Maryland Homebrew / MDHB Distributing

BeerisfoodLLC

Maryland

4.7/5  rDev +6.3%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

This is my go to spot for ingredients and basic supplies. They always have fresh ingredients and a wide selection of hops, grains, yeast etc. They will mill the grains on site and answer any questions you have. Prices are reasonable. Great staff and very knowledgable.

Its a little hard to find especially if you are not used to that area. Smaller space so it is a little cramped but they manage pretty well with what they have. They do not carry some of the more advanced equipment but they have every ingredient and piece of basic equipment you could ask for.

Worth the trip!

05-22-2009 18:13:12 | More by BeerisfoodLLC

StrangeBrewer76

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +5.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

It's a little cramped in there but an excellent use of space. More warehouse than retail store. You could get 1/4oz crushed grains just as easily as 50lbs.

The staff there is great. Very helpful, almost too helpful for the way I shop (wander around and wait for inspiration) but given the space there is always at least two employees within earshot waiting to help you.

Spectacular grain selection. I did not count but I'd guess 20+ in bulk. Now that I think of it they have an excellent selection of all of the ingredients (they even sell water at $8 for 5gal). Three refrigerators hold any kind of yeast or hops you could need or an adequate substitute.

All kinds of wine stuff there too but I haven't gotten into that yet.

They also have equipment for upgrades that one can lust over like a five gallon brew pot, 10gal fermenters, enough for a microbrewery, and all the mechanics for any elaborate keg system.

The only drawback is that if you are not from Columbia or familiar with the town you could easily get lost. Once you've been there though, you will find it easy to return to.

09-20-2008 17:47:54 | More by StrangeBrewer76

Mybeershoes

Maryland

5/5  rDev +13.1%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Place is great. I just started homebrewing and have rolled right into all grain. This place made it easy. Everything is where it should be. Place is always stocked. People are helpful and friendly. Need something? Its here. Some equipment can be a bit pricey, but not enough to send me searching the county for a brew pot or spoon. Hops and Yeast are easily accessed in the labeled refridgerators in the back of the warehouse. Its always fun to walk into the place on a Sunday morning and start shoveling grain into the electric grinder they have there.

09-16-2008 00:33:25 | More by Mybeershoes

Beauregard

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

MDHB has a good selection and a great staff. All the White Labs yeast and domestic/imported hops you could need, plus a good selection of grains. Full sacks of grain are available at very good prices, and anything they don't have on hand can be special ordered for no extra charge as long as it's distributed by North Country or another one of their suppliers. Prices for large equipment (burners, chillers, conicals, electronic gadgets) are usually better online. Everything else is fantastic to have locally and fresh, especially with such knowledgeable employees.

08-30-2008 04:48:05 | More by Beauregard

alejandro

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Having spent most my brewing days in the northeast, I assumed I would have to sacrifice a bit when I moved south (I guess I am a Northeast snob). Fortunately I now live a short drive from the MDHB. The employees there are helpful courteous and best of all, knowledgeable. I have been there and asked many questions, from the asinine to the thought provoking and each time they have been able to satisfactorily answer me. The store carries a wide variety of grains, kits, malts and equipment. If they don't carry it or they are out, they will offer a suggestion of where you can find it. If you bring recipes they will help you gather your ingredients, if you bring ideas they will help you think them through logically. This store and the employees have garnered my full respect and I am proud to count my self as one of their customers.

05-05-2008 02:30:15 | More by alejandro

joeysmokedporter

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev -2.7%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

Good availability of ingredients and supplies. I have brewed a variety of styles and have always been able to find all the ingredients from grains to hops to yeast that I needed for the batch. All the essential supplies are stocked; while not everything is available, the store will do special ordering. I have also seen them set aside items for people who request it when they do come in stock. The service here is top-notch with a very knowledgeable staff that can answer a lot of questions; I have even seen them guide beginners through the process of selecting their startup equipment and ingredient kits.

04-14-2007 11:26:11 | More by joeysmokedporter

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev -10.6%
quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I have used MDHB many times over the past several years and was there in person as recently as today. The quality of anything I have ever gotten here has been pretty good though over the years they seemed to have scaled down the variety of products they carry-which in turn looks like a lot less stuff is moving and more dust on the inventory.

That being said the service has always been very good and no matter who is working very,very knowledgeable. I have to say the selection overall is good and the choices of some of the more non-readily available grains is great. They have a self service grain area that is a breeze to use if you know what you want and how to go about it (could use bigger bags for full batches of grains).

There is a fair amount of wine making equipment as well. Not my thing but I would assume the knowledge and help is there as well.

My one gripe would be that even though they say "we ship UPS daily" if you place an order on say a Sunday the thing doesnt even get processed and shipped until they open the following Wednesday. I dont figure that as daily.

I usually stop here when I'm up that way from the Eastern Shore.

10-02-2005 01:39:19 | More by lackenhauser