Syracuse, ny - round 7 group grain buy

[Strecker25]

nice, I have to get more storage. I have 3 bags of base malt just sitting in the basement at the moment. Although its off the floor and we keep the humidity low, I need more rubbermaid bins for it

 

[jeffb418]

nice, I have to get more storage. I have 3 bags of base malt just sitting in the basement at the moment. Although its off the floor and we keep the humidity low, I need more rubbermaid bins for it

Yeah I have to keep everything in a ziplock to protect from moisture, then the rubbermaid containers keep the mice out. Every so often I find one down there. I leave a small pile of grain on the floor in a place i pass every few days, if I notice it chewed up I put traps down.

Looks like I'm going to brew my "Good Looking Blonde Ale" this week if I get the time. Going to be bringing alot of brew to alot of summer events, so really need to get cranking!

 

[copyright1997]

Grain silo haha just kidding.

I have all of it in my basement. I have 6x 25lb cap dog food containers for my base malts. Then about 8 rubber maid containers for some. Then 2 big rubber maid containers that fit each about 5-6 full bags (each bag is stored in a xxl ziplock bag). Some of the rubbermaid containers contain vac sealed bags with about 6lbs in each.

Jeff
Where do you get the xxl ziplock bags?

Also, I predict you will be in the next group buy for something.

 

[jeffb418]

Jeff
Where do you get the xxl ziplock bags?

Also, I predict you will be in the next group buy for something.

I've found them at Target or Kmart.

 

[bellinmi88]

How many gallons are the xxl bags

 

[jeffb418]

How many gallons are the xxl bags

Not sure on the gallon size, but they are 24" x 32". The xxl bags will hold 1 full bag perfectly, and no need to remove the grain from the sack. The xl bags are good for splits since they are about half the size.

 

[CidahMastah]

Jeff
Where do you get the xxl ziplock bags?

Also, I predict you will be in the next group buy for something.

haha +1

I use the largest size dog food bins from walmart on rollers as well (they hold a whole bag or more comfortably) - they work great. They used to be like $21, but now they are like $26 I think. I also use brownstien containters HDPE 55g plastic drums to store the overstock I have (1 barrell holds 4 55g bags, in the bag).

As many have said I think the key is to get it off the floor and/or in a container to prevent mice form getting it (cool room with ow to no light and low humidity if possible). For base malt you can leave it in the sack it came in while you use it, it should stay fresh that way until you get through it. For all the specialty grains that may take longer to use, you want to make sure they have more protection. For me that means a ziplock bag, or plastic lined grain bag, and then into the dog food bins. That has worked exceptionally well for me.

Not sure how much grain I have, but I know i will be going through it! haha. I already know that I will be looking for at least 3 bags (which really means 6 haha). I have been brewing a lot of longer aging brews and I think that is helping me chew through grain. Since we brew, and can't touch those for a while so we brew again.

Just had one of the Kate the Great imperial stouts (twogunz that is the blue cap with a K that i gave you). Really getting close to being ready, I would say another month. I really enjoyed it.

 

[user 54886]

I am using homer buckets to store my grain.

There has been a lot of discussion on the boards here about them being food grade and the general conclusion is they are for dry goods. And I have never seen an issue with them. I think the only reason they are not rated food grade is because they are dyed.

I have a basement full of them now.

I like them because they are cheap, have a rubber seal around the lid so they are air tight and easy to manage/stack.

They make tracking inventory easy too, just throw the bucket on the scale.

 

[TwoGunz]

Just had one of the Kate the Great imperial stouts (twogunz that is the blue cap with a K that i gave you). Really getting close to being ready, I would say another month. I really enjoyed it.

Mmm, I'm looking forward to it. Just give me the word when you have one that's prime.

 

[gcdowd]

This conversation about Kate the Great gives me an idea. Does anyone in this group do beer swaps? If not, we should start one. Anyone down for that?

 

[gcdowd]

Oh and I sent my request to the Facebook page.

 

[CidahMastah]

Hey do any of you guys (local guys) have wyeast 1469? I was considering using it for a bitter, but don't have a bunch of stuff to buy from an online seller so I was trying to find it locally. They don't have it at sunset.

If not no sweat, maybe I will put off that brew.

 

[brian4508]

Hey do any of you guys (local guys) have wyeast 1469? I was considering using it for a bitter, but don't have a bunch of stuff to buy from an online seller so I was trying to find it locally. They don't have it at sunset.

If not no sweat, maybe I will put off that brew.

I don't have it but I'm wondering if you've been to sunset the last couple of days. They were supposed to get a big yeast shipment in. I'm looking for a good yeast for a wit and they didn't have anything early last week.

 

[zeno27]

I don't have it but I'm wondering if you've been to sunset the last couple of days. They were supposed to get a big yeast shipment in. I'm looking for a good yeast for a wit and they didn't have anything early last week.

I bought the last vial of WLP400 a couple weeks ago!

 

[CidahMastah]

I don't have it but I'm wondering if you've been to sunset the last couple of days. They were supposed to get a big yeast shipment in. I'm looking for a good yeast for a wit and they didn't have anything early last week.

I was there yesterday and no shipment in for sure (well not of yeast anyway.)

I bought one of the wit strains as well, but that was a probably a month ago (it is currently fermenting!).

 

[brian4508]

I just called EJ and he has a 3944 he is holding for me. I forgot to ask but I will see if he has the 1469 when I get there later this afternoon.

 

[brian4508]

I just called EJ and he has a 3944 he is holding for me. I forgot to ask but I will see if he has the 1469 when I get there later this afternoon.

Now that I think of it, wasn't that a limited release? (1469)

 

[CidahMastah]

Now that I think of it, wasn't that a limited release? (1469)

Used to be, but not anymore. I am sure sunset will never have it haha. But places like Norhtern brewer, farmhouse brew supply, etc have it.

 

[jeffb418]

I just called EJ and he has a 3944 he is holding for me. I forgot to ask but I will see if he has the 1469 when I get there later this afternoon.

From what Ed has told me, he only carries the most popular stuff and special orders all the rest. In addition he raised his yeast prices to $10/pack.

 

[brian4508]

From what Ed has told me, he only carries the most popular stuff and special orders all the rest. In addition he raised his yeast prices to $10/pack.

I know he is pricey, but I need a wit yeast and it's easier than online. That's the only problem with sunset is inconsistent stock. I find myself buying things I MAY need in the future just so I have them...

 

[Smashing]

I was just at the Sunset near me and they had crap for yeast. The girl told me she just took over the store ( even though I've seen her there for a couple of months) and she went through the yeast and most were outdated. Some were as much as 6 months outdated! Not sure what she's going to carry. It's a real pain though since she's the closest to me - 26 miles btw.

 

[Mparsons327]

I just did an American wheat with wyeast 2565 kolsch. It turned out excellent.

 

[CidahMastah]

I know he is pricey, but I need a wit yeast and it's easier than online. That's the only problem with sunset is inconsistent stock. I find myself buying things I MAY need in the future just so I have them...

I do the same and it is annoying. I have talked to the guy there about it. They seem annoyed that people buy them out of 1056 regularly. So they raised the price on just tha yeast packet to $10 - wtf. You are a brew store, if people keep buying 1056/ wlp001 then get more in stock!

This is why I often try to buy yeast online way ahead of time, but it is inconvenient. Who wants to plan 3-4 months ahead for a brew schedule? I keep telling them that I would buy yeast from them if they would ever have what I want in stock haha. Hell I just bought 4 strains a few weeks ago for my 4 belgians starters!

I don't understand that place...

$100 single body co2 regulator... etc. It is clear they don't know how to price competitively and have interest in the "green" part of the shop first and foremost - too bad


Do we have to open a S.M.A.S.H. home brew store?!

 

[brian4508]

Do we have to open a S.M.A.S.H. home brew store?!

I'm game!

 

[bierhaus15]

Went to sunset today and the guy said the yeast shipment will be in tomorrow. I was told all the yeast arrives at the syr store and is then partitioned out to the one near rochester. We'll see if it actually comes in tomorrow...

Oh, and I now realize I am out of 2-row right after the grain buy is over, having not got any bags. Really screwed this one up... :cross:

 

[gcdowd]

I'm game!

Second!

 

[brian4508]

Went to sunset today and the guy said the yeast shipment will be in tomorrow. I was told all the yeast arrives at the syr store and is then partitioned out to the one near rochester. We'll see if it actually comes in tomorrow...

Oh, and I now realize I am out of 2-row right after the grain buy is over, having not got any bags. Really screwed this one up... :cross:

He told me a week + ago that I would be in a week ago, and that he isn't the one that orders it, the Rochester store does and he gets what he gets. Frustrating. Wish there were competent stores and employees out there.

 

[jbsengineer]

He told me a week + ago that I would be in a week ago, and that he isn't the one that orders it, the Rochester store does and he gets what he gets. Frustrating. Wish there were competent stores and employees out there.

I'll second that. There is a one decent guy in there that is helpful when I go in. The others are concentrated on the "green" area and have no idea how to brew a beer.

 

[CBK]

We have 3 stores in the Rochester area. I have been to 2 of them and get the same impression as everyone here that the focus is on the green side. Their web site states "We guaranty the lowest price both in store and on-line. If you find a cheaper price we will match or beat it." 10 bucks for 1056? Would be interesting to call them out on this. $5.99 at midwest.

 

[jbsengineer]

I know the price for 1056 at EJ Wren is ~$10 as well.