Home Brew Shop Dublin

[The Mottly Brew]

HI Guys and Girls,

I am new here and need some very important feed back if it is allowed from here? I apoligise now if its not allowed.

I am setting up a home brew shop in Dublin and will be doing markets etc aswell selling home brew equipment and home brew kits for beer, cider, wine etc. 

I am just wondering what your members expect in a home brew shop obviously I can't supply everything but will stock the most popular items described by members.

Coopers and Youngs equipment seems very popular but just wondering what people actually use.

Any feed back welcome and I will obviously offer discounts NHC members.

Thanks

Ian

[Shane Phelan]

Hi Ian, its exciting to see the prospect of a Dublin based home brew store again! Do you brew yourself? The reason I ask was when I went to buy items in the last Dublin based home brew shop I always had questions about ingredients, hacking kits, recipes etc....

[Ciderhead]

You are about the third in as many months suggesting a Dublin based retailer, which would be great, what location were you thinking.
There is another recent thread on here where this was discussed.
Good luck with your new venture.

[The Mottly Brew]

Hi Shiny,

Yes I brew myself but mostly from kits for beers (easier ). I do make cider from apples which I buy from a orchard in swords.

Ian

[Ciderhead]

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,5480.msg68622.html#msg68622

I hope you enter your cider in our comp

[The Mottly Brew]

Hi CH.

I will be northside based just awaiting confirmation on a premises. I will have a industrial unit and will be doing product demonstration on Saturday mornings for anybody interested.

If anybody is looking for anything unusual I can source it through my suppliers if required.

I will or somebody else working for me will be doing farmers markets all over Dublin aswell and will post locations to all interested.

Ian

[The Mottly Brew]

Hi CH,

Its a bit dodgy at the moment too much sugar in last batch 

[delzep]

Hi Shiny,

Yes I brew myself but mostly from kits for beers (easier ). I do make cider from apples which I buy from a orchard in swords.

Ian

Are you in a confident position to answer questions about particular grains or yeasts

[The Mottly Brew]

Lads thanks for the questions, but the  question I asked was what do you want to find in a home brew shop.

I am an amateur brewer not an expert so no I probarly couldn't answer every question an expert could have but I can source every ingredient or equipment they wanted.   

I'm didn't come here to be questioned but thanks anyway.

[delzep]

No offence, but it seems like you need to do a LOT of research to be a success both practical and theoretical

To me to open a homebrew shop requires more than a 'you order it, I'll stock it' approach. Anyone can do that

[Ciderhead]

Actually some of the biggest players in the market have picked up their knowledge in the market as they have gone along, and if you are selling kits vast knowledge of grain or yeast is not a prerequisite but the basic of fermentation which you appear to have already by advising your cider has too much sugar!.
Ian shadow the forum for a couple of months have a look at the excellent kit wikis Lord Eoin has done and pay particular attention as to how to enhance them and you are away.
I think it was Tube saying on the other post "there can never be enough competition! Consumer FTW!"

[beerboar]

research is not what is need but a lesson in common courtesy and customer relations. i know i would(and have) avoid any shop/pub or company who spoke with as little respect as you just have.   

[Eoin]

research is not what is need but a lesson in common courtesy and customer relations. i know i would(and have) avoid any shop/pub or company who spoke with as little respect as you just have.

Ah lads, don't scare him off.

[Ciderhead]

I said nutin

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I would love to have opened a homebrew shop, nothing better than being paid for doing something you love doing. However I reckon a shop is unfortunately a thing of the past, with overheads such as typically €2000+ per month for a half decent sized shop, plus €5000 pa rates plus service charges ESB advertising etc. When you incorporate this into your prices plus a reasonable wage combined with the chances are that many of your customers will arrive to look at equipment/materials in the flesh, pick up free advice. then run home to buy off a guy operating out of his house on ebay. A friend recently closed his book shop, lots of customers browsing looking for recommendations then buying off amazon for their kindles.
I wish you the best of luck in opening a shop, and don't mean to come across as a party pooper,  but also wouldn't like to see you lose out, the farmers markets is a good idea, might be better to start with this plus an online shop, and hopefully as this builds consider opening a bricks and mortar one then, but the trend unfortunately seems to be in the other direction as businesses try to reduce costs.