The Online Homebrew Supplier Comparison Thread

[theDeutscher]

UPDATED 8/31/12
- Updated shipping
- Updated Northern Brewer prices

First off, I am in total support of the LHBS. I think that if there is one in your area, then it is important to keep their doors open. There's nothing better than being able to make a quick run uptown and grab a few things for your current brew day. However, if you're like me, sometimes there isn't a LHBS within an hour's drive and it's just easier to order ingredients online and have them at your door in 2-3 days. I also think it's important as homebrewers to be aware of our options and keep the market competitive. We only know that prices will go up and make brewing more expensive - and more expensive means less brewing.

Therefore, I started this thread in hopes of getting a few people to chime in. I listed the price comparisons for a few ingredients from online stores that I believe to be the most popular right now. This is, by all means, a work in progress and I will be adding more ingredients and stores as time goes by. Of course, we can't compare every ingredient and every store, but I'm hoping this will give everyone a better idea of our options, especially for new brewers. Ingredient prices also tend to fluctuate, but unless there is a major shift, I think I can leave this as a general estimate. Lastly, I find that each store has its own advantage. Prices alone are not the only important factor. Quality and customer service is, too. If you would like to pull for a certain store, this might be a good thread to start.

LOCATIONS
- Austin Homebrew Supply, Austin, Texas
- Brewmasters Warehouse, Marietta, Georgia
- Farmhouse Brewing Supply, Janesville, Wisconsin
- love2brew, North Brunswick, New Jersey
- Midwest Supplies, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
- MoreBeer, Concord, California
- Northern Brewer, Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Rebel Brewer, Goodlettsville, Tennessee
- Williams Brewing, San Leandro, California

SHIPPING
*Flat rates may not apply to bulk or large items
1. Austin Homebrew: $6.99 Flat rate, $4.99 on orders over $100 (UPS)
2. Brewmasters Warehouse: $6.99 Flat rate (FedEx)
3. Midwest Supplies: $7.95 Flat Rate (FedEx)
4. Farmhouse Brewing: $8.99 Flat rate (UPS or USPS)
5. MoreBeer: Calculated, FREE on orders over $59 (FedEx)
6. love2brew: Calculated, FREE on orders over $75 (UPS/USPS/FedEx)
7. Williams Brewing: Various rates based on location & subtotal (FedEx)
8. Northern Brewer: Calculated (FedEx)
8. Rebel Brewer: Calculated (FedEx)

DRY (DME) EXTRA LIGHT / PILSNER MALT EXTRACT (1 lb.)
*Based on minimum amount supplier allows customer to order
1. Rebel Brewer (Briess): $3.10 / lb.
1. Rebel Brewer (Munton's): $3.10 / lb.
3. Farmhouse Brewing (Briess): $3.19 / lb.
4. MoreBeer (only Briess Golden Light offered): $2.00 / 1/2 lb. ($3.75/ lb.)
4. Williams Brewing (Briess): $11.25 / 3 lb. ($3.75 / lb.)
6. Austin Homebrew (Briess): $3.99 / lb.
7. Brewmasters Warehouse (Briess): $3.99 / lb. (or exact amount)
8. Midwest Supplies (Briess): $4.49 / lb.
9. love2brew (Briess): $4.50 / lb.
9. Northern Brewer (Briess): $4.50 / lb.
11. Midwest Supplies (Munton's): $4.99 / lb.
11. Northern Brewer (Munton's): $4.99 / lb.

LIQUID (LME) EXTRA LIGHT / PILSNER MALT EXTRACT (1 lb.)
*Based on minimum amount supplier allows customer to order
1. Williams Brewing (proprietary): $14.90 / 6 lb. ($2.48 / lb.)
2. MoreBeer (Briess): $10.40 / 4 lb. ($2.60 / lb.)
3. Farmhouse Brewing (Briess): $8.99 / 3.3 ($2.72 / lb.)
4. Brewmasters Warehouse (Briess): $2.89 / lb. (or exact amount)
5. Austin Homebrew (Briess): $8.97 / 3 lb. ($2.99 / lb.)
6. Midwest Supplies (Briess): $9.99 / 3.3 lb. ($3.03 / lb.)
7. love2brew (Briess): $10.75 / 3.3 lb. ($3.26 / lb.)
7. love2brew (Munton's): $10.75 / 3.3 lb. ($3.26 / lb.)
9. Northern Brewer (proprietary): $10.99 / 3.15 lb. ($3.49 / lb.)
10. Rebel Brewer (Munton's): $11.95 / 3.3 lb. ($3.62 / lb)
11. Northern Brewer (Munton's): $13.99 / 3.3 lb. ($4.24 / lb.)

DOMESTIC 2-ROW (per lb.)
*No charge for milling if not noted
1. Rebel Brewer (Rahr): $1.04
2. Farmhouse Brewing (Great Western): $1.15
3. Rebel Brewer (Briess): $1.19
4. Northern Brewer (Briess): $1.25
4. Northern Brewer (Malteurop): $1.25
4. Northern Brewer (Rahr): $1.25
7. MoreBeer (Great Western): $1.30 (unmilled)
8. love2brew (Briess): $1.35 (unmilled)
8. MoreBeer (Rahr): $1.35 (unmilled)
10. Midwest Supplies (Rahr): $1.39
11. Austin Homebrew (Briess): $1.40
11. Brewmasters Warehouse (Briess): $1.40
13. love2brew (Briess); $1.45 (milled)
14. Midwest Supplies (Briess): $1.49
15. MoreBeer (Great Western): $1.55 (milled)
16. MoreBeer (Rahr): $1.60 (milled)
17. Williams Brewing: (not offered by the pound)

BULK DOMESTIC 2-ROW (50 lb. sacks)
*No charge for milling if not noted
*MoreBeer carries Rahr in 55 lb. sacks
1. Midwest Supplies (Rahr - unmilled): $33.60 ($.67 / lb.)
2. Northern Brewer (Rahr - unmilled): $34.99 ($.70 / lb.)
3. Williams Brewing (Great Western - unmilled): $35.90 ($.72 / lb.)
4. MoreBeer (Great Western - unmilled): $35.95 ($.72 / lb.)
5. Midwest Supplies (Rahr - milled): $36.60 ($.73 / lb)
6. MoreBeer (Rahr - unmilled): $44.55 / 55 lb. ($.81 / lb.)
7. Farmhouse Brewing (Great Western): $44.63 ($.89 / lb.)
8. Rebel Brewer (Rahr): $46.80 ($.94 / lb.)
9. love2brew (Briess - unmilled): $48.00 ($.96 / lb.)
10. Midwest Supplies (Briess - unmilled): $49.50 ($.99 / lb.)
11. love2brew (Briess - milled): $52.00 ($1.04 / lb.)
12. Midwest Supplies (Briess - milled): $52.50 ($.1.05 / lb.)
13. Rebel Brewer (Briess): $53.55 ($1.07 / lb.)
14. Austin Homebrew (Briess): $65.49 ($1.31 / lb.)
15. Brewmasters Warehouse (Briess): $70.00 ($1.40 / lb.)

BRITISH MARIS OTTER (per lb.)
*No charge for milling if not noted
1. Farmhouse Brewing (Fawcett): $1.49
2. Rebel Brewer (Hugh Baird): $1.59
2. Rebel Brewer (Crisp): $1.59
2. Rebel Brewer (Fawcett): $1.59
5. Northern Brewer (Warminster): $1.75
5. Northern Brewer (unspecified): $1.75
5. Rebel Brewer (Gleneagles): $1.75
5. love2brew (Munton's): $1.75 (unmilled)
9. MoreBeer (Crisp): $1.80 (unmilled)
10. Brewmasters Warehouse (Crisp): $1.85
10. love2brew (Munton's): $1.85 (milled)
12. Midwest Supplies (Crisp): $1.89
13. Austin Homebrew (unspecified): $1.90
14. MoreBeer (Crisp): $2.05 (milled)
15. Williams Brewing (Crisp): $2.10 (unmilled)
16. Williams Brewing (Crisp): $2.35 (milled)

MUNICH MALT (per lb.)
*No charge for milling if not noted
1. Farmhouse Brewing (MFB): $1.29
2. Rebel Brewer (Weyermann): $1.39
3. Northern Brewer (Briess): $1.50
3. Northern Brewer (unspecified): $1.50
3. love2brew (Briess): $1.50 (unmilled)
6. love2brew (Briess): $1.60 (milled)
7. Midwest Supplies (GlobalMalt): $1.69
8. Austin Homebrew (Weyermann): $1.75
8. Brewmasters Warehouse (Weyermann): $1.75
10. MoreBeer (Weyermann): $1.90 (unmilled)
11. Williams Brewing (unspecified Belgian): $2.10 (unmilled)
12. MoreBeer (Weyermann): $2.15 (milled)
13. Williams Brewing (unspecified Belgian): $2.35 (milled)

HOP PELLETS (1 oz.)
1. Farmhouse Brewing: $.75-$1.75
- Mean price: $.80
2. Williams Brewing
- Domestic: $1.00-$1.25 (Centennial: $1.95, Simcoe: $2.45)
- Mean price: $1.00
- Imported: $1.25-$1.95
- Mean Price: $1.95
3. MoreBeer
- Domestic: $1.50-$2.50
- Mean price: $1.50
- Imported: $1.75
4. Rebel Brewer: $.99-$2.99
- Mean price: $1.89
5. Midwest Supplies
- Domestic: $1.50-$2.50
- Mean price: $1.80
- Imported: $1.50-$2.50
- Mean price: $2.00
6. love2brew
- Domestic: $1.50-$2.00
-Mean price: $1.80
-Imported: $1.70-$2.00 (Sorachi Ace: $2.50)
-Mean price: $2.00
7. Northern Brewer
- Domestic: $1.50-$2.25
- Mean price: $1.99
- Imported: $1.75-$2.99
- Mean price: $1.99
8. Austin Homebrew: $1.99 (Centennial: $2.49)
9. Brewmasters Warehouse: $2.15 (Citra: $2.79)

YEAST
1. Williams Brewing
- Safale US-05: $2.90
- Saflager S-23: $3.90
- Danstar Nottingham: $2.90
- White Labs: $5.90
- Wyeast: $5.75
2. Farmhouse Brewing
- Safale US-05: $2.89
- Saflager S-23: $3.99
- Danstar Nottingham: $2.99
- White Labs: (not offered)
- Wyeast: $7.29
3. MoreBeer
- Safale US-05: $2.99
- Saflager S-23: $3.95
- Danstar Nottingham: $3.50
- White Labs: $5.75
- Wyeast: $5.75
4. Rebel Brewer
- Safale US-05: $2.95
- Saflager S-23: $3.75
- Danstar Nottingham: $3.49
- White Labs: $6.49
- Wyeast: $6.49
5. Midwest Supplies
- Safale US-05: $3.29
- Saflager S-23: $4.49
- Danstar Nottingham: $3.99
- White Labs: $6.50
- Wyeast: $5.99
6. love2brew
- Safale US-05: $3.25
- Saflager S-23: $3.50
- Danstar Nottingham: $4.50
- White Labs: $6.99
- Wyeast: (not offered)
7. Northern Brewer
- Safale US-05: $3.29
- Saflager S-23: $4.50
- Danstar Nottingham: $3.99
- White Labs: $6.99
- Wyeast: $6.25
8. Brewmasters Warehouse
- Safale US-05: $3.49
- Saflager S-23: $5.49
- Danstar Nottingham: $3.99
- White Labs: $6.99
- Wyeast: $6.25
9. Austin Homebrew
- Safale US-05: $3.49
- Saflager S-23: $5.49
- Danstar Nottingham: $3.99
- White Labs: $6.99
- Wyeast: $6.99

 

[user 84304]

I like the idea of this write-up but would like to add Farmhouse Brewing Supply to the discussion, especially for hops. They're very, very competitive with those and have fast shipping and great customer service. Nikobrew should also be added to that end of the conversation. Both make the hop list for me over and over.

 

[stamandster]

We need something like pricewatch.com for online beer supply places. Nice list but there's definitely many more places out there that sell online. I'll try to help with the list.

 

[theDeutscher]

Good suggestions. I can edit the original post and keep adding to it, right? Yeah, that would be awesome if they had an iPhone app that was kind of like Gas Buddy. I think once the list gets built up it can be a good reference to link others who ask about where to buy ingredients online. I think it might be good to put the location of these places, too. Nothing like hot yeast sitting on a truck for two weeks in the middle of July.

 

[passedpawn]

That's a good write-up, but I'm inclined to just buy from the one nearest me (BMW). I get it next day. I can't consider $0.50 difference in the cost of something significant.

 

[kapbrew13]

I've been shopping love2brew.com . Prices are good while selection is growing.

 

[stamandster]

Also rebelbrewer.com (never ordered from them though)
diybrewing.com (east cost, ma -- good guys)

 

[TimTrone]

Also rebelbrewer.com (never ordered from them though)
diybrewing.com (east cost, ma -- good guys)

Rebel brewer is awesome. Low prices, cheap and fast shipping. Cheap hops they have at the moment are .99 for Saaz, EKG, and tettnang.

 

[pr8_headed]

I love this idea! There are WAY to many sites for one person to find. Rebel Brewer is awesome! RiteBrew.com has some killer prices I got 50lbs of GWM pale ale malt for $37. BrewGadgets has some good prices and their service is excellent. My LHBS is an hour away and their prices are so so because there's no competition. Man I LOVE brewing beer!

 

[theDeutscher]

I just checked out Rebel Brewer and I don't know why I hadn't heard of them before. They have great prices and an even better selection. The only thing I don't like about some of these online stores, though, is that if they don't have cheap shipping, it just kills any savings you would have made on grains and hops. That's why I think you can't go wrong with someone like Brewmasters or Austin because they offer the flat rate shipping. Also, they both offer to package their grains crushed, all in one bag. Just crack her open and throw it in the mash. At this point, I don't see why every store doesn't.

 

[Grinder12000]

Austin uses Briess.
One thing not mentioned is that Forest (sp) the owner is a member here and posts

 

[Austinhomebrew]

When making comparisons, it is best to compare delivered price for your whole order. If you compare a single item price you must include the shipping for that one item. Someone could have 2-row for a dollar but it is $12 to ship 10 pounds. You should shop where you get the overall best delivered price.

It shouldnt be a "This store has the cheapest peanut butter and this store has the cheapest jelly and this store has the cheapest bread" and not considering your time and gas to go to 3 stores in order to make a cheap PB&J.

Forrest

 

[TimTrone]

I just checked out Rebel Brewer and I don't know why I hadn't heard of them before. They have great prices and an even better selection. The only thing I don't like about some of these online stores, though, is that if they don't have cheap shipping, it just kills any savings you would have made on grains and hops. That's why I think you can't go wrong with someone like Brewmasters or Austin because they offer the flat rate shipping. Also, they both offer to package their grains crushed, all in one bag. Just crack her open and throw it in the mash. At this point, I don't see why every store doesn't.

That's what's nice about rebel brewer. There's a super saver shipping option. It's $2.99 to my house(in pa), but I believe it's different costs to each state.

 

[user 84304]

Based on what Forrest said, I can certainly agree and expound with this. In my experience, Austin Homebrew, Rebel Brewer, and Brewmaster's warehouse are the most competitive across the board for parts, ingredients, and shipping. I still use the others on occasion, especially when there are great sales(Farmhouse Brewing, Nikobrew, MoreBeer, NorthernBrewer, etc.) but my go to's are those 3.

 

[Fastmetal]

I use Brewmasters, Austin, and Northern Brewer the most. Honestly its based on who has the best deal or coupon code.

 

[pr8_headed]

Austin Homebrew has one heck of a awesome collection of ingredient kits! I just ordered a few and plan to order more when supplies dwindle. But I didn't hint hint see a Pete's Wicked Ale kit hint hint. They have Sam Adams Smoked Scotch Ale MMM and a ton of other clone kits (but no Pete's hint hint)

 

[GatoRailBrewery]

Also they have there anniversary series on sale (this week is the porter), changes weekly not gona lie I wait for it every week )

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Austin Homebrew has one heck of a awesome collection of ingredient kits! I just ordered a few and plan to order more when supplies dwindle. But I didn't hint hint see a Pete's Wicked Ale kit hint hint. They have Sam Adams Smoked Scotch Ale MMM and a ton of other clone kits (but no Pete's hint hint)

We have a Pete's Wicked Ale: http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=1712

Pete was the only brewery to send us a cease and disist so we kept the kits and changed the name.

Forrest

 

[pr8_headed]

Awesome! I will get one it's delicious stuff. I just found your site not long back and it is now at the top of my goto sites. Thanks for the great selection and service! Sorry don't wanna sidetrack the post.

 

[SouthBay]

I was doing some calculations along these very same lines just a few days ago to figure out if ordering online, and from which store, was going to give me the best overall price.

Based off the grains, hops, and yeast i'd used, i found that most stores were within a dollar or two of each other after shipping was calculated. Even the LHBS was about the same after factoring in a couple gallons of gas (my truck sucks on gas, and the store isn't the closest).

Take from that what you will. What i got out of it was to use the online stores that have the cheapest hops if i were going to be making a few hoppier beers, or the store with the cheapest malts if i'm doing some malt-heavy brews. Or, more importantly, if saving $1-2 on a whole order isnt that important to you, just shop from the guys that give you the best service.

 

[dunnright00]

I've only bought from Austin HB, Brewmasters Warehouse and Williams Brewing.

The last one is not on your list, and I've only bought Hops from them because of some special offer.

All three were great service and good prices. With that said, I DO tend to go with my LHBS's primarily. I usually only go on-line if there is a great deal offered.

 

[theDeutscher]

I noticed a couple people mentioned Farmhouse Brewing Supply. Wow, their prices are unbelievable. Their site looks like something out of the 90's, though. Can anyone vouch for their quality of ingredients, customer service, shipping time, etc? I noticed for most hops, you have to order by 4 oz., which isn't necessarily bad, especially for an IPA. Might be a good choice for buying in bulk. I'm going to add Williams Brewing here soon and maybe get a poll going.

 

[dukes]

Lots of love around here for Farmhouse. My most recent purchase was from them. I make hoppy beers, and they are bar none the best price for hops. They're one of the only places I've seen not price gouge when they get stock of high demand hops like simcoe and citra.

 

[clex25]

You need to update AHS shipping prices. Now: $6.99 flat rate for $100 or less order total, and $4.99 flat rate for $100 or more.

 

[ktblunden]

I noticed a couple people mentioned Farmhouse Brewing Supply. Wow, their prices are unbelievable. Their site looks like something out of the 90's, though. Can anyone vouch for their quality of ingredients, customer service, shipping time, etc? I noticed for most hops, you have to order by 4 oz., which isn't necessarily bad, especially for an IPA. Might be a good choice for buying in bulk. I'm going to add Williams Brewing here soon and maybe get a poll going.

I ordered a pound of some kind of hops from them recently (might have been Amarillo) and my experience was fantastic.

 

[theDeutscher]

You need to update AHS shipping prices. Now: $6.99 flat rate for $100 or less order total, and $4.99 flat rate for $100 or more.

Done. That's awesome. I have a feeling this thread will get outdated really fast.

 

[bobbrews]

Immensely happy with RebelBrewer for prices, variety, quickness of shipping, and customer service.

 

[homebrewhaha]

Thanks for putting this together. So far I've only used my LHBS, but comparison shopping at so many different sites can be a pain.

As a general rule, I think my decisions about buying online will come down to proximity to my location, shipping speed/cost, and quality/selection of ingredients with a dash of customer service and reputation.

 

[TimTrone]

Immensely happy with RebelBrewer for prices, variety, quickness of shipping, and customer service.

Yessir. I wish they started carrying some of the harder to get dry yeast though. IE k97 s-189. For those I always to go austinhomebrew. Those dudes are great too

 

[bobbrews]

@Tim

I mainly use liquid yeasts, Muntons XL DME, and a variety of grains and hops. Works for me very well.

 

[WTexan]

I have ordered from Northern Brewer and MoreBeer. They have been very responsive with questions and shipment. I recently received an order from Northern Brewer and the yeast packets were damaged. I called them and explained the situation and they had replacement packets in the mail and at my door in 3 days.
I could not ask for better customer service.

 

[bobbrews]

Northern Brewer also replaced my 1 liter flask with a 2 liter flask free of charge after I sent them a picture of an odd base breakage/splintering in the glass that incurred after only 2 uses.

I also got some quality start-up equipment from Northern Brewer at a very attractive price (via web coupon) when I first started brewing years ago.

 

[theDeutscher]

Does anyone have experience buying full sacks of grain? I'm looking to get a sack of Maris Otter and I'm assuming that changes a lot of the shipping costs and such. I looked into Williams Brewing and their by-the-pound prices seem steep, but their sack prices are better than most. Maybe I'm wrong. I could really go for a good sack. I think I'd be pretty proud of my sack.

 

[Brulosopher]

Does anyone have experience buying full sacks of grain? I'm looking to get a sack of Maris Otter and I'm assuming that changes a lot of the shipping costs and such. I looked into Williams Brewing and their by-the-pound prices seem steep, but their sack prices are better than most. Maybe I'm wrong. I could really go for a good sack. I think I'd be pretty proud of my sack.

Shipping will always get you, so has been my experience. I buy 150 lbs from MoreBeer whenever I make a trip to the Bay area. Probably best to find a good shop near you so as to avoid shipping costs.

 

[rockfish42]

Does anyone have experience buying full sacks of grain? I'm looking to get a sack of Maris Otter and I'm assuming that changes a lot of the shipping costs and such. I looked into Williams Brewing and their by-the-pound prices seem steep, but their sack prices are better than most. Maybe I'm wrong. I could really go for a good sack. I think I'd be pretty proud of my sack.

Fifty pound sack a subsidiary of Rebel Brewer has decent sack prices with shipping included. Morebeer will do their flat rate shipping on 5, 10 pound sacks of base malt, so for instance 50 lbs of GW 2-row is 56.25 with free shipping if you bump the total to above 59 dollars. One is usually cheaper than the other depending on the grain of course.

 

[Schumed]

Does anyone have experience buying full sacks of grain? I'm looking to get a sack of Maris Otter and I'm assuming that changes a lot of the shipping costs and such. I looked into Williams Brewing and their by-the-pound prices seem steep, but their sack prices are better than most. Maybe I'm wrong. I could really go for a good sack. I think I'd be pretty proud of my sack.

Have you looked into a group buy in your area. I highly recommend it....and if there isn't one try organizing one....the savings are great...

I also scored a great resource from a friend of a friend who is a salesrep for a food company and he sells base grain to one of the local nanobrews...he lets me order from him at cost...$25 for #50 of 2-row

 

[Schumed]

Props to the OP for writing up the comparision...I've used almost all of these guys before...Midwest supplies got my started so they have a place in my heart but I always feel a little ripped off on shipping...I will say they usually have things in stock I can't find anywhere else like Sorachi hops.

I love Northern Brewers website and catalog the most user friendly IMO

Austin is good too but I hate everything from Texas...MIZ-SEC

Have to give a shout out to my boy Jermey at http://www.apexbrewwares.com/
I think his prices, service, and availablity of supplies are great and comparable to the big guys.

 

[SouthBay]

Www.mainbrew.com for buying a full grain sack, if youre on the west coast. It cost me less there, after shipping, than even going to the lhbs!

 

[integra93ls]

I like this idea

 

[Brulosopher]

Www.mainbrew.com for buying a full grain sack, if youre on the west coast. It cost me less there, after shipping, than even going to the lhbs!

I phoned MainBrew yesterday and the guy I talked with gave me this recommendation: "Shipping to California will basically double the price of the grain; it might be best if you just go to your local homebrew shop." Hmm! I inquired about ordering three 50 lb sacks of 2-Row at $30 per; shipping on each sack was estimated to be about $25, so I would have spent $165. When I go to a MoreBeer store, I spend $36 per sack + tax, which comes out to about $120. Shipping bulk grain is a killer.