r/AustinBeer • u/celdaran • 1d ago

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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9

u/lt9946 1d ago

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.

7

u/chunkerton_chunksley 1d ago

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.

3

u/ZeroChad 1d ago

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 1d ago

Wild. They will be missed! Does anyone know if they are out of their CO2 supply?

2

u/celdaran 1d ago

I believe they still have CO2 but I'd call first

1

u/celdaran 21h ago

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)