Domestic Ingredients

[MaxStout]

So your 30 minutes ago post grabbed my attention, and as I was re-reading the thread from the beginning, I saw your comment from a year ago:

And wanted to ask: did you ever try that?

I remember thinking that might be good until I saw the "Toasty, Biscuit, and bold, sourdough flavors", when I decided against trying it.

Never did the faux Maris thing. I used that Special Roast in a porter and a pale ale a while back. I think it comprised 3-4% in each of those. I don't recall it adding much to either beer.

 

[MaxStout]

Do they check to see if you are in the beer business or not? One could have an LLC and pay sales tax but not sell or make beer. Would they still be able to buy from BSG etc...?

Yeah, that could be an issue. BSG might require proof of licensure for production/distribution. Probably wise to contact BSG, say "I'm thinking of starting a brewing-related business...what documentation will you need from me?"

 

[Tony B]

I haven’t yet seen a change in prices at my LHBS, but it seems like we will see price increases on imported ingredients. A while back I tried some Great Western Pilsner malt from Idaho in a WC pils. It was great. I also use a ton of Briess brewers malt in a majority of my recipes.
I really like Weyerman Pilsner malt, but if the price goes up, I’ll definitely be looking at more domestic options.
I order a lot of my hops from YVH. The have had pretty reasonable prices on imported hops, but if they go way up, I’m definitely looking at domestic substitutes.

 

[day_trippr]

The fellow HBTer that lives in my town and has been supplying me with bags of base malts from BSG over the years may simply be set up as a reseller...akin to a retail shop but sans the bricks and mortar...

Cheers!

 

[MaxStout]

The fellow HBTer that lives in my town and has been supplying me with bags of base malts from BSG over the years may simply be set up as a reseller...akin to a retail shop but sans the bricks and mortar...

Cheers!

Is your friend required by BSG to order minimum quantities?

 

[Bassman2003]

Yes, that is the next round of questions. How small of quantities do places like BSG ship? A home based LLC ordering a sack of grain delivered to a residential address seems like they would not want to bother... Plus shipping would be high priced probably defeating any cost savings.

 

[day_trippr]

Is your friend required by BSG to order minimum quantities?

Don't know - but at least once he picked up three bags for me and I don't think there were any other orders that time.
I'll send him a DM and see if there's a minimum.

Cheers!

 

[MaxStout]

IIRC, a local craft brewer I know said that BSG requires him to order base malt by the pallet. But they drop-ship to him, so that's likely the reason. Smaller customers might need to go pick up their orders.

 

[day_trippr]

My HBT friend replied to my inquiry.

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Things you need to do:

Come up with a entity name

Apply for a federal tax ID - free

Register with your town or city as a home business and get a business certificate. Boston is $60. I registered as a mail order home hobby store so I don’t have to worry about food laws or zoning.

Register on masstaxconnect as a retailer so you can get your retail certificate.

Then you take your retail certificate, business cert, and fed tax ID to bsghandcraft and brewcraftusa (north country malt and tech hops) and register for accounts

I did it as a sole proprietor because starting an llc is $500 in MA.

All in all I remember it being pretty easy. Happy to share!
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So there ya go! State regs may differ, I suppose, but it's at least a framework to go from.

Cheers!

 

[simbabrew]

I just tried MaltEurop Pilsen malt, and was shocked at how good it was. Grown in the USA too! I brew mostly Belgian Triples, Goldens, etc. and the MaltEurop to me tasted better than Dingemans or Castle.

 

[Bassman2003]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[day_trippr]

Addendum: my HBT friend says he's not aware of any minimums at BSG.

Cheers!

 

[Bassman2003]

I used to order from Texas Brewing which is 20 minutes away until they went pro only. I looked at their "setup an account" page as I have an LLC which pays sales tax. But it just seems like they would be totally aware I am not a brewery operation. Maybe they don't care but it would be uncomfortable if they did.

 

[Franktalk]

I used to order from Texas Brewing which is 20 minutes away until they went pro only. I looked at their "setup an account" page as I have an LLC which pays sales tax. But it just seems like they would be totally aware I am not a brewery operation. Maybe they don't care but it would be uncomfortable if they did.

The money you would save would provide comfort.

 

[MaxStout]

I used to order from Texas Brewing which is 20 minutes away until they went pro only. I looked at their "setup an account" page as I have an LLC which pays sales tax. But it just seems like they would be totally aware I am not a brewery operation. Maybe they don't care but it would be uncomfortable if they did.

Try it anyway. The worst that could happen is they'll say no.

 

[Bassman2003]

I am not sure how much I would save as they do not have their prices listed.

 

[MaxStout]

I am not sure how much I would save as they do not have their prices listed.

Wholesalers sometimes keep prices close to the vest. You'd have to send an RFQ for goods you want.