The Grain Hopper

Love this store. The staff is extremely knowledgeable.
Anytime we have questions on our home brews they are able to help. They have a great selection of kits, brews and flavors.

This place is the WORST!!! Don’t buy anything here, they open the hops in bulk and repackage them exposing them to oxygen, negating the nitrogen barrier. Your hops are long oxidized before you ever buy them.
We went to brew a beer in the Jemez, I NEVER shop here, however my friend on his way out of town came here to buy a pack of Wyeast… When the swell pack 5 hours later was still flat I inspected to see that it was manufactured in oct 2013… What kind of business sells almost a year expired yeast as «fresh» at full price? What kind of company oxidizes hops, and sells them at a higher price?
One who cares only for lining their own pocket for profit, or someone who has no idea what they are doing. Either way not a shop even worth visiting, hot, stuffy, tacky, and a bit creepy.
Just go to southwest grape and grain, they have a loyalty rewards program, and are conveniently located next door to boxing bear in the old Elliot’s location.

I am pretty new to home brewing and love it. I recently brewed a batch and was waiting for the brew to finish fermenting. I was getting ready to bottle on a Sunday afternoon and really wanted to get a bottle washer. I live on the west side of town, so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make the trek across town to the other place that sells home brewing equipment. Then it hit me! I remember a friend talking about a place in Rio Rancho call the Grain Hopper. I was sure where it was, so looked it up on Unilocal.Turned out it was only about 3 miles from my casa. I was so excited and can’t believe I forgot all about this place.
I jumped in the car to start my mission to buy a bottle washer. This place is kind of hard to find. The reason is because there is this weird road on the way to it. If you get on this road it won’t let you get to the Grain Hopper. When I finally found the place I walked in and there were a few people in the store. The guy behind the counter was helping a customer find some stuff. This is what I love about home brewers and going into home brew stores. I love craft beer, and I love making craft beer. About 99% the other people in the store feel the same way. So while the employee was helping a customer I struck a conversation with a fellow home brewer. In fact the guy I was talking to, knew the store and what I was looking for, so he helped me out. When I went to purchase my bottle washer, I asked the guy behind the counter a few questions. He was also a home brewer, so we had a cool conversation. It was great! I’m so glad this place in accessible to us West-​Siders.
When I went home to try out my new bottle washer, it didn’t work. I was really bummed out and the store was closed. So I didn’t get to use it. I went on Monday to exchange it, but they are closed on Mondays. So I decided to take it back on Tuesday. When I got there the guy behind the counter was nice, but it was pretty obvious he wasn’t a home brewer. He had no idea what I was holding. He was good though because we found one that worked and he exchanged it. This is where I got a little bummed out because I know this guy was probably helping the store owner out. I thought what if I wanted to pick someone’s brain or get some suggestions. I mean that’s the whole reason to go to a specialty store. If the knowledge isn’t there then just order online. I’m guessing this doesn’t happen often, but it is something I am worried about in the future. Don’t let this deter you from going to the Grain Hopper. They have everything you need to brew beer or make wine. They also have bulk grains. Cheers!

This home brewer/​fermenter store is located in a weird location in Rio Rancho… but it’s well worth the drive. The other stores like it in town don’t even compare to the prices and the staff. They are helpful, have their own tried and true recipes they sell vs. the mass produced boxes of the other stores. The prices are better here too in comparison to the other places. Appreciated the vibe, the staff and the selection.

These guys are awesome if you are ready to start brewing your own beer or wine these are the guys you need to talk to they are professional and talk you through all there products without trying to upsell you. They also offer free starter classes which go through the process of brewing. They also sell there own grains and hops and everything you need.