Home Sweet Homebrew

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +9.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I can remember visiting this shop back in the late 1980's, when it was on the opposite side of the 2100 block of Sansom Street. It is now directly next to Fat Jack's ComicCrypt, making it part of a double-feature for me when I am in town. Yes, I am a (mostly) reformed fanboy, but at least shapudding is building up a nice collection of Harley Quinn.

It is run by none other than George Hummel and Nancy Rigberg, both beer luminaries in their own right (write, since they do that, also), with George the PHL beat writer for Mid-Atlantic Brewing News. They also get some assistance from their two caramel-colored cats, who have free run of the place, so if you have allergies, bear this in mind. I have known George for years and although I am not a homebrewer, he always finds time to chat and I have built up a nice stash of glassware through him.

As you enter the door, there is a rack of current and back issues of MABN along the wall. In front of this rack, and running the length of the wall to the back of the store, is a set of plywood shelves. These shelves are where George keeps the various malts, as well as the aforementioned glassware. Further back are "The Spice Corner" as well as the winemaking supplies. All of the way in the back is a small book rack and the glass counter with the register. They keep a lot of the brewing-related chemicals in the glass counter. To the right of the counter is a cooler with hops from A to Z (amarillo to zeus, a tip o' the wood to Nancy for that one) in the left side and various Wyeasts on the right side. Why Wyeast?, I asked, knowing that there are choices. The response was that they have always gotten good results from Wyeast. Fair dinkum! Along the right wall is another set of shelves, these containing Cornelius kegs, gallon jars of assorted honey, and finally, the extract kits for beer. The entire space is bisected by a waist-high set of shelves with bottle caps, corks, bottles, and miscellany.

Bottom line: I know so little about homebrewing as to be labelled an ignoramus, but if George and Nancy can point things out to me and help me to understand what I am looking at, then the experienced homebrewer should be right at home. Drop in, say hello to the cats, and have a blast.

07-11-2005 01:54:59 | More by woodychandler

leeenglewood

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +14.1%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5

I find this to be the single best homebrew shop in the Philadelphia area with an exceptional selection of grains, extracts, and yeast. The only problem i sometimes have is that they have such a high turnover on their inventory it is sometimes hard to walk in there and have them have the yeast you want right there. I for one find no problems with this because it means that they sell the freshest ingredients and if you call a couple days ahead they will make sure whatever you want is there within a few days. The proprietors George and Nancy are always willing to help out with a recipe and what i find to be the best part of this store will tell you when you are going wrong and wont try to sell you something that you don’t really need or offer a more economical alternatives to the situation that you might offer them. Their location offers loading parking for free so you don’t even need to look for a spot as long you can be quick with your selections. A first class homebrew shop all around and a must stop for any home brewer in the Philadelphia or even tri-state area.

07-16-2003 01:40:59 | More by leeenglewood