Apologize right up front if this info is available elsewhere--not trying to waste bandwidth or troll for "Do a darned search!" responses. I did some searches here and other places and could not find an answer. I daily frequent BBs like this for other hobbies, and some people have short fuses for newbie questions.
I am an active duty member of the US military deployed to Southeast Asia, but luckily in a place where alcohol is allowed. The problem is that the beer variety isn't great, and the prices are outrageous--$60 for four six-packs of St Pauli Girl Dark. A guy I work with is doing the extract brewing thing from where he living, and despite the water being about as awful as it could be, he's making it work.
I brewed for many years, although I've not done so for about 7 years. I progressed from extract brewing, to mini-mashing, then to all-grain. So, while I am not very proficient, I've got a little experience. Assisting my friend recently, I don't think I've forgotten much, especially when it comes to extract brewing. The good news is my friend is rotating back home in a couple months, and will leave me his simple equipment. Smelling the boiling wort and hops again was just pure magic to me--I need to homebrew again!
I went to MoreBeer.com, William's Brewing and a couple other sites I used to buy from online, and the shipping price to my DPO AE zip code was out of sight--like $28 in shipping alonefor one batch of ingredients. Not a good option. And, my address is technically a New York one--just like USPS shipping to anywhere else in the lower 48 except for the customs form.
My buddy has an alternative way of obtaining supplies that I will not have access to. So, his way it out. I need to rely upon the mail one way or the other, and USPS is the only real game in town for this location.
Do any of you know better alternatives for ordering ingredients at an acceptable shipping cost? Any advice?
I am an active duty member of the US military deployed to Southeast Asia, but luckily in a place where alcohol is allowed. The problem is that the beer variety isn't great, and the prices are outrageous--$60 for four six-packs of St Pauli Girl Dark. A guy I work with is doing the extract brewing thing from where he living, and despite the water being about as awful as it could be, he's making it work.
I brewed for many years, although I've not done so for about 7 years. I progressed from extract brewing, to mini-mashing, then to all-grain. So, while I am not very proficient, I've got a little experience. Assisting my friend recently, I don't think I've forgotten much, especially when it comes to extract brewing. The good news is my friend is rotating back home in a couple months, and will leave me his simple equipment. Smelling the boiling wort and hops again was just pure magic to me--I need to homebrew again!
I went to MoreBeer.com, William's Brewing and a couple other sites I used to buy from online, and the shipping price to my DPO AE zip code was out of sight--like $28 in shipping alonefor one batch of ingredients. Not a good option. And, my address is technically a New York one--just like USPS shipping to anywhere else in the lower 48 except for the customs form.
My buddy has an alternative way of obtaining supplies that I will not have access to. So, his way it out. I need to rely upon the mail one way or the other, and USPS is the only real game in town for this location.
Do any of you know better alternatives for ordering ingredients at an acceptable shipping cost? Any advice?