Vermont Homebrew Supply

KingWillem

Vermont

5/5  rDev +25%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Just came back from buying a hard-cider set-up. Reading the reviews I'm flabbergasted by some of the negative ones. My experience is 180 degrees to the good. I peered through the window thinking the store was closed already. As I started to walk away to look next door, the owner (male) came out and asked in a friendly tone if I was looking to get in the store because he was indeed open.

Once inside, he was very helpful gathering all the equipment, asking me for choices of sizes, etc. As he was packing things up we chatted about the extensive beer coaster collection on the walls (that alone is worth the trip). Since I'm buying the set-up for my son-in-law and my daughter, he volunteered that they should feel welcome to get in touch any time and ask any questions as they get started. The guy couldn't have been more helpful and friendly!!!

And by the way, if I want wide aisles with everything in its place, I can find that at Costco. If you want a specialty store with knowledgeable staff, you've got to put up with "efficiently" packed shelves.

05-11-2013 22:16:16 | More by KingWillem

Rpp

2.45/5  rDev -38.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 1 | selection: 3 | $$$

I visited the store looking for an airlock I needed for my fermenter. The lady in the store asked me what I needed and I stated "an airlock". Immediatedly, a direct examination ensued about my process of making an IPA, a batch I was repeating for the 5th time. Without any hesitation, the lady asked "What do you know about beer? I replied that I have been brewing for over a year and that my experince was limited to nearly 100 gallons. Her condecending attitude drove me away from the store wondering why the attitude. I have been brewing for about a year, I have done three bavarian brewing tours in Germany and the Chez Republic, I have read, cover to cover, over a dozen books on brewing and considered myself reasonably knowledgable about the brewing process. Two recommendation for the lady: a. humility in a small busines will take you places and, b. "Relax, have a homebrew" Charlie Papazian.

11-17-2012 14:18:00 | More by Rpp

Philmeaux

2.33/5  rDev -41.8%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 1 | selection: 3 | $$$

The store was dirty and dusty. Small, would not take much to keep it a bit cleaner. Fairly decent selection, prices steep.

If a nicer person would have helped us out, and gotten us the proper ingredients without telling us all about how we are going wrong (by following an established learning to brew book recipe) and then selling me the wrong ingredients. I probably would have been a lot happier. (and happier finding them myself instead of him bagging the stuff up and handing it to me)

WTH? I found myself rubbed the wrong way and sorry that I spent money at this store.

04-27-2012 13:12:15 | More by Philmeaux

GermanHero

Vermont

4/5  rDev 0%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

This place smells awesome!

There were two people working when I went. Both were very nice. I was looking for a soda keg for my brother, and not being a brewer I was a little lost. So, I asked for help and the older gentleman was very helpful and explained to me what it was used for and how to pick a good one!

The selection was good, I also ended up talking with the other person, a lady. She was very nice and she explained to me what some of the hops and stuff were. She seemed very knowledgeable. She also gave me a few pointers on how to brew and told me to come back if I ever wanted to brew my own stuff.

Would defiantly go here again!

06-21-2010 19:37:41 | More by GermanHero

njmoons

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -25%
quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 4 | $$$

Stopped by when in the area on vacation. They had what I needed and could not get locally (Northern NJ) a couple of 5 gallon glass carboys.

Anyway the store is small, reasonably supplied, dirty with dust from the grain mill. I figure I could fill most standard all grain recipes based on what I saw.

The costs compared to my area and online, were on the high side.

There were 2 guys in the shop. A younger guy helped me and was nice. An older guy was being a jerk to some guy who was in a hurry. I have seen the other reviews of this store, and I guess this should be no surprise.

Anyway glad to have my glassware without going through mail order.

06-16-2010 12:58:45 | More by njmoons

dsartwell72

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I've been going here for quite a while now, and my view of this store has completely changed. When I first started homebrewing, the service honestly wasn't all that good. I didn't know very much, and the help didn't seem to want to help. Now that I've been there a few times I know that the staff is exceptionally knowledgeable and can help you with just about any problem, you just need to ask.

As far as products go, I am a partial-mash brewer, so I don't need entire bags of grain. For me, they have everything I need. Great selection of hops, pellets and whole leaf. A good selection of grain, although there have been a couple I couldn't find, but if you let them know in advance they can usually special order for you.

Overall, a very good place to shop for all your home brewing needs.

05-14-2010 08:19:17 | More by dsartwell72

kingcrowing

Vermont

4.45/5  rDev +11.3%
quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This is the best spot in the greater Burlington area for home brewing supplies & information. The couple that runs it really knows their stuff. If you're new brewing they can set you up with a cheap (~$80) kit or a high end all-glass kit (~$300). They have a ton of recipes as well, so if you're not sure what to do take a look in one of their books. They have a huge variety of barley/wheat as well as DME & LME so you can make your beer however you want.

They also have the cans that include everything you need (I've never used them) and wine kits (also never used) if you want to try something a little simpler.

Also, Winooski Beverage is right next door so if you need some inspiration just take a walk!

05-14-2009 17:17:53 | More by kingcrowing

shanem

Vermont

2.9/5  rDev -27.5%
quality: 3.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

This place is kind of the only game in town... The do have a lot, and since it is the only place, there's fairly good turnaround so everything is pretty fresh. They have a bunch of binders with recipes, I've tried a couple of theirs and they've turned out great. They carry just about everything for the beginner to intermediate brewing. Unfortunately the two people the work/own the place can be miserable. The lady that works there can be fantastic and I always hope she's there. She can be very helpful but I've seen her pretty moody and short with people sometimes also. The guy that works there can be an ass and seems to hate being there. I'll give him credit for my first time there, I told him it was my first time and he helped get me everything, but ever since then he just seems like a know it all who gives me the quickest shortest answers and makes me feel like an idiot for asking and forget about any follow up questions. Case in point, I wanted to make a vanilla porter, did a ton of research and went in and asked what he thought of the options I had and what the best approach would be for adding vanilla flavor, he replied with "I would leave it the hell out" and went about his business, there wasn't anyone else in there, so I don't think I was interrupting... just his usual demeanor. With a small local business where I can get anything cheaper online with less hassle I would expect better service, especially with such a specific small focus store.

04-02-2009 15:50:20 | More by shanem

davisdandrew

Quebec (Canada)

5/5  rDev +25%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

this is a really great store. i have been in stores that are 10 times as big that have 1/10 of the products they do, yet it is still quite organized and easy to navigate. i would highly recomend this place to any and everyone. the only thing i dont like about this place is they dont give discounts on whole bags of grain.
i had a posted a really bad review of this place but i think they saw my post and reacted immediately. thanks guys for a great store and great service. after my last few trips there, i cant help but feel a little bad about that review, sorry!

Best homebrew store i have ever been in. period.

03-24-2009 02:15:44 | More by davisdandrew

plaid75

New York

3.25/5  rDev -18.8%
quality: 4 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Located right next to the Beverage Warehouse in Winooski.

Upon entering the store seemed a bit cluttered and out of sorts. The front area was rather small, but did contain most, if not all of the basics.

Interestingly, it would seem that you can buy extract on a per pound basis, as there are large holding tanks with spigots. Obviously, this is a great feature for the extract and partial mash brewer.

The hop selection was good, especially considering I cannot find Centennial hops at my local place.

Unfortunately, the gentleman that was working that day was anything but friendly and gave me a bit of an attitude when I asked him about his extract tanks. Perhaps if this was my local place I would give him the benefit of the doubt, but not as someone passing through.

07-22-2008 15:34:34 | More by plaid75