All Grain...Buying in Quantity

[DeskAce]

Hi guys, I'm a new member and was overwhelmed with helpful responses to my first post in the newbie category. I live in Guatemala and am preparing to begin all-grain brewing here. Eventually I want to grow or buy whatever resources I can locally, but initially I need to develop a baseline and get some experience with known quality resources, so I want to order from proven suppliers in the US.

I don't want to order the 'kits' that are so popular for standard 5 gallon production because to ship here I really need volume or it's prohibitively expensive. Can you all give me some guidance on where to buy from so I can get lower prices and buy in bulk? I don't mind buying 100 gallons worth of final production if that's what it takes.

Also, is there an alternative to liquid yeast? Shipping is going to take me 4-6 weeks so I need non-perishables. Thanks in advance.

 

[Special Hops]

Lot's of quality dry east are available - cheaper too. And just as effective IMO. Safale and Nottingham are probably the most popular dry yeasts.

I'll let someone else answer the grain question.

 

[BA_from_GA]

i use almost exclusively dry yeast strains (i'll buy one packet of yeast and then wash it to use for numerous generations .. see HERE ) The only time i use a liquid yeast is when i want a specific yeast-contributed character (namely belgians, but did the same recently for a Scottish 70- schilling)

In regards to malt. the country malt group is where i've gotten my bulk grain through Club group buys, one palate is like 42 bags of grain, so that may not be as feasible for you. Good thing is un-milled grain will be fine for a long shipment.

 

[bad coffee]

You could get someone to send you yeast slants for any special yeasts you need. Other than that, stick to Safale and Danstar dry yeasts.

You might want to talk to a local brewery and see if they'll sell you a bag of grain and some specialty grains. Check this list:
http://beerme.com/region.php?184

B

 

[cuinrearview]

All good advice. Safale US-05 will be your best friend. Search here for methods of storing grain and if you get a cool spell buy all the hops and grain you can and keep the grain as cool as you can and the hops as frozen as you can. Look for methods to keep both air-tight.

 

[944play]

Safale US-05 will be your best friend.

...unless you like English styles or smaller beers, in which case S-04 will treat you better. Chico yeast (ie, US-05) IMO makes rather "pukey" tasting small beers, but obviously awesome strong beers.