Southern Homebrew & Winemaking Supply

 

I've never been to the store but have bought thousands of dollars of wine and beer kits from them over the website. Very satisfied. One ruptured bladder was replaced at no cost within two days. Just sent in a few pictures. I live in Florida and have read that California shipping may be an issue so be aware of that. No idea why. I usually receive my shipments within two days from them. Over Christmas I received multiple destroyed packages from Amazon. Amazon refunded my money AND I got to keep the damaged kits. I noticed the undamaged kits came from here. After that bought here instead, following that debacle. Still love Amazon, just not for wine kits.

brewers need to know who your dealing with, this business is completely wrong. They need to be put out of business before they give "home" brewing a bad name.

Email received by Southern Home Brew:

He's an email response after a bad eBay transaction (edited so I could post): Guy needs to be put out of business!!

Quote:
"You listen and you listen good you flaming f*cking moron. You're nothing but a XXXXXX just like your email address. At least you know who you are. Take this f^cking email and shove it way up your aXX right where your head is. All you California clowns are nothing more than a bunch of pot smoking liberal losers. You got the refund. Were you that desperate for the $100, you flaming loser. You have now been blocked so don't waste your time emailing us with your insults and ignorance. And if you want to take this to the next level, I'll have our attorney in LA contact you and I know you can't afford that. So f#ck off!

You made the f&cking mistake, not us. Man up and NEWS FLASH.... you're not as perfect and special as your mommy once told you and made you believe.

Now, f*ck off a**hole."

Owner is a very rude, angry man who seems to have contempt for anyone who has a problem. I've been in the store several times when the owner was there cussing loudly at someone on the phone while his employees looked on embarrassed and apologetic. I saw him cuss out a customer but not sure over what, but the customer stormed out, and once heard him saying really nasty things about someone he had a problem with. Fortunately I have never had an issue while there, Bob and the other staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, but they do talk about the owner behind his back and obviously don't like him. I avoid this place now and just buy elsewhere online mostly since there are no other homebrew stores in the Daytona area. Rather not risk a problem.

Last October I bought grain from them and it had grain weevils in it. They would not take it back. Then I criticized them online for this. Then today my wife went by to pick up a couple of things for me and they refused to sell them to her based on that they were for me. Bad business practice, in my opinion. Instead of accepting my criticism and trying to fix the problem they have decided not to sell to me ever again. I did find a brew store in Sanford called the Fermented Brew Shop. When I talked to Aaron there is was extremely helpful. The customer service on the phones was 10 time better than I ever got in person at Southern Home Brew.

I first visited the store right before Christmas this year to get a real beer making kit. I previously played around with a Mr. Beer. When I walked in for the first time I just said "What do I need" and they laid out all the options for me and I bought myself my own Christmas present!

I had an issue with my first attempt at making beer where the fermentation went haywire and they told me over the phone how to make a blow off tube contraption to prevent that from happening.

The guys there are awesome and know their stuff. Dennis is a long time home brewer who will talk to you for hours (if you let him) about making beer and meads.

I love this place.