WARNING: If You Do Not Support Your LHBS It Will Close.

I went to one in San Antonio TX that had bottles of homebrew in a fridge for tasting.

 

The one that I initially took a class at keeps the ones that they make in the class on tap

 

One I used to go to in MA had 2 beers on tap on their keezer at all times.

 

Where's that?

 

NFG in Leominster

 

In Colorado it is illegal to serve homebrew without a licence. This little technicality almost shut down all competitions in the state a couple years ago.

 

I remember sampling a new beer named Sculpin years ago at Ballast Point's first brewery...and having to play a game with the server to get a second sample instead of their other offerings. I think it is still illegal in CA to fill a growler with another brewery's beer. Lots of technicalities

 

My local store is amazing. Prices are exactly what's online, the store's clean and neatly organized, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and I've never had a bad experience. I guess the only problem that some people would have is that it's technically AB InBev now since it's the Milwaukee Northern Brewer storefront.

 

If InBev bought my LHBS I would lose my fucking mind.

 

Sorry if I sound like a broken record, but if they maintain (or expand) the selection of the retailer and keep prices low, how is this a bad thing for the consumer?

I realize that it's not good for people that are in the homebrew shop business, but that usually isn't a paramount concern to most people who are looking to buy brewing ingredients and equipment.

 

I'm certainly playing Devil's Advocate here, but you understand what I'm saying, don't you?

If local, independently owned, homebrew stores don't offer something different or better than NB does, why would someone buy their supplies from them?

 

I think if I was buying things solely online I wouldn't use them any more. The AB cloak isn't so obvious in the storefront... besides the goose island clone kits everywhere. The employees who teach free classes, and spend the time to explain why I should use X hops instead of Y in my first attempt at piecing together my own recipe shouldn't be punished.

They were certainly my favorite shop before AB got involved. A lot of that had to do with the service of the staff that worked there. That carries quite a bit of weight for me when deciding where to spend my money.

 

I think regional HBSs make the most sense...minimal shipping costs, 1 or 2 day turn around. I stopped buying from NB/MW long before they were bought out because they are just too far away. I could care less who owns them... as long as they are not engaging in unethical business practices (and get caught ).

 

I live just outside Philly to the north. I used to brew many years ago. Looking to start again. I would be kitchen brewing on a cooktop.

What are the "best" brew shops around the Philly area that could help me get started again? I used to brew with malt syrup but want to move past that. I used to go to home sweet home brew but don't feel like driving into the city every time I need supplies. If HSHB is the best shop I would suck it up and drive in.

Any advice will be great.

Enjoy

 

Keystone Homebrew Supply in Montgomeryville is good, not sure if that's close enough to you.