I’m not going to lie to you. Your first purchase towards homebrewing will cost you at least $100. But don’t worry, once you have the equipment every purchase after that will be significantly less. Just think of this as an investment to your future of drinking delicious, crisp, and perfect beer and mead. Because Jason and I live in Orange County, CA we tend to go to the following three homebrewing shops. (But during our SD brewery hopping excursions we have stumbled upon a few homebrewing shops that we liked).
I really like this store. It is in Long Beach and I found the staff very helpful and courteous. You can also buy grain where they mill it for you without any additional cost. They are well-stocked and well-priced. They also have a beer prayer that I must share with you all…
“Our lager, which art in barrels, hallowed be thy drink. Thy will be drunk, I will be drunk, at home as in the tavern. Give us this day our foamy head, and forgive us our spillages, as we forgive those who spill against us. And lead us not to incarceration, but deliver us from hangovers. For thine is the beer, the ale and the lager, forever and ever. Barmen.”
This store is located in Laguna Niguel. My experience in this store varies. I stopped going on weekends because the line tends to build up. I have had bad and good customer service here depending on the staff. Also a lot of their items tend to go out of stock so I suggest calling them before trekking to the store.
Located in Fullerton, this store is hidden from the public eye. It is a small homebrew shop but it does carry the necessary items for brewing. They also offer grains that can be milled in the store at an additional cost (I think it may be $1 or so, which isn’t bad at all).
I also tend to purchase things online because sometimes there are these crazy deals that are just too good to pass up. For instance, there was a buy one, get one free sale for a Better Bottle that was $20! I would just sign up to receive their catalogs. Remember to consider shipping fees as well. The following are some websites I frequent:
- Northern Brewer: Before checking out, remember to google Northern Brewer coupons or promotion codes to get the most deal.
- Midwest Supplies: Join there rewards programs to get more deals.
- MoreBeer: Free shipping over $59
- Home Brew Mart: Check out their monthly specials
- Austin Homebrew Supplies: Frequent sales and coupon codes
- Seven Bridges Cooperative: Certified Organic Brewing Ingredients
Brewing Together 