To ship or not to ship

[redrocker652002]

OK, so here is my dilemma. I want to make a German Hefe and I want to use a liquid yeast. I have put everything I need in my cart for Morebeer, which is free shipping, but shipping liquid yeast makes me a bit nervous. I have a Williams Brew Supplies about 30 minutes from me that I can pick it up, but that will cost me gas and bridge toll and I have to pick it up during normal business hours. Getting there isn't really an issue because I work shift work and can do it either on a day off or on my way to work, but gas and bridge toll is.

So, my helpful pro's, which would you do? Opinions and "stop being so damned cheap" are always open. LOL.

 

[sibelman]

Cancel the morebeer cart and bite the bullet: get it all from your semi-local Williams store.

 

[redrocker652002]

Cancel the morebeer cart and bite the bullet: get it all from your semi-local Williams store.

I was thinking that but they don't have the hops I am looking for in stock. But I think you are right. I might pull another recipe and see what they have there. I like to have two recipes at the ready. Thanks

 

[bailey mountain brewer]

I second that.. my hb shop is about 35min for me but no tolls, when it works out my wife picks up there on her way home from work which is even better.. but in your situation, maybe consider stocking up on a few things in one shot, plan out your next 2 or 3 brewdays and get everything you need in one trip, saving the toll and gas money that way.

 

[Tony B]

Haha. I’m super cheap too. Part of why I started my frozen yeast bank.
I have not had any liquid yeast shipped to me. Seems too big a risk unless you’re sure it will get to you quickly and in cool weather. Even with ice packs, if the weather is warm, I would worry about viability. I think, cheap as I am, I would make the drive to the store and maybe try to add value to the trip by stocking up or running other errands in the area or maybe check out a brewery in the area and pick up your ingredients on the way home.

 

[BongoYodeler]

I bet Williams shipping will reach you in a day, two at most. Even if you have to pay for shipping it’ll still likely be less than gas plus tolls. Just make sure to pay for the optional ice pack(s) and I bet you’ll have no problems.

 

[redrocker652002]

Having done a bit of looking there is a place in Berkeley, truly a mom and pop shop, that has everything I need. They are open weekends, so a Saturday trip with the exploration of a local brewery sounds like a win-win. Lunch with the wife will give me the bonus points to maybe add that fermenter that I posted about in a previous thread. Hmmm, now that sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Having done a bit of looking there is a place in Berkeley, truly a mom and pop shop, that has everything I need. They are open weekends, so a Saturday trip with the exploration of a local brewery sounds like a win-win. Lunch with the wife will give me the bonus points to maybe add that fermenter that I posted about in a previous thread. Hmmm, now that sounds like a pretty good deal.

Fieldwork in Berkeley would be my choice. I’ve been there a few times and their beers never disappoint.

 

[redrocker652002]

Fieldwork in Berkeley would be my choice. I’ve been there a few times and their beers never disappoint.

I agree. They have a place in San Mateo by my mom's that a buddy of mine and I have explored a few times.

 

[wepeeler]

Order from BrewHardware. They triple wrapped my liquid yeast and shipped it in a styrofoam cooler.

 

[Pennine]

Every time I go to the LHBS I end up spending about 5X the amount I planned to and come home with a whole bunch of fun things. It's ok though they need the support. Your plan is a good one enjoy the new fermenter, I mean lunch.

 

[FogHTX]

I'm in Houston and regularly order liquid yeast from both Morebeer and Brewhardware.com. I get 2 ice packs and the MB orders arrive in 2-3 days while the BH takes 3-5. Only had one pack that was as issue - a Wyeast that arrived fully puffed. I do always make a starter.

 

[Deadalus]

I always try to pick up liquid yeast in person but have no local stores nearby so I often order online. I make every effort also to avoid ordering in summer or heat waves. Make a starter and you will know if they yeast is alive if you do. However, given your parameters, I would drive over to the LHBS and buy 3-4 yeasts for future use. Easy to bring a little cooler if you do. I usually plan 3-4 brews if ordering ingredients online or going out of my way to a LHBS.

 

[MaxStout]

I WISH I had an LHBS that was only 30 minutes away.

Make the drive to William's, or the small shop in Berkeley.

 

[SonomaBrewer]

Oak Barrel in Berkeley, for the win.

 

[Dgallo]

I know there are people that are concerned about shipping liquid yeast. You have to factor in how long a morebeer order typically takes to get to you. If it’s 2-3, I would just order it with an ice pack and ship it. Make a starter and you’ll be fine

If it’s longer than that, I’d make the drive.

 

[redrocker652002]

Thanks for all the replies. As much as I would love to support Bobby and his store shipping just kills the deal for me (No offense Bobby). The place in Berkeley is about a 30 minute drive and I have been wanting to check it out anyway, so this is a good excuse to spend a saturday out there and get a lunch and a few beers a a bonus.

 

[Tony B]

I’m very spoiled in this department. The Home Brew Mart, here in San Diego is pretty much right in between my home and workplace. About a 10 minute drive from either, depending on traffic. They have a small brewery and tasting room as well. We like to cruise down there on a Friday night, have a couple beers and a snack. Then collect my ingredients and head home. There are also a couple other home brew stores within 20-45 minutes if needed. I generally only order online for items the Home Brew Mart doesn’t carry.

 

[DonT]

I've pretty much stopped ordering from MoreBeer because it takes a week to get here and their inventory has been lacking lately ... SoCal Brewing has taken over. Williams is about a 20 min drive for me and I've been getting my yeast from them.

 

[Miraculix]

Order and buy a pack of lallemand Munich classic as cheap insurance if the yeast is doa. If the yeast is fine, you can use it for your next batch.

 

[BongoYodeler]

I've pretty much stopped ordering from MoreBeer because it takes a week to get here and their inventory has been lacking lately ... SoCal Brewing has taken over. Williams is about a 20 min drive for me and I've been getting my yeast from them.

Same reason that I pretty much stopped using MoreBeer. I try to use my local shop as much as I can, but they seem to be dying the slow death. They’ve pretty much stopped restocking, and most items are now showing as “out of stock.”
For items I need to buy online my preferred vendor is now also SoCal Brewing.

 

[Maylar]

I WISH I had an LHBS that was only 30 minutes away.

Roger that. I had 2 of them, both gone the way of the dodo during the pandemic. Ice packs aren't free but they work.

 

[Indian_villager]

What liquid yeast are you going for? Depending on the strain you may actually be better off with the dry yeast Munich Classic.

 

[redrocker652002]

https://oakbarrel.com/wyeast-activator-wheihenstephan-weizen-yeast/

This one

 

[Indian_villager]

https://oakbarrel.com/wyeast-activator-wheihenstephan-weizen-yeast/

This one

If you are set on liquid go for it, but that is a pretty solid candidate to switch out for Munich Classic.