Home Brew Marketplace

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Date: 11 Aug 2006 12:57:39
From: Brian Foster
Subject: Home Brew Marketplace

I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing my
own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.

He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They had everything
you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you could leave your batch
there to ferment and come back and bottle or keg it. Obviously they charged
for these services but he said it was so nice because everything you needed
or wanted to try was right there for you to use.

I live in TX and think this concept would be great. For no other reason,
just because it's so damn hot here. Wort chillers, lager refrigerators, etc
all take up room and seem to have the uncanny knack of upsetting my wife
when I bring them home and need to throw something else out of the garage to
make room for them :)

Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?

Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
said "they went out of business" :(

Thanks

Date: 11 Aug 2006 11:09:29
From: Wayne
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

Brian Foster wrote:
> I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing my
> own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.
>
> He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
> where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They had everything
> you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you could leave your batch
> there to ferment and come back and bottle or keg it. Obviously they charged
> for these services but he said it was so nice because everything you needed
> or wanted to try was right there for you to use.
>
> I live in TX and think this concept would be great. For no other reason,
> just because it's so damn hot here. Wort chillers, lager refrigerators, etc
> all take up room and seem to have the uncanny knack of upsetting my wife
> when I bring them home and need to throw something else out of the garage to
> make room for them :)
>
> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>
> Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
> said "they went out of business" :(
>
> Thanks
>

In theory, a Brew on Premise (BOP) is a great idea. The reality is
something else. One just recently opened in Omaha. Our club members
are waiting for it to go broke so we can buy the equipment cheap. This
new BOP does only extract brews. The folks that own and run it have no
background in brewing (homebrew or otherwise). They purchased a turn
key package that included all the equipment and 2 weeks training. The
brews end up being very expensive as well as mediocre. They do have a
license to sell beer, so that may keep them afloat for awhile.

The feeling around here is that places like this one will actually hurt
homebrewing in the long run in that people will try it once at a BOP and
decide that homebrewing is too expensive and you can only make crappy beer.

There really aren't any good BOP's around because you simply cannot make
enough money at it to keep it going.

Your best bet is to find a brewbuddy with lots of room. Jointly buy a
decent set of equipment to keep at his house and brew together. This
way you can both have a better setup than what either might have alone.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

Date: 11 Aug 2006 15:44:23
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:57:39 GMT, <brianfoster@houston.rr.com > wrote:
> I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing my
> own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.
>
> He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
> where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They had everything
> you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you could leave your batch
> there to ferment and come back and bottle or keg it.

...

> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>
> Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
> said "they went out of business" :(

What you're talking about is a BOP (Brew On Premesis). Unfortunately, they
all went out of business in the US (or at least almost all of them). They
do still exist in Canada, if I recall, but I think you're going to have a
really hard time finding one relatively close.

John.

Date: 11 Aug 2006 16:17:14
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

On 11 Aug 2006 15:44:23 GMT, <spam@shagg.net > wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:57:39 GMT, <brianfoster@houston.rr.com> wrote:
>> I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing my
>> own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.
>>
>> He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
>> where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They had everything
>> you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you could leave your batch
>> there to ferment and come back and bottle or keg it.
>
> ...
>
>> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>>
>> Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
>> said "they went out of business" :(
>
> What you're talking about is a BOP (Brew On Premesis). Unfortunately, they
> all went out of business in the US (or at least almost all of them). They
> do still exist in Canada, if I recall, but I think you're going to have a
> really hard time finding one relatively close.

FYI, they also tend to be a lot more expensive than homebrewing. I think
that's probably one of the reasons they didn't last very long around here.
They were intended more towards casual brewers who just wanted to try it
a couple times, rather than someone who really wanted to get into the
hobby. As a guess, I think that most of the BOP market ended up with
Mr Beer kits instead and stopped going.

John.

Date: 13 Aug 2006 18:51:36
From: Andy McKellar
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

John 'Shaggy' Kolesar wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:57:39 GMT, <brianfoster@houston.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
>> I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with
>> brewing my own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped
>> years ago.
>>
>> He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also
>> set up where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They
>> had everything you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you
>> could leave your batch there to ferment and come back and bottle or
>> keg it.
>
>
> ...
>
>
>> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>>
>> Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew
>> place, he said "they went out of business" :(
>
>
> What you're talking about is a BOP (Brew On Premesis).
> Unfortunately, they all went out of business in the US (or at least
> almost all of them). They do still exist in Canada, if I recall, but
> I think you're going to have a really hard time finding one
> relatively close.
>
>
> John.

We have had a few BOP's in the north Dallas area over the last few
years. There are still a few around focusing on wine, but the beer
BOP's, so far as I know, have all failed. I suspect that they simply
cost too much in operation, and bring in too little revenue per batch,
to pay the rental and utilities on the space and also yield a reasonable
profit.

Besides, where's the fun in homebrewing if it isn't really at home?

-- Andy McKellar
Dallas, TX

Date: 14 Aug 2006 01:06:09
From: Dick Adams
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

There is a Brew-on-Premise" at the Flying Barrel in Frederick,
Maryland (http://www.flyingbarrel.com) that costs $95 for 10
gallons. They supply all ingredients includeing up to 20 lbs
of LME. It's the only BOP of which I am aware. However, a
web search of "brew on premise" produced 17,500 hits worldwide!

Dick

Date: 13 Aug 2006 19:54:41
From: Richard Kaszeta
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

Andy McKellar <mckellar@airmail.net > writes:
> John 'Shaggy' Kolesar wrote:
> We have had a few BOP's in the north Dallas area over the last few
> years. There are still a few around focusing on wine, but the beer
> BOP's, so far as I know, have all failed. I suspect that they simply
> cost too much in operation, and bring in too little revenue per batch,
> to pay the rental and utilities on the space and also yield a reasonable
> profit.

Vine Park in St Paul, MN is still around (or was two weeks ago when I
was there). They seemed to do a pretty good business, although it was
a bit pricey compared to actual homebrew (around $150 for 12.5
gallons, bottled in 22 ozers, IIRC, and you had to use their bottles).

--
Richard W Kaszeta
rich@kaszeta.org
http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

Date: 14 Aug 2006 11:29:23
From: Dan Logcher
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

John 'Shaggy' Kolesar wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:57:39 GMT, <brianfoster@houston.rr.com> wrote:
>
>>I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing my
>>own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.
>>
>>He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
>>where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They had everything
>>you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you could leave your batch
>>there to ferment and come back and bottle or keg it.
>
>
> ...
>
>
>>Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>>
>>Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
>>said "they went out of business" :(
>
>
> What you're talking about is a BOP (Brew On Premesis). Unfortunately, they
> all went out of business in the US (or at least almost all of them). They
> do still exist in Canada, if I recall, but I think you're going to have a
> really hard time finding one relatively close.

HUH??? I've got 4-5 within 20-60 minute drive from me.
http://www.barleycorn.com/
http://www.incredibrew.com/
http://www.deja-brew.com/

There was another I visited, but can't remember the name or if they
have a website.

--
Dan

Date: 11 Aug 2006 08:26:43
From: Randal
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

Brian Foster wrote:
> I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing my
> own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.
>
>
> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>

There is a homebrew shop here in Colorado Springs that does this. Where
in Texas are you? I've been away for a while but I think the only
homebrew shop in the Dallas area was Homebrew Headquarters near
Richardson or Plano.

_Randal

Date: 11 Aug 2006 08:26:16
From: Randal
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

Date: 11 Aug 2006 10:35:56
From: Gerard Eberlein
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

I'm kinda lucky I guess. My brew club only charges dues of 424 a year and
includes the use of their PICO system. I haven't tried it yet but I may in
the future.

Gerard

"Brian Foster" <brianfoster@houston.rr.com > wrote in message
news:79%Cg.3045$1D.1458@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing my
> own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.
>
> He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
> where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They had everything
> you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you could leave your batch
> there to ferment and come back and bottle or keg it. Obviously they
charged
> for these services but he said it was so nice because everything you
needed
> or wanted to try was right there for you to use.
>
> I live in TX and think this concept would be great. For no other reason,
> just because it's so damn hot here. Wort chillers, lager refrigerators,
etc
> all take up room and seem to have the uncanny knack of upsetting my wife
> when I bring them home and need to throw something else out of the garage
to
> make room for them :)
>
> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>
> Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
> said "they went out of business" :(
>
> Thanks
>
>

Date: 11 Aug 2006 10:37:19
From: Gerard Eberlein
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

"Gerard Eberlein" <dormouse@charter.net > wrote in message
news:mB0Dg.22$uJ5.16@newsfe02.lga...
> I'm kinda lucky I guess. My brew club only charges dues of 424 a year and
> includes the use of their PICO system. I haven't tried it yet but I may in
> the future.
>
> Gerard

oops...I meant $24 a year...lol

>
> "Brian Foster" <brianfoster@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:79%Cg.3045$1D.1458@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> > I told my brother (back in RI) that I was getting involved with brewing
my
> > own beer and he told me he really enjoyed it but stopped years ago.
> >
> > He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
> > where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They had
everything
> > you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you could leave your
batch
> > there to ferment and come back and bottle or keg it. Obviously they
> charged
> > for these services but he said it was so nice because everything you
> needed
> > or wanted to try was right there for you to use.
> >
> > I live in TX and think this concept would be great. For no other reason,
> > just because it's so damn hot here. Wort chillers, lager refrigerators,
> etc
> > all take up room and seem to have the uncanny knack of upsetting my wife
> > when I bring them home and need to throw something else out of the
garage
> to
> > make room for them :)
> >
> > Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
> >
> > Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
> > said "they went out of business" :(
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> >
>
>

Date: 11 Aug 2006 08:32:39
From: The Artist Formerly Known as Kap'n Salty
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

Date: 11 Aug 2006 14:56:43
From: Joel
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

The Artist Formerly Known as Kap'n Salty <mikey666@666swampgas.666com > wrote:
>> He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also set up
>> where you could come in and use the store's equipment.

>> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?
>>
>> Alas, I asked my brother why he stopped going to this homebrew place, he
>> said "they went out of business" :(
>
>They're called BOPs (Brew on Premises) -- I don't think they ever caught
>on in the states, but I'm not sure. Try a google search.

Yeah, there were some around circa 10 years ago, but
all but one that I know of within a two-hour drive from
me (that includes Chicago and St. Louis) went out of
business awhile back. I suspect the hard core end up
homebrewing, and there aren't enough casually interested
people around to stay in business.
Incidentally, the one that still exists (last I heard)
is Rhodell Brewery in Peoria Illinois; it doubles as a
brewpub.
--
Joel Plutchak "Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and
plutchak@[...] sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea
is quite staggering." - Arthur C. Clarke

Date: 11 Aug 2006 13:35:05
From: Don Levey
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

The Artist Formerly Known as Kap'n Salty <mikey666@666swampgas.666com > writes:

> Brian Foster wrote:
.
> > He told me that he used to brew at a homebrew store that was also
> > set up where you could come in and use the store's equipment. They
> > had everything you needed to brew up what you wanted and then you
> > could leave your batch there to ferment and come back and bottle or
> > keg it. Obviously they charged for these services but he said it was
> > so nice because everything you needed or wanted to try was right
> > there for you to use.

>
> They're called BOPs (Brew on Premises) -- I don't think they ever
> caught on in the states, but I'm not sure. Try a google search.
>
Out local brew club (Central MA) meets in the local BOP.
--
Don Levey $ cd /pub
Framingham, MA $ more beer
NOTE: email server uses spam filters; mail sent to salearn@the-leveys.us
will be used to tune the blocking lists.

Date: 12 Aug 2006 04:09:48
From: Adam Preble
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

Brian Foster wrote:

> Do any of you folks know of places like this? Where are they?

It's so funny you mention that today. I was at Austin Homebrew in the
morning and there was some flyer advertising a shared crazy all-grain
setup. It looked like a large all-grain setup that could produce up to
1.5 kegs (sanke IIRC) of wort. The fermenting had to be done off
premises, and there was a training class involved.

IMO I think it's a dumb idea at this point because I like to muck around
while making beer, and have a beer or two in the process. I don't think
heading out someplace and doing that isn't going to go so well.

Date: 11 Aug 2006 11:12:43
From:
Subject: Re: Home Brew Marketplace

John 'Shaggy' Kolesar wrote:

> What you're talking about is a BOP (Brew On Premesis). Unfortunately, they
> all went out of business in the US (or at least almost all of them). They
> do still exist in Canada, if I recall, but I think you're going to have a
> really hard time finding one relatively close.

They're *everywhere* here in Ontario... though they mainly cater to the
wine kit market. Apparently there isn't much money in BOP beer other
than kits... most establishments I know of that were set up to handle
all-grain are now kaput. There's one in Hamilton that still goes AG
though.