Bet-Mar Liquid Hobby Celebrates 45 Years in Homebrewing

January marks the beginning of the 45th year Bet-Mar Liquid Hobby Shop has helped beer and wine lovers make their own beverages at home.

Customers — whether they're local, statewide or online — have come to Bet-Mar for its variety of supplies for making beer and/or wine from scratch.

Bet-Mar offers beer and wine starter kits, which features all the items you need to make your favorite drink. Customers can also buy individual ingredients, bottles, books and more. 

"We cater to the beer customer and the wine customer," said Rick Grainger, the store's owner. "A lot of people that start out (in this business) don't carry all of this."

For those new to the brew game, Grainger said he recommends one of the starter kits.

"Everything is in the kit," Grainger said. "It's easy."

"I think the biggest thing is people are intimidated, but it's really, really hard to make a mistake."

Grainger said the secret to the store's success is knowing what products to carry, the affordable prices and great customer service.

Bet-Mar was started as Arbolyn Winemaking Supplies in West Columbia, according to its website. The name was changed to Bet-Mar in 1973.

Grainger purchased the store in August 2012.

For more information or to purchase kits, visit the store's website here or stop by the shop located at 736 St. Andrews Road near Interstate 26.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

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