VT Brewer returning to brewing after long break

[Miltonboro]

Extract brewer returning to it after almost 10yr break. Kinda feel orphaned after finding my local brew shop, VT homebrew supply, has closed, sad, it was a great little mom & pop shop. The owner was so enthused to get you brewing if you just walked into the place curious you'd surely be walking out with bags of supplies. She'd always grind me up some steeping grains to improve my beer. I hear the brewing hobby has gone through a major decline? That's too bad if so. Well, guess it's all mail order supplies for me now. I use DME, dry yeast, and pellet hops, as they all store well. Looks like RiteBrew has everything I need unless anyone recommends another place.

Origin story is I didn't even drink beer before I started brewing it. Thought I didn't like beer til I was visiting friends in Germany and they introduced me to Hefeweizen, which was unlike any beer I'd tasted at home. Returned home with the idea I'd brew it myself as it's pretty rare in stores. VT Homebrew got me started.

Just started two new beers with all 10yr old ingredients(pic attached). I kept my DME in sealed buckets, packets of dry yeast in the fridge, and pellet hops vacu-sealed in the freezer. All seemed fine despite the age. The beers are active/bubbling away, and smell great. I pre-hydrated the yeasts and they seem to have lost no viability in 10yrs, not enough to tell the difference anyway. So hopefully they go well. Just over 24hrs now.

I'll save my questions for the appropriate forum categories...

Prost!

 

[jdauria]

Welcome back to the hobby! Being that you are in Vermont, I would recommend checking out Jasper's in New Hampshire for online ordering. I order yeast from them occasionally, or maybe a certain hop now and then and I get it delivered to Mass the next day. Kits are made fresh to order and they have $7.99 flat rate shipping too. Their customer service is great too...I think I ordered 1 ounce of hops once, and had to pay the $7.99 shipping on the website...but they called me and said if I did not mind getting the hops a day or two later, they would just send in a first class envelope and refunded me the difference.

Check them out...Jasper's Homebrew Will say, for an all grain brewer like myself, they don't have the biggest selections on grains, only carry Wyeast liquid yeast (and a couple Omega's), but it looks like they have a ton of extract kits.

 

[wallyLOZ]

Welcome to HBT. Looks like you're well on your way. Enjoy the journey.

 

[Miltonboro]

Welcome back to the hobby! Being that you are in Vermont, I would recommend checking out Jasper's in New Hampshire for online ordering. I order yeast from them occasionally, or maybe a certain hop now and then and I get it delivered to Mass the next day. Kits are made fresh to order and they have $7.99 flat rate shipping too. Their customer service is great too...I think I ordered 1 ounce of hops once, and had to pay the $7.99 shipping on the website...but they called me and said if I did not mind getting the hops a day or two later, they would just send in a first class envelope and refunded me the difference.

Check them out...Jasper's Homebrew Will say, for an all grain brewer like myself, they don't have the biggest selections on grains, only carry Wyeast liquid yeast (and a couple Omega's), but it looks like they have a ton of extract kits.

Thanks! Good to know. I'll bookmark them.

 

[Willy]

Welcome back to Beer World! Several years back, I re-enterer after a pause. Same as you - back in the day, I was an extract Brewer.

Lots has changed! Now doing all grain. Loving it

 

[Miltonboro]

Welcome back to Beer World! Several years back, I re-enterer after a pause. Same as you - back in the day, I was an extract Brewer.

Lots has changed! Now doing all grain. Loving it

Is all grain a lot harder/more complex? There's probably a thread here somewhere for the all-grain curious extract brewer. I feel like I've got enough variables now but still curious. What are the up sides of all grain?

 

[Willy]

Is all grain a lot harder/more complex? There's probably a thread here somewhere for the all-grain curious extract brewer. I feel like I've got enough variables now but still curious. What are the up sides of all grain?

I would start doing a hybrid. Some grain and some extract. Ease into it and enjoy the ride. Typically - fresh grains taste more "authentic" and the extract gives you a foundation to make the beer you are wanting to make.

 

[Willy]

Is all grain a lot harder/more complex? There's probably a thread here somewhere for the all-grain curious extract brewer. I feel like I've got enough variables now but still curious. What are the up sides of all grain?

It tastes better. More control and variability of what you mix is a big plus as well. Tastes better... Is enough.

 

[madscientist451]

Is all grain a lot harder/more complex? There's probably a thread here somewhere for the all-grain curious extract brewer. I feel like I've got enough variables now but still curious. What are the up sides of all grain?

BIAB in the brew pot you probably already have. Figure out what style of beer you like, (porter, stout, pale ale, whatever) and watch videos on you tube on how to make them. Your 10 year old extract might be ok, maybe not. But if it’s not that great, don’t let it stop you, get some fresh grain, a BIAB bag and try some simple single malt, single hop beers.

 

[wsmith1625]

Welcome back to brewing! Interesting story how you got started. It's sad that your local shop closed. Unfortunately it's the trend we're on right now.

 

[Miltonboro]

Welcome back to brewing! Interesting story how you got started. It's sad that your local shop closed. Unfortunately it's the trend we're on right now.

Thanks. I'm curious about the decline in brewing, what caused it, the timeframe and degree. Any threads about it here?

 

[madscientist451]

People these days spend 8 hrs+ a day on their phones/tablets/computers (not counting work) and hobbies of all kinds are in decline. Drinkers are switching to seltzer and cocktails for various reasons, alcohol is also viewed as generally unhealthy. I like to brew beers that my local stores don’t sell. Like porter, American strong Ale , milds, Saisons, Japanese lager, and low ABV IPA.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2...fall-to-lowest-level-in-quarter-of-a-century/

 

[WouldBeBrewmaster]

Welcome back to the hobby. It is sad a lot of the LHBSs have closed. The shops have to deal with all of the issues brick and mortar retail has, along with declining interest in the hobby. I think it’ll come back to some degree. Maybe as the children of millennials get older, some of the lapsed brewers will come back. I had one LHBS owner tell me there are two demographics of homebrewers: 20-30yr olds, and people who are 50+ and bored.

Another supplier to check out is Beer & Wine Hobby in Mass. I try to support them because I live a town over. They’ll do free shipping to VT on orders $59 and up. Selection is pretty good. https://www.beer-wine.com/shipping-policy

The only place you’ll probably find Muntons LME or beer kits is at www.MuntonsBeerKits.com.

 

[Bobby_M]

I'll go ahead and throw a bid in. I bet I can beat most prices when total delivered cost is accounted for.

Just looking at some real common items and in fairness, meeting the free shipping quota from someone listed in the thread already. This would be for like two batches of blonde ale for example:

4 x 3LB bags of DME
6 x 1oz Cascade
2 x LB 40L Caramel
2 x US05 dry yeast

With free shipping from X vendor: $98.26
My price with actual UPS ground charged from NJ to NH: $91.50

If the order is sub $59, I beat it even more. If you cut the order in half, for a typical single 5 gallon batch it's
them $63.12 vs. my $48.53

I hope this post isn't poor taste. I'm also a small family owned shop in the Northeast and I also happen to be a daily contributor here.

 

[Willy]

I'll go ahead and throw a bid in. I bet I can beat most prices when total delivered cost is accounted for.

Just looking at some real common items and in fairness, meeting the free shipping quota from someone listed in the thread already. This would be for like two batches of blonde ale for example:

4 x 3LB bags of DME
6 x 1oz Cascade
2 x LB 40L Caramel
2 x US05 dry yeast

With free shipping from X vendor: $98.26
My price with actual UPS ground charged from NJ to NH: $91.50

If the order is sub $59, I beat it even more. If you cut the order in half, for a typical single 5 gallon batch it's
them $63.12 vs. my $48.53

I hope this post isn't poor taste. I'm also a small family owned shop in the Northeast and I also happen to be a daily contributor here.

I think this is fine and fair Bobby. As a repeat customer of brewhardware.com - I have been pleased by the quality of service and products. Always fairly priced. (Just got some PBW and starsan because it was less expensive than Amazon. Also got some Breiss chocolate malt because I knew it would it would be tasty )

 

[Miltonboro]

I'll go ahead and throw a bid in. I bet I can beat most prices when total delivered cost is accounted for.

What's my cost for a 50lb bag of Briess DME Bavarian Wheat shipped to 05468? Thanks!

 

[Bobby_M]

What's my cost for a 50lb bag of Briess DME Bavarian Wheat shipped to 05468? Thanks!

Foiled. I don't stock 50LB bags of DME.

 

[fluketamer]

Welcome back to the hobby. It is sad a lot of the LHBSs have closed. The shops have to deal with all of the issues brick and mortar retail has, along with declining interest in the hobby. I think it’ll come back to some degree. Maybe as the children of millennials get older, some of the lapsed brewers will come back. I had one LHBS owner tell me there are two demographics of homebrewers: 20-30yr olds, and people who are 50+ and bored.

Another supplier to check out is Beer & Wine Hobby in Mass. I try to support them because I live a town over. They’ll do free shipping to VT on orders $59 and up. Selection is pretty good. https://www.beer-wine.com/shipping-policy

The only place you’ll probably find Muntons LME or beer kits is at www.MuntonsBeerKits.com.

if anyone is interested after years of no access to muntons. abc crafted in canada has a huge inventory of munton extract kits with free delivery to the US (for now- these days you never know about shipping anymore) over 50$ iirc. and they often run sales.

Foiled. I don't stock 50LB bags of DME.

i didnt know dme comes in 50 lb bags


to the OP - welcome back i have taken that break also . i think we all have at one point, things like kids/work/life can often get in the way. fortunately, they grow up/we retire/ and time passes so never throw out or give away your equipment.

 

[Bobby_M]

i didnt know dme comes in 50 lb bags

They do, but there are two reasons I don't stock it.
The first is that in general, my customer base is all grain brewing. Second, while bulk DME is more economical, it comes at the cost of having to repack one of the most hydroscopic substances known to man. The moment you open the bag, it absorbs every molecule of moisture available. Most people would want to spend a few % more for individual packed 3LB bags.

 

[Willy]

They do, but there are two reasons I don't stock it.
The first is that in general, my customer base is all grain brewing. Second, while bulk DME is more economical, it comes at the cost of having to repack one of the most hydroscopic substances known to man. The moment you open the bag, it absorbs every molecule of moisture available. Most people would want to spend a few % more for individual packed 3LB bags.

Hmmm "one of the most hydroscopic substances known to man" ????

You never met my ex wife.

 

[IslandLizard]

hygroscopic...

 

[Miltonboro]

They do, but there are two reasons I don't stock it.
The first is that in general, my customer base is all grain brewing. Second, while bulk DME is more economical, it comes at the cost of having to repack one of the most hydroscopic substances known to man. The moment you open the bag, it absorbs every molecule of moisture available. Most people would want to spend a few % more for individual packed 3LB bags.

It's some sticky stuff alright. I like to transfer it outdoors mid winter, it's most cooperative when very cold and dry out. Just used some that was almost a decade old, couldn't tell it from fresh stored in buckets w/snap on lids.

 

[IslandLizard]

hygroscopic...

Back in the days when we did "group grain buys," we would also split one or two 50# bags of DME.
One early Saturday morning, in the not so long past, we were distributing and splitting bags of malt in a parking garage in the Tysons Corner Mall (near DC). Some DME had spilled onto the roadway...

By the time we had finished up, the general public started to arrive. The spilled DME had become a gooey substance. Every passerby was wondering what they were looking at, walking around the sticky patch, avoiding it as if the plague had reincarnated.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Is all grain a lot harder/more complex?

To make a wort with just grains, a starting point is BIAB + RO water + salts + good grain crush + well insulated kettle. RO (or other low mineral content) water simplifies "water chemistry". Wet grain weight is a consideration - more so with 5 gal batches. Starting out, treat mash temperature as a range: if the reciepe calls for mashing at 152F, it's OK to start a little high (154F) and don't be too concerned about it dropping to 150F (or lower).

There's probably a thread here somewhere for the all-grain curious extract brewer. I feel like I've got enough variables now but still curious.

There are. Just don't read 'too much' before giving it a try.

What are the up sides of all grain?

Greater flexibility over the composition of the wort - in exchange for a longer brew day.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

I haven't read through all the posts in this thread, but I second Jasper's for mail order. Also, there's a place in Ludlow called Brewfest Beverage. They don't have a big selection, but they do carry the basics. I'll make the trip to buy my bulk grains. I'll call ahead to make sure they have what I need.

 

[Bobby_M]

Is all grain a lot harder/more complex?

A LITTLE harder and more complex, but in a very satisfying way.

What are the up sides of all grain?

Flexibility, Lower cost of fermentables, More access to nuance flavors (it's harder to source extracts derived from very specific base malts like Vienna and Munich for example, and there are a lot of variations of even those main categories), Access to malts/grains that can't be steeped, increased sense of artisanal accomplishment (this one is subjective).

And then one day you find, 10 years have got behind you, luckily it's never been easier to find someone to help you transition to all grain. More new brewers are jumping directly into all grain these days.

 

[Bobby_M]

hygroscopic...

How the hell did I go my whole life getting this word wrong?

 

[jdauria]

To the OP...while I recommended Jaspers in NH due to it being close to VT...I will say I agree with Bobby... his place BrewHardware in NJ is a great option and is where I order most of my grain from these days. I love their grain batch builder app, makes it so easy to order exact amount of grain needed. While I get most of my hops in bulk from Yakima Valley, BrewHardware has a good selection of hops too.

When my LHBS here in MA closed, I was ordered from Keystone Homebrew Supply in PA or Hop Craft Supply in Michigan. Both have large grain selections (pre Covid, then their euro grains were out of stock more often) and both had flat rate shipping...but I pretty much only order from BrewHardware now...unless I need that one thing I forgot and I need in ASAP...then I go to Jaspers.

 

[madscientist451]

How the hell did I go my whole life getting this word wrong?

Well at least you used a similar word, something I never did.

 

[BeerNsteadofH2O]

Welcome back, another vote for Jeff at Jaspers... I also use beer/wine hobby in Peabody Ma.because its 8 minutes from my house for bulk purchases. Or in impromptu brew session because they are open 7 days a week. Both give very good customer service.