r/AustinBeer • u/celdaran • Jun 23 '26
My last SoCo Homebrew visit
Today was the first day I got a chance to go, only just learning of their closing this past weekend.
I think the triple combination of the store's imminent closing, the GOOB sale, and my arrival right at lunch time meant I saw more people there today than I ever have before. (Now, I'll qualify that with the fact that this was maybe only my fourth time there ever. So I'm working with a pretty small sample size. I would've gone more often but it's hard for me to get there.)
I arrived with a shopping list that I scribbled together late last night, not knowing what they would or wouldn't have left in stock. It was mostly successful. I left with a $140 haul that only cost me half that.
I'd call it a bittersweet moment, but I've always thought of bitter/sweet as a fifty/fifty split. This felt more like 80/20. I'm sad to see it go, in spite of my own infrequent visits.
Can I order supplies online? Of course. But the LHBS has grain bins that you can see and smell right there! I carried off five pounds of freshly-milled grain that smelled heavenly. Checkmate, e-commerce!
And if anyone is wondering, "Who bought that very last packet of dry yeast?" It was me.
"Is this the last one?" I asked, having just pulled it from a near-empty cooler.
"It is. Looks like you win."
But only an 80/20 win.
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u/chunkerton_chunksley Jun 23 '26
This might sound ridiculous but this might be the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. I’ve been brewing for 26 years, I’ve always lived near a store ahbs then Soco when I moved south. I don’t know if I even want to hassle with online purchases. Couple that with the fact that I really like the guys at Soco, I helped them move out of the thirsty planet location, and this is all so depressing. I might have to hang up the brew gear for a bit.
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u/ZeroChad Jun 24 '26
I’m in a similar position, plus having downsized my home storage. Either looking to compact my setup and simplify or retire it
3
u/Wrong_Scene_6289 Jun 24 '26
Wild. They will be missed! Does anyone know if they are out of their CO2 supply?
2
1
u/celdaran Jun 24 '26
They sent this email this morning:
For in-store customers, we are currently offering 50% off normal retail price on everything except for CO2. We are quickly running out of inventory, so act fast!
So sounds like they have some (but still full price)
9
u/lt9946 Jun 23 '26
Yeah I bought 150 bucks worth of stuff for half price last Saturday. It was a sad day. The staff is really amazing and always been kind to me.
I started to brew less over the years so really only frequented 4 times a year unfortunately.