As someone who has dabbled in brewing my own libations in the past, I was overjoyed to hear that there was a local source for homebrewing (and winemaking) supplies coming to the Cville area. The Fermentation Trap opened recently up on 29 North (just past the Greene County line) and had a Grand Opening day on Saturday in observance of National Homebrewing Day, so EvoMan and I jumped on our two-wheeled conveyances and cruised over to check them out. Owned and operated by a couple of Greene County locals who are back in the area thanks to NGIC, the Trap is a great place for folks experienced in homebrewing and those looking to get started.
They carry several different kits for beer or wine, lots of literature on both, including recipe books on how to create copies of your favorite Macrobrews. If you don’t want to dive in with both feet right away, they also have no-cook beer and hard cider kits that require only a fementation vessel, yeast and water to get started. Each kit yields 2.5 cases of 12oz bottles after approximately 3 weeks of fermentation, and they currently have kits for a variety of styles, from Irish Stout to American Lager.
Homebrewing is a great way to learn more about beer, experiment with flavors, and become active in a community. There are two brew clubs in Charlottesville, so there’s an established group of folks to learn from (and believe me, brewers LOVE to talk about beer) and swap recipes and tips with. The Fermentation Trap is a great place to start if you want to get rolling down the road to fresh, homemade beer and wine, and the owners will be happy to bend your ear, listen to your concerns and answer your questions.
6420 Seminole Trail
Suite #12
Barboursville, VA 22923
434-985-2192
Take 29 North past the new Best Western and they’re in the next set of shops on the right, next to D&D Flooring.
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Tagged as: Beer, brewery, brewing, Charlottesville, gift, homebrew, idea, kit, recipe
Oh, man. This is great! Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been brewing my own beers for a long time now. I don’t do it as much anymore, cause it’s a pain in the ass to get supplies.
Make my own wine coolers? Fuck yeah!
in a box. don’t forget the box
also……..
http://www.absbrew.com/
yeah, i stopped brewing after my kit was totaled in a basement flood several years ago. it’ll be nice to have these guys around for gear and ingredients, and advice!
I once made beer with a Mr. Beer Kit (http://www.mrbeer.com/) which, I’m going to say is kinda funny story.
First of all, not wanting to pay the $40 store, price I bought it off Ebay.
I then read the direction and got freaked out about how sterile you needed the containers, so I cleaned everything with bleach and boiling water. During the insertion of some tube part, I cracked the tip of the container… solution DUCT TAPE BABY.
I followed the rest of the process and after a month or whatever, I tried the beer. DISGUSTING. It literally tasted like yeast. I don’t know if the yeast was dead or it was the duct tape, but I don’t recommend my brewer skills.
The Brewer’s Handbook is a great book about all things brewing. Also, Queen City Brewing in Staunton lets you brew your own beer there. Definitely worth checking out.
I tried to make apple wine a couple of years ago. All I got was slightly effervescent apple juice. I am really glad I didn’t die of botulism.
the no-boil kits they have at the Trap are MUCH better than the chintzy Mr Beer kits. trust me. The Brewer’s Handbook is good, the Complete Joy of Home Brewing is great. Pretty much anything written by Charlie Papazian is worth reading if you want to get into brewing.
Echo, do you have more info on Queen City Brewing (i assume they have a website, but i’m feeling lazy!)
@7- I expect that’s because you couldn’t wait to start drinking it!
he no-boil kits they have
I have got to get one of those for my Grandfather’s keister.
/so sorry
@8: I do, but I’m sitting in a training class using my blackberry, so all I can give you now is this. More later, maybe.
@4. thanks for the link, but do they have a physical store?
@13
I don’t know if ABS has a physical store or not, but you can get their kits (ingredients) at Beer Run, usually.
They have an actual store on 29N just before the Sheetz and just after the Best Western.
6420 Seminole Trail, #12
Ruckersville, VA 22923
Tues, Thurs, Friday from 4:00 - 8:00 and Sat 10-6 and Sun 12-5.
You can give them a call at (434)985-2192 and talk to the two fools who opened a home beer and winemaking store on April 1st. I know, I’m one of those fools.
Randy
Yes, we have a physical store.
6420 Seminole Trail, Unit 12
Barboursville, VA 22923
Don’t let the Barboursville address fool you. It is just north of Charlottesville on Route 29. About 1/4 mile south of Sheetz.
http://www.fermentationtrap.com
434-985-2192
Hours are
T, T, F - 4-8 pm
Sat 10-6
Sun 12-5
Come on by.
is there anywhere i charlottesville itself where you can buy yeast? because that is the only ingredient i am missing
You can buy Yeast at any grocery store right.. or is this a special kind?
You need special yeast depending on what kind of beer you are making. I don’t know of any homebrew supply stores in Cville, but this website is based out of Cville, and I think they have free shipping.
@17: I also just found this.
Market Street Wineshop used to have all that stuff, special hops from King Arthur’s hilltop or whatever, but I think they do not now ????.
make a Lambic - linkypoo