Northern Brewer Replacement

[203PH]

Got to give a shout out to the peeps over at brewhardware.com. Bought a bunch of stuff from them, bulk heads, tubes, camlocks etc. Great pricing, shipping and customer service.

 

[myelo]

I like Rebel Brewer

They are near Nashville, so might be a good option for those in the south east.

 

[Kent88]

sub'd, carry on.

 

[normonster]

I'm just going to wait until Miller-Coors buys morebeer.com and shop there.

 

[normonster]

I'm casting my vote for Williams Brewing. They're fast, and reliable. I have a lhbs, but for the unusual, harder to get stuff, I look here first. I also use Morebeer, but in the past it's been frustrating to wait a few days before you see it shipped. If I use them, I factor that in.

I've used mb exclusively and they ship within like 2 hours every time. That is my experience anyway.

 

[DromJohn]

I will be searching for something closer to Atlanta that does good shipping so i can feel good about ordering yeast.

Barley & Vine is in Stockbridge.

 

[popquizkid]

I haven't really used NB for a while so no big loss to me.

morebeer
farmhouse
ritebrew

 

[Kent88]

So, the solution to the AbInbev buyout of NB & MWB is to use someone else and potentially put 100's to "maybe" a 1000+ employees out of work?

A few things wrong there.

NB owners and their highest in management knew that there might be a backlash and that they would at least see a temporary drop in sales, and that they'd lose a few customers. They also knew that, with a change in ownership, there would probably be a restructuring in their middle management. Remember when they brought in investors and the guys on BrewingTV were let go (that is how it worked, right?)? InBev will want to make changes to the personnel structure to better match their own.

This isn't on the customer, this is on management. I don't consider them greedy or evil, but we have a right to shop at places that do business the way we approve of.

The wholesalers who supply NB/MWS will sell their stuff elsewhere. Homebrewers will keep buying, maybe other people get jobs at the places that are seeing an increase in business.

 

[oljimmy]

Another vote for ritebrew.com. Shipping is great, quality is 100%, prices are the best I've been able to find, he'll double-mill for you, and most importantly, he does grains by the ounce. I got so sick of using bigger places and having to buy 1 lb of chocolate malt for a 5 oz addition.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

A few things wrong there.

NB owners and their highest in management knew that there might be a backlash and that they would at least see a temporary drop in sales, and that they'd lose a few customers. They also knew that, with a change in ownership, there would probably be a restructuring in their middle management. Remember when they brought in investors and the guys on BrewingTV were let go (that is how it worked, right?)? InBev will want to make changes to the personnel structure to better match their own.

This isn't on the customer, this is on management. I don't consider them greedy or evil, but we have a right to shop at places that do business the way we approve of.

The wholesalers who supply NB/MWS will sell their stuff elsewhere. Homebrewers will keep buying, maybe other people get jobs at the places that are seeing an increase in business.

Except that former management will have their payout and move on. Not buying from NB will effect them in zero ways. New management hasn't done anything and yet are being blamed by association only. So, yeah, right now it is on the customer.

 

[WaltStarr]

Except that former management will have their payout and move on. Not buying from NB will effect them in zero ways. New management hasn't done anything and yet are being blamed by association only. So, yeah, right now it is on the customer.

You're doing capitalism wrong. Customers owe NOTHING to the businesses.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

https://www.homebrewery.com

 

[GreyRaven]

I'll add a vote for my LHBS Homebrew Heaven. They're located in Everett, Washington but ship all over. Like most homebrewers, they're friendly and give great customer service.

 

[Kent88]

Except that former management will have their payout and move on. Not buying from NB will effect them in zero ways. New management hasn't done anything and yet are being blamed by association only. So, yeah, right now it is on the customer.

Isn't "new management" InBev, the people who we actually have a problem with? Many of them living and paying taxes, if not in other countries, at least outside of the midwest?

I'm sure there are great people who have worked in InBev management for a long time, and bless them, I hope they live fulfilling lives, but I would rather not have it be with money that (indirectly) came from me. I doubt any existing InBev management will lose their jobs in the next 6 months because of this buyout or the sales in that time.

"New Management" (InBev) will likely be restructuring the personnel of the NB offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin, meaning middle management there will probably be let go regardless of sales.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Austin Homebrew will remain my #1 store and NB will remain my #2 store.

 

[jlindborg]

Unfortunately, Midwest Supplies is/was my LHBS. I never much cared for the Northern Brewer brick-and-mortar store (and wasn't too thrilled with the merger), but I liked Midwest. But I never dealt with either of them online. But I've gotten virtually all of my hardware and equipment through Homebrewing.org, and have been really pleased with them. So they'll probably start getting more of my business. As for locally, I used to deal with Brew n Grow back before I switched over to Midwest (and back when I worked on that side of town). I'll have to go check them out again, at least for those short-notice emergency supply runs. I'm not yet convinced I'll be abandoning Midwest Supplies, but I'm not too happy with what's transpired.

 

[TonyKZ1]

https://www.homebrewery.com

Yep, I've bought from this company. Good customer service and they're in Missouri also, about 4+ hours west of me.

 

[TonyKZ1]

I'll add a vote for my LHBS Homebrew Heaven. They're located in Everett, Washington but ship all over. Like most homebrewers, they're friendly and give great customer service.

Thanks for sharing this, I hadn't seen their site before. I may have to send them a recipe order.

 

[madscientist451]

http://homebrew4less.com/ Chambersburg PA, is my LHBS and he sells on line. Its a true one man operation with maybe a helper now and then.
If you want to help the "little guy" this is one to check out, he raised prices recently but I still think he's less than Northern Brewer and many others listed in this thread.

 

[cubalz]

I have been using Adventures in Homebrewing and More Beer exclusively for years. AIH is always my first choice as their customer service is always top notch.

 

[DemonsRun]

If you have not seen it, a nice write up on the buyout from a homebrew shop owner (love2brew).

http://brulosophy.com/2016/10/20/th...e-acquisition-of-northern-brewer-by-ab-inbev/

 

[kh54s10]

I started my brewing with NB equipment and extract kits. Since I started building my own recipes, I have not used them. I shop around for what I need and NB is always looked at but has not met with my needs.

If they have what I need at the best price, I will buy there. But, since it has not happened in the last 4 years.....

I will be watching to see what comes of this merger.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

If you have not seen it, a nice write up on the buyout from a homebrew shop owner (love2brew).

http://brulosophy.com/2016/10/20/th...e-acquisition-of-northern-brewer-by-ab-inbev/

Nice article. Mostly because it does consider all perspectives.

We are all familiar with the disruptive approach. See it way too often on the beer shelves. Will certainly be good for homebrewers. Not so much for competitive shops.

Too soon to tell where this will go. I'll hold off lighting the torch and keep the pitchfork on the ground until the "boogeyman" shows his true colors.

 

[ericbw]

Interesting article. I do wonder how any huge company can compete with selling grain online in any sizable quantity. Shipping is still a killer for 50 pound bags. Even at $35, the shipping would make it in line with most local sources.

Unless they open franchise locations, I don't see how disruptive they can be. Yes, they will be cheaper, just like NB was cheaper because they're bigger. But they have to open a store near me to really make it make sense.

I am pretty certain that they are not looking to see what grains people buy and then make a beer to sell commercially that will satisfy them. There is not a market for a commercial beer that is yeasty, under-attenuated, over-hopped, and oxidized like your homebrew (and by "your" I mean any homebrewer).

I suspect that home brewers could learn more from commercial brewers than the other way around. Just saying.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I am pretty certain that they are not looking to see what grains people buy and then make a beer to sell commercially that will satisfy them.

I believe that data is big incentive to AbInbev.

One of the many incentives to homebrewers is the ability to make what they can't get locally (usually because of macro). Knowing what kits, grain combos, and hop varieties sell the most could prove very useful to them for R&D on new products.

 

[mmb]

So, the solution to the AbInbev buyout of NB & MWB is to use someone else and potentially put 100's to "maybe" a 1000+ employees out of work?

Yes. Americans complain about big business screwing the small guy. If AB-InBev isn't the poster-child for big business in the Beer industry, I don't know who is. It's time for American consumers to put up of shut up about the evils of corporate greed and "disruptive", some may say dishonest, business practices.

I believe that data is big incentive to AbInbev.

One of the many incentives to homebrewers is the ability to make what they can't get locally (usually because of macro). Knowing what kits, grain combos, and hop varieties sell the most could prove very useful to them for R&D on new products.

Unlikely.

 

[mmb]

If you're actually going to look to change suppliers, unsubscribe from Northern Brewer's mailing list. Be the change you want to be in the world and believe in what Martin Niemöller experienced.

The purchase by AB-InBev has led me to shop elsewhere. The anti-craft and anti-small business leanings of AB-InBev in the past commercials as well as the attempts by AB-InBev to force small brewers off store shelves through incentives to distributors and stores is distasteful and I will not support those actions even in purchasing supplies from them or business associated with AB-InBev.

Americans, especially in this election, have complained bitterly about large corporations and dishonest business practices but have done little to affect change and do not modify their purchasing decisions.

I wish Northern Brewer luck in future business. I have been a long time customer and shared Northern Brewer catalogs with students when teaching Intro to Brewing courses for a College Community Education program and my decision was not arrived at as a knee jerk response to the buyout news.

Thank you,

 

[WaltStarr]

Lots of good choices out there. I see no need to ever order from NB/MW ever again.

I'm finding online shops in this thread I never knew existed.

 

[oujens]

I saw txbrewing.com mentioned here. I've purchased online orders for recipes a couple times and its been fast shipping and delivery (of course I live within an hour of the place). They are offering a 12.5% discount with coupon code NEVERAB through 10-21. I've been really impressed with their ingredient selection. Usually you get a discount card in the box to use next time which helps to offset the shipping. I think its a great place to shop.

 

[madscientist451]

Yes. Americans complain about big business screwing the small guy. If AB-InBev isn't the poster-child for big business in the Beer industry, I don't know who is. It's time for American consumers to put up of shut up about the evils of corporate greed and "disruptive", some may say dishonest, business practices.

Unlikely.

Can't tell if this is sarcastic or not? Evils of corporate greed? That's what America is based on. How many people out there want a good paying jobs with benefits like paid time off, health insurance and a pension? You think you are going to get that working for a small "non greedy" business?
Corporate "greed" is part of the fabric of US politics and the economy.
Some things you just have to accept. If some Mega corporation makes gasoline, beer, pretzels, ammunition, personal lubricants or any of the other thousands of things people want, need and desire at a reasonable price, they are going to stay in business and make mega profits. If the product sucks or is too expensive they either find a better way or are finished.
RANT NOW OVER, I'm going out to check on my cider apple trees so I can avoid buying anything from greedy corporate cider producers/importers/retailers.