Brew & Grow

tapman

Illinois

4/5  rDev -6.1%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

A little better than the Chicago chapter. Their selection is a lot better and they have some better toys, like mash lauder tuns, and temp. controlled mash boilers. Also some grains in bulk. They have a lot of good stuff, service is reasonably knowledgeable, and they had a decent smoke-beer to sample. Just more stuff than a few other places, plus lots of space to look around with lots of interesting adjuncts to dream about. Also they have an in house grain mill, so if your a brewer that doesn't use malt extract, unless you're toasting them at home you can grind them up there.

02-22-2008 06:45:31 | More by tapman

cjacobsen

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This is pretty much my go-to place for homebrewing needs. I've gotten hop rhizomes, kits, ingredients, bottles, yeast, help and tips from B&G. They're a bit of a hike from where I live (approx 40 mins or so) but it's well worth the trip.

The staff is extremely helpful and nice. My first question had me feeling like a newbie but in order to know, you gotta ask, and they are all cool about offering tips and alternatives ideas/methods.

The selection is quite good as is but if they don't have something in-store at the moment, chances are they can get it for you.

09-13-2010 21:12:00 | More by cjacobsen

Florida9

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

As the name suggests, this store is half homebrew store and half grow store (lamps, soilless growing medium, fertilizer) These place appears to be family owned and operated as I've noticed the whole family working here. Dad has the best brew knowledge, but Mom seems to know where everything is located.

Larger selection of just about everything from ingredients to equipment. A wide variety of hops, yeasts and malts. Malts are available pre-crushed and whole and I noticed a mill which I believe they would let you use to crush your malts on your own should you so choose to. Malt extract also available.
As for equipment, I noticed kegs, kegging equipment, and even entire beginners kits.

Reasonable prices.

Only complaint would be that their website is entirely devoted to the "grow" side of the business and is devoid of anything to do with homebrewing.

02-21-2010 19:41:34 | More by Florida9

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev -4.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Let me preface by saying I've only been to Brew and Grow two times. With that said, I think they have a good selection of everything regarding brewing. Lots of malts, hops, equipment, books, etc. The prices seemed quite fair and the selection was good too.

My main problem with this place was that lack of customer service. Pretty unprofessional. Dog walking around (which was cool, I dont have a problem with that) and the two employees I interacted with could care any less I was there. They seemed completely miserable with their existance and really made me not want to go back.

I like the location, selection, and prices, but I may begin ordering online.

04-04-2009 14:51:37 | More by BeerFMAndy

Prostman81

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +10.3%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place has a very decent selection of malt extracts (both canned and dry) as well as grains, adjuncts, etc. Equipment prices are good too, especially on their carboys and beer bottles. Hops and yeast varieties are always good, and I can typically find exactly what I'm looking for in my recipe, or something that is an excellent alternative to my first choice.

Store is well-laid out, clean, and staff is very friendly. They are always willing to offer a sample of their brewed beer (which always tastes awesome), and offer good brewing suggestions/tips.

02-03-2009 16:41:41 | More by Prostman81

goethean

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

This place is good. A little pricier than Chicagoland Winemakers, but a much much better selection of stuff on hand. Friendly, very good beer and wine on tap, and a nice store. I've never had any problems with them and they have in fact gone out of their way to help me out.

Just don't buy sacks of grain from them, because their markup is ridiculous. Other places will give you a discount.

They, of course, also specialize in hydroponic gardening, but that dosn't effect me either way.

They have moved and are now in Roselle, west of Irving Park and Roselle Road.

07-30-2008 21:29:44 | More by goethean