your prefered method of shopping

[boozeboy]

i was just wondering what kind of shops you prefer i prefer internet due to large amounts of stock.

 

[Uncle Fat]

I like small shops for most things. I like to support the small, privately owned businesses. If something is SERIOUSLY cheaper online though, I'll buy it there (also gotta look out for yourself).

 

[boozeboy]

trouble is the nearest h/b shop is about 20m away i go there sometimes to buy bits and bobs.

 

[ScottT]

My local shops don't carry most of what I need in the way of ingredients or speciality gear.

Sure, I bought the big stuff locally and grain bags and such. But, if you want a special grain, pure Maris Otter LME, or fresh whole hops, you can't get that here.

Mostly I'm an internet shopper.

 

[boozeboy]

yep i experience the same problem i prefer vaccum packed hops

 

[Rookie]

I have two fairly close shops near to where I live. The closest one has the best prices, but is kind of small and doesn't carry some of the stuff I want. The other one is better stocked, but is higher priced. I get as much as I can from the closest one and mail order the other stuff.

 

[bikebryan]

trouble is the nearest h/b shop is about 20m away i go there sometimes to buy bits and bobs.

My drive to work, every day, was 18 miles each way. I WISH my LHBS was only 20 miles away. If I were you I'd count myself luck that it's that close!

 

[SwAMi75]

Kinda tricky for me to answer. I actually would prefer to support my LHBS, but they're about 25 mi away, and you have to go through the tunnels to get there. Traffic is horrible. It usually takes me at least an hour to get there on the weekend.
I get down there when I have time and gas to burn, but that isn't very often.

So, I usually buy online.

 

[Tony]

When I need grains and yeast, and any hops I dont have, I go to my LHBS as I am probably ready to brew and want it right away. For the majority of my hops, I buy in bulk from HopsDirect, so I always have stock.

For equipment and such, I compare items and shipping charges with my LHBS's costs and choose the lowest cost.

 

[vtfan99]

My LHBS is the local brewer who picked up the business after a more prominent place decided to close up shop. I think he did it as a favor. He has a great selection of grains, if you want Briess American malts, and his yeast is pretty much limited to Pale Ale. I don't think the owner is real interested in the business....he just wants to brew beer. His attitude isn't very appealing and his beer is not very good, IMHO. When I go into a HBS and ask for an item, I don't like hearing "why do you want that?". Now if I want British grains and lager supplies, I have to shop online or wait a week and a half for my LHBS to get it.

In short, I like an online HBS simply for the ease and selection. If I need questions answered, I have this board, the newsgroups, and a couple of brewer friends.

And Im addicted to the internet

 

[Dude]

My LHBS is the local brewer who picked up the business after a more prominent place decided to close up shop. I think he did it as a favor. He has a great selection of grains, if you want Briess American malts, and his yeast is pretty much limited to Pale Ale. I don't think the owner is real interested in the business....he just wants to brew beer. His attitude isn't very appealing and his beer is not very good, IMHO. When I go into a HBS and ask for an item, I don't like hearing "why do you want that?". Now if I want British grains and lager supplies, I have to shop online or wait a week and a half for my LHBS to get it.

In short, I like an online HBS simply for the ease and selection. If I need questions answered, I have this board, the newsgroups, and a couple of brewer friends.

And Im addicted to the internet

Is that the shop at the Williamsburg brewery?
If so you just saved me a trip to W'burg to check it out. I'm certainly not going there after that review.

 

[RogerN]

trouble is the nearest h/b shop is about 20m away i go there sometimes to buy bits and bobs.

Isn't the Homebrew shop on Albert Road still there?

Roger.

 

[vtfan99]

Is that the shop at the Williamsburg brewery?
If so you just saved me a trip to W'burg to check it out. I'm certainly not going there after that review.

Thats the one. I'm just not pleased with the guys attitude. Whenever I go in there, I get the feeling that Im interupting something. There is the occassional time that he is the most helpful person in the world, making suggestions and even giving away yeast, but this is rare.

Its not worth the drive from NN just to peruse his selection. He doesn't keep much on hand except for the Briess malts (cause he uses them for his beer). If you're in town for some other reason then go ahead and check it out, but otherwise, save your gas $$.

 

[2nd Street Brewery]

I try to support my local HBS also but he often doesn't have what I am looking for in the way of specialty grains. Also he is a little higher than online. I just placed my first order with Austin HBS and with the free shipping I know I saved enough to pay for my new carboy. The guy who runs my HBS is very helpful though, he will always take the time to answer any questions I have. But when he's a $1 a lb more for DME and my next batch calls for 9.5lbs well you do the math.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I mostly purchased my equipment at several HB stores in the places I've lived.

I still have several 3 lb bags of DME that are years old (price 8.50). My local (36 miles away) HBS sells the same for 12.50.

I buy my malt supplies and hops from Midwest Supplies on-line for 2.18 lb (2.48 w/S&H). You do the math.

Besides the local HBS is mostly interest in wine. There's never anyone there, except her, and she doesn't know anything about beer (not that I ask, but there has been enough conversation to know I am more experienced with beer brewing).

 

[El Pistolero]

I preferred my LHBS, until I discovered last weeked that they're getting $15 for a three lb. bag of DME, while the same thing on the internet is $10. Needless to say I mail-ordered my next batch of supplies, tho I'll still get the specialty grains and yeast locally.

 

[Cheesefood]

My LHBS is a mere 10 minute drive, so I prefer it over the internet simply because I want to make sure it stays 10 minutes away. The guy who owns it is real nice. He's a Phish head (+50 points) and they also sell hydroponic indoor growing supplies (+25 pts, even though I don't grow anything). On Saturdays, there's a true brewgeek there who's helpful at coming up with recipes or evaluating a recipe I bring him. I've yet to ask for something they don't have, but I don't brew AG yet and I'm only on my 4th brew overall. They always offer a sample of their latest creation. Last week, it was a Wit that tasted AWESOME. The guy has a real nice business going. I think he's more of a grower than a brewer, as is most of the clientelle, but they have a great selection of ingredients for beer and wine makers.

When I want to brew, I like making an event of the day: picking out the ingredients, talking shop with the clerks, then going home and stinking up the house. It would disappoint me if the ingredients didn't come in on time and I couldn't brew on Saturday or Sunday.

 

[boozeboy]

Isn't the Homebrew shop on Albert Road still there?

Roger.

im not actually sure i normally look in the yellow pages for h/b shops but ill go and check it out oh and i dont live in portsmouth thats just the nearest city to were i live (emsworth) you may have heard of it?

 

[Rhoobarb]

I really like my LHBS, because the owners started out as homebrewers and became pro brewers. Yet, their HBS is co-located with their brewery, so the ingredients are fresh. However, some things are cheaper for me to get online. For exapmple, Freshops can't beat when it comes to price and service.

And the HBS Cheesefood talks about, I have been to; it's near my workplace. It is one of the most friendly HBS's you'll ever go to and they give free samples of homebrew. And it is always yummy!

Yet, there are some grains they don't carry that my normal HBS does and vice versa! That's why I am lucky to have both.

It puzzles me that you fellas in the UK don't seem to have as many homebrew supply shops as we do here in the US. Especially puzzling, considering a lot of what we see here in the US comes from Munton's and other UK suppliers. Plus, I consider the UK to be one of the 'trifectas of world brewing' - The UK, Germany and Belgium! Plus, you've got CAMRA there!

 

[bikebryan]

Kinda tricky for me to answer. I actually would prefer to support my LHBS, but they're about 25 mi away, and you have to go through the tunnels to get there. Traffic is horrible. It usually takes me at least an hour to get there on the weekend.
I get down there when I have time and gas to burn, but that isn't very often.

So, I usually buy online.

Once again, I'm jealous! Only 25 miles! The nearest HBS to me is 50 miles one-way, and traffic here in Metro DC is bad on a good day. I still give that store my business, just via mail-order.

 

[Cheesefood]

I really like my LHBS, because the owners started out as homebrewers and became pro brewers. Yet, their HBS is co-located with their brewery, so the ingredients are fresh. However, some things are cheaper for me to get online. For exapmple, Freshops can't beat when it comes to price and service.

And the HBS Cheesefood talks about, I have been to; it's near my workplace. It is one of the most friendly HBS's you'll ever go to and they give free samples of homebrew. And it is always yummy!

Where's yours?

Did you see that there's a new Steak and Ale house opening? It's where Voodoo night club used to be on Mall drive. I'm excited. That'll be the fifth brewpub in my area.

 

[wild]

I go to my LHBS for products, supplies, and knowledge. The owner is a member of our local club and is always willing to offer a cheaper solution to most any problem that arises. Even if it includes going to another source. And if he doesn't have it, he'll find it.

Wild

 

[boozeboy]

i suppose when buying off the internet you have to be weary some internet shops i know of sell poor quality stock