brewingkitty
Well-Known Member
that site 50#sack doesn't let you actually ORDER anything. what kind of business model is that??
I'm not really impressed with their prices anymore - the cheapest 2-row is $1.00/lb.
Just because it says it is going to open on 01/11/11, does not mean that it will magically open at 12:01a in each person's time zone.
While I totally agree with the magical timezone sentiment, I think all of us who have been watching this site not open for months were just preparing for the inevitable: no change to the website whatsoever, and still no way to order grain or hops or contact the company in any way.
I am lucky. I live in a ag town. There is a Grain company about 2 my house that sells 2-row for $34 a sack and Marris Otter for $43 a sack. I usually have one of each and sometimes a sack of Pilsner on hand.
Where do you buy it cheaper?
I pay $60 for 50# of Briess at my LHBS which is 10 miles each way. But I don't pay tax since it's considered to be food.
I pay $60 for 50# of Briess at my LHBS which is 10 miles each way. But I don't pay tax since it's considered to be food.
I just bought a 50lb sack of Briess 2-row for $50 at South Hills Brewing Supply, which is $68 at fiftypoundsack. If the prices are roughly the same as one stop shops like AHS, BMW, etc., I won't go through the hassle of making seperate orders for grains.
$65 for Rahr 2-row at my LHBS... robbery. I just got a #7 Barley Crusher for Christmas and I'm itching to use it! I'd rather order from Northern Brewer for $68 (including shipping) and not have to drive an hour round trip. It's a little depressing.
Is there really nowhere else on the internet to buy #55 lb sacks? I feel like there should be more competition between shops with the rate that this hobby is growing in popularity. Is Northern Brewer really my best option for bulk?
I understand that businesses need to increase their prices to make money, but It doesn't seem right that I should have to pay a 100% margin for my LHBS to profit.
Austin homebrew supply has 55# of 2-row for $54, and free shipping on orders over $100. So you'd save $28 on 2 sacks compared to Northern Brewer.
From the looks of it, we have it pretty damn good here in San Antonio :rockin:
This is from Home Brew Party's excel price sheet and it tells me AHS is marking up WAY too much (Forrest???)
Just in case anyone missed this comment, no worries about being a reputable source.
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That's how companies subsidize the "free shipping" offers. Roll the cost into heavier/bulk items to deflect the cost. His actual shipping cost isn't "free", mind you.
That's how companies subsidize the "free shipping" offers. Roll the cost into heavier/bulk items to deflect the cost. His actual shipping cost isn't "free", mind you.
I agree and I guess my point was that I will not drive to Austin to go to a much bigger, badder, "better" store because of it. If there is a different walk in price, there is no way to know it. I check the prices on the site and they are considerably higher than my local guys. I don't have much of a problem with defraying shipping w/ markups, but a place like Austin Homebrew has the buying capacity to offer bulk grain at such a great price that I could justify the drive to Austin. I actually live between Austin and SA, and if there was a $30 walk in price I would go for it. There is no reason that my LHBS with significantly less purchasing power can beat a mega store's price by that much.
It's a 50 lb sack of Great Western 2-row. Morebeer sells Great Western Pale ale for about the same price in five pound bags.
https://morebeer.com/view_product/8505/beerwinecoffee/Malt_-_American__Pale_-_5_lb
But not so good a deal for your local customers.
<<<I suppose I should charge shipping for the bags of grain and lower the price of the grain itself but it will be the same price.>>>
To some, but not to others. It will work out better. Do you have evidence the loss leader concept is making you money in the long run? If not, let them buy grain locally and focus on service and selection.