I have found several old references to horkey beer...it appears to be a festival beer that celebrates the end of a harvest.
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/37156-Robert-Bloomfield-The-Horkey...
American Brewmaster is where I got my start in this obsession 11 yrs ago !
As for bulk grains, check with one of your local brewpubs and see if you can add a bag or twenty to their next order. It will cut the shipping costs from buying a single bag from a distributor and shipping to your...