NB - still working?

[teal]

I started homebrewing in about 2008. Haven't brewed in about 7 years and am getting back into it to feed my creative side.

Back then I got EVERYTHING from Northern Brewer. They had a good youtube channel, good gear, good ingredients etc.

I am well aware of Chip, Dawson, Jake moving on etc but today I was on Northern Brewer's site and they're basically out of stock of every all-grain recipe kit.

Is NB still in business and I just happened to catch them at a bad time or are they basically a zombie company and I need to find a new retailer?

 

[hotbeer]

Don't know about NB. Some of my first stuff I bought from them, but MoreBeer has always had the stuff I want in the quantity I want. As well as a decent enough price. Sometimes I feel like it takes them a day longer to ship my order than it should. But I tend to order at strange times on weekends or holidays. They've always answered any questions I pose to them.

Over the last couple years there have been others posting about lack of response of service from NB. Last time my son mentioned anything about suppliers, he still uses NB. But that was first of the year.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

today I was on Northern Brewer's site and they're basically out of stock of every all-grain recipe kit.

The best 'lead' I have seen is this: over in /r/homebrewing (link) someone claims to have messaged NB and got a response from NB.

Haven't brewed in about 7 years [...]

A lot has changed in home brewing since 2018.

NB changed ownership in 2019: AB In-Bev / ZX Ventures sold NB to Blackstreet Capital Holdings.

do I need to find a new retailer?

For alternatives to consider (assuming you are still in WI): take a look at RiteBrew, Farmhouse Brewing Supply, and Home Brew Ohio. MoreBeer should be an attractive option when operations return to normal after moving warehouse(s).

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

The best 'lead' I have seen is this: over in /r/homebrewing (link) someone claims to have messaged NB and got a response from NB.

Thanks for sharing, I missed that. Maybe there's hope for a decent grain selection with in-person shopping for the Mpls/St Paul metro, without having to go all they way out to Medina.

For alternatives to consider (assuming you are still in WI): take a look at RiteBrew, Farmhouse Brewing Supply, and Home Brew Ohio. MoreBeer should be an attractive option when operations return to normal after moving warehouse(s).

I love ritebrew.com's prices, but their grains/hops/yeast are definitely more limited than what you can order from Morebeer or NorthernBrewer. Plus they're only an hours drive from Kewaunee, might be your most economical way to get full sacks of grain, @teal

 

[BrewZer]

For alternatives to consider (assuming you are still in WI): take a look at RiteBrew, Farmhouse Brewing Supply, and Home Brew Ohio. MoreBeer should be an attractive option when operations return to normal after moving warehouse(s).

Let's not forget our own member @Bobby_M and his https://www.brewhardware.com/

 

[teal]

Thanks all for the information. NB was nice because I was in N wisco, got to Milwaukee on a regular cadence and they had a place right there. I no longer get to Milwaukee much. I'll check out the alternatives in the mean time.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I love ritebrew.com's prices, but their grains/hops/yeast are definitely more limited than what you can order from Morebeer or NorthernBrewer.

For those grains that RiteBrew doesn't have in stock (and I don't want to substitute something similar) I find

• Farmhouse Brewing Supply (in WI, a HomeBrewTalk sponsor),
• Williams Brewing (in CA, also a HomeBrewTalk sponsor),

to be good sources of malts that RiteBrew doesn't stock.

Shipping from MoreBeer (CA & PA) to me has almost always disappointing. For reasons unknown to me, it typically takes two days (after the package was picked up) for the package to get out of either CA or PA. For whatever reason, Williams doesn't seem to have this problem (with the same shipper). Hopefully, shipping out of Kansas City doesn't have that problem for MoreBeer.

without having to go all they way out to Medina.

For me, Medina is 45+ min in good traffic, so it's not a local physical store. But as a "regional" online store, I should give Beer Meister's web site a fresh look the next time I need to order ingredients.

At the moment I'm comfortable with my combination of RiteBrew, Farmhouse Brewing, Home Brew Ohio, Williams, YVH, and occasionally MoreBeer. Six online stores to replace what the local NB/MWS stores used to have in stock.

Maybe 2.5 gal batches are the 'secret' that makes it work.

 

[Broothru]

The best 'lead' I have seen is this: over in /r/homebrewing (link) someone claims to have messaged NB and got a response from NB.


A lot has changed in home brewing since 2018.

NB changed ownership in 2019: AB In-Bev / ZX Ventures sold NB to Blackstreet Capital Holdings.


For alternatives to consider (assuming you are still in WI): take a look at RiteBrew, Farmhouse Brewing Supply, and Home Brew Ohio. MoreBeer should be an attractive option when operations return to normal after moving warehouse(s).

I hope MoreBeer intends to restock their grains. It’s been at least two years since they’ve had adequate variety and selection. Especially Pilsner, and specifically Weyermann products.

They’ve been my Go To since I bought my first kettle from them 20 years ago, though not so much since the Covid supply chain issues. Still a great company with strong customer support, but it’s hard to brew without grains.

 

[Snuffy]

I used to order from NB, but once they got bought they were not responsive and their prices and shipping went up. So I started using AIH. Suddenly their backend became NB and I realized they had been assimilated as well. So I started buying from AHS. Their list of European clones was unmatched and I spent some cash over there. Eventually, the clone list option disappeared from the menu. I could still find the kits if I searched, but they were always Out of Stock as a kit and I had to just order the ingredients separately to build it myself. Then they became unresponsive, screwed up my orders, and their backend became NB as well. The Borg had struck again.

I'm pretty much Morebeer and Great Fermentations out of Indianapolis now. Quick responses. Better prices and shipping is still free over $59. GF is my favorite. MB has better gear and accessory prices and runs some good specials. We will see how long it lasts.

 

[mac_1103]

I realized they had been assimilated as well.

Resistance is futile.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

specifically Weyermann products.

Along the "North Coast USA (UTC-5)" when I'm looking for Weyermann malts, my "first stop" is Farmhouse Brewing Supply (in WI, a HomeBrewTalk sponsor),

[MoreBeer is] a great company with strong customer support

+1.

They [MoreBeer} appear to be innovating (OxBlox, Flash Brewing, ...) in an environment where many of us are looking for the lowest cost for malted grains.

 

[Broothru]

Along the "North Coast USA (UTC-5)" when I'm looking for Weyermann malts, my "first stop" is Farmhouse Brewing Supply (in WI, a HomeBrewTalk sponsor),

I’ve ordered several times from Farmhouse in the past, though not recently. They’d kinda’ slipped off my radar.

I’m only a few hours’ drive from Pittsburgh, and I’d gotten spoiled with MB’s free (and for me, virtually next day delivery) shipping over $59 purchases. I don’t know why the aren’t stocking nearly as many grains as the used to. Seems like everything I want is “out of stock”, as are their suggestions for substitute grains.

Guess Farmhouse should get another look.

 

[worlddivides]

Shipping from MoreBeer (CA & PA) to me has almost always disappointing. For reasons unknown to me, it typically takes two days (after the package was picked up) for the package to get out of either CA or PA. For whatever reason, Williams doesn't seem to have this problem (with the same shipper). Hopefully, shipping out of Kansas City doesn't have that problem for MoreBeer.

Although I've always had great experiences with MoreBeer, it did vary depending on where I lived. When I lived in California, things got shipped immediately and got to me VERY fast. Granted, I lived all in central parts of the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Santa Clara, and Fremont) and Los Angeles (Torrance). But when I lived in Michigan, MoreBeer still shipped relatively quickly but it took longer than when I was in California. I'm not sure if it was the difference between the California warehouse and the Pennsylvania warehouse or more a difference of being in majorly populated areas in California but the suburbs of a less populated area in Michigan.

I did order from Northern Brewer a few times and, while the products themselves were good, they had less selection than MoreBeer and it took more time to get to me. Granted, the last time I bought something from Northern Brewer was probably 2017 (after that, I mainly just bought from MoreBeer).

 

[Ramjet]

There is a new home brew store in New Berlin Wisconsin just a few miles from the old NB called Tru Bru. Also I hear there's a homebrew store in Sheboygan Falls, sorry don't know the name.

 

[SaisonMan]

I ordered grain, hops and yeast from Northern Brewer six days ago. Other than the initial email that my order had been received, there has been no communication. This, and the cost of shipping, is why I try to stay away from them. But they had the yeast I was looking for ... and you know the rest of the story.

It's just bad business. I don't get it.

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

I ordered grain, hops and yeast from Northern Brewer six days ago. Other than the initial email that my order had been received, there has been no communication. This, and the cost of shipping, is why I try to stay away from them. But they had the yeast I was looking for ... and you know the rest of the story.

Hey, can you let us know if they've figured out how to put the AA% on the hops bags?

It's just bad business. I don't get it.

@BrewnWKopperKat posted a reddit link that that claims they are moving to a new building (hooray!), which maybe excuses them being slow on packing/shipping, but it's pretty crappy that they don't communicate that to would-be-buyers up-front, before hitting the "complete-my-order"...

 

[SaisonMan]

Hey, can you let us know if they've figured out how to put the AA% on the hops bags?


@BrewnWKopperKat posted a reddit link that that claims they are moving to a new building (hooray!), which maybe excuses them being slow on packing/shipping, but it's pretty crappy that they don't communicate that to would-be-buyers up-front, before hitting the "complete-my-order"...

I’ll report back on the AA%. I forgot about that thread. Knew about the move … and yet still ordered.

 

[mac_1103]

I only order from them when something is on a sale that's too good to pass up and I don't need it in a hurry.

 

[SaisonMan]

I’m not planning on brewing until next week. But you know what they say: I plan, Northern Brewer laughs.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

@BrewnWKopperKat posted a reddit

pro tip; scan /r/homebrewing for things that HomeBrewTalk misses.

---

The Northern Brewer physical stores (RIP) were worth the trip. And while I'll miss some of the ingredients (e.g. Mecca Grade malts), there are (over time) new suppliers and ingredient substitutes that will move the hobby forward.

 

[Chetbrews]

One of my friends Is a pro brewer and ordered from NB for all his small batches of experimental beers that he makes. He has been having issues ordering online from NB. I showed him Ritebrews website and their prices are half what NB charges. He made the switch.

 

[SaisonMan]

One of my friends Is a pro brewer and ordered from NB for all his small batches of experimental beers that he makes. He has been having issues ordering online from NB. I showed him Ritebrews website and their prices are half what NB charges. He made the switch.

I love RiteBrew, but they were sold out of several items I needed for my recipe.

 

[Chetbrews]

I love RiteBrew, but they were sold out of several items I needed for my recipe.

Since my lhbs closed years ago, they are pretty much my go-to for supplies. They may not have quite the selection that MB or NB has, but I have always been happy with what I have ordered from them. If they are out of something I usually sub something similar or just reach out to my homebrew club.

 

[SaisonMan]

Hey, can you let us know if they've figured out how to put the AA% on the hops bags?


@BrewnWKopperKat posted a reddit link that that claims they are moving to a new building (hooray!), which maybe excuses them being slow on packing/shipping, but it's pretty crappy that they don't communicate that to would-be-buyers up-front, before hitting the "complete-my-order"...

Finally received my supplies, nine days after ordering. East Kent Golding hops came with AA% listed, Challenger hops did not.

 

[jdubdvdt]

I've bought from them a few times for items only they carry since they have bought up most of the other companies. They are REALLY slow to ship. I mean sometimes 2 weeks. I don't need it to be Amazon fast, but my local (50 miles away) home brew shop will ship overnight to me if they have it all in stock. RiteBrew is great. MoreBeer is faster than NB. Also Brewhardware and any localish stores you may have...

 

[SaisonMan]

I've bought from them a few times for items only they carry since they have bought up most of the other companies. They are REALLY slow to ship. I mean sometimes 2 weeks. I don't need it to be Amazon fast, but my local (50 miles away) home brew shop will ship overnight to me if they have it all in stock. RiteBrew is great. MoreBeer is faster than NB. Also Brewhardware and any localish stores you may have...

It's not worth the lack of communication and the accompanying frustration.

 

[jdubdvdt]

It's not worth the lack of communication and the accompanying frustration.

Unfortunately they tried to corner the markets online awhile ago. And they do carry some things that are unique and priced right.

If anyone gets a lead on their crystalized fruits I'd love to try them.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I've bought from them [NB] a few times for items only they carry since they [ Blackstreet Capital Management?] have bought up most of the other companies.

Northern Brewer (NB) owned Midwest Supplies (MWS) long before before the private owners of NB sold to AB-InBev / ZX Ventures. In turn, AB-InBev sold NB/MWS to Blackstreet Capital Management (BCM).

Adventures in Homebrewing (AIH) owned Austin Homebrew Supply (AHS) for some time before the private owners of AIH sold to BCM.

So four successful privately owned and operated regional home brew stores (NB, MWS, AIH, AHS) consolidated into two (NB, AIH). Each, under private ownership, continued to be successful enough that they grew into a business that only a major corporation or holding company could give the original owners the value that they created.

eta: Is BCM "buying up" home brewing retailers/wholesalers other than those that want to sell (and "enjoy the fruits of their labor')?

most of the other companies.

/r/homebrewing has an international list of retailers (link). I couldn't find at least one two of the regional (to me) retailers that I use on a regular basis. eta: point being: there are a lot of home brew retailers beyond NB, MWS, AIH, and AHS.

Point being: 4 (NB, MWS, AIH, AHS) is not "most".

Did I miss something?

 

[tracer bullet]

I'll start buying from NB again if they allow me to pick stuff up from their warehouse. It won't be as good as having their actual B&M stores open but it'll suffice.

Until then I'm a Ritebrew fan as well. Occasionally I do have to choose recipe plan B because something is out, but it's rare. I'm lucky enough that using Speedee has things to my doorstep in 24 hours for like $10. My last shipment arrived with the ice pack for the yeast still cold.

I don't hesitate to use BrewHardware, Williams, and occasionally Norcal. Others have been fine too, such as some of the hops sellers.

So, I suppose the one place I intentionally avoid is actually NB. No actual hate against them, but closing their stores and making me order online is more than a little annoying. If they thought closing the stores in town would keep me as a happy customer, and I'd just order online instead, they were wrong. Avoiding them is barely a drop in the bucket and it might be petty, but combined with them being so dang slow to ship and then slow to have it arrive after it's shipped (when I live just a couple miles form the warehouse) sort of ends our relationship.

Nothing new, just felt like a little ranting I guess.

 

[ksmax]

I ordered from MoreBeer on Saturday. They didn't pick/ship my order until yesterday. It shipped from the new Warehouse in Kansas that is replacing both the PA and CA warehouses. So much for orders to Ohio arriving the next day . . .

 

[MaxStout]

I'll start buying from NB again if they allow me to pick stuff up from their warehouse. It won't be as good as having their actual B&M stores open but it'll suffice.

Until then I'm a Ritebrew fan as well. Occasionally I do have to choose recipe plan B because something is out, but it's rare. I'm lucky enough that using Speedee has things to my doorstep in 24 hours for like $10. My last shipment arrived with the ice pack for the yeast still cold.

I don't hesitate to use BrewHardware, Williams, and occasionally Norcal. Others have been fine too, such as some of the hops sellers.

So, I suppose the one place I intentionally avoid is actually NB. No actual hate against them, but closing their stores and making me order online is more than a little annoying. If they thought closing the stores in town would keep me as a happy customer, and I'd just order online instead, they were wrong. Avoiding them is barely a drop in the bucket and it might be petty, but combined with them being so dang slow to ship and then slow to have it arrive after it's shipped (when I live just a couple miles form the warehouse) sort of ends our relationship.

Nothing new, just felt like a little ranting I guess.

I live less than 10 miles from NB's warehouse and would order from them if I could pick up there. Unless they start doing that (they've been teasing warehouse pickups for some time now) I'll avoid the hassle of dealing with NB/MW.

OTOH, I have had excellent service from Ritebrew, Brew Hardware, and William's, and will stick with them.

 

[SkyPilot]

I ordered from MoreBeer on Saturday. They didn't pick/ship my order until yesterday. It shipped from the new Warehouse in Kansas that is replacing both the PA and CA warehouses. So much for orders to Ohio arriving the next day . . .

I live in PA and could order before 1pm from Morebeer and get next day arrival. I noticed the other day they were quoting 8 to 10 day arrival. FedEx shows two day ground from the new Kansas site. Contacted customer service to ask why the change? Were they experiencing longer prep times? They said nothing should have changed.
I also order from Brewhardware in NJ and get 1 to 2 day delivery from them depending on their backlog. I even checked out one of the Canadian sites and could get 5 day delivery so I don’t know what is up with morebeer.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I suppose the one place I intentionally avoid is actually NB. No actual hate against them,

The physical stores were great up to about 2020 - great selection and instore prices were competitive with both RiteBrew and Brew & Grow MN. In retrospect, ZX Ventures was a good owner - the Lyndale store remodel was done under their ownership.

The physical stores, in 2023 (let's skip over the "lost years" (2020 - 2022)) saw "in store" prices rise to be pretty much the same as the online prices. It was still fun, on an occasional Saturdy/Sunday afternoon, to visit, chew a few kernels, buy a couple of malts. Different owner, different objectives. Blackstreet Capital Management describes their business model at their site. The wikipedia entry has a concise summary, so I'll include that as well.

• "Blackstreet invests in distressed companies, aiming to prevent [... and to] benefit investors." (link to wikipedia entry)
• "Blackstreet Capital Holdings, LLC is a privately held diversified operating company that owns and manages lower middle market businesses. Blackstreet Capital Holdings, LLC is not a private equity fund. Instead it is a permanent holding company that seeks ...' (link to their web site)

Does a local pick up option at their [NB] new warehouse fit into their business plans? Time will tell.

I don’t know what is up with morebeer.

Well, they [MoreBeer] did move to a new warehouse.

In the past, I haven't ordered much from MoreBeer (shipping from CA generally was seven calendar days). I'll likely give them a fresh look in 3 to 6 months. My guess is that shipping will be a little faster (but not the "order on Monday, get the goods on Wednesday" service that other regional stores provide). They [MoreBeer] offer a number of "value add" products (OxBlox, Flash Brewing kits, etc) that ship well regardless of the weather - so they'll likely remain on my "list of approved" suppliers for some products.

 

[Jmspears]

MoreBeer and Great Fermentations are my go to. I hit up Adventures in Homebrewing sometimes but I feel like their prices aren’t as competitive.

 

[tracer bullet]

The physical stores were great up to about 2020

Eh, maybe. I actually never noticed much change over time. I went to the store on Grand and to Midwest both, somewhat alternating at random and one of them every 3 weeks or so. Maybe Midwest a little more just because it was easier to speed down 100 (highway) than do the lights on Grand (very much a neighborhood). Good grain rooms, stock of things to occasionally replace like pumps, and nice employees that were also brewers and who would chat up the customers a bit. Maybe I'm oblivious but I think those things were all pretty solid for quite a long time.

And then... lights off. Well, closed to the public in Midwest's case, I have heard & read it's still a warehouse but not sure how long that will be the case or if it still is. I haven't actually driven past the old NB store on Grand since it closed, no idea what's in there now, if anything.

 

[johnsonpvb17]

I'm a new brewing customer living in the middle of no where, so pretty much rely on online purchases. NB got me started but their communications, service, and selection, with flashes of life at times, has almost approached zero. I use their recipes and enjoy a good sale, but will drive an hour+ to a local like Shoeless Joe, or use Hobby Homebrew, RiteBrew or a Supporting Member when I actually need something in 30 days.

PE shouldn't buy high service specialty providers. They'll ruin them every time.

 

[szap]

Saflager 34/70
Morebeer - $7.99
NB - $7.99
Ritebrew - $4.69

Mosaic pellet hops
NB - $3.69/ounce
Morebeer - $3.49
Ritebrew - $2.09

Along with a decent selection, quick shipping and good folks who respond to emails quickly, their prices are the best.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Finally received my supplies, nine days after ordering. East Kent Golding hops came with AA% listed, Challenger hops did not.

I feel your pain. I reluctantly placed an order with NB because they were the only place I could find First Gold hops without having to order a pound of them. I placed my order 10 days ago, and still nothing. I want to re-brew an Ordinary Bitter for an upcoming local contest, but sadly, the likelihood of brewing it and submitting it in time is getting less and less with each passing day.

 

[SkyPilot]

I feel your pain. I reluctantly placed an order with NB because they were the only place I could find First Gold hops without having to order a pound of them. I placed my order 10 days ago, and still nothing. I want to re-brew an Ordinary Bitter for an upcoming local contest, but sadly, the likelihood of brewing it and submitting it in time is getting less and less with each passing day.

Wow. Beginning to sound like NB is using Aliexpress cor deliveries

 

[matt_m]

My last Aliexpress order came faster than that.