Keystone Homebrew Supply — Local services in Hilltown Township

I used to go to Keystone Homebrew frequently. I always prefer supporting a local business to one of the bigger online company. Their workers were always super friendly and always approached and asked if there was anything I needed. These simple questions would spark conversations about basic brewing tips and tricks. I am I recreational brewer so it was always awesome experiences.

I spent about a year out of town where I was unable to brew so when I returned in January I was instantly ready to start a new beer! I made 3 or 4 trips to Keystone and every time my experience was completely different from previous ones.

First trip in was to get familiar and look to get a couple things for a new beer. The workers in the store seemed more interested in talking to each other and being on their phones than helping me. Didn't pay too much attention though as this mediocre experience was outweighed by their previous track record.

Then a couple days later I came back and updated my brewing set with a new carboy, stopper and s-valve. I asked the sales person behind the counter if I was getting the right size valve for the carboy I was purchasing and they said it was. When brewing later that day I found out I had gotten a valve two sizes too big. I know I should have checked the manual or google before buying, however that was the purpose of asking the sales person. Preferring the human interaction. I don't mind the person not knowing the answer but at least find me someone or something that does. The wasted time and cost was nominal (3 or 4 bucks) but I started losing trust in the associates.

Then most recently I walked in to get my brand new CO2 tank filled as well as buy a corny keg. What was supposed to be my first day kegging! Only to be met with an associate with a condescending attitude telling me they only do exchanges and not refills. I expressed some confusion as the sign on their window specifically said 'refills' and the retort I got was 'well its only exchanges and that is what it's ALWAYS been.' Well then the sign has ALWAYS been misleading! On top of that he noticed my CO2 canister was new and told me I was going to have to go somewhere or ship it and pay to have it certified before I fill it. Again my first experience so I took his word for it. However at this point I had enough of the condescending attitude, so I decided I would be purchasing my keg elsewhere (also based on his advice about certifying a tank I assumed I wasn't going to be kegging until I got my CO2 tank certified and filled). I called a near by company that had online reviews about filling CO2 tanks. I spoke with the associate there and he seemed confused when I asked about needing to certify the tank. He explained as long as the tank was new, the tank is tested and certified for 5 years by law. The date of production is stamped in the metal on the tank and there is no need to certify a new tank within 5 years of production. My tank, being less than 6 months old, was well within the 5 year certification period. I was in and out of that store within 10 minutes. This was obviously very different outcome than what the Keystone Associate had tried to explain to me. Essentially the associate advised me to drive and or ship my canister when he knew nothing about the actual process!

So for the 3 straight times, I was met with a poor attitude and advice that was incorrect and would cost me extra time and money. I have started purchasing brewing equipment online (next closest store is quite a hike) and will continue to so for a period of time. I may try Keystone home brew again in the future, but maybe wait some time until their is a turnover or change of attitude in some of their associates. I hope everyone a different experience from my own, but personally have lost a great...

Loved this place! Since they opened, there's been so much great stuff, decent prices, and knowledgeable and friendly staff! Stuff you can't necessarily get elsewhere; great, fresh-milled grains, lot of selections, all the yeast/hops, etc.

However, over the past couple trips/over the past few years, we've noticed a slow degradation in the knowledgeability of the staff, their overall helpfulness, and their attitudes in general. That is to say, a lot of the newer hires haven't been nearly as good as the older staff. The actual store hasn't had any of that trouble -- if anything, there's always more and more wonderful things to look at or buy in-store! -- but we've encountered downright hostile attitudes from some of the employees. Our last visit had one employee offering a lot of attitude, giving us wrong information (but presented as if it was fact and we were idiots for daring to question her), and basically making us get a different amount of grains from what we wanted because she resented our forcing her to work 30 minutes before closing.

That encounter, coupled with the ease with which brewing supplies can be bought online now, ensures that we're not going back. It has been possible for a while to get things online but we had never wanted or needed to since we had Keyston Homebrew. But that was the last time. Which is a shame! I doubt they'll miss this one customer, but I really do hope they improve on their hires and find some less condescending people. We'd go back if that...

Helpful but not really. Employees asked if I needed help constantly even after I got what I came for and said I was going to browse! I drove about an hour to get there and felt like I was being rushed out. I mentioned it was my first time there and how much bigger it is then the other store I go to. No one offered me a sample, or showed me their favorite item, Items on sale! Actually I was looking at the clearance rack when the first person approached me, but no one ever asked if I liked anything in there. Do you need custom labels. They make them there but no one told me that. Just horrible retailing effort. I ended up leaving with less then 20$ in purchase. I would also add that if a VISA card is not signed its not valid. You can't demand ID. According to the merchant agreement you are only to...