Blackstone Valley Brewing Supplies

What can I say that hasn't already been said? I started off with a "Mr. Beer" that someone gave me as a gift and the crew at BVBS took me to another level. From equipment to ingredients, these beer sherpas guided to another summit. EVERY time I go in there, either for supplies or just to just get an opinion on or sample a brew, I learn something. Just by chatting with the other patrons, you can learn things in a short time that only years of experience can teach. Certainly a gold-mine for anyone looking to get into home brewing or wine making or taking their hobby to a level higher than they thought they could achieve!

Have gone here on a few occasions. The staff (especially Steve) is very helpful and knowledgeable regarding ingredients and brewing. They typically have a few folks just hanging out discussing and sampling various homebrews. The prices are fair and the service is good, although you may have to wait a little if everyone is just hanging out, but honestly I do not mind that at all as I learned a vast amount of information via Q&A with other homebrewers. Additionally, the shop is willing to hold items and order products for you. They value you as a customer and overall is a great place to purchase brewing supplies.

The reason I am very slightly knocking the vibe is because the location is a little difficult to get to. The reason for slightly knocking the selection is because they do not carry extra-large hop bags (i.e. similar to a paint strainer) which is really not a big deal as all hardware stores do. The quality and service have been top notch and I have produced quality product via their ingredients and insight.

Blackstone Valley Brewing is the best homebrew store I've ever gone to. Period. Bar none.

The owner, Steve, prides himself on stocking everything you could need to brew any beer and, man, he lives up to that claim. Everything is easy to find, too. The store is clean and well organized and Steve will gladly help you wrangle up the hops and grains you need if you give him a grocery list. He will also answer any questions you have and help you make a recipe, if you need it. All of the ingredients are fresh, too. Plus, Steve and all of the regulars are super friendly. I went in for the first time and within 10 minutes of being there they were pouring me some beer and wine and were shooting the breeze with me like they knew me all along.

If you are looking for a homebrew store that has all of the ingredients/supplies you could dream of, great service and a friendly crowd, AND has fair prices, check out Blackstone Valley Brewing.

 

Steve knows beer and brewing and is great to work with. Amazing service and always willing to provide great advice. Has the essentials, from equipment to ingredients, and can get anything else you may need.

I've gone to Blackstone to buy kits or pull together a recipe or just to grab a few ingredients and every time I spend more time there than planned. It's a great atmosphere and a fun place to learn about beer.

What can I say that has not already been said in the previous reviews. Exceptional help setting up a noob to the homebrewing process, good prices and helpful tips.
Steve got me started and i'm preparing my first homebrew later this weekend, i'm sure I will be back for more product and advice.

Got my first home brew stuff here. Reminds me of the old time hardware store. Not entirely sure who really works there, but everybody was helpful, seems to be a hangout for the HB crowd - pretty cool. Pointed me in the right direction as a novice home brewer, for sure. Now that I know more, the selection of grain, hops, yeast is great, equipment maybe a little limited overall. Prices are reasonable, but some things are on the high side. Treated me very well as a noob. They have a computerized recipe system that can come up with a wide range of recipes or help you build one. Fun place to just go,hang, and talk home brew. They have a number of pre-packaged brew kits available in quite a few styles - a little brown bag o' goodies that has everything you need to make a good batch of beer, either extract or partial grain, maybe all grain too (not sure), but if it isn't on the shelf, they'll have it or can come up with it. Very clean store, organized well.

I discovered this place while trying to find a homebrew shop in RI. This was the only result not in Providence so it won out.

Blackstone Valley would be easy to miss if it weren't for the giant open flag that hangs outside. It's a relatively bland dark brown building with a couple windows looking inside. From the road, it's almost invisible.

Upon entering the shop you notice how clean it is. Everything is neatly organized and accessible (except for the hops and yeast, which the owner, Steve, is always willing to grab for you).

Speaking of Steve, this guy is ridiculous in the best possible way. He loves what he does and it shows. He's full of homebrewing knowledge as well as his fair share of beer gossip.

In the middle of the store is the tasting table at which various patrons of the store share their wares and their stories. It's always a good time.

Steve will order anything he can get his hands on if you give him a heads up. He even offered to order me some "bugs" if I really felt inclined.

The prices are perfectly reasonable and I have yet to go wrong with any recipe Steve has helped cook up.

Blackstone Valley is a labor of love and it shows. From the neatly organized selection, the variety of supplies (this includes a solid wine kit section), to Steve and his insane amount of knowledge and passion for all things beer, this is one place you don't want to miss if you're within an hour drive. Do yourself a favor and stop in. You'll be lucky if you get out in under 2 hours. It's just that good.

I first went to Blackstone Valley Brewing because of the good reviews on BA, and I quickly learned why the place is so highly rated. It is fantastic.

The store itself is above average. The ingredients seem fresh, there are always plenty of varieties of hops and yeast strains, and there is plenty of equipment. While Blackstone focuses on beer brewing, there is also a lot of equipment for wine making. There may not be any exotic malts or other ingredients, but the selection seems ideal for the average customer.

Aside from the quality and selection, the real reason why Blackstone Valley is a worthwhile destination is because of the owner, Steve. Simply put, he is the man. If you take the time to talk beer with him, you will realize in about 30 seconds that he knows an obscene amount about beer. He knows tips, tricks, and the science of brewing. He is always full of gossip about the beer industry, and his philosophy on beer and the importance of sharing good beer is inspiring. His recipes, particularly his clones, are great. My friend and I attempted to clone Prima Pils... And our homebrew came out better than the real thing.

Check this place out and plan to stay a few hours to learn.

Very helpful. Great advice. Excellent brewing packages with simple, accurate directions and a wide range of styles. That is very encouraging to a newbie such as myself. Ingredients were fresh.

There is a culture of teaching, camraderie, and collaboration here between the patrons and the staff that really makes coming to the store a fun experience.

If you go, stay for a while, you will learn something. Even if you are an experienced brewer. BVBS has tools and guidance for cider and wine as well.

I have been a homebrewer for about 10 years off and on. When I moved down from the Boston area I decided to start up again. And finding this store has been the best thing to happen to my brewing since I started. Steve has helped me with a ton of info and great prices. One thing that internet buyers need to look at is the total price of an order. On most things I find that Steve has internet pricing beat. Also you know that the ingredients are fresh. Steve is a good guy all around and doesn't sell just for the sale but to make you a better brewer. So do yourself a favor and get to the store and brew better beer.

Great place to get started!! I'd always had an interest in home-brewing but never knew where to start. A friend of mine referred me to Steve at BVBS. Despite knowing nothing Steve willingly answered all of my questions and was patient with me. During the brew process I had some questions, called the shop up he walked me through the question. Choose from one of the many recipes he has already made up, or talk with him about creating your own. Bounce ideas off of him, get ideas from him. All he asks in return is that when the beer is done you come back and share it. I cannot praise this place or Steve enough!

Lets start out by saying the owner is an awesome guy. I live in Providence and this place is worth the drive. I ended up getting my home-brew starter kit for Christmas from here and it's great. Started with specialty grain and extract. They got me everything I needed and the beer kits are all hand made. No boxed up stuff. Friendly, attentive service. Highly knowledgeable owner who can and will help you with everything. High quality products and a great relaxing atmosphere, helped out by the owner and clientele. This will be my place from now on.

I've been a homebrewer for over 3 years and I got my start here. From the first time me & my buddy walked in, Steve has been exceptional. We've received everything from advice to education, you get it all here.

Over time I've bought things online and have gone to other brew shops when in a pinch, I have never received the superior service that I get EVERYTIME I come here. The shop carries a wide variety of homebrew/wine supplies to cover the needs of a novice through a seasoned vet. Prices here are always a value, the place is clean, and stock rotates quickly so your never buying out of date items.

You know your going to the right place when even the other customers want to hang to talk about beer and even more, want to help you. It's an overall great place and even a greater experience.

I just got back from our first visit to Blackstone. When I walked in, I was surprised to see about a dozen of Steve's buddies/customers sitting around enjoying their homebrews. My girlfriend and I tried a raspberry lambic, a pale ale with brown sugar, and an English ale--all fantastic.

Steve helped me pick out ingredients for a cherry wheat beer recipe I brought in, tweaking the recipe and offering great advice. The price was only a little more than what I paid for an off the shelf kit at Brew Haus last time around, including the cherry extract.

For those in Providence, this place is well worth the drive. Basement Brew Haus is good if you've forgotten something basic, but the service at Blackstone was phenomenal. From the reviews, I was expecting to have a great conversation about homebrewing with Steve. What I got was even better--an introduction to the great homebrew community that a place like this engenders.

I have to say that I have become more and more a fan of this shop. Its not the most convenient location (if you live in Southern Rhode Island), but I will drive the distance because of what you get. Steve is always full of information and has a laundry list of "good" recipes he can make for you on the spot. I say "good" because the more I have gone to other local shops for recipes, the more I realize how much work Steve has put into his. They are succinct, style-appropriate, and very adaptable. Unlike some of the crap-shoots I have gotten at other places, I know I'll get a good brew with Steve's.

Double thumbs up to Blackstone. They are not as cheap as some of the mail-order houses, but there are many ancillary benefits for supporting the local brew scene.

Visited here once on a Saturday afternoon. Spacious, clubby, cheerful. Other home brewers brought some of their recent batches for sampling and sharing. I asked for a brown ale kit and got one assembled with powdered extracts and some freshly ground whole grains. Decent value, fairly good recipe, but when packing it up the hops and yeast were left out, so I had to return for them. The supplies seemed fresh enough, though the batch isn't ready to evaluate as a finished beer yet. I'll probably return to this shop, but I'll make sure all my ingredients get packed in before I get home to start brewing.

There are few homebrew supply shops in Eastern MA & RI -- let alone good ones! Steve Duhamel(sp?) of Blackstone Valley Brewing Supplies is a joy to speak with - he even informed me of the correct pronunciation of Hoegaarden. Who knew.

Though not all-inclusive, the selection is more than enough for most home brewers. Prices are reasonable and the service is excellent. While I have in the past chosen online vendors for ingredients, I have chosen to support my local brewing community instead. Let's save the world... 6 gallons at a time :)

The BEST shop I have ever shopped in. Steve, the owner, is incredible, his knowledge on the craft seems to know no bounds. His ability to pull a recipe out of thin air is incredible. Just walk in and say "what you have for a Marzen" and you'll walk out with the ingredients, the knowledge and a smile. Another great feature. His box of toys. I tend to have my 5 year old with me and the box of kid toys keeps her occupied so I can concentrate on beer. His selection is always great, the prices are good and the knowledge and atmosphere make this place the best around, I know of people who drive an hour plus to see Steve. If you haven't been here and you are a brewer, you must go!!! If you can, stop by on a Friday afternoon, there is always a group of brewers eager to talk beer. See ya there.

Blackstone Valley Brewing Supply is THE place to go for homebrewing supplies in the southern newengland area. The location is easy to get to, but most importantly the owner Steve is a true beer advocate. Super knowlegable about any style of beer, as well as equipment and beer related projects like installing kegging equipment. You can get just about anything you need in his store and if he doesn't have it he can get it. I go there because people who are as passionate and knowlegable about beer as Steve is deserve business.

Blackstone Valley Brewing Supply is definitly the place to go if you are in need of anything homebrewing or kegging. Steve, the owner, is just ridiculously helpful to everyone and creates such an enjoyable atmosphere. His knowledge and willingness to help is far and beyond many salespersons, in whatever it may be, period. I encourage anyone having just a whisp of a thought about homebrewing to visit and i'm sure they will be excited and anxious to start. steve is a class act and mostly anyone in there is just as cool. GREAT GREAT PLACE. Thanks Steve for all your help with me!!

Blackstone Valley Brewing Supplies is defintely Top Shelf. The owner, Steve is extremely knowledgeable, enourages you to call anytime with questions, helps create new recipes on the spot, and makes each visit a joyous event. The house recipes are exceptional. All of the ingredients are of the highest quality and super-fresh. BVBS has recently moved next door (adjacent to the old shop) into a bigger venue - much better suited for beer advocacy !

If you have any interest in homebrewing, this is THE place to go.

this homebrew shop is one of the best ive been to the owner steve is so knowledgable on the subject and takes his time to make sure the homebrewers in his store has a grasp on what there doing.they sell every style of beer some kits are pre made, if you dnt see what you want steve can put together any kit you can think up. prices are good, product even better. if you nd brew supplies for beer wine or soda this is the spot and steve the friendly storekeep is your man. shop is easily located right on park ave woonsocket.

I can't say enough about Blackstone Valley Brewing Supplies. Steve is a great guy who has forgotten more about beer than I'll ever know! He is very knowledgable about all beers and very eager to share his experience, knowledge, mistakes and recipes with everyone who wants to learn about homebrewing. His selection is quite impressive, the prices are very reasonable and his new shop has a lot more room than before.

If you are looking for a great place to get exceptional recipes and homebrew supplies, then this is the place you must go!

Best brewing supply store that I've ever visited!

The location is not ideal if you do not have convenient access to route 146. The establishment also doesn't look like much from the outside but the owner/staff are the nicest people you will come across. They guided me through my first brewing attempts about five or six years ago. They will answer questions, give suggestions, offer freebies to enhance a particular recipe that you are working on. In fact, each time I came in to buy ingredients I would share my recipe. I would receive tips, encouragement and special yeasts or hops for free to compliment my recipe. The owner even turned me on to local events. I'd go as far as to say that the best service I've ever received as a consumer period, occurred in this very establishment.

The only drawback is that for the location, the shop is a little small. They do have an excellent selection crammed into the little place at reasonable prices. They will also special order anything that they don't have in stock.

I do highly recommend this store! If you are traveling a bit to get there, simply call ahead to ensure that they can accommodate your needs. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprises!

BVBS is an excellent homebrew supply shop. Steve (the owner) has been such a helpful guy. I've had to call him a few times with questions and he's always gone out of his way to give advice, etc. Sometimes his buddies will be hanging out there...these old-school homebrewers. They're always friendly and experienced homebrewers with ideas and suggestions, as well.

I would recommend this place for the newbie. He puts brewing kits together (malt brewing) that have everything you need to get started, including detailed instructions. It's a great place to get started on your new hobby!

Quality here is top notch, everything that I have bought here has been fresh and top of the line.

Service is the best that I have encountered out of all the other LHBS that I have been to. Steve the owner is one of the most helpful and knowledgeable person that I have dealt with. Steve takes his time to help you and offers to call him if you have any questions. Nobody better. PERIOD

Selection is small due to the size of the place but has all the basics that you need. I have asked for brands that he does not sell and he has gotten them for me. Anything that I have needed he has ordered for me. So for me the selection is unlimited.

Value his prices are better than buying them on the internet before shipping and handling.

Overall: I have been to most if not all the LHBS in the area and have bought from the internet, this is the place to get your home brew supplies whether you’re a novice or a pro. Overall the BSVB is the best place to buy and learn about home brewing.

I'm a long time customer of the shop so that in itself says BVBS is a good place. Yes, the store is small but let's face it selling homebrewing supplies is a niche business so in this case size doesn't matter. Have to agree that Steve is very friendly and super helpful. I came in as a veteran homebrewer but I have witnessed Steve lead a seemingly endless procession of newbies through the process over the years. The guy has endless patience and enthusiasm. If you are in the SE New England area and are thinking about getting started in homebrewing this is the place to go.

A complete line of fresh White Labs yeast is stocked as is a very good hop selection and both products are stored under the proper refridgeration. There are also lots of specialty malts available and always 25Kg sacks of base malts. The house extract kits are very popular. I brew AG but I have tasted several beers from the kits and they are very good.

Steve also stocks kegging equipment for homebrew and tap equipment for serving commercial beer at home.

a small, but very nice homebrew shop right off route 146 in woonsocket. the owner, scott, was very friendly and helpful on me and my friend's first visit to the shop for ingredients and a few odd pieces of equipment. the store is physically pretty small, but his selection of ingredients seemed pretty good. he stocks numerous hop varieties and both dry and liquid yeasts. we needed to brew that day, so we picked up a packet of dry us-56 that was very fresh. best of all, steve was very helpful and took the time to look over our recipe and give us feedback. check this place out.

first off the owner is one of the nicest people i ahve met in a long time. talk about customer support. i think his stock mostly contains newby type stuff, but he can and will oprder what ever you need. the selection is average casue it is the only homebrew store i ahve ever really been to, so i dont really know what to expect. but the store is the size of one room, so surely some of you might think the selection is poor, but like i said he can order what you need. he automatically upgrades the starter kits he sells with a better syphon and better more eco-freindly sanitizer, leaving you both of the other ones as back up incase you need them someday. i thought he was very freindly and for that he is where i will buy my goods for now.

As a newby to the home brewing scene I'll limit my compliments from that perspective and return to edit at a later date as I grow more adept at the trade. I have not brewed my first batch yet (that's in 2 days!), but went to Blackstone to get the last few things I needed. The shop is quite small, but just packed full os all sorts of supplies. Rather heavy in beginner home brew kits, but the guys there said they could order whatever people might need. It also appeared to my novice eyes that they had a pretty good selection of ingredients in stock. When I told him I bought a kit for my first batch, he suggested a way to make half the amount as suggested and then modify the other half. But what I liked (and appreciate) the most was how they stressed to call them if I had any questions. For anyone in the RI area who is interested in home brewing, it is definitely worth talking to these guys.