Home Brew Shops

[Phrak]

Links to the shops Mike mentioned.

Online:
Goliath(Dave) was really generous and helpful, freebies if there was room in the box.
Jovial Monk replaced items lost by Australia post FOC
Grain & Grape quick efficient processing of orders and good advice
Mark's HBS loves a chat sounds passionate about his business and brewing
TWOC quick delivery of a Grain Mill with good advice
Grumpy's a bit pricey on hops, delivery etc. so I don't shop there anymore.

Gerard NDHB gets a big vote for the free home delivery friendly chit chat and advice and is my current fave

Mike, could you fill in the blanks please?

Are we allowed to update the "Retailers" Link section? or do the shop reps have to do that themselves.

Tim.

 

[macr]

Well there u have it, Marks HB in NEWCASTLE has to be a clear winner. For a local HB shop that has not got the big advertising budget and national exposure of G & G and the like it 's well worth a visit if your passing thru.
A few more chairs and a coffee machine would be a nice touch boys!

[post="113125"][/post]​

Add me to the list of fans as well. They love to help out and the freebies that I get are great, even if it is only 10g of hops, every little thing like that will just make me come back more and buy more. I think they have surpassed the other shops in the hunter region. As a footnote there is a new shop having its opening in Nelson bay this Saturday. Free sizzle and beer tasting and a keg system to win. I won't be there though (to far away), so some one else will have to rate it.

 

[pint of lager]

Any forum member can add a new link. I think only the original submitter can edit a link, or an admin can too.

The link section is full of useful stuff. You could spend days online following the information there. Please, if you find a link not working, click on the "broken link" hyperlink.

If you have a favourite site that is not included, please add it to the list.

 

[Doogiechap]

T.W.O.C. has been very helpful for me Roy always has time for my many newbie questions and his AGB days are very enlightening.

I thinks what takes the cake for me is when I asked him what TWOC stands for...
Tina's World of Craft

 

[Hopeye]

Gerard at ND Brewing is OK I guess

Seems to have some problem though with high IBU beers, just continually shakes his head whenever I offer them to him

Cheers.

[post="112877"][/post]​

He takes the piss out of me for my super-hoppy APAs too! Reckons they've got a green tinge to them!

So, apart from the self esteem dwindling ridicule its a classy outfit!

Might make that OTT American IPA I have planned for my next brew... :lol:

[post="112882"][/post]​

He must be getting used to us. He didn't say anything to me as he dropped off 1kg Amarillo, 1kg Cascade, 1Kg Saaz today. Top bloke, top service, bar none. How many other HBS owners out there are also commercial brewers ??? I know who's advice I'd prefer.

 

[stephen]

Well there u have it, Marks HB in NEWCASTLE has to be a clear winner. For a local HB shop that has not got the big advertising budget and national exposure of G & G and the like it 's well worth a visit if your passing thru.
A few more chairs and a coffee machine would be a nice touch boys!

[post="113125"][/post]​

Add me to the list of fans as well. They love to help out and the freebies that I get are great, even if it is only 10g of hops, every little thing like that will just make me come back more and buy more. I think they have surpassed the other shops in the hunter region. As a footnote there is a new shop having its opening in Nelson bay this Saturday. Free sizzle and beer tasting and a keg system to win. I won't be there though (to far away), so some one else will have to rate it.

[post="113820"][/post]​

Actually, MACR, the place you're talking about is called "The Bay Brewery." It's been there for a bout two to three years now, Kirk, who runs the place, is quite a nice bloke and looks after the K & K brewer and spirit person quite well. I'm not sure if he looks after the AG brewer or the partial or etc. (I haven't been to his shop for over a year now.)

Steve

 

[Peter Wadey]

Phrak,
Add these to your list
ESB Brewing Supplies, Peakhurst, www.esbeer.com.au
Blue Mountains Brewing Supplies, www.bmbrews.com.au
Brew Your Own at Home, Kambah, ACT

Peter

 

[Phrak]

I've already added a few to the links section HERE.

As Jim said earlier, I think we should all add our fav shop to the Links sections. The links section does, however require any new link to have an "http://" starting in the "Link Location" field.

I suggest that we use "http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com" for the shops that do not have web addresses, and make sure that all the relevant contact details are in the "Description" field. Perhaps it would also be a good idea to mention that the shop does not have a web site, in case people wonder why they keep opening the AHB site every time they click on a link!

I've asked the Mods and Admins about some additional functionality in the links section, I guess it just comes down to them having time, and the Forum software having the capabilities.

Regards,
Tim.

 

[Jim - Perth]

TWOC Is my current favourite. Grumpy's have put me off a bit by puting the price up of all their Masterbrews & introducing freight on orders over $100.

 

[Pumpy]

I split it between Gerard he makes it so easy and when I feel the need to risk all those speed cameras on the way to ESB at Peakhurst I go there

pumpy

 

[cheapdrunk]

I can't go past Dave's Hombrew in North Sydney, first bought stuff from him online cause his delivery is pretty good. Then went into the store, very clean and bright, Dave's pretty knowledgable and good for a chat.

 

[mikem108]

Dave at Hop to it Botany is a top bloke, is improving his shop and will get in anything you may want or need.

 

[peas_and_corn]

Anyway, a vote here for Bill at Holden Hill. He has guided me from the beginning to where I am now. Someone earlier said that he isn't the best to talk to; well, that's only if you mention something that is not beer- a friend of mine commented that he isn't the best at small talk, and that he seemed like someone who spent all his time in the basement brewing and then decided that he needed an income.

Away from all that, it is a great store. My only beef is with his hop range- he only stocks about 10 (not sure about that number, but it's somewhere near there) diffrent varieties of hops- so when a recipe asked for crystal hops, I got them from Ross.

Apart from that, it's a good store! Good selection of everything I could need, with a wide variety of cans (hopped and unhopped), and equipment. Also the range of grain available is really good, as he has been part of my drift towards all grain brewing. Very important is something that's worth more than money is the advice I've received from him, which is really helpful. If it wasn't for a combination of him and this forum I think I'll still be making beer with a coopers pale can and a booster pack.

 

[FNQ Bunyip]

Well well two holes in the ground , thats about all you get up this way when it comes to home brew shops.
My interest in brewing better beers has incresed of late so when in town (CAIRNS) last week to pick up a southerner from the airport I thought I'd drop in to the two establishments that call them selves specialists.

Oh wow bitter disapointment ...
I enquired about Yeasts ?? :blink: US56 , never heard of it just use 04 from one and the other said try turbo yeast (idiot I'm brewing BEER ) .
Then asked about grains only one avaliable . LIGHT cracked grain no other info just light cracked grain @ $5.95kg. So at about that point I decided to not ask anymore HARD questions from these knowlegeable chaps grab my 25kg bag of dextrose and get out while I still could... I will be looking for another suplier of dextrose just so I never have to go back into thease stores.

It seems strange that with all the people moving north that Cairns dosent have more brewers (None listed here ) and better supliers... It all seems to be spirits...

So like Big D it will be mail order .
:beer:

 

[Slurpdog]

Used to visit the HBS at Peakhurst, when a gentleman by the name of Neil ran it (about 3 years ago. I haven't brewed since then).
It was a lot of fun talking to him and I felt comfortable in the shop as a Newb
Lots of info in the thread though and I didn't realise there were so many HBS in Sydney.
Visited Manfred at Campbelltown early on but he ripped me new one for buying my first kit from Coles so I won't be going back there, even though he's only 15 mins down the road.
Looks like I'll be trying a few different HBS local to me to find one that I'm comfortable with, as I'm finally getting back into brewing after a 3 year break

 

[johnno]

I thought I'd drop in to the two establishments that call them selves specialists.

Oh wow bitter disapointment ...
I enquired about Yeasts ?? :blink: US56 , never heard of it just use 04 from one and the other said try turbo yeast (idiot I'm brewing BEER ) .
Then asked about grains only one avaliable . LIGHT cracked grain no other info just light cracked grain @ $5.95kg. So at about that point I decided to not ask anymore HARD questions from these knowlegeable chaps grab my 25kg bag of dextrose and get out while I still could... I will be looking for another suplier of dextrose just so I never have to go back into thease stores.

[post="126425"][/post]​

At least you got an answer out of them and did not get growled at.
Like one particular shop in Melb.

cheers
johnno

 

[mika]

I'll put a vote in for Malthouse Home Brew, Welshpool WA.

Malthouse Home Brew

Large range, got all the yeasts (that I can think of), lots of cans of goo. Only recently started paying attention to their grain selection so can't comment on it so much, but seems to be there.
Friendly, good advice, price is usually right or not far off it.
Never tried them for phone/internet orders (why would I ? I live 10 minutes down the road)

Only negative that I've noticed is that the webpage is a little sparse on some info.

(No affiliation and all that, just a happy customer)

 

[hughman666]

I'll put a vote in for Malthouse Home Brew, Welshpool WA.

Malthouse Home Brew

yep i'll second that. i was a bit put off when i went in a while ago last year as the guy seemed a bit rude but when you get to know him, he's just a quirky bloke and is pretty knowledgable, happy to help. good range, cheap kegging kits and i noticed they now have the esb fresh wort kits....might try one some day

 

[Boozy the clown]

Visited Manfred at Campbelltown early on but he ripped me new one for buying my first kit from Coles so I won't be going back there, even though he's only 15 mins down the road.

Gee, you mentioned the war didn't you... :angry:

Manfred is okay, Think coles kits are a sore point for a lot of HBS.

Manfred orders in my yeasts and whatever else i want (I dont ask for much...K&K still...)

 

[Pumpy]

Visited Manfred at Campbelltown early on but he ripped me new one for buying my first kit from Coles so I won't be going back there, even though he's only 15 mins down the road.

Manfred is okay, Think coles kits are a sore point for a lot of HBS.

Manfred orders in my yeasts and whatever else i want (I dont ask for much...K&K still...)

[post="126614"][/post]​

Hey Boozy ,

you must have to put up with some Grumpy old buggers in your day if quote "Manfred is Okay" :blink:

he definately need some sort of sales etiquette training , however ,he has mellowed a little, and yes he will get stuff in for you and if you argue he will drop the price a bit .

And his Fresh wort kits usually are a good price he dont charge for the deposit on the container .

Pumpy