Beer & Wine Hobby

AndyAvalanche

Massachusetts

4.16/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

From what I gather, it's a nice little homebrew store for beer and wine making. Very small place located in a industrial section of the town, but they seem to make the most of it. Everything in the store is as organized as they can be I think, some of the items are impossible to keep straightened out just based on what they are and everything seems to be in good working order. The service was good, my wife got me a groupon for a beer making class that I finally cashed in and we went for the class. The manager teaching the class was very passionate about it. He was good at answering questions and was very patient. After the class he of course offered a "one day only" coupon to buy more stuff in the store if you purchase a specific amount. I did anyway, I'm new to homebrewing, but really want to make the most of it. It was tough getting out of there at the end because most of the people in the class wanted to buy stuff and there were only 2 employees to help out. They had a lot of ingredients, supplies and cleaning products to get you going and plenty of selection. I don't have too much to go by on the prices, but it's cool that they do groupons, so that made it worth it. Kind of a hike for me to get there, but if I had time and was in the area, I would go back.

07-21-2012 14:34:51 | More by AndyAvalanche

bszern

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place is great, and (kind of) local. It is brightly lit, clean, and well organized. My only problem with the place is the hours. I live in North Attleboro, and trying to get there before they close during the week is a pain...anyone who commutes on I-95 Northbound knows what I'm talking about.

I would much rather shop here then the bigger online stores, and the large selection and personable customer service allows me to do so. The only hole in their inventory is a lack of strange Australian/New Zealand hops...but I haven't had to use those yet, so no big deal.

02-19-2012 22:55:01 | More by bszern

HillcrestBeer

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

This is my "go to" homebrewing supplies store. Things that they don't have in house, they can order for you. They always seem to keep their ingredients inventory very well stocked. They also have a great selection of beer kits of all styles to choose from. They are partial grain/extract kits. They also have a High Gravity series of kits that come out almost monthly. The Staff there are all very friendly and knowledgeable.

They also have a class for beginner homebrewers that's reasonably priced and worth checking out.

09-29-2011 20:47:08 | More by HillcrestBeer

BrittEBurke

Massachusetts

4.44/5  rDev +15.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

As most everyone else has stated, the storefront is a warehouse, sort of like a mini-Costco for home brew supplies. Much like a Costco, they don't have absolutely everything under the sun, but you are sure to find what you need. I have only ever purchased via the storefront, so I can't speak to online ordering. I've always found the staff to be friendly and helpful without being overbearing. When I don't have a plan, I tend to walk in and stare at the ingredient kits for a good long while. They will usually ask once if I need help finding anything, but never get pushy or try to sell me anything I don't want. For those who shop in store, they have a Frequent Buyer Program. They keep track of how much you spend in the store, and once you reach $500, you get a $20 gift certificate. A nice perk.

I purchased my startup kit (an Ultimate Beer Brewing Kit with Ingredients) from these folks about three years ago and all of the equipment has proven itself to be durable and high quality. I have stuck to brewing with extracts, so aside from purchasing a brew kettle, the startup kit contains everything I've needed.

I have brewed four batches with their "Recipe of the Month (ROM)" Kits and have been very pleased with the results. They contain high quality ingredients at a reasonable price. I've done the math, and you don't have a specific recipe in mind, you'll definitely save a few bucks buying a kit as opposed to purchasing all of the individual ingredients separately. The instructions that come with these kits could be a bit clearer, but are still very easy to follow.

Overall, a good store with quality ingredients and equipment and friendly staff. A short drive from Boston (provided you don't get stuck in traffic) and complete with ample parking. This is my go-to home brew store.

05-22-2011 18:07:11 | More by BrittEBurke

LynnHomeBrewer

Massachusetts

4.14/5  rDev +8.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Beer & Wine Hobby has helped me any question i asked them. The staff there has good knowledge and great advice. Kindest employees you could ask for. They don't try and push you to buy extra things or to spend more money. Very laid back warehouse Atmosphere and everything you need from growing hops or grapes to brewing beer, wine and tonics (soda)

Prices... seems like some people are concerned with high prices here. I really don't know how anyone can compare buying product here from another site online. Small example could be the price of Gasoline, might be expensive here but cheaper in another state (another example, Cost of Living). Playing devil's advocate here with pricing. Doesn't seem fair to compare a Boston based price with Texas, Ohio or Florida. I have no problem paying for good ingredients along with knowledgeable help.

I'd like the thank Beer & Wine Hobby for helping me along the way of one day being a Master Brewer.

02-24-2011 16:48:31 | More by LynnHomeBrewer

DrinkingDrake

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

I've only been here a couple times but I order online a lot. The place is not far from me but if I am really busy shipping is not that expensive and it is usually here the next day.

They have a great selection of grains, hops, and yeast. If they don't have what you need they are really good with giving you the best substitution.

As far as equipment goes they have everything a homebrewer would need. I've purchased almost all of my equipment through them and have never had a problem. They have great beginners kits for under $100.

They offer a wider variety of brew kits as well and if you are a part of the newsletter they usually let you know about new kits at least twice a month.

01-03-2011 13:28:32 | More by DrinkingDrake

IHC

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -6%
quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

I've been here many times and service is usually good. The staff is knowledgable. They've helped me develop better recipes and saved me from numerous trial and error batches. They're also honest with equipment purchasing; for example when I was thinking of purchasing a mill I asked which would be best? They recommend the barley miller as opposed to the corona. They told me that frankly the corona is cheaper but i'd be happeir if I waited and paid more for the better crusher! I couldn't agree more especially after having used both.

The store is a little pricey on some ingriedents like hops for example but they are really the only store within a reasonable driving distance for me! Compared to the place in cambridge this store has way more supplies and ingriedents.

12-09-2010 21:27:46 | More by IHC

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -17.8%
quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$$$

I have used this store on several occasion. when I picked up the ingredients for my first brew, I thought that this place was pretty darn good. they had everything I needed and pointed me in the right direction for items I needed to pick up. Since then I have gone to online ordering. I have compared orders I have made, and I usually end up saving well over 30% by ordering online and paying shipping. this place is a warehouse, with downtown boutique prices. the service is ok, but the savings from online buys far outweighs any benefit of face to face transactions.

11-16-2010 17:46:31 | More by rowingbrewer

CavePainter

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +20.1%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is the way it is done - warehouse style. Makes a lot of sense to me.

Measure your own grains. Search the shelves for kits. Great selection of hops. Lots of beer brewing guides. Buy kits, tubes, wort chillers, bottles, yeast...you name it and they've got it.

Staff is friendly and helpful.

I wish that there was a place like this on the south shore. I willingly went to Beer and Wine Hobby from Plymouth, Ma when I needed supplies. There were a lot of places closer and on the way, but this is the place to go. Now that I am in the Boston area, I still make the trek or order online.

06-15-2009 18:21:07 | More by CavePainter

BetterDarker

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

Great selection of grain, okay selection of White Labs yeast, though what they do have is fresh. Checking out can be a bit of an ordeal as it seems like the guy I always get doesn't know the SKU's very well. A little pricey on the DME, but I love the warehouse type atmosphere. No frills here, just what you need and plenty of it. If you're into making wine they also have lots of kits, and each fall they get fresh, pasteurized with no preservative cider. The staff if is unobtrusive and friendly.

05-20-2009 01:34:11 | More by BetterDarker