ArcaneXor
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- Nov 10, 2007
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I put together a fairly typical sample order and priced it at each of the major online homebrewing stores that are frequently mentioned here on HBT: Austin Homebrew Supplies, Midwest Brewing, Northern Brewer and Brewmasters Warehouse. There are frequently heated debates about the merits of charging flat rate vs. actual shipping costs, and whether merchants who offer flat rate shipping absorb some of the costs by having higher base prices for ingredients and equipment. This experiment should provide a snapshot to answer those questions. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on if you are an extract or all grain brewer, what equipment you are ordering, etc.
Rules:
I included equipment and ingredients a typical partial mash brewer might order for two batches, a Koelsch and a simple Cascade IPA. I chose partial mash because it combines grains and extract, giving a more comprehensive selection of ingredients.
If a merchant doesn't offer a specific item, a substitute is selected.
If a merchant doesn't offer an item at the specified quantity, the next higher available quantity is chosen.
Since Midwest charges actual shipping costs, it was calculated for three zip codes: 90210 (Southern California), 32611 (North Central Florida) and 65738 (Southwest Missouri).
Order components:
110 O2 Bottle Caps (for two batches)
6-gal Better Bottle, plain
Adhesive Thermometer Strip/Fermometer
Wyeast Nutrient, 1 vial
32 oz StarSan
Vinator
5.2 Stabilizer
1 lb Dextrose
Safale-05, 1 satchel
1 Wyeast Koelsch Activator
2 oz German Hallertauer Pellets
1 oz Magnum (U.S. or German) Pellets
3 oz Cascade Pellets
6 lbs Pale/Light/Golden LME
3.2 lbs Pilsen/Extra Light LME
1 lbs Pilsen/Extra Light DME
3.5 lbs Pilsner Malt, crushed
0.5 lbs Vienna Malt, crushed
2.5 lbs US 2-row, crushed
1 lbs Crystal 60, crushed
10 Whirlfloc tablets
Results (assuming no special offers or sales):
1.) Midwest to 65738: $155.01
2.) Midwest to 32611: $160.19
3.) Midwest to 90210: $164.13
4.) Austin Homebrew: $166.67
5.) Northern Brewer: $167.68
6.) Brewmasters Warehouse: $169.69
Discussion:
Midwest, despite not offering flat-rate shipping, wins clearly, suggesting that companies offering flat-rate shipping appear to have higher base prices. The stores offering flat rate shipping were very close in total price, but it should be noted that you actually get a little more base malts at Midwest and more base and Crystal malts at Northern Brewer than specified because they don't allow orders for fractions of a pound (i.e. you'd get 3 lbs of 2-row instead of 2.5 lbs).
Finally, Brewmasters Warehouse has very aggressive grain pricing, making it a better choice for all-grain brewers than this summary reflects. Their extract prices are somewhat higher than at the other stores, explaining why they came in last in this particular comparison.
When taking into account the current 50-State sale at Austin Homebrew and the current 10% off coupon at Brewmasters Warehouse, they come in first and second in the list, beating Midwest. The total for AHS is $150.70 and for BMW is $153.42 with discounts/coupons applied.
Conclusion:
Order from who you are most comfortable with. The prices are reasonably close to each other that proximity to your location, quality of service, freshness of ingredients, and loyalty/past success should be your deciding factors when deciding who to place an order with. If your order components vary significantly from those included in the above list, do your own comparison before drawing conclusions.
Disclaimers:
Prices fluctuate constantly, and this comparison may not be accurate in the future. Other homebrew stores not included in this comparison may offer better deals, as may buying ingredients locally or in bulk from various companies (e.g. hops from HopsDirect).
Rules:
I included equipment and ingredients a typical partial mash brewer might order for two batches, a Koelsch and a simple Cascade IPA. I chose partial mash because it combines grains and extract, giving a more comprehensive selection of ingredients.
If a merchant doesn't offer a specific item, a substitute is selected.
If a merchant doesn't offer an item at the specified quantity, the next higher available quantity is chosen.
Since Midwest charges actual shipping costs, it was calculated for three zip codes: 90210 (Southern California), 32611 (North Central Florida) and 65738 (Southwest Missouri).
Order components:
110 O2 Bottle Caps (for two batches)
6-gal Better Bottle, plain
Adhesive Thermometer Strip/Fermometer
Wyeast Nutrient, 1 vial
32 oz StarSan
Vinator
5.2 Stabilizer
1 lb Dextrose
Safale-05, 1 satchel
1 Wyeast Koelsch Activator
2 oz German Hallertauer Pellets
1 oz Magnum (U.S. or German) Pellets
3 oz Cascade Pellets
6 lbs Pale/Light/Golden LME
3.2 lbs Pilsen/Extra Light LME
1 lbs Pilsen/Extra Light DME
3.5 lbs Pilsner Malt, crushed
0.5 lbs Vienna Malt, crushed
2.5 lbs US 2-row, crushed
1 lbs Crystal 60, crushed
10 Whirlfloc tablets
Results (assuming no special offers or sales):
1.) Midwest to 65738: $155.01
2.) Midwest to 32611: $160.19
3.) Midwest to 90210: $164.13
4.) Austin Homebrew: $166.67
5.) Northern Brewer: $167.68
6.) Brewmasters Warehouse: $169.69
Discussion:
Midwest, despite not offering flat-rate shipping, wins clearly, suggesting that companies offering flat-rate shipping appear to have higher base prices. The stores offering flat rate shipping were very close in total price, but it should be noted that you actually get a little more base malts at Midwest and more base and Crystal malts at Northern Brewer than specified because they don't allow orders for fractions of a pound (i.e. you'd get 3 lbs of 2-row instead of 2.5 lbs).
Finally, Brewmasters Warehouse has very aggressive grain pricing, making it a better choice for all-grain brewers than this summary reflects. Their extract prices are somewhat higher than at the other stores, explaining why they came in last in this particular comparison.
When taking into account the current 50-State sale at Austin Homebrew and the current 10% off coupon at Brewmasters Warehouse, they come in first and second in the list, beating Midwest. The total for AHS is $150.70 and for BMW is $153.42 with discounts/coupons applied.
Conclusion:
Order from who you are most comfortable with. The prices are reasonably close to each other that proximity to your location, quality of service, freshness of ingredients, and loyalty/past success should be your deciding factors when deciding who to place an order with. If your order components vary significantly from those included in the above list, do your own comparison before drawing conclusions.
Disclaimers:
Prices fluctuate constantly, and this comparison may not be accurate in the future. Other homebrew stores not included in this comparison may offer better deals, as may buying ingredients locally or in bulk from various companies (e.g. hops from HopsDirect).
