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

[Kemo]

My go to online suppliers are Great Fermentations, Atlantic Brewing, and as a last resort MoreBeer.
I had my LAST “experience” with NB over a year ago and will NEVER order there again.
i do have a small LHBS operation that I try to use when I can order in advance but they’re 1 1/2 hours round trip.
I’ve gone to all dry yeast for 98% of my brews.

A curiosity here... is there anything wrong with MoreBeer that they're a last resort (for you)?

If you use dme ritebrew has the best prices, by far.
And it isn't that far away from you so shipping wouldn't be too bad.

It has been quite a while since I've used DME. I'm not against it, but it isn't really a preference. I'll keep an eye out for stocking inventory with RiteBrew. I ended up going a different route this time because inventory appears to be somewhat of an issue all around.

 

[z-bob]

Farmhouse Brewing Supply Can't say much about these folks but they are from Janesville WI. so again "somewhat" close.

I have not ordered from Farmhouse since just before covid so I can't say how they are right now, but I've ordered from them many times before that and got great service at good prices. I really like their 10 pound grain specials and their selection of hops, especially in 4 ounce bags. (I haven't ordered recently because my freezer is full of hops already from previous orders from them and from Hops Direct)

 

[Worf]

Not sure how good their interstate-shipping is, but I use a Tucson based shop. BrewYourOwnBrew.com

I always pickup. They have a shops in Tucson, Scottsdale, & Gilbert, so I always go in to pickup.

 

[Pennine]

For what it's worth I just ordered some used kegs from AIH and it shipped the next day.

 

[stealthfixr]

Not sure how good their interstate-shipping is, but I use a Tucson based shop. BrewYourOwnBrew.com

I always pickup. They have a shops in Tucson, Scottsdale, & Gilbert, so I always go in to pickup.

I use Brew Your Own Brew almost exclusively as well--fantastic Tucson shop worthy of support. Anything not on their website is usually just a phone call away, and their customer service is superb.

 

[GoodTruble]

For what it's worth I just ordered some used kegs from AIH and it shipped the next day.

AIH still has good price & reliable shipping on kegs, but their quality is all over. I've ordered about 7-8 kegs from them (and would again) but every kind of dent and stubborn soda smell is possible.

 

[Pennine]

AIH still has good price & reliable shipping on kegs, but their quality is all over. I've ordered about 7-8 kegs from them (and would again) but every kind of dent and stubborn soda smell is possible.

Yep this is my second 2 I have bought from them, the first two took about 3 weeks to get to me. These two will take 3 days so it seems like they are getting their order processing issues under control.

The first two were surprisingly clean, nothing a pbw soak had any issues with, although one has a weird tilt like it was run over or something.

And I used my $10 off coupon from the first delay so 2 kegs for $85 is
hard to beat.

I did buy the one new one they had at the LHBS first though.

 

[Draft Master Flash]

Pre NB take over AIH was the place to get used corny kegs and I had bought several that were in pretty good shape form there. But after the NB take over I searched for other sources to get used corny kegs and stumbled upon The Chi Company and not only were the corny kegs cheaper they were in pristine condition and came pre-cleaned.

DMF

 

[bracconiere]

isn't labelpeelers a homebrew store? don't think they've been mentioned?

 

[PoolBrews]

The big issue I've had with RiteBrew is shipping costs. I'm in Florida, and their shipping makes them the most expensive shop for me. I typically order bulk LME to save money. When ordering from NB, I get 6 6lb jugs (36lbs) for $67.99 (I always wait for 20% off sale - happens about once every two months or so), and shipping is free.

If I go to RiteBrew, the 32lb LME is $69.99 and shipping is $26.53 for a total of $96.52. So, I get 4lb less of LME, and have to pay nearly $30 more.

Interestingly, bulk LME does not qualify for free shipping at AIH or AHS. If they're owned by the same conglomerate, I would expect the policies to be the same.

 

[hout17]

I got an email from Northern Brewer saying they have their staffing levels back up and to come back and that they were sorry if I experienced slow service. They included a 22% off sitewide coupon. They definitely have me thinking.

I've really been using my local homebrew shop as much as I can (like 90% of the time) as supporting them is much more important to me.

Edit: I meant to say that they said their shipping speed is back to normal and most things are back in stock.

 

[z-bob]

The big issue I've had with RiteBrew is shipping costs. I'm in Florida, and their shipping makes them the most expensive shop for me. I typically order bulk LME to save money. When ordering from NB, I get 6 6lb jugs (36lbs) for $67.99 (I always wait for 20% off sale - happens about once every two months or so), and shipping is free.

If I go to RiteBrew, the 32lb LME is $69.99 and shipping is $26.53 for a total of $96.52. So, I get 4lb less of LME, and have to pay nearly $30 more.

Interestingly, bulk LME does not qualify for free shipping at AIH or AHS. If they're owned by the same conglomerate, I would expect the policies to be the same.

I'm close enough to Ritebrew that I can use Speedy Delivery, which is a lot cheaper than the other common carriers. Their tracking sucks (but probably works just fine for finding a missing package) but delivery is usually 2 days. I bought a 50# bag of malt from ritebrew recently for $50, and then shipping was about $20. Everyplace else I checked the malt was at least $75, including having a local brewery tack it onto their wholesale order, plus I added a few other small items to the RB order and it didn't bump up the shipping.

If you have to pay for FedEx or USPS (etc) shipping, I can see how the calculus could be totally different.

 

[Draft Master Flash]

I got an email from Northern Brewer saying they have their staffing levels back up and to come back and that they were sorry if I experienced slow service. They included a 22% off sitewide coupon. They definitely have me thinking.

I've really been using my local homebrew shop as much as I can (like 90% of the time) as supporting them is much more important to me.

As the saying goes, "They cooked their goose"!

Not going back to NB.

DMF

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I'm close enough to Ritebrew that I can use Speedy Delivery, which is a lot cheaper than the other common carriers. Their [Speedy] tracking sucks

On my last order (a couple of weeks ago), the tracking was "back on track".

• Ordered on Monday (around 6:00a),
• got the "ready for carrier pickup" email around noon,
• saw the tracking entries for Monday night & early Tuesday morning.
• Package was on my front step Tuesday at noon.

"Dock to door" in 24 hours.

 

[GoodTruble]

Yeah, I am just using local shop for everything I can.

 

[Nextech]

As the saying goes, "They cooked their goose"!

Not going back to NB.

DMF

Same here. Fooled me one too many times... Fortunately there are still other options that focus on customer service from the get-go and not just when they're trying to save face.

 

[Nextech]

isn't labelpeelers a homebrew store? don't think they've been mentioned?

Matt and the team are the best! I've been using LP for wine supplies for quite a few years. Since the death of AIH I have also started using them for some beer supplies as well. Prices are competitive especially when they have sales, shipping is fast, and the people are just great to work with!

 

[Teufelhunde]

Same here. Fooled me one too many times... Fortunately there are still other options that focus on customer service from the get-go and not just when they're trying to save face.

Yeah, I'm afraid that NB's corporate overlords have kinda screwed the pooch with me (and I'm sure I'm not alone) this time. I might order from them again, but only if it was an item exclusive to them (big mouth bubbler, etc.) or if the deal was just too good to pass up, but likely will just spend my money elsewhere.....fool me once, shame on you.....twice,shame on me......

 

[bmc1313]

I lost AHS as my local store (less than 5 miles away) so that has sucked. couldn’t believe they didn’t keep a southern hub for shipping from. I just use morebeer now for most of my purchases. it’s hard to buy any liquid yeast, though. :/

 

[charoldson]

I placed an order with NB on 11/13 and it remains unfulfilled on 11/23.

Response from NB after an inquiry from me on the status of the order on 11/18:

"Thank you for the recent order. We have had some challenges with the current labor market and supply chains, which has lead to some delays. Your order was originally slotted to fulfill/ship on 11/17, but is currently back logged, by about 1-3 business days. We have brought on additional labor to help alleviate the back log."

5 days later it is still unfulfilled. I do believe I'll be cancelling this order and finding somewhere else to do business.

 

[hout17]

I placed an order with NB on 11/13 and it remains unfulfilled on 11/23.

Response from NB after an inquiry from me on the status of the order on 11/18:

"Thank you for the recent order. We have had some challenges with the current labor market and supply chains, which has lead to some delays. Your order was originally slotted to fulfill/ship on 11/17, but is currently back logged, by about 1-3 business days. We have brought on additional labor to help alleviate the back log."

5 days later it is still unfulfilled. I do believe I'll be cancelling this order and finding somewhere else to do business.

Figures here is a screen shot of an email I got on 11/13 saying their shipping speed is back to normal sounds like BS.

 

[charoldson]

Figures here is a screen shot of an email I got on 11/13 saying their shipping speed is back to normal sounds like BS.

That is definitely BS. Makes me despise them even more.

 

[DarrellQ]

I placed an order with NB on 11/13 and it remains unfulfilled on 11/23.

Response from NB after an inquiry from me on the status of the order on 11/18:

"Thank you for the recent order. We have had some challenges with the current labor market and supply chains, which has lead to some delays. Your order was originally slotted to fulfill/ship on 11/17, but is currently back logged, by about 1-3 business days. We have brought on additional labor to help alleviate the back log."

5 days later it is still unfulfilled. I do believe I'll be cancelling this order and finding somewhere else to do business.

Similar thing happened to me. When I cancelled, within hours, I got an email telling me it had been shipped. NEVER will order from them again.

 

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I posted my NB "challenges" earlier in this thread. This last time I went to MoreBeer. The order page indicated I'd receive my goods in about a week. Cool. The FedEx truck dropped everything off in 3 days. WOW! Under-promise and over-deliver -- great way to do business.

I'm sold.

 

[matt_m]

If anyone has a lot of space and wants an historical item from the good old days of AIH, the Taylor store sign is for sale. This location went into a comma due to Covid in March 2020 and Blackstreet pulled the plug on the way out of town.

 

[Nate R]

If anyone has a lot of space and wants an historical item from the good old days of AIH, the Taylor store sign is for sale. This location went into a comma due to Covid in March 2020 and Blackstreet pulled the plug on the way out of town.

View attachment 792656

It says you can re-arrange the letters... hmmm....
New game!

Ok- what's the best/ funniest thing one could spell with this sign??
I can't find anything innappropriate or bawdy...
Maybe "Bring me gore"?
Anybody got a better one?

 

[tracer bullet]

Whoremonger

 

[TBA]

Just wanted to share a positive experience. I haven't bought from Adventures in Homebrewing in several years. I had a gift certificate and with the change in ownership I figured it was gone. On Thanksgiving night I tried to use it but it said it was invalid. I sent an email asking about it. To my pleasant surprise when I checked my email at 8 AM on Black Friday I had a reply with a new gift card! I put in my order for grain and received it today, 8 days later. It had showed estimated delivery of next Thursday, Dec 8, so I was again pleasantly surprised. I plan to brew next weekend so Thursday would have been fine.

 

[Teufelhunde]

Just wanted to share a positive experience. I haven't bought from Adventures in Homebrewing in several years. I had a gift certificate and with the change in ownership I figured it was gone. On Thanksgiving night I tried to use it but it said it was invalid. I sent an email asking about it. To my pleasant surprise when I checked my email at 8 AM on Black Friday I had a reply with a new gift card! I put in my order for grain and received it today, 8 days later. It had showed estimated delivery of next Thursday, Dec 8, so I was again pleasantly surprised. I plan to brew next weekend so Thursday would have been fine.

Good to hear they may be finally getting their act together. Only problem for them is that it takes 10 attaboys to make up for 1 OhShit, and they've got a lot to make up.....

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

... just trying out the newly [to me anyway] enhanced spoiler alert feature, nothing new to see here ...

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Can they be nested? Lets find out how deep this goes ...