Basement BrewHaus

So I just got an email from Unilocal quoting Karen S.‘s review. Her «husband is a home brewer, and when he needs an ingredient,» equipment, or even just guidance, «this is by far the best local option. They are better stocked than anyone else in the area and always helpful.» [Apparently, they offer guidance, which Unilocal inserted.]
All right. As a Providence denizen, let me just say that there is NO ONE ELSE in the area, OK? There are no other home brew supply stores in Providence proper.
Comparing Basement Brew against the REAL home brew supply shops in Rhode Island, they are not properly stocked, they may be closed at a moment’s notice, the service is not professional, and they are not competitive. Mitch K. clearly had the same experience as I did. You call them ahead, since you live in the hood on the West Side and they’re in the hood near the State House — It’s not exactly a scenic afternoon drive. They say «yea, we have it.» And then they don’t. They say «Yea… we’ll be open.» Oops… sorry, they won’t. And if their doors ARE open, you’ll have to really be on your game and get the shopkeepers to focus. «Like think reeeeally hard… with your MIND, man… do you have it?» Uh… no. They ran out. But possibly, you’ll fight off a massive swarm of nasty flies (like a superhero), and buy something for brew day, without leaving good old Providence.
Deciding to buy something there was your first mistake.
Who needs all that nonsense? Get out of the Basement and go talk to Steve at Blackstone Valley Brew.

They lost my business forever, although maybe they’re now closed forever? My brother and I were finding it hard to come here as they always seemed to be closed when we would call, and this past Saturday we decided to give it another go and they were… drumroll please… closed. There was a small sign on the front door saying something about needing proper «licensure» before they can open again. They still have product in the store, but… I’m just confused by it all.
Their website is also «suspended» now, so I can safely say that they have completely wasted our time and I really don’t care if they decide to ever open again.

My husband is a home brewer. When he needs an ingredient quick, this is by far the best local option. They are better stocked than anyone else in the area and are always helpful.

I hesitate to write a «bad» review, but I really did have a bad experience.
First off, I am thrilled that they have some «late» hours so I could visit them after work, and I love that they are in Providence.
My first contact was with pleasant employee but she admitted to not knowing how to help me (which I appreciated).
The second employee I contacted was also inexperienced in what I was doing, but insisted on what I should do anyway (going against everything I’ve read). The employee was trying to be helpful, and I appreciate that, but was clearly inexperienced.
What made this a bad experience was that they didn’t have what I went for (a hydrometer –a pretty standard tool for the trade) but insisted that they would have them tomorrow. I asked «will you be open till 8:00 again tomorrow?» «yes.» The next day I called before I went, but no one answered. Fearing telephone problems I decided to take their word and go over anyway. They weren’t even open.
As a side note, the store front just doesn’t look clean (and at the risk of sounding like a real jerk, the employees were also a little unkempt). For a trade that requires sterility, this was a bit of a turn off also.

They folks here have been great to us, and the have some great classes

loved this little home brewing supply store. they have everything we needed, and they have tons of recipes for you to choose from, some handwritten, and also an entire magazine full of «knock off» recipes (for instance, if you wanted to make dogfish head 120).
also have fun merch like books and bumperstickers.
excellent and informative service!

Providence finally has a homebrew store! A bit tough to find the first time you go, but basically right off the highway across 95 from the state house. The owners were helpful and the selection and prices were pretty good. I am not in town all that often but I have stopped by for supplies a couple of times. I guess they do a brewing co-​op every month were you can come and learn about all grain homebrewing on their system, which is pretty cool for those looking to move up from extract.
The hours aren’t that extensive but they have some late evening hours during the week which is pretty sweet and they open pretty early on Saturdays. The website could use an update or two, but they seem to list updated info on their voicemail message.