I am still brewing kits and have hit a couple of online retailers for my purchases but I have yet to find that one that is a comfortable one stop shopping supplier with reasonable shipping rates and quick turn-around.
Who have you found you like best and why?
Williams Brewing.
Pro's:
They were my first. They sent me a catalog that finally made me commit to trying home brewing. I bought my starter kit from them.
-Support was very responsive and answered all my questions in a timely manor.
-Best standard shipping I have found so far at $6.99
-They are very quick at putting order together and getting out the door, generally same day as I order.
-Have shared recipes with me for kits they discontinued
-Prices seem similar, maybe even a little cheaper, than others.
Con's
-I have never liked their web site. I find it clunky and slow.
-Their Kits have the LME in a huge bag that I find very awkward to work with.
-The kits often don't tell you what ingredients you are working with, they are just packaged with their part number and their instructions will call out that part number.
Northern Brewer
Pro's
-They have a very intuitive web site that is easy to navigate and cross-reference items
-They seem to have a lot of sales that anybody can take advantage of. Such as 15% off on any orders over a certain amount or maybe Free shipping.
-I like the way they package kits. Everything is identified with pertinent info so if you wanted you could reproduce the same flavor yourself by purchasing all the parts individually and then tweaking for a specific taste you might like. They put LME in a plastic just with a twist off lid. Very easy to work with.
Con's
-Flat rate shipping is $7.99 (not a deal breaker, is only a buck)
-Shipping can sometimes take a week before you get notice that they have packaged your order and requested carrier to pick up. This is for items clearly listed as "In Stock". Then you wait up to another week for the delivery.
-Some common items seem a little more expensive than other sites
-Have had a couple of mis-shipments from them (BUT they have always made good without hesitation, just have to wait for the correct items to be delivered slowly)
Who have you found you like best and why?
Williams Brewing.
Pro's:
They were my first. They sent me a catalog that finally made me commit to trying home brewing. I bought my starter kit from them.
-Support was very responsive and answered all my questions in a timely manor.
-Best standard shipping I have found so far at $6.99
-They are very quick at putting order together and getting out the door, generally same day as I order.
-Have shared recipes with me for kits they discontinued
-Prices seem similar, maybe even a little cheaper, than others.
Con's
-I have never liked their web site. I find it clunky and slow.
-Their Kits have the LME in a huge bag that I find very awkward to work with.
-The kits often don't tell you what ingredients you are working with, they are just packaged with their part number and their instructions will call out that part number.
Northern Brewer
Pro's
-They have a very intuitive web site that is easy to navigate and cross-reference items
-They seem to have a lot of sales that anybody can take advantage of. Such as 15% off on any orders over a certain amount or maybe Free shipping.
-I like the way they package kits. Everything is identified with pertinent info so if you wanted you could reproduce the same flavor yourself by purchasing all the parts individually and then tweaking for a specific taste you might like. They put LME in a plastic just with a twist off lid. Very easy to work with.
Con's
-Flat rate shipping is $7.99 (not a deal breaker, is only a buck)
-Shipping can sometimes take a week before you get notice that they have packaged your order and requested carrier to pick up. This is for items clearly listed as "In Stock". Then you wait up to another week for the delivery.
-Some common items seem a little more expensive than other sites
-Have had a couple of mis-shipments from them (BUT they have always made good without hesitation, just have to wait for the correct items to be delivered slowly)
