LHBS - Please employ people that know what they are selling

[Jeltz]

Alas on my half dozen visits my most local HBS theres has yet to be anyone working there that knows anything about home brewing.

Today I rang to ask what varieties of malted grain and hops they sell the answer was "crushed pale malt", "and hops?" "I don't know". I'm pretty sure they have several different types of malt and more than one variety of hops. It was clear that they had no idea what I was actually asking them.

The staff are friendly but only seem trained in the use of the till, I've asked questions several times and only get blank faces, and never a suggestion to call back and speak to ....whoever it is that does the ordering! The lady today did pipe up with we also sell malt extract, in an attempt to be helpful. So obviously its not that the staff are jobsworths its that they haven't been given the training.

Its such a shame but even though its convenient I'm not sure its worth supporting the place!

 

[fbsf]

I know what you mean - whilst the one I've used just south east of Bristol is convenient, there isn't a huge stock of non-kit ingredients - just the pre-packed Youngs UBrew grains and hops.

This is fine for a novice like me, but I'm guessing I'm going to outgrow it, and once you have equipment, generally you have it for quite a time, so my visits will become less frequent if and when I go to the dark side.

 

[31bb3]

my lhbs is also a bit vague when you ask him for advice im lucky enough to be close enough to another shop which is very helpful and his knowledge is very good

 

[PD]

mines spot on the owner and his wife are both AG brewers and have come up " through the ranks. Need to know just ask need anything not in shop just ask fancy a glass of wine help yourself

 

[Jeltz]

Well unless the wholesaler or a rep is doing their stocking, someone knows what to order as they have a range of DME and LME as well as the various and numerous kits.

 

[RobWalker]

That's a shame. I value the advice at my LHBS because they're always very down to earth about it, not trying to ply more money out of you but telling you how to make best use of what they sell or subbing as required.

Not to be funny but to not know the products in the store whatsoever is pretty bad, you'd think they at least read the labels and take note...

 

[puravida]

Mine's good for advice and is friendly enough but the prices are shocking.
I needed some Cascade in a hurry last saturday so popped in. I got a vac-packed block of Cascade and it set me back almost £8 for 100g. When I got home I realised it was a 2009 harvest too! Just stops me wanting to shop there knwoing I can get much fresher, better packed hops for half that price online!

 

[Jeltz]

The Mrs wanted to go to a garden centre and needed a demijohn brush, so we headed of to that LHBS as it's attached to a garden centre.

I think met the guy that does the ordering today. I am advised that unless I want to do some kind of weird beers there is no point in going for all grain as the kits have become so good over the last 10 years that they are just as good if not better.

Well the fellas, looks like I've wasted £22 on a stock pot doesn't it!

 

[jaymondo]

when i was brewing kits i always bought them from the local chemist and didn't really expect them to give any advice on what they were selling. since i moved over to the dark side i've been using the copper kettle as its quite local. i have to say the service has been fantastic :thumb: i always get good advice and sometimes even a half pint of his own brew, just for sampling purpose's of coarse. :whistle: the only problem i have with them is i can't just pop in and pick up an order as we always start talking about brewing and before i know it i've been there for half an hour :rofl:

 

[RobWalker]

better :lol:

obviously a great brewer himself then...

 

[Devonhomebrew]

when i was brewing kits i always bought them from the local chemist and didn't really expect them to give any advice on what they were selling. since i moved over to the dark side i've been using the copper kettle as its quite local. i have to say the service has been fantastic :thumb: i always get good advice and sometimes even a half pint of his own brew, just for sampling purpose's of coarse. :whistle: the only problem i have with them is i can't just pop in and pick up an order as we always start talking about brewing and before i know it i've been there for half an hour :rofl:

I get that walk in would you like a coffee sir yes mate then we rant on for an hour or so about malts and hips and how ive been doing how hes been doing its always good but so much time and well you know...