My LHBS

dvollrath

Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +31.4%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I started brewing beer this last summer and Derek has been a real nice guy about helping me out. I've brewed about 4 batches using ingredients from his store and they've all came out great. I've since been living in North Carolina and the brew store down here is garbage compared to what he has and the knowledge that he offers. He is a very sharp guy and can explain difficult concepts very well and has a lot of information memorized. I've also brewed two of his recipes, the shipwreck IPA and the Extreme Steam California Common, both of which were truly fantastic. The store is well organized and everything is well stocked.

02-26-2009 21:30:28 | More by dvollrath

mgp80

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +27.4%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

I really like this place. It's hidden in a small shopping center near Seven Corners, which is a nasty driving area around commute times. Proximity to the DFH brewpub is a bonus, though.

It's a small shop, but I've never had a problem finding what I wanted. Derek has a solid grain selection and a good variety of recipe kits, including some kits that he has put together himself. I've only tried one of these, but it beat anything I've bought elsewhere. He also has almost all of the gadgets and additives you might want for beer, wine, or mead-making. My only real gripe with the selection is the lack of honey, since I enjoy mead, but whatever - not a big deal.

Staff has always been great here. Always very friendly and very helpful. The recipe of the month is a cool idea, and if you give it a try, chances are Derek is brewing it as well, and will be happy to compare notes.

All in all this is a place that makes the hobby a lot more convenient and enjoyable for me, whether I'm looking for a cool new recipe or I'm just in need of some some grain bags in a hurry.

07-01-2008 15:54:33 | More by mgp80

Jaynuze

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +22%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

My first and ONLY brew shop that I'll use. My LHBS is a great little shop with the type of service one would expect from a small business. Derek is very well versed in the brewing of beer and is always happy to pass on his knowledge, experience, and stories onto his customers. The hours are pretty flexible at the shop and Derek is always willing to make himself available to his customers. The selection of grains, malts, yeasts, hops, equipment, etc. is continually growing and IMO is pretty darn good already (though I am new at this stuff ... my second brew is carbonating in the keg as we speak). If you're a beginner or an old salt, I would highly suggest doing business with Derek. He's honest, hardworking, and very dependable. The service from My LHBS is exceptional!!

10-31-2006 03:41:39 | More by Jaynuze

Wally_Dad

4.5/5  rDev +22%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

As a newbe to the homebrewing scene, this place is great. Small, but friendly and well stocked. I came in to upgrade my Coopers Lager that came with the DIY kit - just wanted some hops. Ryan was very helpful and provided a lot of good advice. Ended up taking home a partial kit for next time along with the hops I came in for. I will definately be back even though it's a bit of a drive for me.

Why is there a minimum of 500 characters for posting a review? Seems pretty sensless to me. But, I had to type even more so that this would be posted. I hope that this isn't deleted just because I'm not long-winded!

03-23-2012 21:38:49 | More by Wally_Dad

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.44/5  rDev +20.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

My LHBS is one of the few local Homebrew stores around the DC area. It's somewhat tucked away in a small strip across the street from Dogfish Brew Pub in Falls Church. The help has been great for me. I'm just getting into the hobby, and everyone I've dealt with has been friendly and very helpful. They've had pretty much everything I've been looking for, and have answered every noob question I've asked them without any kind of vibe. They've even helped me carry stuff out to my car when I would have made two trips to get everything. Prices have been VERY competitive from what I've seen. I will continue to give My LHBS my business- what a great resource for the DC area!

02-10-2012 21:37:45 | More by jayhawk73

OldSock

District of Columbia

4.3/5  rDev +16.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Since moving down to Arlington 6 months ago this has been my homebrew shop of choice. Make sure to read the instructions on their webpage before you go because it’s a bit hard to find on your first time there, but well worth the effort.

Quality – Generally very good. I did get a smack pack of yeast that was 4 months old, but it swelled up fine and started fermenting in under 24 hours. Hops and grain always seem pretty fresh.

Service – Derek is a really nice guy always happy to special order anything he doesn’t have on hand. He is also happy to give out advice when you solicited it, he and I have both been doing some brettanomyces beers so that what we normally end up talking about even if I am brewing something unrelated.

Selection – It’s the best LHBS I’ve had in terms of selection, but it won’t blow you away. Nice selection of interesting specialty grains, chocolate rye, caramel wheat, brown malt, acidulated malt etc… but it can be lacking in base malts, they have Munton’s MO, but no Golden Promise or other interesting pale malts. Solid yeast selection, Wyeast and dry yeast only.

Glad to have it in the area particularly because Jay’s just announced that regulations are forcing them to close their walk in business.

Edit: They also just started carrying Green Coffee beans, a definite plus for me.

02-23-2007 21:14:20 | More by OldSock

MisterVT

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +13.8%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

This is a pretty good store seeing as it's one of the few in NOVA. I've been here about 10 times and usually get what I need. Prices are reasonable with good quality products. Derek, the owner, is very helpful and knowledgeable. Occasionally he's out of a specific yeast but helpful in finding a suitable replacement. For such a tiny store there's quite a bit of selection. He's got a good selection of kegging and all-grain hardware. Although I prefer the convenience of ordering online, I will trek all the way to his shop through one of the slowest, most annoying intersections in NOVA to get what I need for a last minute brew. I also think it's important to support the local homebrew industry, what little is left, so I make a trip every once in a while just because.

10-24-2010 22:18:13 | More by MisterVT

chefboy812

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

This is a very nice homebrew shop. It is not huge, but they have everthing you need and enough to keep things interesting. Derek will order anything you want, and pre smack yeasts, crush grains, assemble phoned in orders; Great Customer service. He has it all from beer, wine, soda ingredients; as wll as basic brewing equipment to more advance all grain and kegging equipment in stock. He is good for advice and suggestions; plus he can give you yeast charachteristcs from his head. The prices are about the same as most of the bigger mail order homebrew shops, so why pay for the shipping?

All in all a solid shop.
brew on!

10-27-2007 21:16:12 | More by chefboy812

eztommyd

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I've been shopping at myLHBS since my favorite shop in Fairfax moved to NC in 2007, and I've been pleased with the quality, service and know-how at myLHBS. Derek does come across as a bit of a know-it-all sometimes, but for the most part he backs it up pretty well. He's brewed just about everything, knows his ingredients cold, and never hesitates to recommend (or try something you're brewing). All the equipment you'd need is also in this tiny store, so no complaints there. It's not in the most convenient place, but as someone else mentioned, it's not like Northern VA has a homebrew shop on every corner.

09-18-2008 03:30:54 | More by eztommyd

SwillBilly

Virginia

4/5  rDev +8.4%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Located in a non-descript office building in the Seven Corners area, My LHBS is a small shop that shares space with another business in the building. The owner, Derek Terrell, was extremely accomodating, especially to a first time home brewer like myself. He listened to what I want to do and recommended the appropriate the equipment and ingredient kit that he puts together himself. He is the former manager of Brew America in Merrifield, Va and brewed for Potomac River Brewing Company. He will order anything you need if he doesn't have it in stock and keeps a pretty wide array of specialty malts and yeast in stock. Ingredient kits are limited to Brewers Best and his own. Derek also puts out an email newsletter with a recipe of the month, this months being a Dead Guy clone since he has the Rogue yeast in stock. I look forward to using My LHBS again. Service was great, you can call or email Derek will any questions you have during the brewing process. I didn't feel like I was over my head when talking with him. Check out the place, its convenient to most of NoVa, DC and suburban MD.

10-07-2006 23:07:38 | More by SwillBilly