Fermentation Solutions

 

27

110

Amy C.

San Jose, CA

My husband and his friend are learning the art of making their own beer. A friend of theirs recommended a visit to  Fermentation Solutions.

The three of us walked into the store with some confidence that we had the basics down on the brewing process, but once the owners Rick and Marie greeted us with "How may we help you?", all of our nervous newbie questions gushed out.  They patiently guided us on good first timer beers to brew, and materials and ingredients to use to make our first experience pleasant. We must have spent a good hour in the store asking them questions and not once did we feel they were trying to skoot us out the door.

For our adventure, we ended buying a few more tools (we had most of the equipment) and a kit that contained the ingredients, pre-measured, for a California IPA (about $31). They do sell ingredients individually, but for us the kit made the shopping list simpler.

The store is clean and organized.  They sell everything you need to make homemade beer and also wine (no grapes sold, though do ask for their reference of suppliers). The owners have been brewing both kinds for 30 years. I look forward to making more visits.

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6

37

Jennifer G.

San Mateo, CA

This place is great!  I started to make my own wine last summer with friends, and we've been to several of the bay area brew suppliers.  The store is bright, clean, organized, and has things in stock!  The staff is wonderful, helpful, and I really think they are starting to recognize us by face!  :)  Always nice to feel welcome!  

We go out of our way to give this wonderful place business - they are that good!

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4

18

Henry S.

Menlo Park, CA

When I'm allowed, I like to tinker with all-grain brewing.

This place is a godsend ! They have reasonably priced base malt, a good selection of modified malts and a pretty well stocked fridge of different liquid yeasts. I'm exceptionally cheap and like to improvise my own equipment but they've always had extra bits that I've needed eg bargain price 2nd hand carboys. What more can you ask for from a local homebrew store ?

Of course you can possibly save a few pennies online, but then you'd be missing the entire point - helpful staff, convenience and the whole ritual of browsing and pondering on ever more high-end brewing equipment... eg it really is time I replaced my soda bottles with a CO2 tank and some Cornelius Kegs.

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