1) Someone to shoot the shit with about brewing, recipes, equipment, etc...aka someone who cares about brewing (wine is a plus too...)...but not mr salesman. Save the upselling to folks who don't know what they want... 2) Good selection of ingredients including a selection of bulk grains...doesn't need to be huge, just well thought out. 3) distance...while I'll travel to get to a good hbs, I've got three kids and time is already at a premium. it better be worth the trip though.
Fresh vacuum sealed hops that are stored correctly. A tasting/share room( I know this one involves all types of legal challenges)
It would be cool if you could pay for your grains via a website and have them milled before you arrive
Beer & Wine in Woburn will do it. Order online for pickup and check off mill grains. They'll email you when it's ready (normally by end of day).
I spent an hour or so in the modern homebrew emporium shop in Somerville on Thurs afternoon -- getting ingredients for a chocolate -coconut stout recipe my buddy and I brewed today. Such an awesome vibe!! A number of people working on recipes --- a bunch of approachable hipsters helping --and this real nice Irish dude running the place -- Eamon I think is his name. He asked me what I was brewing and subsequently gave me his thoughts on coconut -- when and how to add -- and what to do to counteract the affect of the oils that the coconut will release into the wort/beer. I can't recommend this place enough -- not as clean and organized as the b&w hobby in Woburn -- but such an awesome/creative/friendly vibe.
I like Beer & Wine Hobby in Woburn. They have CO2 Swaps; an awesome new all grain section with a shit ton of grain to choose from all as weigh your own/mill your own; good selection of hops in 1oz and 1lb bags both from the original manufacturer and purges vac sealed by BWH; and lastly a good grouping of knowledgeable brewing 'geeks' on staff to help with solving problems (of which I have had many and lots of great help in resolving).
My normal practice is to call my local earlier in the day to let them know what malts I need milled. They can mill at their leisure when it's slow and I don't have to wait either. I have an okay relationship with them, and for them helping me out, I do most of my shopping there even when I can get certain items much cheaper online.
Strange Brew in Marlboro has a 'mill-your-own' section - choose the grains and run it through their mill. Generally I get a pretty good crush, though last time was a bit suspect - the inside was crushed nicely, but for some reason the vast majority of husks didn't split open. The place is a bit disorganized, but I can usually find what I need, and the people are friendly (if occasionally running ragged) and willing to help.
