Raleigh Area Group Grain Buy-Round 4

[Reelale]

Hey guys. Just got back from robbing a bank. Don't try that ****! They nearly shot me.


Anyway... small issue with google docs. It is lacking some of the features that I am using in Excel, so I can't directly edit the google docs version of the spreadsheet. I am keeping the live copy on my computer and will re-upload it as I make changes.

But... this means that the link will change every time I upload a new one. So, if you bookmarked the link, delete the bookmark. I am keeping the links to the spreadsheet updated in my previous posts, so it will always take you to the most recent version.

We are currently up to 18 bags.

Dropbox.com. Saves original file, synchs all copies, and allows opening in native format. And it's free. Just a thought.

 

[Walker]

Dropbox.com. Saves original file, synchs all copies, and allows opening in native format. And it's free. Just a thought.

Yeah, but....

I cannot use dropbox.com (or any other file sharing sites other than google docs) because of the firewall policies on my computer. It's a laptop issued to me by my employer, and I cannot even get to those sites.

On the last bulk buy, I had idahoDal download and email me a copy of the spreadsheet every time you updated it. That was the only way I could get to it.

 

[Reelale]

Yeah, but....

I cannot use dropbox.com (or any other file sharing sites other than google docs) because of the firewall policies on my computer. It's a laptop issued to me by my employer, and I cannot even get to those sites.

On the last bulk buy, I had idahoDal download and email me a copy of the spreadsheet every time you updated it. That was the only way I could get to it.

Ahhhh. I understand. The updated link works for me.

 

[Barc]

Just a quick question or 2. Will this come out of Hickory? Can someone drive up and pick it up? Think that would save any money (since we'd pay whomever to drive up there, back, buy him dinner, etc.)? If someone was heading there and back anyway, it might be a way for us to pay him instead of a shipper.

 

[skeeordye11]

Just a quick question or 2. Will this come out of Hickory? Can someone drive up and pick it up? Think that would save any money (since we'd pay whomever to drive up there, back, buy him dinner, etc.)? If someone was heading there and back anyway, it might be a way for us to pay him instead of a shipper.

I think the only person that could do that would be reelale since you have to have an account to buy from them, even if you aren't having it shipped. I doubt that he'd want to drive his truck to hickory and have them fire a pallet of grain on the back just to save you guys a few $$. But I could be wrong.

 

[Barc]

I think the only person that could do that would be reelale since you have to have an account to buy from them, even if you aren't having it shipped. I doubt that he'd want to drive his truck to hickory and have them fire a pallet of grain on the back just to save you guys a few $$. But I could be wrong.

I don't know if he would be the only one or not. No idea if anyone can pick it up since they're a business and may or may not care who picks up an order. I'd definitely be willing to pay pretty much the same thing as I'd pay a hauler since it isn't free to do it on your own dime, either but it would go to someone rather than a company. Like I said, if someone was heading that way anyway...

Alright, only 25 or so more sacks to go.

 

[Walker]

We are at 19 bags. We need 23 more to fill a pallet.

 

[skeeordye11]

We are at 19 bags. We need 23 more to fill a pallet.

...and to get the 2000# discounted price. (Well at least 37 total)

 

[Walker]

...and to get the 2000# discounted price. (Well at least 37 total)

Reelale... question on this.

If the weight does not break 2000#, there is the one issue that the grain price is a little higher (this isn't a HUGE difference... it's just a few cents per pound, so a couple bucks difference in the price of a sack), but is there a higher shipping charge if the pallet isn't full (42 sacks)?

Or do they just charge that pallet rate ($165 + 20% fuel surcharge) regardless of how many bags are on it? I wasn't sure about that part.

 

[oceanselv]

Most companies charge a flat rate to ship a pallet. It is immaterial how many items are on the pallet. The only impact would be the shipping charge per sack would increase.

 

[Reelale]

Pallet rate is a flat rate, as is the fuel surcharge. Same price whether there are 20 bags or 42. It's just that 42 is the maximum number of bags per pallet.

 

[Walker]

Most companies charge a flat rate to ship a pallet. It is immaterial how many items are on the pallet. The only impact would be the shipping charge per sack would increase.

Pallet rate is a flat rate, as is the fuel surcharge. Same price whether there are 20 bags or 42. It's just that 42 is the maximum number of bags per pallet.

Ok. That's what I thought. Just wanted to make sure.

So, the price per bag keeps getting better (b/c of the flat pallet rate) as more bags are added to the order until we get to 42 bags. If we go over 42, then the price per bag will go back up because a second pallet becomes involved and we pay another pallet and fuel charge.

Keep that in mind. We do not NEED to get to 42 bags to place an order, but each bag is better priced the closer we get to 42.

 

[Reelale]

If we go over 42, then the price per bag will go back up because a second pallet becomes involved and we pay another pallet and fuel charge.

Exactly, except the fuel surcharge is per shipment, not per pallet. It's only charged one time, regardless. It's also charged on their bulk shipments....the ones in grain trucks with augers.

 

[mtbrider]

I might be talked into a second sack if someone wants to suggest another common base grain. Currently I'm getting 1 cm 2 row.

This will definitely make my storage issue double. I can probably get away with storing 1 of them in my home office, but not both. Can I store this in my shed until it starts getting warmer outside?

 

[Barc]

I might be talked into a second sack if someone wants to suggest another common base grain. Currently I'm getting 1 cm 2 row.

This will definitely make my storage issue double. I can probably get away with storing 1 of them in my home office, but not both. Can I store this in my shed until it starts getting warmer outside?

I like using Pilsner as a base malt, even for pale ales. It really lets the hops shine through.

 

[ezzieyguywuf]

So a half-sack should be good for 2-3 batches? or more?

 

[Kirbster]

3 at most. 2 being more conservative. Especially if you dont know how much grain it takes or what gravity you want your brew to be.

 

[Chad]

... we're just handling the order for the good of mankind.

You are a f*cking humanitarian, that's what you are

PM incoming. I missed the last group buy. I'm not going to miss this one.

 

[ezzieyguywuf]

half-sack is what, 27.5 pounds? You saying a grain bill could potentially call for >12 lbs of base grain for a 5 gallon batch? Sounds a little high to me, then again I only got one brew under my belt. Also, I assume it'd be up to us, the end-customer, to do the actual splitting of the sacks?

 

[Walker]

So a half-sack should be good for 2-3 batches? or more?

yes. 27.5# (half sack) will probably get you 3 batches. That allows 9# of base grain per batch, and you'd be using some specialty stuff in addition to the base malt.

It's hard to beat the price on the bulk buy.

5th Season and American brewmaster charge $1.50/lb for domestic 2-row domestic with no shipping.

Compare that to the Canadian 2-row from Country Malt. Even with just the half pallet we have now, a sack of that stuff is only coming in at $38 after shipping. That's only $0.72/pound.

Actually, it's about $1/pound if you buy a full sack from American Brewmaster, but still... the price is much better from Country Malt on the bulk buy.


You could buy a full sack, throw half of it away, and still come out better than buying locally.

 

[skeeordye11]

Reelale... question on this.

If the weight does not break 2000#, there is the one issue that the grain price is a little higher (this isn't a HUGE difference... it's just a few cents per pound, so a couple bucks difference in the price of a sack), but is there a higher shipping charge if the pallet isn't full (42 sacks)?

Or do they just charge that pallet rate ($165 + 20% fuel surcharge) regardless of how many bags are on it? I wasn't sure about that part.

I just went back and looked at the round 3 thread and because the order now comes from Hickory, instead of NY, the freight charge is $65 + 20% instead of $165.

Reel, please confirm this is correct. Save a few more $ potentially.

 

[ezzieyguywuf]

I think that this will help me convince the swmbo to lemme split a sack with someone. Any idea when this would be in though? I'm expecting to do my next brew either the last week of Feb or first week of March, on a saturday.

 

[Walker]

I just went back and looked at the round 3 thread and because the order now comes from Hickory, instead of NY, the freight charge is $65 + 20% instead of $165.

Reel, please confirm this is correct. Save a few more $ potentially.

Yeah, I forgot about that. WIll let Reel confirm.

 

[mtbrider]

half-sack is what, 27.5 pounds? You saying a grain bill could potentially call for >12 lbs of base grain for a 5 gallon batch? Sounds a little high to me, then again I only got one brew under my belt. Also, I assume it'd be up to us, the end-customer, to do the actual splitting of the sacks?

If you want to pick one, I'll split it with you, as long as it's not 2 row.

 

[Kirbster]

Its up to whomever you are splitting it with when/how you will split it. I have done 10-12 lbs base grain in a number of my brews, they were higher gravity and I was not being stingy with leftover wort, i.e. leaving .75 gallons left in the kettle after boil. If you are concerned about parceling out your grain to get maximum batches from a half sack then you could do 3 batches easily. Or you could do milds/blondes at 6 lbs base and get four batches. Or berliner weiss and get 5 batches, or half batches and get 8 batches. It all depends on what you are going to brew and how you are brewing it.

 

[Walker]

I think that this will help me convince the swmbo to lemme split a sack with someone. Any idea when this would be in though? I'm expecting to do my next brew either the last week of Feb or first week of March, on a saturday.

It all depends on how fast the order builds and when/if those involved decide that "this is good enough".

If Ryan's post about the pallet charge being $65 is correct, then a full sack of that Canadian 2-row falls to under $32.

 

[Chad]

I think that this will help me convince the swmbo to lemme split a sack with someone. Any idea when this would be in though? I'm expecting to do my next brew either the last week of Feb or first week of March, on a saturday.

What are you looking to split? I'm going to order at least one sack of base malt & would be open to splitting another. I'll probably go with pilsner/lager for the full sack and would be happy to split a sack of domestic 2-row or even something like Marris Otter, Halcyon, Optic, et al.

 

[Reelale]

Yeah, $65.00 from Hickory. At least that is what it was last order. I didn't really even pay that much attention. Good catch Skee.

 

[Walker]

I fixed the pallet rate and updated the spreadsheet.

 

[ezzieyguywuf]

What are you looking to split? I'm going to order at least one sack of base malt & would be open to splitting another. I'll probably go with pilsner/lager for the full sack and would be happy to split a sack of domestic 2-row or even something like Marris Otter, Halcyon, Optic, et al.

Well, I still need to run it by the swmbo, but I would want something I could use at least in an amber ale, as that will be my next brew, and then I dunno what I will be brewing after that. My last brew used Marris Otter (which was also my first brew) so it holds a special place in my heart, but if its ridiculously more expensive than the domestic 2-row I'll probably just head the domestic route then.