Northampton Beer & Winemaking

Homebrew

154 King St
Northampton, Massachusetts, 01060-2336
United States

(413) 586-0150 | map
beer-winemaking.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.26
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
17
pDev:
11.27%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by monsterzero:
Photo of monsterzero
Reviewed by monsterzero from Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Very nice selection of equipment and supplies for beer and wine making. the owner is very knowledgeable and is more than willing to work with n00bs and help select recipes. Seems like he is always busy with customers (in-person or over the phone) which is absolutely a good thing, but may be hard to hold his attention for more than a couple of minutes. Prices seemed to be a bit high although I don't have much else to compare too. Overall I would definitely recommend this place to home brew veterans or n00bs.
May 12, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by pisano from Massachusetts

Jul 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by markdrinksbeer from Massachusetts

Jun 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Bob6518 from England

Feb 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Okisailor from Massachusetts

Jan 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by JGLittle from Massachusetts

Jan 09, 2014
Photo of MrMead
Reviewed by MrMead

2.73/5  rDev -35.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 3
The place is ok if you're in a jam and need something quick and don't have the time to run to a bigger store. The times I've been in there it seemed as though the guys there couldn't be bothered to help me. Being kind of a newbie, I had a lot of questions. I swear I got a couple of eye rolls. This weekend I went there to get some pitchable yeast for a new batch of mead that I'm making. They had the one I was looking for. I got it home, got my must ready for pitching then I noticed the best by date on the vial...TWO weeks past its prime. Shame on me for assuming that they sold yeast that wasn't outdated. Needless to say I won't be going back there again. I'll go to Ludlow or Marlborough where they're actually HAPPY to help their customers.
Aug 18, 2012
Photo of ccm414
Reviewed by ccm414 from Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
One of the only homebrew shops in the area. It's a rather small shop to go visit because they keep most of their stock in the back of the store. It's really a small store-front. They do have a great website to show you everything they have. ( http://www.beer-winemaking.com/ ) You can really get anything you want for homebrewing from them, you just may want to call first to make sure they have what you're looking for because they only keep a small stock out front where the customers would be. They carry a lot of grain choices, you just need to give them a heads up for large grain bills before hand to give them time to gather and mill everything.
The associates here are very helpful and willing to get you something that they may not immediately carry.
Some of their prices seam a bit steep, but then other items may be less.
Overall a good homebrew store for being the only one in the area. I recommend stopping by if you're into homebrewing or looking to get started, they're very helpful.

Cheers!
ccm414
Sep 17, 2011
Photo of bum732
Reviewed by bum732 from Lesotho

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
One of the few stores to buy beer making supplies. A small shop on the side of a major road, not much space in the actual store. Usually crowded when i go in there, most of their supplies are in the back. That being said, they have a very nice supply of items, especially on their website. You can order supplies ahead with no problem. The only knock being that their prices are increased compared to other supply companies online.

That being said, their service is excellent. They will go out of their way to help you and suggest alternative ideas. Truly a plus. I bought my beginners kit there and i go there often to support their company. Keepin it local.

All in all, a good place for help and starting kits. However, their prices are slightly inflated, so i don't use their service as much. Unless its liquid yeast, or need something on the fly, or if i havn't purchased something for a while there, i will at least support as much as i can as a poor college student. Would highly recommend for beginners.
Jan 28, 2009
Photo of currysage1
Reviewed by currysage1 from Maine

4.7/5  rDev +10.3%
Most homebrew shops just buy their kits from wholesalers, offer the normal stuff and call it a business. These guys on the other hand use their own recipes, and put the kits together from bulk bought products. Damn, not many do that I can tell you that.

They do tend to charge more for their kits but they are like their babies, and who could put a price on their baby? Anyone? I would highly recommend this business, you won't find another like it for a long time.

They offer essentially any type of beer kit you could dream up. Thats the beautiful part of their business. I have calle d them up before had some wacky idea in my head, and they put together my hair brained scheme in a heat sealed bag and sold it to me for under 40 bucks. I'd say thats service.
Jan 25, 2008
Photo of JoEBoBpr
Reviewed by JoEBoBpr from Missouri

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
This is where i have bought all my ingredient kits. I love their hughe selection of ROM kits plus it doesnt take long to sip to Puerto Rico. Since im still new to this i love how the kits come packaged and how the instructions are clear and helpful. I will continue to look at thsi establishement for all my future hombrewing endeavours. With their kits ive only used 2 and they have been less complicated beer styles but im happy with the results and thankful that they are helpful when people get started.
Mar 20, 2007
Photo of gumper2
Reviewed by gumper2 from Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +9.2%
I've been homebrewing for about 5 years now,this is where I got started and this is where I always seem to return to. What I mean is there are many on-line brew supply catalogs that I look at and have placed orders with however more times than not I am dissappointed with the final product.There has been times when there is a delay in shipping or the type of yeast is incorrect. There is something about placing an order in person and getting your grains fresh and receiving great advice about matching your yeasts to your brew. I've always received personal attention which I really needed when I first started out.There is a large selection of brew packages already put together for you with very easy step by step instructions or you can call ahead and have something put together for you. Catalogs are fine but personal service is much better and the folks here will make you want to come back for more.
Feb 24, 2007
Photo of kelticblood
Reviewed by kelticblood from Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +10.3%
I've done some business with Mark as far as buying Breweriana and buying a brew kit once in awhile. He's a great guy and extremely knowledgeable. He can put together a kit for any beer you want to make. Best place to go in Western Mass.The brew kits I have bought and brewed all worked out fine and tasted great. Stop in and pick something up. All Kits include all ingredients you'll need and are well-packaged and ready to go. He also has all the materials you'll need. Help support the local brew scene.
Feb 23, 2007
Photo of LiquidLunch
Reviewed by LiquidLunch from Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
Thanks to Pete for the nudge to do my first review.

This is where I bought my home brew kit about 15 years ago. Still works fine. Even with all the internet sites available out there, I still spend my nickels here. Why? They answer all my questions even when I don't know what I want to brew. I've even called them in the middle of brewing for instant help. The sage advice of Relax, Don't worry, is the order of the day here. Very mellow place. They will even customize a kit for you. I was impressed when he said he would leave a kit at the package store next door, for me to pick up after they closed. Now that's service!

Their Yankee kits are pretty much goof proof, so if you are ready to try home brewing, this is the place.

Brad
Dec 20, 2006
Photo of rmessick
Reviewed by rmessick from Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
I've been visiting Mark & Mike for over 15 years for my homebrewing needs - they run a great store and are most helpful. Plenty of equipment and ingredients for both beer and winemaking. They stock the full line of White Labs liquid yeasts, a variety of grains, as well as whole, compressed, and pellet hops. They also carry the usual array of cleaners, sanitizers, carboys, fermenters, instruments, magazines, books, etc. - and lot more stuff I haven't listed. They will crush your grain bill upon request - just do them a favor and provide some advance notice! I call my orders in ahead of time and arrange for a time to pick it up - the orders are always ready on time. I would say the overall quality is very good, and the prices are competitive.

Both Mark and Mike are glad to spend time with you to discuss recipes, ingredients, troubleshooting, etc. - they are great guys and really valuable resources!

Parking can be little tricky if the 4 spaces out front are taken, but a quick drive around the block (or parking on a side street) usually solves that problem.
Dec 14, 2006
Photo of edchicma
Reviewed by edchicma from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
This is where I have bought my first homebrew kit. I walked in very close to closing time, but my questions were answered fully and I was impressed with the large amount of material that was packed into a small store. I selected a starter kit for $95, which included a carboy and a plastic fermenter, The kit included a relatively easy brew to make, I was told, that being an amber ale.

The selection of packaged brews to make was extensive, and a list was included with the kit, as well as a straightforward book on brewing your own. The stor eis conveniently located in downtown Northampton, right near the center of town on Route 5.
Apr 24, 2004
Photo of Aesop
Reviewed by Aesop from Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
This is my local homebrew store, so I'm a bit prejudiced, but Mark and Mike run a good shop. I've been a regular customer here for the past several years, and the service is always good and sometimes exceptional.
The store is especially helpful to beginners, and has it's own line of reliable recipe kits (Yankee Brewer(tm) Recipes) that allow one to learn as they go.
Mike and Mark are also both certified beer judges, so they are a useful resource even after the beer is made.
Aug 15, 2002
Northampton Beer & Winemaking in Northampton, MA
Place rating: 4.26 out of 5 with 17 ratings