Affordable Home Brew Supplies

[smata67]

The MOST affordable brew shop is listed in here somewhere:

http://scottjanish.com/top-homebrew-shop-websites/
Fact is, most are pretty close in price when all is said and done, but I have found Atlantic Brew Supply to not only be somewhat cheaper than the others (they also have a discount code to boot), but close enough that I get my shipments within two days of ordering.

 

[soccerdad]

I might have mentioned this in another thread. I often order from MoreBeer and 90%+ of the time orders ship within a day or two. My last order took 10 days or more to leave the warehouse. I believe 2 things hit them at the same time ... 1) California was on fire. 2) Pandemic worker shortages. I don't fault them for that, but a shop in Raleigh like Atlantic may not have had at least the fire struggle.

 

[user 298779]

Well, MOREBEER Won't ever get any money or another order from me. Placed an order this afternoon for a couple of pounds of on sale hops, 22 pounds of grain, (3 different grains) and some yeast for next brew. $80 odd dollars. Free shipping in the cart. Had the 15% off first order coupon. clicked PayPal and entered coupon. roughly $65 final order.
Got email telling me I didn't have shipping added to the order. It showed free shipping..... Guess I'll go back to Northern Brewing when I can't get locally.

Like many others here, I’ve ordered from them for years; never an issue. If there seemed to be a problem a quick phone call always cleared things up. Not to say it always went my way as sometimes I was not familiar with their specific policy. That’s just my experience.

 

[rhorwitz]

I have been dealing with More Beer since 2009. They offer great deals on equipment and ingredients, but the quality is not always there, especially their grains which I have had some issue with (bugs) . I have been dealing with ABS since they opened to the public in 2013 ( they are very local to me) and they offer good quality equipment and grains. Many of the breweries in the Raleigh area use ABS equipment. BTW-the owners also own Raleigh Brewing which is adjacent to their showroom.

 

[AlexKay]

I've had good experiences with ABS (and with MoreBeer, for that matter). Equidistant from you (depending where you are in TN) is Great Fermentations, who I'd also recommend. Also, both stores promote a local maltster, Epiphany (ABS) and Sugar Creek (GF).

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Mail ordered grain? Local or close to it is always better. At least you have a real person to deal with instead of someone at the other end of a phone call or email. I buy grain locally so I know what I'm getting. I have driven out of town to buy grain too, a couple hour drive is a pleasure plus some other stops along the way.

 

[Teufelhunde]

I deal almost exclusively with Northern Brewer. As with any mail order business, things sometimes go south. If that does happen, NB is right on top of it and takes care of it right away and without complaint.

YMMV

Lon

 

[Brewdog80]

Yes, Mail ordered grain. Brewed for several decades in central MS where it was still illegal to brew beer. The ONLY way to get any supplies was to mail order or drive hours to pick them up. Heck brought back 55 pound bags of grain whenever we did a road trip. Dallas shop, heck even Minnesota shop once. No, Morebeer never tried to contact me back, but I guess they read my email, they cancelled the paypal charge. Fine by me. I'll work with local guy more, and but from others when I have to. Local still has no Wyeast, guess I'll try some Imperial.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I should have clarified, nothing wrong with mail ordered grain or yeast for that matter. Most of those places have a good turnaround so you're not getting old ingredients. I have two good local places here which is nice bit not everyone has that advantage. I've ordered a lot of items before from Northern Brewer even a Kolsch grain I couldn't source locally. As I mentioned before I've driven a few hours away to buy grain - three sacks of different grains sure has a pleasant aroma for the trip home!

 

[shoreman]

As many have mentioned, buy in bulk.

Hops - hopsdirect or yakima valley hops hops on sale from previous year in lbs - $8-15/lb

Grains - buy a sack of base locally and brew simple beers with 0-2 specialty malts. $40-$70

Yeast - either save it or buy dry yeast from Ritebrew when you need it, shipping is minimal - $2-3. Pack of S04 is like $3 there.

1 sack of grain and 1 lb of versatile hop, you could make 35-50 gallons of beer for about $60-70 depending on ABV.

 

[dwhite60]

Best way to save money is to buy in bulk. Costs more up front but it is more economical. Cough up the bucks and but a grain mill too. The old Corona styles mills are slow but they are cheap and do an acceptable job.

I really try to support my local guys, they're working hard for my business. They're friendly, helpful, and have fair prices for the most part. I do more business with the small guy than the big shop.

It's easy to do mail order, save a couple dimes, and having it arrive at you're door but, the day will come you forgot to order yeast or something, run to the local guy to salvage your brew day, and he's gone under.

 

[Jaybird]

@bracconiere, your November shipment of grain is being loaded now.

Baaaahhhaaaaaaaaaa! NOW THATS FUNNY! Not too far off... @bracconiere I think you have a reputation to live up too!

Cheers
Jay

 

[MaxStout]

We have a load of botanicals on the way, too.