Stein Fillers Brewing Supplies — Local services in Long Beach

I feel the need. The need for mead.

Fermenting it, that is.

Having designs to start fermenting the oldest known alcoholic beverage in the world, I began researching/watching videos, to see what I'd need. Being a longtime fermenter of kombucha, the process of making mead seemed quite similar. With a checklist of equipment and prices from online retailers, I made a visit to Stein Fillers to compare prices & gather tips from the staff.

A small, yet fully equipped home brewing supply store, Stein Fillers is stocked with everything necessary for a large macrobrew operation to the small scale home fermenter.

I found the merchandise to be competitively priced with online retailers. Prices were cheaper on some items, more for other items. In regards to buying fragile glassware, I have piece of mind knowing they are intact (unless I drop them on the way home), opposed to hoping shipping doesn't damage them.

Service was good. The woman working that day was pleasant and made insightful recommendations for me to start my mead adventure. Stein Fillers also conducts classes on beer brewing every month. Parking is in the front, with more behind the building. Stein Fillers is located adjacent to Happy's Liquor, across from Jack in the Box.

Here I go on my journey to ferment the nectar of the Gods. My trip to Stein Fillers has me giddy with anticipation to dip my proverbial toe into making mead. I came home with most of the equipment I need, the rest I can source cheaper, elsewhere. I'm already planning to come back soon to make more...

Great home brew supplies. Service was mixed. While one guy offered help and helped me find what I was looking for (no questions asked), at checkout, another guy became very condescending about wanting a non-bottling bucket.

I just wanted an extra bucket for sanitation purposes. I will be using my bottling bucket to bottle, so I wanted another bucket as a just-in-case to sanitize anything that may have become contaminated or I have forgotten. I don't need another bottling bucket, so I didn't want to pay more for a lid or spigot.

He became very condescending and said that I'm the first person ever in existence to ever want an extra sanitizing bucket. He said, "That's how we clean our fermentor." I told him I had a carboy, so that didn't help me. He then quipped that "We like to multitask." I would to, but if I'm USING my bottling bucket, which I use to sanitize things, I need another container if I want to sanitize things.

I get the impression that he views things as very black and white when it comes to home brewing. To me, the beauty of home brewing is that you can do things your own way (within reason).

It's a great store. But with service like that, I had to fight not to just walk out without buying anything. I think they're probably very helpful to new homebrewers. But if you don't do things the way they see it, you're stupid in their eyes. At least, it was like that for the guy...

I've been brewing since about 1990. And up until a year ago was living in Long Beach about a 10 minute drive from Steinfillers. I have to admit I have not brewed any beer in over a year so I have not been in Steinfillers for at least that amount of time. But my goto guy there is Chip. Large portly fellow with balding red hair and sometimes sports a beard that to me looks like if he let it grow would turn in to one helluva Santa Claus beard. Chip is super knowledgable and has a great even keel temperament. If I were starting out brewing, I would make sure to ask for Chip. Same goes for the most advanced brewer. He knows it all. The other guys there are sort of hit and miss. Helpful yes, but sometimes a bit lackluster with the help. That why I am giving them 4 starts, Chip gets 10! The others ... 4 ... a 2 .... another 4. Take my word for it,...