Keystone Homebrew Supply

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5

Keystone is easily one of the better run homebrew supply shops that I know of in the "Philadelphia" area and I go out of my way to shop there. They keep it well-stocked and are quite helpful. The store is neat, clean, and well organized. They do a hefty business in wine-making materials, and also sell alot of "pub paraphenalia" like neon signs, bar towels, glasses and tap markers. The prices are fair and they host a lot of events there that are worth checking into if you're in the area.

11-26-2002 20:30:10 | More by NeroFiddled

francisweizen

Australia

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This is an awesome homebrewing store by the mall over in Montgomeryville. The quality of everything seems to be great, and their equipment is well priced. They have loads of malts, hops, yeast, and everything you need to brew up some nice beer here, and the service is great too. These guys got me into brewing beer and helped me brew my first batch. Great people, and a great store that is very close to me...luckily! If you are a homebrewer in any capacity and you every get up this way by the bucks/montgomery line, do yourself a freakin' service and check out this most-awesome homebrew store!

03-16-2006 16:12:57 | More by francisweizen

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +2.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

A great store staffed my knowledgeable, passionate people. I stopped in here a few weeks ago to get my wife a homebrew kit for her birthday. BA leftmindedrighty helped me get everything I needed for her to brew a nice Belgian white. Good tips I would not have known (like make sure to refrigerate your hops until you use them; was not obvious to me anyway).

We went back for a beginner home brew class earlier in the week, and then again today to get a couple additional items they recommended at the class. The class was great and has us fired up to try our first homebrew this weekend.

I don't have anything to compare to so go by the experienced homebrewer reviews if you're one of them. But if you're a dopey beginner as I am, this place is great.

HV

06-27-2008 18:56:49 | More by sholland119

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

So I finally decided to take the leap and get into homebrewing. Indeed as I type this, my first batch is in its 7th hour of fermentation.

There is a brew shop fairly close to me, and one in Philly that I could easily get to, but I decided to get my supplies from Keystone, based on reputation and word of mouth, and so far, I'd say the recommendations are justified. The shop is meticulous and stocked with pretty much anything you could ask for. Including but not limited to: beer-making kits, wine-making kits, cheese-making kits, bottles, caps, utensils, miscellaneous glassware, literature, sanitizer, fresh live yeast, fresh refrigerated hops, sugar, fruit extract, fresh barley, dry extract, liquid extract, brand name kits, and more importantly, kits assembled by the employees, all containing fresh ingredients for making a wide range of diverse beer styles, from witbiers to imperial stouts.

The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable about the craft, and can answer all your [relevant] questions. It's a bit of a drive for me, but I'd gladly go out of my way to get to this place for my brewing supplies from now on.

06-28-2011 03:05:15 | More by Rifugium

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +2.2%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

All right, this is my first homebrew store review so I don't have anything to compare it too. One needs at least two perspectives to be objectives, so I'm not sure how valid this will be.

The store itself is a bit tricky to find as its hidden behind another building as you're coming up 309. By the time you've seen it, you've passed it. Look for the blue Pa keystone logo on the sign on the side of the road and then immediately turn right.

The place seems packed to the gills with goodies. I'm not sure yet what they all do, but I assume I'll know in time. Is it cluttered or an efficient use of available space? I'll assume the latter. Their selection appears to be in order with plenty of ready made kits of varying difficulty standing by for the fledgling homebrewer. I'm not sure what else I can say.

The greatest asset I see this store having is a surplus of helpful individuals to answer all of your brewing needs. Every time I've gone there, there have been several people there and most are engaged in conversation with the staff. I've had great luck with talking with the staff about method and anticipating results of experimentation. This is far more priceless than any helpful forum. The service, if not anything else really makes me think highly of this place.

03-30-2008 20:12:25 | More by DarkerTheBetter

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -1.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This is my regular homebrew store now that I've moved to PA. Just like any good LHBS, it's jammed full of equipment and ingredients. Fortunately, the staff is always quick to help you find what you need and make suggestions about what to sub in to your recipe (helpful during the hop shortage) or improvements to your equipment. After I moved, I needed to replace a lot of my equipment and I found just about everything I needed here. They also have kegging equipment and fixtures as well as a small (but good) selection of brewing books. They have a great selection of hops (whole, plugs, pellets) and malt, plus a variety of liquid yeasts. I end up buying quite a bit of malt from them in bulk, which saves some coin. Highly recommended.

05-05-2008 19:20:19 | More by DrJay

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev -9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Just wanted to state that the new place is bigger and much needed. The few times I've been to the 'old' spot I was cramped next to hop pellets and boilers and various equipment. The new spot, everything is laid out nice and all your homebrewing needs are at your fingertips. There were about three people working there on a slow tuesday afternoon. Also a nice glassware selection at pretty good prices. Im picking up a Allagash glass next time im in. Also tons of empty bottles to stick ur homebrew in. Not sure if he still works here but ask for Aaron, super nice guy that knows his stuff.

03-26-2011 10:24:35 | More by onix1agr

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +3.3%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

This is a great LHBS. The employees are as knowledgeable as any I have ever seen. The store is tightly stocked for as small as it looks from the front. Once you get in side you will discover everything you need for all your home-brewing desires, even wine and cider supplies. The real advantage is the assistance you can expect. Prices are fair. You can find what you need. What else do you need to know? They host a home brew club and BJCP exams as well. This is worth a stop if you're a local Home brewer.
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

01-15-2008 20:45:28 | More by Phatz

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I am a beginner homebrewer, and have taken Keystone's "Intro to Brewing" class, and have now shopped there a couple of times.

The space of the new building is now very spacious, well organized, and has space for a classroom in the back. They have a diverse selection of equipment, books, and ingredients for beer making, but also wine and cheese making. They also have a section of glasses, tshirts, taps, signs, and other brewery swag.

The staff is super friendly and helpful. They seem more than willing to help out with any questions and help you assemble a recipe and ingredients. They sell what seems to be a wide variety of extract and then grain, hops, and yeast. they also have a large number of pre-assembled recipe kits for brewing any standard style you can think of.

01-09-2012 21:56:40 | More by jmdrpi

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +6.6%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Quality of everything in the shop is great. I actually picked up the gifts for my groomsmen in here a few years ago. Glass steins with pewter lids and emblems. Everything I've ever gotten from there has been top notch quality, from homebrew equipment, ingredients, pint glasses, and other collectibles.
The staff at Keystone really takes pride in service. They are sure to help you in any possible way, offer suggestions, take special orders, and share a wealth of brewing knowledge that is much appreciated.
The selection is great at Keystone. Rarely, I've asked for something that they didn't have. They are willing to order in certain products and offer suggestions for substitutions.
Most things are reasonably priced. The vintage tap handles have gone up in price but everything else is very reasonable and fair.

02-10-2006 18:58:21 | More by weeare138