BYOB: BREW YOUR OWN BEER HOMEBREW SHOPS


2011 has been called the “Year of the Homebrewer” in San Diego. With the upcoming National Homebrewers Conference in June, many San Diegans will be looking at the art of homebrewing and local beer for the first time. There’s no time like the present to start brewing, San Diego. Here’s a list of top shops in town. Each shop is very welcoming to complete newcomers, so stop in to get started!


AMERICAN HOMEBREW


SUPPLY


(Kearny Mesa) Vance Hiler opened up American Home- brew Supply in 1996 because he wanted to stay in San Diego. With over 25 years experience homebrewing, Vance took his background in business management and combined it with his pas- sion of beer. What separates American Homebrew Supply from other shops in town? “Knowledge and expertise,” he claims. Vance is also the avid conversationalist, and he especially enjoys helping newbies - either by talking them through the steps of brewing or answering any questions. 9295 Chesapeake Drive, Suite E, San Diego, CA 92123 - (858) 268-3024 - americanhomebrewing.com


(Linda Vista) Colby Chandler, current Home Brew Mart GM, claims that many professional San Diegan brewers got started in his store. The grain selection is pre-loaded in dispensers, and the shop is very well laid out and maintained. There’s a tasting room in the back, and because Home Brew Mart serves as Ballast Point Brewing Company’s experimental craft beer laboratory, you are bound to see some delicious, seldom-seen beers on draft, cask, or nitro. The staff is a Mötley Crüe of characters, all of whom are knowledgeable and friendly. 5401 Linda Vista Rd # 406, San Diego, CA 92110-2402 - (619) 295-2337 - homebrewmart.com


HYDROBREW


(Oceanside) Hydrobrew opened in Oceanside in 2004. Lars Gilman co-owns the shop with his wife, Sonya. He is a graduate from the respected Siebel Institute of Technology brewing program, and has also worked as a brewer for Stone. Lars currently works as the head brewer of Breakwater Brewing Company. Like Home Brews & Gardens, Hydrobrew caters to the gardener as well as the brewer. The store offers free homebrewing classes the first Sunday of every month, and claims customer service as a main strength of the staff. 1319 South Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054 - (760) 966-1885 - hydrobrew.com


(Vista) This family run shop offers delicious cold pints and homebrew supplies. Located in what we refer to as the Syc- amore Circuit (the breweries that are located near Sycamore Avenue in Vista), Mother Earth hosts both craft beer events and homebrewing classes frequently. With a loyal following and fantastic, laid back tasting room, Mother Earth’s beer isn’t bad either. The release of their flagship Primordial IPA will be celebrated with a party on May 1st. Come for beer, food & music 12PM-5PM. 2055 Thibodo Road Suite H, Vista, CA 92081 - (760) 599-4225 motherearthbrewing.com


HOME BREWS & GARDENS


(North Park) Located just east of 30th in the sleepy Thorn Street business district in North Park, Home Brews & Gardens offers essential supplies for the home- brewer and gardener in everyone. HB&G offers monthly classes in their large open air venue behind the store. Pictured to the left is a hop rhizome from HB&G, taken March 19th. Hop rhizomes are available to homebrewers each spring, so why not grow your own full-sized hop plant? For a full listing of upcoming events at the shop, visit their website. 3176 Thorn Street, San Diego, CA 92104 - (619) 630- 2739 - homebrewsandgardens.com


*photos by Kristina Yamamoto: The Linkery, The Ritual Tavern, Sea Rocket Bistro, Hydrobrew, MEBC, p.7 background @ MEBC


MOTHER EARTH BREW CO.


HOME BREW MART


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