Brewtensils

There are some great homebrew supply stores online.  However, when brew day is only hours away and you find yourself missing an important ingredient or part, not even the fastest UPS shipping can save you.  Your local homebrew store, fortunately, can.

For this reason alone, it is incredibly important to support your "local".

Our local, Brewtensils, is located in the Belmont neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio and emerged from the back of the area's premiere craft beer store: Belmont Party Supply.  Forced to only occupy several shelves and some refrigerator space in the rear of the store, it was still the only true local destination for homebrew supplies.

A few years ago, Brewtensils "left the nest" and now commands its own store front next to the Party Supply.  Under the guiding hand of owner, Mike Schwartz and manager, Darren Link, Brewtensils has grown into a full fledged homebrew superstore.

In fact, it seems every time I'm in the store I find something else Darren has added to the inventory.  It drives me nuts, because my "I want" list just continues to grow.  Burners, air manifolds, glassware, it's all there.

Beyond beer, Brewtensils also has wine and cheese making supplies for those who gravitate towards the other fermentable hobbies.  Although I wouldn't mind taking a shot at cheese, making wine isn't high up on my "to do" list.  But, if it suits your fancy, they have you covered.

Outside of the retail aspect of the store, Brewtensils runs education classes, sponsors outdoor brew outs and plays host to DRAFT, Dayton's local homebrew club.  Whether you are picking up grain for your next batch or wanting to learn the basic aspects of brewing, there is something at Brewtensils for everyone.

Although we have all been dancing around the idea of buying a "group" mill for the Backyard Brewer's, I typically grind away at Brewtensils using their mill.  The new triple roller they have installed works great.  A little grinding action also gives me the chance to stand around and talk a little longer...it's almost a conversation piece.

Outside of the steady front door business, Darren has set up Brewtensils as an online store too.  With the continued increase in inventory and his expanding outreach, Brewtensils is exhibiting, in my opinion, staying power.  Over Christmas, I commented on how many starter homebrew kits were stockpiled at the front of the store.  After the holidays, they were almost all gone.  I imagine there were a lot of happy future brewers on Christmas morning.

20 years ago, Dayton didn't exactly demonstrate a strong populist support of craft beer.  The area's only brewpup shuttered 10 years ago and only micro brewery, 11 years ago.  However, amongst a certain demographic of the region, the love of craft beer is strong and growing.  The number of area pubs and bars serving good beer, tapping casks, filling growlers and hosting tastings is a strong testament to this surge.  The expansion and success of Brewtensils is another.

So, next time you are planning to brew, plan ahead and visit your local.  For my needs, Brewtensils is always on my list.  This is a local resource too important to not support and a savior for last minute brew day trips.  Stop in and check them out. You will be glad you did.

Miami Valley BrewTensils
2617 South Smithville Rd.
Dayton, OH 45420
(937) 252-4724

Blog: http://www.brewtensils.com
Store: http://www.schwartzbeer.com/BrewTensils/