

I live in Humble, so it's an easy choice for me. Nice guys, and the monthly Beer Fridays are a lot of fun.

 

[BigEd]

. The owner of the established LHBS is an ass - he belittled me when I was first starting out and I've heard him do it to other brewers as well. I only purchase CO2 at his store and that's it.

That sucks. There must be an alternative in your area for CO2. Check welding suppliers, soft drink distributors and industrial gas suppliers and maybe you won't have to go in there at all.

 

[tom_gamer]

I live in Humble, so it's an easy choice for me. Nice guys, and the monthly Beer Fridays are a lot of fun.

Tell me more about these beer fridays.

 

[Monkfish]

I hear you. At the one local to me (Salem NH) the guy wasn't terribly helpful with my beginner questions. Then when I went all grain I was buying a sack of two row and a sachet of yeast. He rang me up at $8 more for the two row than he quoted me the previous day on the phone. When I told him that I'd take a pass on it he told me that the yeast (US-05) would cost me $6. I'll never darken their door again.

I now happily drive the extra 30 minutes to Nashua to a shop with a fantastic staff.

 

[MaddBaggins]

We have 2 in Tucson, but I only buy from one. I've been a loyal customer of theirs since they opened. The newer store is closer to me, but I've never even been inside.
The store I buy from is extremely helpful, let me weigh and crush my own grains, yada yada.

 

[stat]

Tell me more about these beer fridays.

The next one is this Friday and basically there's a couple coolers and a whole lot of beer. Homebrew and commercial. Sometimes there's 40 people sometimes there's 10. People just hang out and talk beer and everything else. Bring a small tasting glass

It's from 7 to whenever

 

[Zamial]

My LHBS and I have a very particular relationship. They try to over charge me and I resist and buy from people that will sell to me at a discount. What my LHBS is to me: A source for fresh yeast, that has not been cooked in the heat; a fantastic supply of specialty grain; last minute ingredients/chemicals; and helpful knowledge on specific items NOT specific recipes. I also find that the LHBS is more receptive when I bring a few cold ones along. YMMV but the cold ones are a huge help IMO...

 

[tom_gamer]

The next one is this Friday and basically there's a couple coolers and a whole lot of beer. Homebrew and commercial. Sometimes there's 40 people sometimes there's 10. People just hang out and talk beer and everything else. Bring a small tasting glass

It's from 7 to whenever

PM the time after this. Im leaving town but I want in.

 

[Fizzycist]

Funny that the area you live in is a huge producer of barley and I believe that both Budweiser and Dos Equis have malting operations there.

The irony is not lost on me but there is a predominant religion here that doesn't drink alcohol, which means the craft beer scene (actually anything related to alcohol) is stunted compared to the rest of the country. We do have a few good local breweries and brew pubs, and I'm meeting more and more people interesting in homebrewing and craft beer.

 

[kingwood-kid]

PM the time after this. Im leaving town but I want in.

It's always on their website, backyardhomebrewers.com. Just sign up for the newsletter and you'll be reminded. No invitation/membership required, just show up with a few beers and a small glass.