August 4, 2009
Finding it in a back alley should have been the first warning, the chain link and twin dobermans and security cameras should have been the second, finding a dusty homebrew store in a converted house with a scruffy creepy old guy at the desk (that doubles as the counter) should have been the signal to run like hell. I almost bought a bottle of sanitizer just to clean the package of malt extract I picked up, my hands and maybe the walls as well. It’s cheap, and because it aint the Beer Nut (Salt Lake’s other miserable homebrew option) is the only reason any one would ever want to go there. The selection is old, out dated and you get the sneaky feeling probably illegal and ill-advised outside Mexico/FDA supervision. The guy wants to make a buck, which is fine, but wear some damned pants and a clean t-shirt if you want to make a sale ! I have to say, the hops growing on the chainlink (see dobermans before you get any ideas) was a nice touch, but it gives you a good idea where his supplies come from.