How DO You Brew

Wow! What a bunch of oversensitive girlie men posting reviews on Unilocal! Ive been going to How Do You Brew for about a year now… great selection of grains and hops as well as equipment… They even have classes periodically on brewing… the staff have always been very friendly and helpful… they aren’t pushy but if you ask they’ll help… admittedly some staff are more knowledgeable that others… a couple times I asked questions and someone called me later to answer the questions which is fine… Overall a great place.

Customer service non existent.
I went in here to buy a regulator because I want to use it to make seltzer. When I walked in I was greeted and informed what isle they would be in. After finding nothing the employee came over and showed me but didn’t know anything about the specifications because «she’s not into kegging». So I try to ask general questions but she keeps repeating herself that she doesn’t know anything about the reg. She seemed annoyed that I was asking her questions about products they sell. When I bring up her attitude and ask if there is anyone around who can help she tells me to «chill out». We end it at that and I walk out. Too bad, because I was ready to spend money at a local merchant instead of online.
Pros:
–Great selection of bottling equipment
–Good selection of grains /​home brewing supplies
–Good location if in Newark
Cons:
–Customer service /​Employee attitude

I agree with other reviewers about the main problem here being customer service. The grain selection is pretty great. The hop fridge is super stocked. The wet yeasts could use a few more options (esp. sour/​wild yeasts), but all in all this place has the best local retail selection I’ve seen for home brewers.
However, the girls behind the counter are FIERCELY standoffish and seem bothered by basic customer interactions. Might be me, but brewers seem to like to talk to each other and that’s a benefit local shops can offer over brew supply websites. Seems like a missed opportunity to nurture their customer base and help people get better and farther into their hobby.
As much as I’d like to support the local guy, I’ll be going here for odds and ends if I forget something on my Northern Brewer or Midwest order, but I won’t be making this my go to supplier.

Would rate 3 ½ stars.
OK, got into home brewing 20 years ago and have been to many home brew supply stores. This place has just about everything you REALLY NEED to brew your own beer and make wine. Of course, there is always going to be some kind of obscure piece of equipment they don’t have or some strain of yeast they don’t carry or they may run out of a hops or 2. But all in all, these guys do a pretty good job of carrying the essentials and beyond.
Most of the staff are very helpful with questions, and they seem knowledgeable since they all claim to brew and make wine. Some of them seem to annoyed if you ask a question. One clerk was annoyed that I showed up with a grain order. He wanted to know why I didn’t email to the store so he could have had it ready when I got there.
Anyway, brewing your own beer and wine making is a lot of fun. These folks have what all beginners need and 99% of what an all-​grain brewer would need. Just wish the one young man was a little friendlier. Would very much recommend buying a starter kit from these people (wine or beer).
Lastly, they insist on milling all the grains for you. Other home brew stores are self serve and there is no signage to state that. So not knowing, I went to mill some 2 row and got scolded. Oh well – maybe I need to just buy a grinder for my own use at home.