Marion Beer-Making Business Sees a Boost as Winter Approaches

An increase in purchasing homebrewing supplies may be tied to cooler temperatures, the owner of a Marion homebrew shop said.

Joseph Williams, owner of BIY Homebrew Supply, LLC, a homebrewing supplies shop located in Marion, said business at BIY has been bustling recently. BIY is a play on phrase, "brew it yourself."

He noticed the trend beginning shortly after Halloween. He credits cooler temperatures and word-of-mouth as the causes of the increase. Homebrewing involves working with hot liquids, a sweat-inducing task for summertime, when BIY opened. 

He added many of his regular customers have referred friends, boosting his business. 

Among the regulars are chemical and electrical engineers. Williams said he encounters many science and gadget-minded customers with complicated brewing set-ups in their garages. 

Abram Doval, a Rockwell employee from Marion, attended a small workshop Williams hosted at The Marion Public Library on Tuesday evening to learn some of the basics of homebrewing. He said he knows several co-workers with an interest in the craft of making beer, adding it might be a “geek thing.” 

But business at BIY isn’t limited to beer-makers alone. Robert Whiting, a Cedar Rapids resident, came out to the workshop to learn more about making wine and cider.

In the past, Whiting has gone to Hy-Vee Drugstore for his ingredients and equipment, but he said he may try Williams’ shop as well.  Whiting, who just started learning to homebrew, likes having someone available to answer his questions in person. 

“You can only Google so much,” he said. 

Williams said he’s available to troubleshoot with customers in-person, as well as over the phone in real-time as customers experiment with their home brews and equipment.  

“I’ll absolutely walk them through it one-on-one,” he said.