Did Northern Brewer Purchase Austin Homebrew AND/OR Adventures in Brewing?

[Ron O]

I usually buy a lot of stuff from Atlantic Brew Supply in Raleigh. They have good prices and fast shipping. Since you’re in NC you’d probably get your order in a day. I’m in extreme rural Colorado and don’t have a LHBS, let alone any other retail stores close. All my brewing purchases are online… usually with whoever has what I need or the lowest price. I’m not particularly loyal to any one company. I’ve done business with nearly all the online companies listed in this thread.
PS I’ll be in Wilmington in June.

Thanks for the recommendation. Now that you mention it I remember buying kits from Atlantic Brewery years ago when I lived in Raleigh.

BTW, there are many good breweries in Wilmington.

 

[camonick]

BTW, there are many good breweries in Wilmington.

We’ll be there visiting my brother in law. He owns a small sandwich shop on Castle Hayne Rd. near N. Kerr. I told him we need to find a driver and we’ll do a day drinking brewery adventure.

 

[Yesfan]

Yesfan, If you are still in Cleveland.... The Vine n Hop in Medina, by way of comparison has Briess DME $12.99 for 3# Maybe they are closer to you than Beverage World.... they do ship also

I live in Tennessee brother, but thanks for the suggestion. I'll consider them since you said they ship. Appreciate it!

 

[D.B.Moody]

The Vine n Hop in Medina, by way of comparison has Briess DME $12.99 for 3#

But they are currently out of stock on Briess Golden Light which they price at $14.99, I did not specify that it was the Golden light that i checked the prices on. My bad. I was just using that product as an indicator or how bad Northern Brewer's prices are.

 

[Jhedrick83]

@Yesfan Check out Atlantic Brew supply for sure. Also in TN and I’ve ordered from them with great success including liquid yeast.

 

[TBA]

My quasi local (1 hr drive) shop ships, Free over $100. Just checked their price on Briess DME, 16.14, maybe not the cheapest but I find their hops well priced. It is always a total cost situation. Now I see they are moving into a larger space so I guess this means the business is growing.

http://www.brewsrq.com

 

[Yesfan]

@Yesfan Check out Atlantic Brew supply for sure. Also in TN and I’ve ordered from them with great success including liquid yeast.

Certainly will and Go Big Orange.

 

[ksmax]

Both were bought by Blackstreet Capital which owns Northern Brewer and Midwest supplies. AiH in Ann Arbor is indeed closed and will only be an online entity. Sadly shipping from MN will mean no overnight shipping that I enjoyed from Ann Arbor and no store to wander through with everything under the sun.

 

[BrewDrinkRepeat]

My local homebrew supply store in Wilmington, NC just closed. I guess they weren't profitable. Now I will have to shop online at NB or AIH.

There are a LOT of other online options besides those two.

 

[wstumper]

Missouri Malt in Fenton, Missouri (actually, southwest St Louis area) for malt, hops, yeast and other ingredients including flour for baking! Although I live south of Cincinnati (Listermann and Paradise Brewing) I visit St Louis often enough to stock up on ingredients. I do buy local to fill in holes when I run out. Rarely purchase ingredients online...

 

[kevin58]

... and let's see if HomebrewTalk can 'crowd source' the internet's best list of regional, local, and online stores in 2022.

For those near the "North Coast", ritebrew is worth a look. With generally [1] next day delivery to a wide area of the "North Coast" (including the Twin Cities ), one can (generally) order ingredients on Monday and brew on the next weekend.

[1] Subject to availability of working delivery trucks . YMMV. IANAL. ...

My LHBS also has an online storefront. They have a very healthy supply of ingredients and equipment with very quick turnaround from order to shipping. Hop Craft Supply Co. | Beer & Wine Making Supplies

 

[Merz69]

I was pleasantly surprised that my preferred LHBS (I'm lucky to have a few options) seemed to be upgrading yesterday. They added a grainfather section, a duo-tight fittings section, and a new freezer for hops. That was all new in just the last 1-2 months and seem to be welcome additions. (Though they also told me they are mostly phasing out Wyeast in favor of Omega - which I thought was surprising).

The old hop fridge broke

 

[matt_m]

For hops, I'm almost exclusively using Yakima Valley Hops these days. The prices are great and shipping is very reasonable (and lightning quick, I have been seeing them arrive in 1-2 days!) The exception would be if I just need a couple ounces of something I'm not sure I'll use again. The only problem is they send great sale emails--our freezer now has more hops than food

 

[Yesfan]

It probably doesn't matter, but I did get a couple of replies from AiH after I emailed them.

Both stores are indeed closed as of 3/25. Online operation only. They're hoping to keep things "running as smoothly as possible while they transition to a new warehouse." I had asked if they were bought out by Northern and if anyone at AiH were going to lose their jobs. I never got an answer to that, but didn't expect one either.

Bummer. AiH is an awesome store. Northern too, as I felt they were going back to their roots after AB/InBev sold them and Chip Walton, assuming, is back working with them. I just bought a few scales from Northern a couple of weeks ago and have been very pleased with them.

 

[Dancy]

Locally, I use Midwest Supplies for my brew day supplies (grain, yeast, corn sugar, etc,) as they are about a 10-12 minute drive from home. I haven’t purchased much equipment at all from them or NB (also local to me) as they cost more and don’t necessarily have what I want. I’ve used AIH, William’s, More Beer and Atlantic Brew Supply (grain from ABS, too) for Speidel, my M&B, malt mill, etc.
I wonder — and probably some of you know — how steady are the numbers of home brewers in the USA? Have they significantly increased or decreased In the last 5-10 years? As far as I know (only anecdotally), not everyone and their brother is brewing beer at home. I have to think this affects the number of stores — local & online — that can make it in the marketplace. Are the future suppliers for our hobby gonna be the big boys? It doesn’t strike me as the easiest hobby-oriented business to turn a profit from. I’m speculating with no facts here so I’d like to know what others think.

 

[Yesfan]

Locally, I use Midwest Supplies for my brew day supplies (grain, yeast, corn sugar, etc,) as they are about a 10-12 minute drive from home. I haven’t purchased much equipment at all from them or NB (also local to me) as they cost more and don’t necessarily have what I want. I’ve used AIH, William’s, More Beer and Atlantic Brew Supply (grain from ABS, too) for Speidel, my M&B, malt mill, etc.
I wonder — and probably some of you know — how steady are the numbers of home brewers in the USA? Have they significantly increased or decreased In the last 5-10 years? As far as I know (only anecdotally), not everyone and their brother is brewing beer at home. I have to think this affects the number of stores — local & online — that can make it in the marketplace. Are the future suppliers for our hobby gonna be the big boys? It doesn’t strike me as the easiest hobby-oriented business to turn a profit from. I’m speculating with no facts here so I’d like to know what others think.

I think that's what it is. According to AiH's email replies to me, a decline in homebrewers is part of the reason why they are closing their stores. I didn't brew as much as I wanted in the past two years due to the pandemic (work), so I'm sure that's one variable in the homebrewer decline.

 

[Dancy]

I didn't brew as much as I wanted in the past two years due to the pandemic (work), so I'm sure that's one variable in the homebrewer decline.

I brewed a bit more due to being isolated and living alone during the pandemic and I’ve worked at home as well. I’m thinking there could’ve been an increase in home brewing but maybe my assumption is wrong.

 

[matt_m]

Weird the dramatic increase was there reason for slow order fulfillment.

 

[mike.stout]

I went by AHS today to spend the rest of my gift cards. The last day the storefront will be open is tomorrow. Been driving To their store for supplies since 2007. It’s a real shame . AHS website will still be active but it is just a front for Northern, as all will ship from their warehouse up north (All left over inventory from AHS will also be packed up and sent to Northerns warehouse ). The building should be vacant by the 31st but they built it and own it so who knows how big of a hurry they are in to get out.

 

[Yesfan]

I brewed a bit more due to being isolated and living alone during the pandemic and I’ve worked at home as well. I’m thinking there could’ve been an increase in home brewing but maybe my assumption is wrong.

Could be. In my case my work load increased and I couldn't make time for a brew day to happen. If I needed anything, I got it online instead of going out to get it. I'm sure people going to Amazon to avoid getting out, probably hurt a lot of local brick and mortar stores. I brewed three beers in 2020-2021. The past two weeks however, I brewed two beers and hoping to do a third this weekend.

 

[Yesfan]

I went by AHS today to spend the rest of my gift cards. The last day the storefront will be open is tomorrow. Been driving To their store for supplies since 2007. It’s a real shame . AHS website will still be active but it is just a front for Northern, as all will ship from their warehouse up north (All left over inventory from AHS will also be packed up and sent to Northerns warehouse ). The building should be vacant by the 31st but they built it and own it so who knows how big of a hurry they are in to get out.

Maybe that's that "new warehouse" AiH was telling me about in their recent reply to me. That's pretty sh*tty, if merchandise from AiH and AHS is really coming from the stores in Northern. Seems it would be easier to just let those stores keep running as they are and avoid any layoff. Customers in those areas would get their orders received a lot quicker.

 

[Gus_13]

It sucks to see them closing storefronts. I definitely have used them in the past. I do still like NB as they have a large selection and I don't have anyone close for a LHBS. Weird to see that so many people hate NB when it's the holdings company that is doing this and not actual NB from what I can tell. NB was my go to when I first started and their videos gave me a lots of knowledge back in the day. I appreciate the free shipping at $49 as well. Sucks to see anyone lose their jobs though especially if it was done that way.

 

[doogster]

Missouri Malt in Fenton, Missouri (actually, southwest St Louis area) for malt, hops, yeast and other ingredients including flour for baking! Although I live south of Cincinnati (Listermann and Paradise Brewing) I visit St Louis often enough to stock up on ingredients. I do buy local to fill in holes when I run out. Rarely purchase ingredients online...

Grew up in South St. Louis... on my trip to visit dad this past December I stopped in at Missouri Malt and picked up a few harder to find hops and hauled them back to Cleveland. Nice guy, and a good selection.

 

[kartracer2]

Yeah I don't quite understand the hate for NB/MS buying AIH/AHS. Maybe be because they were sort-of involved with the "evil AB/Inbev" at one time.
The way I see it those stores, store front biz, might not have been making enough in sales to make bail. Online sales probably kept them alive and doing well. The owners probably got a nice check for selling and washing their hands. Yes is sucks for the employees though but it does happen all the time in other biz.
Now with all that said, I am going to re-evaluate my buying habits. I have been getting a lot of my stuff from the MS side of NB/MS. MS has a slightly lower cost but a higher minimum for free shipping but I usually have no problem achieving that. I might add that I get my stuff the next day after processed.
Now though, their prices have really gone up. On one particular extract kit that I have bought regularly, in the last 6 months has gone from $30.00 (9/21) to the last one @ $37.00. (3/22) Now I can buy those same ingredients ala-cart from RiteBrew for $35.00 and have a pound of DME left over. ( just a FYI, same kit from NB is now $43.00).
Another point I might bring up is I wonder if maybe some sellers are ahead of price increases more than others. When you look at the prices that vary for extract as they do, it makes me think a bit. Lot's of moving parts and pieces in this puzzle.
So what does all this blathering really mean? As always you gotta keep your pencil sharp in today's market and if you are lucky enough to have a LHBS, shop the store front if you want to keep it.
As always, Cheers,
Joel B.

 

[Dancy]

@ kart racer — All well said. I think it is easy to think poorly of a company when employees are laid off but that’s business everywhere when there are acquisitions. Employees working in a retail store no longer needed can’t be kept on in other roles just to be nice and to be frank, an employee working at the retail level is not (hopefully!) looking at that job as a long term career move. As a young man, I worked retail sales in a camera store and also men’s suits, luggage and shoes; however, in the early and mid 1980s those paid commission so you could make a better living than today. Commission is why we received better service in those days.

 

[tracer bullet]

Maybe that's that "new warehouse" AiH was telling me about in their recent reply to me. That's pretty sh*tty, if merchandise from AiH and AHS is really coming from the stores in Northern. Seems it would be easier to just let those stores keep running as they are and avoid any layoff. Customers in those areas would get their orders received a lot quicker.

NB has a HUGE warehouse about a mile from where I live. I wouldn't be surprised to see future web orders for those companies being shipped from MN.

I do find it odd NB would bother, to an extent. I wonder if they actually paid very much. Let the store close, fire the employees of course, and send the web orders to themselves. I get that, but the difference in that and doing nothing and just getting those online orders anyhow... Doesn't seem like a huge difference. Especially after everyone figures out what's up anyhow.

I cross show NB and Midwest and at first appearances they seem like different places but if your'e really comparing items you'll start seeing the overlap pretty easily. Midwest's store has both brands on packages on the shelf. They're both here near me.

NB is funny that their store is tiny, and their warehouse is like a city block in size. Midwest, however, is pretty big for a LHBS and is even bigger when you see that they've got a boatload of inventory off to the side in another room as well. How that overlaps w/ NB's warehouse I haven't yet figured out.

 

[ElTacoLoco]

Ever since my brother and I first decided to get into homebrewing 15 years ago, I have been incredibly fortunate to be able to have Austin Homebrew Supply as my LHBS. At that time they were a small storefront off Burnet Rd. Walking into the store with little knowledge, the salesperson walked us through the brew process and sent us off with the starter equipment kit and our first recipe, an oatmeal stout, as well as a number to call if we had any questions. Throughout the years as I learned and adapted my processes I always had the benefit of quick access to a fully stocked LHBS with knowledgeable staff, with the added throughput of internet sales I could also always rely on them to have the freshest ingredients. Everything for me could be purchased the day before brew day, and I never had to worry about shipping. No internet sale or discount could ever match the convenience of walking into the AHS grain room and measuring out the exact amount of grain needed for recipes. If a last minute change meant I was going to brew 15 instead of 10 gallons, it was a quick trip to run down and get the missing grain to match the adjusted recipe.

Not knowing what the future will hold, today I went in and used all the remain gift certificates and rewards points I had sitting around to overstock on bulk grain and items I know I can't beat with internet pricing. I witnessed a couple purchasing a homebrew equipment starter kit and getting the same level of personal service that started me on the venture years ago.

Hands down this sucks. It sucks for me who has lost a local resource that was unmatched anywhere else. However, even more the story behind this is bad for everyone. I don’t believe this was an unprofitable storefront (don't tell me that the oldest and most prolific HBS in Austin, Texas was failing). This is story of acquisition, and Blackstreet Capital Holdings deciding that the storefronts are not profitable enough for their shareholders.

 

[kartracer2]

I don’t believe this was an unprofitable storefront (don't tell me that the oldest and most prolific HBS in Austin, Texas was failing

Then I guess it begs to question why someone local didn't buy it. Better question yet, why was it sold in the first place. If it was so profitable you would think someone in the great state of Texas would jump at the chance to buy it instead of some outfit from Minnesota.

This is story of acquisition, and Blackstreet Capital Holdings deciding that the storefronts are not profitable enough for their shareholders.

Capitalism, you got to love it!. (or not) Like I said, it sucks for the local people and employees involved. I'm sure there is way more to this story that what we will ever know. I can say this though, when all said and done, it gets down to money or lack there of, it always does. I'm not defending any one but Biz is Biz.

Cheers,
Joel B.

(edit) Blackstreet Capital is actualy out of Bethesda, MD .

 

[Dancy]

I started brewing in 1994 and did it for 5-6 years until a divorce then came back to it a few years ago. I’ve lived in Mpls/St. Paul the entire time. Back then it was NB, Midwest Supplies, Brew&Grow, and some place in Bloomington (suburb). That’s it, as far as I can remember. Now the last two are gone. The Twin City area was/is 3mil+ people and we weren’t ordering off the Internet like we are now. That is not many retailers for a hobby in a metro area this large. As a group of hobbyists, I’m thinking we aren’t that large compared to many. If you want to continue to experience the warm fuzzies of conversing with fellow brewers at your local shop, maybe joining a brew club has to be it —Or getting together with a buddy to brew — something many of you already do. I do neither but really appreciate HBT as a resource because I’ve not sought much advice at the shop anyway. I miss brick and mortar stores for a lot of things but frankly, I have blame myself to some degree for mail ordering instead.

 

[matt_m]

I could care less about AIH/AHS selling. I just went through that last year with my employer when the majority owner decided to retire. I knew something was going to happen someday but it came as a surprise. A lot has changed, a lot hasn't.

What I care about is that NB sucks as an online supplier. For equipment it seems like everything they carry is a house brand and its all overpriced for what it is. For ingredients they are significantly overpriced, slow to ship, and have poor customer service.