LHBS Going out of business

[JONNYROTTEN]

I haven't looked at the current shipping but I would bet that free shipping does not include 50# sacks. So if that is the case I would bet that you cannot match the LHBS price even with the gas price added.

Last time I checked online. A sack of 2 row I wanted would have been $35. Shipping was something like $25 So now that sack costs $60.

My LHBS used to be 7 miles away so less than a gallon of gas and he charged me $40 for a total of about $43 OOPS forgot the $2.80 in tax so $45.80

My current LHBS is 36 miles away so 2.5 gallons of gas. My time, unless I was going to get paid for it, is worth exactly $0.00.

I haven't found anywhere online that you can buy a sack of grain cheaper that an LHBS.

It's $55 shipped for 2 row. My LHBS is around the same. HUGE difference from anyone else that charges shipping.I'm thinking other grains would come out cheaper online as my LHBS charges more for anything other than 2 row I still shop local but its good to know.

 

[bpgreen]

I guess I'm lucky. My LHBS (is it ok to name names? I won't until/unless I'm told it's ok) has prices that are pretty competitive with online stores (and better in some cases).

They will also let me buy a 50 lb bag of 2 row for $50 and pick up what I need when I need it. When I finish up a bag, I just start a new one.

They sell really fresh LME for as little as $2/lb if I bring my own containers and buy enough (I think the threshold for the lower price is either 33 or 36 lbs). I think it's $2.50/lb for smaller quantities, but I've always bought enough to get the break (I stick it in the freezer when I get home to keep it fresh). They go through it really quickly (apparently, they also do a lot of bulk sales to bakeries), so it's always really fresh.

I've been doing partial mashes, but I'm planning to switch to all grain in the near future, so I probably won't be buying the LME. Part of the reason I've waited to go all-grain so long is that extract has been so cheap.

They now do online sales with free shipping over a certain dollar amount, but I don't know if they offer the free shipping on the bulk LME and 50# grain bags. I couldn't find those on the website, but I've only ever bought on premise.

I'll occasionally buy from online stores (especially since I often get gift certificates). But I try to support my local shop whenever possible.

 

[Horseflesh]

I buy local when I can because I like the shop and the staff, plus of course having a shop at all. But prices are so, so much higher than online that I confess I mostly just buy yeast and grain, a batch at a time... Maybe a book or a small part now and then.

 

[Morrey]

I think shopping locally at a LHBS or buying online boils down to a matter of choice, and the choice to shop the LHBS determines if they stay in business or not.

Add to that your LBHS geographic availability....is said store 3 minutes away OR is it 100 miles one way? This makes a difference to me.

Supporting the LHBS keeps open the store so you can run by the afternoon before you brew when you realize you need yeast or a bit of specialty grain. This makes it easy for those who keep small quantities on hand.

On the other hand, LHBS is sometimes more expensive (varies by store and location) since they may deal with smaller volumes than the online suppliers. And online sales companies often have fresh supplies since they tend to move faster than some low volume LHBS.

A home brewer friend turned pro and opened a brewery in a huge warehouse with room to spare. We talked about sectioning off an area to build a LHBS but the overwhelming consensus was that the market would not support this endeavor. Just my opinion, but in my area I think online is winning this battle.

 

[Nagorg]

Sad to hear these things... I'm guilty of buying some gear online but it's usually from other SMB's. I did get my Maelstrom Stir Plate (Kick Ass) from a big outfit though.

For ingredients, I depend on my LHBS. I always get my grain and yeast locally. I've had to buy yeast online before but thats when my LHBS didn't have what I needed even though I asked for it in advance. But even then I ordered from another SMB. I even bought my Monster Mill via my LHBS even though I could have gone direct.

If my LHBS closed it would be sad and expensive for me. Freight of 50# bags of grain is a killer!

 

[aprichman]

I think shopping locally at a LHBS or buying online boils down to a matter of choice, and the choice to shop the LHBS determines if they stay in business or not.

Add to that your LBHS geographic availability....is said store 3 minutes away OR is it 100 miles one way? This makes a difference to me.

Supporting the LHBS keeps open the store so you can run by the afternoon before you brew when you realize you need yeast or a bit of specialty grain. This makes it easy for those who keep small quantities on hand.

On the other hand, LHBS is sometimes more expensive (varies by store and location) since they may deal with smaller volumes than the online suppliers. And online sales companies often have fresh supplies since they tend to move faster than some low volume LHBS.

A home brewer friend turned pro and opened a brewery in a huge warehouse with room to spare. We talked about sectioning off an area to build a LHBS but the overwhelming consensus was that the market would not support this endeavor. Just my opinion, but in my area I think online is winning this battle.

One of the breweries in Portland runs a LHBS with no retail presence - their inventory is all online and you can order online then pickup and pay for your supplies at the brewery itself. Once a week they will deliver supplies to a few select areas (parking lots, etc.) for people who order over $100.

Their prices on grain bags are super cheap since they order a good size volume for the brewery - $35 for a bag of Great Western 2-row.

 

[Morrey]

One of the breweries in Portland runs a LHBS with no retail presence - their inventory is all online and you can order online then pickup and pay for your supplies at the brewery itself. Once a week they will deliver supplies to a few select areas (parking lots, etc.) for people who order over $100.

Their prices on grain bags are super cheap since they order a good size volume for the brewery - $35 for a bag of Great Western 2-row.

This is actually an interesting business model. I think I'll borrow your idea and discuss with my friend who owns the brewery.

 

[6Tap]

Maybe you should give them an offer to take over their business?

 

[shoengine]

Group buying with a brewery.... interesting.

I think that eventually the Internet will kill any industry that it can logistically kill. Most bookstores are gone now. Same with computer stores. Flower stores learned how to adapt though because 800flowers and FTD leverage the locality of stores and contract with them. For LHBS, the only thing really going for them is expertise. Even though 55lb grain bags can be killer on shipping sometimes, others not. Mine hosts a local homebrew group, partners with nearby breweries and is planning on selling beer soob, with plans for a taproom. Adapt or die...