BruceH
Mostly Retired
I went up to Skagit Valley Malting a month or so ago and asked them if they sell to homebrewers. Unfortunately, they were getting backlash from the shops who caught wind of it. Now they won't even sell partial bags that they can't sell to the shops.
On a similar note, I've found that FH Steinbart down in Portland has some pretty darn good deals on sacks of grain. I have family down there, so I pick up a sack or two every time I go to visit.
I used to buy full sacks from Skagit Malting. The last time I placed an order they said it would be the last. They will only sell to homebrewers if they coordinate with a licensed shop from here on out.
Too bad. I always try to buy local if I can but if local won't sell to me that's on them. I can have sacks from national malters shipped for just a little more than I was paying at Skagit. And, I don't have to drive 30 miles to pick it up.
It's not like Skagit was selling at wholesale prices, they charged me what I would think is a retail price. I can't imagine that a shop or brewery was paying the same prices.