LHBS

[dennisking]

Visited my LHBS today, first visit in a few months as I buy the bulk of my needs from Rob, but still like to go there occasionally as I've known him nearly 30 years. He told me he is now going to stock less grains, hops and other all grain bits as he is selling a lot less of it. He says the kit side of things is booming but he is now finding to many ingredients are going past their sell by dates so he can't sell them, he gave a bag of brown malt several months past it's date. No CRS, one of the things I wanted and he is not going to re-stock. He reckons it's because several of his regulars have moved back to kits :wha: and he can't compete with internet prices. Sad in a lot of ways but the last sack of malt I bought from him a few years back was nearly £40. In those days he always had a few in stock but not seen any in the shop for a long time now. Still managed to spend £40 though, just hoping he will still sell things I need in a few years time.

 

[cnelsonplumber]

I'm surrounded by LHBS, some better than others. I still like to support as many of them as possible with trade although I get most of my major ingredients from Rob.

Never know when you might need some odd ingredient during a brew. :-D

 

[TonyT40]

I went in my local shop last week. I only brew beer kits (for now anyway) and make country wines. I noticed the hike in prices against the internet and on better brew kits his price was a few quid above rrp on some items . Most stuff is at the going rate. Its a catch 22 because the hbs need to make their profit but unless they stay competitive people will stop going as most on line sellers (the bigger ones anyway) offer free postage if you buy enough. They have a website but to be honest its not very good and it is so easy now to get a good well laid out eshop (swmbo runs one if you like country style home accesories! http://www.homesanddreams.co.uk ) and it was easy to set up using a template for about £20 per month)

I like going in my LHBS to browse the shelves and nearly always come out with something (its where I bought my first starter set). The advice is always well received. Every time I go in there is always somebody buying these high alcohol kits and essesnces.

Keepyour local home brew shop alive!

 

[Baz Chaz]

LHBS is something we just haven't got, we simply have to rely on 'tinternet

 

[rpt]

My LHBS (local to work) is quite small and half of it is a cake decorating shop. His equipment is mostly comparable (or even cheaper) to online and his kits are slightly more expensive at RRP. His grain and hops are much more expensive though. I was also surprised at how rubbish his yeast selection is. I think the only beer yeasts were the Youngs ale and lager.

 

[bobsbeer]

LHBS is something we just haven't got, we simply have to rely on 'tinternet

+ plus one. There is a retailer just off Kendal market place but very poor stock.

 

[eggman]

I'm lucky that I have a proper lhbs local to me, I get most of my stuff from him and he's pretty competitive on most things apart from the hops which are.....£7 for 113g :shock: :shock:

 

[doyley]

My nearest LHBS is about 12 miles away, with difficult parking and silly prices. I tend to by most of my stuff of the net, but I do try and by stuff from an excellent pub about 23 miles away which runs it's own HBS. A trip there, a few pints, stock up on what I need, and a wander round the local shops. A good day out, and an easy train journey back.

 

[peelman]

I have a couple of LHBS near to where my head office is. I'm there at least once a week. I go there when I can but I have never seen anybody else in there! I cant see how they can possibly stay open for much longer?? :nah:

 

[alawlor66430]

I've never been in a lhbs in my natural cos there's none anywhere near me, it's nice to feel sentimental about local shops but in today's financial climate you can't go past the good deals online and the malt millers got great prices. It's an unfortunate situation for people trying to run shops but it's just a sign of the times

 

[dennisking]

A lot of the problem is the price he pays from his wholesalers, in Cliffs case Brupaks and Youngs. The shops could do with more choice of wholesalers.