Northern Brewer Support (or lack of)

[Nate R]

I think a lot of this has to do with close you live to the company.
For example, Williams Brewing in the Bay Area is very close to me, and their shipping, even on 55# sacks of grains, is almost overnight for me to Sacramento ca, and relatively cheap.
I wonder if the "big boys" like NB and MB are just getting slammed? Or... had to cut staffing?

 

[9Kegs]

Northern Brewer in Milwaukee is my LHBS within a 10 minute drive. Their store is closed but curbside pickup is available using this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJxWii8kv-WREsJvU7DASuT8OkI0qotPN6Iy-n8dcaM6jc2g/viewform

I buy all my base malt in bulk and their prices in store /online are not the same. I am sure this is to adjust for shipping costs. Example: CodeSection posted he paid $55 on Rahr 2 row with free shipping, last time I picked some up I paid around $35

 

[Dave Sarber]

I just checked NB's site, they're not even offering 55 lb bags of Rahr 2 row right now, at least online.

 

[OnePlate]

For those of us who NB/Midwest are our LHBS, Midwest is opening up retail again tomorrow, offering concierge service. Limited store access and all that. Wear your masks if you got 'em, I'm sure they're gonna be busy. I may end up there this weekend.

 

[MrPowers]

I just checked NB's site, they're not even offering 55 lb bags of Rahr 2 row right now, at least online.

I must’ve gotten one of the last full bags then. Ordered a week ago. Showed up today. Totally understandable wait time in my opinion given the circumstances

 

[CodeSection]

I just checked NB's site, they're not even offering 55 lb bags of Rahr 2 row right now, at least online.

It was available earlier in the day as I had it in my cart and had checked out but did not submit the order since all I was really trying to determine was the shipping cost. I just went to my account with them and tried adding it to my cart again. You are correct, they no longer will allow you to add the 55lb sack.

EDIT: I just checked on Briess 2-row, Golden Promise and Maris Otter 55lb sacks and they are not avaialble as well. I suspect NB has temporarily stopped selling 55lb sacks of grain.

 

[CodeSection]

Northern Brewer in Milwaukee is my LHBS within a 10 minute drive. Their store is closed but curbside pickup is available using this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJxWii8kv-WREsJvU7DASuT8OkI0qotPN6Iy-n8dcaM6jc2g/viewform

I buy all my base malt in bulk and their prices in store /online are not the same. I am sure this is to adjust for shipping costs. Example: CodeSection posted he paid $55 on Rahr 2 row with free shipping, last time I picked some up I paid around $35

Very nice. With that pricing and only a 10 minute buggy ride, you have it made!

 

[Steveruch]

I think a lot of this has to do with close you live to the company.
For example, Williams Brewing in the Bay Area is very close to me, and their shipping, even on 55# sacks of grains, is almost overnight for me to Sacramento ca, and relatively cheap.
I wonder if the "big boys" like NB and MB are just getting slammed? Or... had to cut staffing?

I love in extreme northern California and the last order I placed with Williams arrived the next day.

 

[9Kegs]

Rite Brew is another vendor I purchase from. Great service and if you spend $50 (recently lowered from $75) you save $5 on shipping.

 

[day_trippr]

May well not apply to most, but consider local grain growers/malt houses if possible. You might just discover something exciting (which is kinda rare wrt base malts).

I got a bag of floor malted two row pale from a small-scale Massachusetts organic/non-GMO grower/maltster for $60 delivered last week (courtesy of a fellow HBTer from my town - thanks Niles! ) and I have to say I'm cranked to knock out a Cascade SMASH with it in the next few days because it's hella fresh and fragrant - our ground floor smells like a malt house (loving it! )

Gonna grow up some stored Chico in the AM and should pitch it by Monday...

Cheers!

 

[Joshua Hughes]

AIH and Great Fermentations are both shipping with the same speed and prices as before and are family owned small businesses. I’ll stick with them.

Not my thread but thanks I’ll be looking these guys up!

 

[9Kegs]

We have a couple malt houses, Malteurop and Proximity that I need to try.

 

[Sandbrew]

I ordered a new megapot 1.2 from NB and it arrived at a reasonable time, but arrived with a broken thermometer. I let them know, and they sent me a new thermometer which arrived a few days later.. Excellent service. Granted, this was a few weeks ago, so maybe the dip everyone is experiencing is more recent? IDK I have no reason to be unhappy with them.

 

[ccclaw13]

I've always had good luck with NB over the years. M
experience during this Covid crisis is as follows. I placed an order with Morebeer!, waited almost a week and still wasn't even picked from the warehouse so I gave up and cancelled. I've ordered 3 separate times in the past 3 weeks from Williams Brewing and no matter how large or small, I get it in 3 days. I live near Houston so I'm not even that close to California. I'm guessing Morebeer must have cut back staff so I would highly recommend Williams Brewing if ordering online right now

 

[jimmypop13]

I've always had good luck with NB over the years but I can't say I've used them recently.
My experienceduring this Covid crisis is as follows. I placed an order with Morebeer!, waited almost a week and still wasn't even picked from the warehouse so I gave up and cancelled. I've ordered 3 separate times in the past 3 weeks from Williams Brewing and no matter how large or small, I get it in 3 days. I live near Houston so I'm not even that close to California. I'm guessing Morebeer must have cut back staff so I would highly recommend Williams Brewing if ordering online right now. I've had good luck with AIH/Austin Homebrewing as well

 

[VikeMan]

Wow. ccclaw13 and jimmypop13 have amazingly similar experiences and opinions.

 

[Jim R]

I recently ordered ingredients from Northern Brewer that were listed as in stock and received it in about 3 days. No problems for me.

 

[Nate R]

Boy, i guess this is a great example of the old internet abbreviation..

You Might Meet Variatons!

(YMMV)

 

[Franktalk]

Boy, i guess this is a great example of the old internet abbreviation..

You Might Meet Variatons!

(YMMV)

I thought that meant your mileage may vary.

 

[kartracer2]

There is something up with Northern Brewer now or at least on their web site. I went surfing through the Extract Ale kits looking for some deals and most of them were "sold out" . I then looked at Midwest Supplies (their sort-of the same company right?) and all seemed good. I didn't think to snoop around to see if was maybe a yeast issue or extract but something is amiss. Going to go back and snoop some more, News @ 11:00

Edit> It looks like is just an issue with "Kits" in general. Extract and All-Grain/BIAB kits are both mostly out of stock. Every thing I looked at was in stock except Briess Pilsen & Maris Otter LME. Must just not be putting kits together @ NB. Could be a staffing issue with the C-19 deal, who knows. Back to your regular programing.

 

[Nate R]

There is something up with Northern Brewer now or at least on their web site. I went surfing through the Extract Ale kits looking for some deals and most of them were "sold out" . I then looked at Midwest Supplies (their sort-of the same company right?) and all seemed good. I didn't think to snoop around to see if was maybe a yeast issue or extract but something is amiss. Going to go back and snoop some more, News @ 11:00

Edit> It looks like is just an issue with "Kits" in general. Extract and All-Grain/BIAB kits are both mostly out of stock. Every thing I looked at was in stock except Briess Pilsen & Maris Otter LME. Must just not be putting kits together @ NB. Could be a staffing issue with the C-19 deal, who knows. Back to your regular programing.

It also could be a pricing issue. Although they are the "same" company, an advantage to having two websites is to provide two tier pricing. For example, (pre covid) i think the spend threshold minimum for free shipping was different on each site.
Lots of companies will do this- essentially sell the same product through different channells. It allows for them to maximize pricing.

 

[kartracer2]

It also could be a pricing issue. Although they are the "same" company, an advantage to having two websites is to provide two tier pricing. For example, (pre covid) i think the spend threshold minimum for free shipping was different on each site.
Lots of companies will do this- essentially sell the same product through different channells. It allows for them to maximize pricing.

You are probably right on that. I did a little more looking and saw something about the difference in how each site is dealing with their store front sales with the Covid situation. I guess I just got a little wound up for nothing. Easy to do that lately with every thing going on as it is.
Cheers
Joel B.

 

[Nate R]

You are probably right on that. I did a little more looking and saw something about the difference in how each site is dealing with their store front sales with the Covid situation. I guess I just got a little wound up for nothing. Easy to do that lately with every thing going on as it is.
Cheers
Joel B.

I often wind myself up on purpose...
Just so i can RDWHAHB!!!
Ha ha.

I am such a cheapskate i scour the web for the best deals!!!

 

[rodwha]

I’ve been using MoreBeer for over a decade now and have been more than pleased. Their customer service has been quick and easy when needed. And since they opened up their second warehouse free shipping has been rather quick, as in days instead of nearly a week. Their pricing is good and free shipping on orders over $59. And it’s not owned by the evil AB/InBev!

 

[Knightshade]

I love in extreme northern California and the last order I placed with Williams arrived the next day.

I was just commenting to a buddy of mine that lives a couple of states over that I've placed at least 3 orders with Williams Brewing in the past few weeks and they've all arrived within 2 days or so. The more impressive part is that:

1. Their prices are super competitive
2. They process their orders with shipping information and provides updates REALLY quickly.

Meanwhile....I ordered something on MoreBeer over a week ago..and the amount of communication I've received from them has been lackluster to say the least. According to their website, they haven't even picked the damn order yet. Hasn't stopped them from charging my CC straight away though...

These orders have been mostly equipment odds and ends, stuff that is specific to their Kegland distribution relationship. Other stuff, I've been getting from my LHBS, which started offering curbside shortly after the stay at home order.

 

[NewFranconiaBrewing]

Austin Homebrew Supply is a great alternative. I've ordered twice from them since sheltering-in-place, and their customer service has been incredibly responsive, often replying in a couple hours. They also still have free shipping for orders over $55. Grain prices are much higher than NB, though. Also, they don't have as big a grain selection as NB.

 

[GRBC]

***edit: apparently they are no longer owned by AB***

NB is owned by AB InBev. Don’t shop there! Every dollar you give them is used against your interests (assuming you value independent, craft beer)

 

[day_trippr]

No, it isn't. It's owned by Blackstreet Holdings now since the "ZX Ventures" arm of AB InBev sold it...

Cheers!

 

[BrewerBrad82]

NB has not been associated with ABI for about a year now IIRC.

 

[kevin58]

I don't care who owns northern brewer I have not bought anything from them for nearly a decade. My LHBS has everything I need or can get it for me at cost. They have online sales, reasonable delivery or free curbside pick up.