Brew It Yourself - Homebrew Beer & Homemade Wine Equipment & Supplies

Reviews 6

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Ray Benefield

Brew It Yourself is an invaluable resource for experienced brewers as well as beginners. They carry a large assortment of fresh grains as well as pretty much anything else you may need for making beer, wine, soda, candy, cheese and even vinegars. I have been a customer for about 5 years now and have never been disappointed. The pricing is very reasonable and definitely equal or cheaper than buying on-line from other stores once you include the shipping (plus no waiting). As for knowledge? The owner is as experienced as any Brew-Master around. He set me up with my first starter kit (an extract) and guided me every step of the way. I am now a very capable All-Grain brewer and have now brewed over 100 successful and very tasty batches. As for the comments about the owner being rude, nothing could be farther from the truth. Ray Philbrook (the owner) is very kind and patient and will take the time to make sure you understand what you are doing or what he is suggesting. He treats each person that walks in as an individual and will not interrupt helping them because someone else just walked in the door. I think this is where the misperception comes in. If you walk in expecting everyone to drop everything and move you to the front of the line, its not going to happen. Be nice, and considerate and you will get the same in return. Hell, he even has a table and chairs for your comfort while you are waiting. Bring a couple cold ones and relax while you wait. Or as another person suggested, just place your order on-line and it will be ready when you arrive. As for the place itself, yeah its a little dusty, but what do you expect? They mill your grains fresh while you wait! Give them a break! We are so lucky to have a place like this in North Houston. If I had to drive to the south loop, or Katy, or Humble every time I needed something, I probably would not brew very often. Knowledgeable, courteous, fresh ingredients, great prices! Seriously! Check it out for yourself.

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A Private User

On a whim, just over four years ago, I took a brief pit stop on my regular journey from Huntsville to Houston and stopped by this shop. $70 later, I was a homebrewer, and even though that first batch of beer wasnt great (seriously, if youre brewing a kit beer with extra malt extract, add some more damn hops!), the seed was planted. A couple months later, and Im in all the time, meeting other homebrewers at the monthly brew club meeting and throwing income I frankly didnt have to spare at my brewing endeavors. Ray Philbrook is an exceedingly knowledgeable individual and pleasant to just chat with -- contrary to some of the reviewers here, I rather like it when the proprietor of an establishment will just let me browse without undue harassment! Im in New York now, and frankly Rays brew shop is one of the few things I miss about Texas in general, and Houston in particular. Weve decent brew stores up here as well, but it just isnt the same. Having started at Brew It Yourself, I never really appreciated just how well-stocked the shop is compared to other stores before. Definitely check this place out if youre even sort of considering getting into home brewing or winemaking: to this day, I think of Ray less as a homebrew shop proprietor and more as a buddy who happens to sell me my homebrew supplies while he provides advice on the brew.

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Mark Rodenhauser

I really like this place, and I really like Ray. If you come in there when its slow and hes got time to talk, you can learn a LOT from him. My complaints are only that when it gets busy, they dont handle it well. You gotta be patient coming in there, and I am. Obviously I dont know what its like to run a LHBS, but Ive seen others handle it much better. They also have a huge space that I feel could be better used, but again what do I know!? Just comparing to the others in town. This is the best place to get you CO2 filled. Ray will charge you based on what he actually fit in your tank...not the size of your tank. If youve been running a keggerator for a while you should know theres a big difference. Hell put it in the freezer for you to help fit more if youre not in a rush to get it back. Thats the one place you wont feel overcharged unfortunately, but theyre also very upfront about that. Ray knows we can all order from AHBS, and for convenience I typically do, but when Im making a trip out that way, I dont mind paying a little extra to support what Im sure is a very difficult business to keep running.

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Kelsey Hardman

I have been to this shop twice. Both times i was very disappointed with the service. the grey haired guy who ill assume is the person that owns/runs the shop was very awkward and rude. during my first visit i was looking to buy a brewing starter kit/supplies( yes, im new to home brewing). It took the better part of an hour tor this guy to acknowledge my existence. Yes i understand that sometimes you can get busy and not be able to help someone right when they walk through the doors but this guy didnt say high, didnt make eye contact and completely ignored me when i would try to engage him in conversation for the better part of an hour. Im new to home brewing, i dont know exactly what i need or what something on an ingredient list is. basically unless your an expert brewer, have a list and know exactly what your looking for steer clear of this place or you might find yourself standing in a dirty funky smelling brew shop wondering how the hell this guy has managed to stay in business.

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Bill Mahoney

Initially found this place while searching for a place to get a CO2 tank filled. Id never brewed before so I was a little confused regarding the layout until I bought my first grains, hops and yeast. The first 2 times I needed my hand held through the whole process; so if I didnt have Rays attention or time to wait for other customers to be served I can see someone writing a bad review until you get a lay of the land. Walk in and head towards the right. It looks like youre not supposed to be there but...The grains are all in buckets; the dust is powder from all of the crushed grains (which you can do yourself or wait and Ray will do it for you) which is on a table to the right of the Kegs. Hops and yeast is in a fridge over to the side. Poke around and get a feel for all the options or just start weighing out and crushing your grains. Its close and simple; once youre over the intimidation of "all this stuff".

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Greg Deasaro

Ive been to several different homebrew shops in Houston and this is the best. Im an amateur Brewer with about 50 gallons done so far. The recipes and ingredients from this place have all tasted great. I like that he can help you make the same type of beer using several different formats (extract, partial mash, full mash) depending on your experience and equipment. Ive purchased several beer ingredient sets here and the guy at the counter is helpful without trying to sell you every super duper upgrade or new piece of equipment. He really wants to help you make your beer with whatever equipment you tell him you already have. Plus he charges for co2 by the weight he can actually get into your tank. Most places charge a flat rate based on your tank capacity and your out of luck if it doesnt fill to that amount. This place is reasonably priced and convenient if you live on the North side of Houston.

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