Alabrew

Homebrew

212 Oak Mountain Cir
Pelham, Alabama, 35124-1357
United States

(205) 833-1716 | map
alabrew.com

Tuesday - Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday - Monday: CLOSED
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.18
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
9
pDev:
7.42%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by au1sec:
Photo of au1sec
Reviewed by au1sec from Alabama

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
The first and only review, but I felt obligated since I had it added. Its also my first and only brewshop, so I dont have much to go on as far as comparisons. They are in the middle of a remodel, so things will be more organized later. Extremely helpful, great selection and variety, and prices are competitive. Considering their only competition is the internet, its a great asset for a new brewer to have a person to ask questions to and receive advice from. They also host a brewclub's monthly meetings and annual cookouts. No surprises, the website is thorough with list of items and prices.
Mar 05, 2003
More User Ratings:
Photo of peteygees
Reviewed by peteygees from Alabama

4.86/5  rDev +16.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Vibe: simply a location to buy quality homebrew supplies as needed, nothing pretentious or pushy about the shop.
Quality: Never bought something there that didn't work as intended, and if that were to happen, Kim and SunAe would offer a refund
Service: Great, the kind of shop owners you can develop a relationship with. Sometimes they even send home some chili with me. Prices are often lower than online even before shipping. There's also a 10% discount if you are a member of the Birmingham Brewmasters homebrew club.
Selection: Great selection, only reason I give 4.5 instead of 5 is that I sometimes use some malts and yeast that Alabrew does not carry, but that's a minor detail given the nature of the business and the volume a shop has to push to carry all the big brands of yeast and malt.
Nov 07, 2019
Photo of B33rcules
Reviewed by B33rcules from Alabama

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
Nice LHBS. Owners Kim and SunAe are nice and very helpful. They were able to answer all questions my friends and I could throw at them. Their website is outdated by I'd rather drive there since I'm only about 20mins away. I'm sure you can find things cheaper online but I prefer supporting local businesses. Thanks Kim and SunAe keep up the great work.
Jun 17, 2014
Photo of Shadowpaige64507
Reviewed by Shadowpaige64507 from Missouri

3.88/5  rDev -7.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
I have not been to the new location. They have moved about the same time I also moved. I now live 12 hours away but still use them several times a year. I like how I can email them my order and they get it out the same day. Very friendly with a few jabs thrown in. I will continue to order from them in the future. Wish they would update their website. Little outdated.
Jul 23, 2013
Photo of mklinger
Reviewed by mklinger from North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -7.9%
This is a decent homebrew supply store operated by a very nice couple. They've always been very helpful & knowledgeable. However, I have nearly completely stopped using them because they are located about an hour away from me and because their prices really are hard for me to swallow. Their base malt price is $1.85/lb. Given that you can find it much, much cheaper online (even when shipping cost is included in the equation), I could afford it anymore. Their prices were 50% higher than several online retailers. When I add in gas money to drive an hour and tax, it was just too much. It's too bad, cause I really like & believe in supporting my local HBS. If the pricing were a little bit closer . . . .
Aug 31, 2009
Photo of Bamabrew22
Reviewed by Bamabrew22 from Alabama

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
Tried Alabrew for the first time this past weekend. It was a little hard to find, but once we did it was like an oasis in the desert. This couple knows their stuff. I even called out to the shop on Thursday with an order and they had it bagged and waiting on me when I dropped by on Saturday. Prices are competitive, especially when you factor in that you're not paying shipping. They had everything I needed and then some. I will definitely be going back to Alabrew in the very near future. Many thanks to Kim and SunAe for the friendly, knowledgeable and courteous service.
Jul 17, 2007
Photo of Poser
Reviewed by Poser from Alabama

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
My first brew store, but they had everything I was looking for and were very friendly. I asked a lot of questions and told him I knew I would have more or need to be re-told, so he gave me his card and told me to call. Their website has an online store with their selection. I'll be back there as long as I don't blow up the place with this batch.

I was a little sad that they have the only brew store in this half of the state, but I think they're all you need. They seemed to have an incredible selection of hops and additives. All the malt extracts were in the back so I didn't get to see all that. It's probably on their website, though.
Oct 14, 2006
Photo of dnrobert24
Reviewed by dnrobert24 from Alabama

4/5  rDev -4.3%
I am reviewing Alabrew mainly to give everyone the following tip: If you call ahead, Kim or Sun Ae will begin getting your order ready for you, which is very helpful on Saturdays when the store is more busy. My only complaint about the store is that it lacks a little in the malt selection. Generally they have the hops needed, but occassionally they run out of that too. Hard to fault them though, as the business is truly a labor of love. The owners put a lot of work into keeping the only homebrew store in the Birmingham area open for business. They can be helpful in giving advice as well. The store also has wine and mead accessories.
Nov 30, 2005
Photo of Bonhoeffer
Reviewed by Bonhoeffer from Alabama

4/5  rDev -4.3%
Props to AlaBrew. Kim and Sun Ae are husband and wife proprietors, and good folks. Both know homebrewing, be it beer, wine, or mead. They are helpful and carry a great selection. I'm glad to have a LHBS not too far from me, especially considering the anti-beer culture that pervades the Bible Belt.

Kim also heads up the local brewclub and hosts the monthly meetings. Very fun and informative.

If you live in the nothern half of Alabam, this is pretty much it. You get your stuff at AlaBrew, online, or not at all. I prefer to support the local guy as much as possible.
Jul 08, 2005
Alabrew in Pelham, AL
Place rating: 4.18 out of 5 with 9 ratings