Where Do You Buy Your Extract Kits
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chromados
Well-Known Member
When i first started out all i did was Austin Home brew Supply kits, they always turned out great and were a good price. They also have the option to do mini-mash what i moved to after only 2 all extract brews. They also have flat rate shipping and shipping is usually super fast. I have also done kits from Midwest and they turned out good (hophead IPA from them was my favorite).
Chromados
Chromados
boogyman
Well-Known Member
I've done kits from austin homebrew and williams brewing. I'm in CA, so shipping from williams is extremely fast (I get next day delivery for fedex ground). the only bad thing is that williams doen't tell you the ingredients in the kits.
Firstnten
Well-Known Member
SevenFields
Well-Known Member
Most of my kits have came from Midwest supplies, but the last four have came from NorthernBrewer. I still need to try Austin.
northernlad
Well-Known Member
I get most of my stuff from my LHBS. They are pretty close to me and treat me right. The two batches I am fermenting right now came from morebeer.
ReverseApacheMaster
Well-Known Member
Austin Home Brew Supply
cabledawg
Well-Known Member
I order from http://www.ebrew.com/ It is 2 hours away, about the closet thing I have to a LHBS
Reedwalker
Well-Known Member
Ditch the kits!!!!!
Buy a recipe book, or just use the recipes here on this site. You'll likely learn something along the way.
Buy some bulk hops and bulk DME. You'll save 50% or more this way.
Austin Homebrew kits have been awesome for me though. I have done 3 and all have been great. I thought I had a problem with some yeast they shipped me. I called and they talked me down off the ledge. Top notch customer service from Forrest and his crew. They are knowledgeable and nice, two qualities most customer service reps usually lack.
Buy a recipe book, or just use the recipes here on this site. You'll likely learn something along the way.
Buy some bulk hops and bulk DME. You'll save 50% or more this way.
Austin Homebrew kits have been awesome for me though. I have done 3 and all have been great. I thought I had a problem with some yeast they shipped me. I called and they talked me down off the ledge. Top notch customer service from Forrest and his crew. They are knowledgeable and nice, two qualities most customer service reps usually lack.
crammer
Well-Known Member
These guys are my primary source since they are 5 minutes away but I have also ordered kits from NB, Austin and Williams.
...funny you say that... my last recipie was shot from the hip while at my LHBS:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/random-recipie-what-do-you-think-142915/
who knows how it will come out, but it smelled awesome...
I won't claim to be an expert but with many kits costing as low as $20 to $25 I am not sure how you can save 50% or more buying in bulk...what kind of quantites are you purchasing that you are realizing these savings?
Mike
justflow1983
Well-Known Member
I find that buying the ingredients separately is somewhat more expensive than the kits, but results in far better beer.
Reedwalker
Well-Known Member
Buy bulk.
DME when bought in 50# sacks cost $2.32/lb (inluding shipping)
Hops bought 3#'s at a time cost $0.77/oz (including shipping)
Bulk LME at the LHBS is $2.49/lb or $1.99/lb w/ coupon.
There is no way kits do it for less if you plan ahead.
I'm not trying to poopoo kits here. They are convenient. Grab the box, fill the pot, stir. You can get a brew session done quickly and you can pretty much know the results will be good. It's also an easy way to get a clone of a brew you really like. Please don't get me wrong. I like kits and use them. I just think they can be a barrier in the way of your own creativity and growth as a brewer.
I've bought from my LHBS. Great source of info and good recipies. They are happy to modify their "Kits" to my likeing and only charging me for what I buy (I remove Bottleing suggar and yeast as I Keg and have my own yeast). Great service!
I've used LHBS, Midwest, Northern and Austin Homebrew. Don't really favor one over the others - they've all been good. And, the times I've had minor issues with an order at Midwest and Northern, they made it right.
At some point, I'll put an order in with Brewmasters Warehouse (though it will be AG).
At some point, I'll put an order in with Brewmasters Warehouse (though it will be AG).
bassbone
Well-Known Member
I get my kits from Listermann's (since they have some great kits and I live about 5 miles away) www.listermann.com
I buy my beer and wine Supplies from my LHBS.
Dan's Brewing Supplies
http://pages.pacificcoast.net/~dansmall/
I like Dan, he is a cool guy.
Dan's Brewing Supplies
http://pages.pacificcoast.net/~dansmall/
I like Dan, he is a cool guy.
Midwest is really fast & has very good stuff. Not to mention,very good descriptions on their supplies. That makes the site a good reference tool as well! I get as much as I can from my LHBS (JW Dover) in Westlake,OH. About 10 mins up rt90 from me.
I buy separate items to make my extract brews. They come out better than straight up kits. He carries Brewer's Beast kits,sometimes Midwest. But the better the beer from the kit,the more it costs. My wife's Brewer's Best summer ale kit was over $52! I can brew a pale ale for about $30. Hers was 5G,mine was 6G.
He carries extract,grains,other additives,hops,etc. I'm like a kid in a candy store every time I walk in. Wine supplies too. All kinds of odds & ends,& different choices between those. Not a big place,but a lot in a small area.
I buy separate items to make my extract brews. They come out better than straight up kits. He carries Brewer's Beast kits,sometimes Midwest. But the better the beer from the kit,the more it costs. My wife's Brewer's Best summer ale kit was over $52! I can brew a pale ale for about $30. Hers was 5G,mine was 6G.
He carries extract,grains,other additives,hops,etc. I'm like a kid in a candy store every time I walk in. Wine supplies too. All kinds of odds & ends,& different choices between those. Not a big place,but a lot in a small area.
