Fermentations

June 30, 2009
Despite some other ratings, I like these guys. They have been willing to order me several special ordered yeasts from White Labs including a Platinum strain. They have enough malt to be serviceable usually and hops only in pellet ounces. Good amount of equipment. They are geared more toward wine but have enough knowledge to help you out with the simpler questions for homebrew.

February 23, 2008
It’s a homebrew shop when you need one... that’s about all I can give it. You would think that with a very small customer base (I’m usually the only one in the store) that they would have superior service, but they don’t. As mentioned below, they are not very helpful. The yeast selection is lacking, but they explained it was because they couldn’t sell enough of it to keep it fresh. Makes sense, but now I know not to go there for yeast... and they will have even more trouble keeping it fresh. This is the kind of thing that makes online homebrew supply shops a much better option, even for those of us that try to patronize local establishments.

March 14, 2007
Small room with very limited selection for the homebrewer. Ingredient kits by only one brand and a few random supplies. I was treated like an unwelcome intruder from the moment I walked in, despite spending over $100 in the overpriced store (because I had to). The guy was condescending, not helpful at all, and downright rude. I’m sorry I wasted his time by spending money in his store. I will never go back. Make sure you are a snooty beer snob over 50 before you go. Not recommended.

August 11, 2006
Little shop in a strip plaza. They have the best grain selection in town, with 12-15 Briess grains. Good source for equipment, too. Again, it’s geared toward the winemaker (there is a wine tasting area in the back), but definitely look out for the beer brewer. They also have some books and hotsauce and things. The yeast selection leaves something to be desired; they recently stopped carrying Wyeast, and now only have the most common WL strains and a few dry packets. Decent place, nonetheless.

March 25, 2006
My wyeast pouch ruptured and spilled on brew day about 4:15 pm on Saturday. Called ahead to find out what time they closed. 6pm it was 5 by the time I got everything ready to go and head out it is a one hour drive. They said they would stay and wait on me. Not many people will do that espically on Saturday. Not a homebrew warehouse but like maltdog said they do have a lot of gadgets. Jay has about as big a grain inventory as them but they are convenient. I wish I had a little more time to look around. An example of maltdogs last statement. I ask about wyeast they had the whites, when I asked if he had nottingham he was confused and continued to look at his liquid list. That isn’t a slam if you know what you want these guys are friendly and will do all they can to help you. I hope they proper.

November 30, 2004 [ Updated May 8, 2007 ]
Yet another rerate May’07: Grain selection has probably doubled in the last year... mostly Briess, but some Dingeman’s Belgian also available. (BTW, except for 2-row and pilsner, the Briess malts are all from 6-row barley.) Usually, 2-row malt is the only grain with more than 10# stocked at a a time. Less choices for the extract brewer, but the basics are covered. Probably 15 or 20 hop varieties at last visit (in one ounce bags only). All sorts of gadgets, flavorings, and general fermention paraphernalia. About equal inventory of winemaking and beermaking raw materials. Distillation yeast and equipment in stock. An eclectic mix of half a dozen White Labs liquid yeast strains in the fridge; only a very small supply kept in-shop, so call ahead. Will not special order seasonal (Platinum) WL strains, nor any strains not on their abbreviated list of "regular" yeasts. Adequate dry yeast selections for ale & wine, nothing "fancy" like Fermentis brand dry yeasts. I question the freshness of the slow movers: some of the specialty grains and all of the adjuncts. Know beforehand what you want to purchase, and have alternates in mind. They are happy to assist you, but are not familiar with many of the items they sell, and get confused if you ask a simple question, so I wouldn’t count on getting good advice. Closed Sunday & Monday.

April 17, 2004 [ Updated June 30, 2004 ]
Fermentations continues to expand their inventory. The owners are a group of wine and beer makers who run the shop in their spare time. Good selection.