Oceanside Shop Helps You Grow Your Own Plants, Brew Your Own Beer

Gardening and brewing—two different hobbies combined to make one unique shop. , located at 1319 South Coast Highway in  Oceanside, is a full-service homebrew and gardening shop.

"It's a big kids' hobby store," said shop employee Rich Carney. "Two extreme ends of the hobby world that get along pretty well."

Hydrobrew sells everything from bat guana to kegs, hops and lights. 

It even offers a free home-brewing class every first Sunday of the month at 10 a.m. 

"We feel that we needed to give knowledge to people to help them start brewing correctly," said Carney. "When you have more knowledge, you can enjoy life more." 

Hydrobrew even gives out free samples of beer. 

"I come here because of the accessibility," said Andy Erikson, a customer. "I tried brewing before but I thought it was just easier to buy beer. I still come here, though, to buy my lights. I grow tomatoes." 

Although Hydrobrew is listed on several marijuana cultivation websites, the shop makes it clear to customers that growing marijuana is illegal with the many signs posted throughout the establishment. 

Customers Amanda Amundsen and Nathaniel Greene recently stopped in "to check it out."

"I've been in a lot of home-brewing stores," said Greene. "This place is probably the best. There is a lot of equipment and a really helpful staff. I will definitely be coming back."

Kegs lined the front window, along with plants and pamphlets on many different aspects of both hobbies.

"People come in here and leave with a brewing system," said Carney. "It's great to see people doing what they love."

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