Another Brew Shop Closed

[GalBrew]

Yes, didn't really want to get into slagging off the LHBS, buy I remember some time ago buying some hops at my LHBS and they guy (kid?) behind the counter asked me what was inside that foil bag...........

 

[Brewers Choice]

Pre-made kits would seem a good idea - we tried this for a while, but we still needed to get the hops and yeast from the fridge at the time of purchase, even for our K&K kits. Kind of defeats the idea. We have found far more success keeping a couple of books in the beer area with all our recipes for Kits, Extracts and AG brews. Customers go through them, select the recipe, we get the ingredients fresh and print out the recipe for them. This has moved a heap of K&K onto extract and also helps our new All-grainers who aren't ready to write their own recipes yet.

I can't believe that store owners can be so negative to customers. You should point out that you pay their wages! It's probably a good thing for the industry when stores like that close down.

 

[Truman42]

Pre-made kits would seem a good idea - we tried this for a while, but we still needed to get the hops and yeast from the fridge at the time of purchase, even for our K&K kits. Kind of defeats the idea. We have found far more success keeping a couple of books in the beer area with all our recipes for Kits, Extracts and AG brews. Customers go through them, select the recipe, we get the ingredients fresh and print out the recipe for them. This has moved a heap of K&K onto extract and also helps our new All-grainers who aren't ready to write their own recipes yet.

I can't believe that store owners can be so negative to customers. You should point out that you pay their wages! It's probably a good thing for the industry when stores like that close down.

Whatver works...At last your doing it because thats what your customers want insted of saying.."Why do you want to bother with that crap, here just use this tin....."

 

[DJR]

AFAIK Craftbrewer does do recipe packs like Smurto's GA, at least the grain, the hops are a bit harder to split on demand (but 90g of Amarillo will do it)

 

[peterlonz]

My 2 cents worth:

LHBS vary in the quality of advice available, & in the variety of product offered.
It's common sense that in more thinly populated areas, the demand for AG brewing will likely be so low that allocating space & stock to low turnover product is just unwise.
Yes I agree generally (my observations of Qld's Gold Coast) they offer predominantly kits & distilling stuff.
One LHBS does offer CO2 bottle filling, sample beer tasting, & is open extended hours (Palm Beach) so he gets my support.
I have brewed from kits the last 30 years of a brewing "career" lasting 40 years, & I now finally use 6 kegs (Cornie 19 litre), & would use more if my damned fridge was bigger!
My biggest cost is the kit & AFAIK I can't get them (delivered) at lower cost by on line means.
My kegs were however better & cheaper using an on line Aussie supplier (??).
BTW "Big W" have quite often had the Coopers kits on special at really low prices around 10$. Yestreday the were around $13.

Regarding Coopers:
They have been around forever & their kits are dependable, can't say for sure if they are the best or just amongst the best
When I phoned for advice about some kits past the use by date, they advised correctly, & offered to replace the yeast at no cost. I soon received 12 sachets of assorted yeasts. Good on ya Coopers!
Coopers supply supermarkets only with "basic kits" & the LHBS with their better more recently developed kits which cost more. This has put them onside with the LHBS.

 

[glenwal]

We have found far more success keeping a couple of books in the beer area with all our recipes for Kits, Extracts and AG brews.

A half half idea might work - where you have a book with the recipies, with a price for the recipie that covers everything you need. Kind of like a McValue meal.

edit: spelling

 

[Lord Raja Goomba I]

My 2 cents worth:

LHBS vary in the quality of advice available, & in the variety of product offered.
It's common sense that in more thinly populated areas, the demand for AG brewing will likely be so low that allocating space & stock to low turnover product is just unwise.
Yes I agree generally (my observations of Qld's Gold Coast) they offer predominantly kits & distilling stuff.
One LHBS does offer CO2 bottle filling, sample beer tasting, & is open extended hours (Palm Beach) so he gets my support.
I have brewed from kits the last 30 years of a brewing "career" lasting 40 years, & I now finally use 6 kegs (Cornie 19 litre), & would use more if my damned fridge was bigger!
My biggest cost is the kit & AFAIK I can't get them (delivered) at lower cost by on line means.
My kegs were however better & cheaper using an on line Aussie supplier (??).
BTW "Big W" have quite often had the Coopers kits on special at really low prices around 10$. Yestreday the were around $13.

Regarding Coopers:
They have been around forever & their kits are dependable, can't say for sure if they are the best or just amongst the best
When I phoned for advice about some kits past the use by date, they advised correctly, & offered to replace the yeast at no cost. I soon received 12 sachets of assorted yeasts. Good on ya Coopers!
Coopers supply supermarkets only with "basic kits" & the LHBS with their better more recently developed kits which cost more. This has put them onside with the LHBS.

Which is fantastic - if you want to remain doing kits. Your LHBS does everything you want, and that's good for you. I dare say that if you weren't happy with the results, you wouldn't have stuck with the hobby for the last 40 odd years, so good for you in finding what works for you.

But for those of us that want to do all-grain, the LHBS who specialises in kit and "spiritual" activities, is as useless as Big W. It's like going to a motorbike dealer to buy a car. Yeah - they both sell things with an engine in common, but not what you're looking for.

Good on Coopers for looking after you though!

I get my bottle filled more locally - both the price is cheaper and the overnight turnover is pretty decent. He's got nothing else I want, and I might take him some beer one day, just to see what's possible, but otherwise there's nothing I buy that he sells.

Goomba

 

[glenwal]

BTW "Big W" have quite often had the Coopers kits on special at really low prices around 10$. Yestreday the were around $13.

Just don't buy from Big W online.

I ordered a coopers ginger beer kit a few weeks ago. Took over a week for them to dispatch my item (even though it was listed as in stock when i ordered), and then 4 days for Aus Post to "deliver it". The icing on the cake was when I got home from work to find another package (something i'd ordered elsewhere) sitting at my door, with a "sorry we missed you" slip on top for my Big W order (both had been delivered by Australia Post together). When I placed the order with Big W, i ticked the box for "Leave package unattended" (and this is confirmed in the various emails they sent me - listed in the delivery instructions section), yet when I finally picked it up it had "Requires Signature for delivery" written on it. The only reason I ordered it online was because I didn't have time to get to Big W - and then I had to find time to go to the post office in the end anyway (which is actually harder because their opening hours are less).

 

[bowie in space]

I love the convenience of the Craftbrewer set up. I order and pay online with a pick up time suggested, then I drive ten minutes, walk in and my stuff is ready. I only wait half a minute while the guy grabs my yeast out of the fridge, them I'm out again. I barely speak to Ross, he's a busy guy anyway and I don't wanna pester him with questions like "can you really ferment S-189 at 18C"? That's why we have AHB.

My first LHBS in Richmond, Melbourne was a horrifying ordeal. The guy had no knowledge of grain brewing and was very insulting of my cleaning and sanitation regime. The kit packs were way overpriced and their sample beers were ****. I then discovered this website and found that G&G were way closer to where I lived. Both of the businesses mentioned above have fresh wort kits made on premises and offer brewing demonstrations to the public. The ingredients are usually of high standards and they generally support the brewing clubs and communities. Kits and bits stores will keep dying off because they only attract a small proportion of an an already small market. The guy up at Bribie Island couldn't give a **** about craft beer, in fact, he is more concerned about getting his bets on for the Saturday races and closing early to get down to the pub and drink xxxx.


A little off topic;

For any retail business to survive these days you need to offer great service, knowledge, price and convenience. I managed the CD department at JB Hi-Fi for about seven years and saw the downward trend towards buying hard copies of CD's that were overpriced at $30. People don't buy CD's like they used to but it doesn't mean people aren't listening to the same amount of music. Online sales (and stealing) has increased dramatically and really meant that I needed to look for a new job. Plus the company wasn't hiring music minded people anymore and that trend has continued across a lot of retail businesses. Business owners really need to wake up. Old fashioned customer service is dead in so many stores and if you don't want to deal with rude and ignorant staff, then you shop online. Less retail real estate costs means cheaper prices on goods.

Back on topic;

Compared to your avarage LHBS that stocks kits and bits, places like G&G and Craftbrewer have a point of difference to the consumer, both places are operated by people who are passionate about beer. There has been the odd occasion where I haven't received the best customer service from both these places, but I can't argue with the range of products, prices, knowledge and convenience. The craft brewing industry is such a niche market and the brewing community recognises this and subsequently supports the businesses that are dedicated to the cause.

Bowie

 

[eviljesus]

<snip>

I can't believe that store owners can be so negative to customers. You should point out that you pay their wages! It's probably a good thing for the industry when stores like that close down.

I have actually experienced this attitude in a BC in Brisbane area while being a complete noob starting with K&K. I've since gained a fair amount of knowledge (relative to what I did know) and now get on with the bloke fairly well. That said, if I wasn't fairly thick skinned, the embarrassment of being made a dick of infront of other customers or the persons in question's mates, I probably wouldn't of gone back.

Also to be fair, the fella from BC in Annerley is outstanding. Knowledgeable and super pleasant to deal with all the time. I have no problem supporting stores such as his and personally have mates that drive across the city to pick up anything they need, regardless if there is a closer brew shop.

 

[hsb]

My LHBS helped get me from Kits to Partials and then I moved onto AG on my own.
For that I thank them and their help at every visit.

I did find every visit to the store like visiting some kind of weird men's self-help group.

Nervous shuffling..."So I put the second can in three days ago in the shed but..."

It must be very trying dealing with customers constantly who are either total noobs or maybe worse still have internet wisdom to practice.
I can't think of many businesses where you are expected to teach your customers how to use your products and provide advice that is then subject to trial by internet wisdom, all to keep the customer happy.
They look like a tough gig LHBS, I can't imagine anyone ever opened one to become rich.

I'm grateful for every one that exists in my area, at least they offer choice. Boo to the supermarkets, I do all I can to minimise my business with supermarkets or bunnings and the like, they kill local business, they kill choice, they kill communities imho.

Sorry to see another LHBS hit the wall. Doesn't help any of us.

 

[sim]

Amen! Well said.

Boo to the supermarkets, I do all I can to minimise my business with supermarkets or bunnings and the like, they kill local business, they kill choice, they kill communities imho.

and +1.

 

[alfadog]

The LHBS at Kedron is set to change hands soon, may be just the thing it needs

 

[Bribie G]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Mark's Home Brew in Newcastle. He has a program where you can design a beer, email in the recipe and he'll have the pack made up ready for you to collect.

Ross will also do up a recipe pack. If you have ever ordered grain from CB you will have seen the buttons at checkout "Mixed / Unmixed", "milled / Unmilled". That's what they are there for.


Can't be bothered to read the 80 odd posts so I may have commented already, but my experience with older business owners (and I've met heaps, being an ex Allens Sweets and Rothmans rep) is that most of them have bought themselves a job using their redundancy payout. On buying the LHBS it often becomes a gift and fancy goods shop - our LHBS on Bribie sells garden gnomes as a sideline - and most of the local shops are mainly into spirits anyway. I dropped in there recently to see if he did JG fittings and it was quite busy for a change but I seemed to be the only beer guy there.

I'd have to say that Brewers Choice are a standout in Bris, haven't had much to do with the other towns.

 

[sean83]

I'd have to say that Brewers Choice are a standout in Bris, haven't had much to do with the other towns.
[/quote]

I would definetly agree, Brewers choice have more than helped me progress from basic K&K to AG brewing as well as steering me down other paths such as beef jerky and other such side hobbies. But it is also the approach they have to dealing with customers, the Enoggera store is my local and the boys in there are not only happy to help but also sit and chat, weather it be beer related or not. I find now even my wife is happy to drop in and grab the odd cracked grain for me and no longer feels uncomfortable about it. My hats go off to them and I believe they have the right idea for longevity within the industry.

Sean

 

[Rob S]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Mark's Home Brew in Newcastle. He has a program where you can design a beer, email in the recipe and he'll have the pack made up ready for you to collect.

And the program saves your brews for you. You can make your own or choose one of the dozens of other saved beers. I love Brewbuilder. :icon_cheers:

 

[mondestrunken]

A bit OT here, but if i go into a shop again and I ask someone what something does or if it is a good product and they read the blurb on the back of the packet, I am going to lose my **** with them. Maybe i visit the wrong shops!

Agreed, these type of people are usually the ones who are on your balls with "can I help you?" in the first place.

 

[Harry Volting]

+1 MHB's Brewbuilder. Doesn't get any easier. Check it out.

 

[Fish13]

Yeap Gryphon brewing does that too! Nev will even help you with the recipe if there is a problem with it. I pushed my hbs to get more grain and they have responded in doing so. Awesome it is

 

[Parks]

The LHBS at Kedron is set to change hands soon, may be just the thing it needs

I got an email yesterday or today saying a new Brewer's Choice store was opening at Kedron so that must be it.

It will make getting my BIL setup for brewing sooo much easier

 

[InCider]

The LHBS at Kedron is set to change hands soon, may be just the thing it needs

I got an email yesterday or today saying a new Brewer's Choice store was opening at Kedron so that must be it.

It will make getting my BIL setup for brewing sooo much easier

Is that the one on the east side of the Gympie road that is open on weekends? Never been there, but it makes me feel good that if I was short of a yeast sachet on a weekend I could score.

The LHBS in Beerwah ... good for a C02 refill.

 

[alfadog]

Is that the one on the east side of the Gympie road that is open on weekends? Never been there, but it makes me feel good that if I was short of a yeast sachet on a weekend I could score.

Thats the one, just near the music store, lets just hope the new manager is as passionate about beer as Sim is

 

[dr K]

MHB's system is quite simply, spectacular.
It creates a bit of work for the retailer (I mean these are bespoke kits) but allows a customer to get what they want, when they want with no storage, no bulk bags and no hastle.
I am associated with a retail business here in Canberra, and yes I have asked for my "Status" to be changed even though that business sells >99% into Canberra so i speak with some gravity.
In the words of Molly..do yourself a favour and check out MHB !
http://www.ubrew.com.au

K

 

[Diggs]

Thats the one, just near the music store, lets just hope the new manager is as passionate about beer as Sim is

Got to deal with Sim the other w/e at Enogerra. Gotta says he's a bloody legend. Helped me sort out my first AG BIAB and a few other things.
Makes my experience with other local stores seem very weak. Very happy cust. Cheers BC

 

[Bribie G]

I got an email yesterday or today saying a new Brewer's Choice store was opening at Kedron so that must be it.

It will make getting my BIL setup for brewing sooo much easier

A Brewers choice at Kedron would be fricken awesome. I've only been to the Enoggera store a couple of times as it's a cut lunch and take your two man tent trip from Bribie Island - however excellent stock and a BC store on Gympie Road would be very feasible for driving into work and picking up yeasts ans spec grains and other bits. Much as I love Rosscoe's setup, Capalaba is just too far for a "casual drop in" visit for many outer Northsiders, and it would be great to support in even my small way a good franchise.

 

[Brewman_]

Thumbs up for Marks, (MHB) system. The software and user interface is one thing it gives you a great starting point for a style, or brewery you may be interested in, or the flexibility to do your own thing entirely. The Key is that the service is great. Plan you brew, place your order with the pickup or delivery details and it's job done.

I know that Mark is always tweaking the recipes based on tasting of the outcome of the recipes on the data base, so things will continue to improve.

Fear_n_loath

 

[grod5]

Thumbs up for Marks, (MHB) system. The software and user interface is one thing it gives you a great starting point for a style, or brewery you may be interested in, or the flexibility to do your own thing entirely. The Key is that the service is great. Plan you brew, place your order with the pickup or delivery details and it's job done.

I know that Mark is always tweaking the recipes based on tasting of the outcome of the recipes on the data base, so things will continue to improve.

Fear_n_loath

FnL, Mark's System includes a humanoid (Shaun) who has improved the delivery of a great product, The humanoid form is a tad weedy but still manages to bring it strong.

Just sayin'

 

[Brewman_]

FnL, Mark's System includes a humanoid (Shaun) who has improved the delivery of a great product, The humanoid form is a tad weedy but still manages to bring it strong.

Just sayin'

Hey Grod5,

Your 100% right, Shaun is a big part of the service and overall delivery. He is a good brewer that can help any other brewer out at the shop.


Fear_n_loath

 

[Parks]

I hope this wasn't privileged info, but here's the main content of the email:

Brewers Choice are excited to announce that as of the 12th of June, we will have a new store as part of our brewing family. Brewers Choice will be taking over the Home Brew Barn in Kedron.

Although Brewers Choice will now have six stores, it's still just run by two brothers and a bunch of staff who love brewing. When the opportunity came up to bring Kedron into the Brewers Choice fold, we felt it was a great fit to better service our Brisbane Customers, particularly on the northside.

For those who are not familiar with the store, it is located at 325 Gympie Rd, Kedron (between the Ellaways Music Stores) and will now stock all Still Spirits/Top Shelf products as well as bulk grain, liquid yeasts and mashing equipment.

STAFF WANTED
Are you a mad home brewer and love teaching others about brewing? We are looking for a great new manager to run Kedron, so if you or someone you know is interested in becoming a store manager, give us a ring or email us on employment at brewers choice dot com dot au.

 

[Wimmig]

+1 to the brewbuilder with Mark. It's where i do all my orders from now. Love the ease, saving features & build info. That, and i just can't beat the postage. Hell, per beer/AG batch it's cheaper than a single section bus ticket to the LHBS.