Bulk Grain buying..

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by FATC1TY, Jan 3, 2015.

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  1. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    I know we've had some older threads, but thought I'd start a fresh one, since things change.

    Outside of group buys, and buying bulk locally... where online, do you buy your bulk grains?

    Not just 50-55# sacks, but even partial large amounts of unmilled grains?

    I'm trying to build some inventory of bulk grain, to brew a wide array of stuff. Obviously I won't stock it all, and don't care to, but where and what do YOU buy to stock up and mill on demand?

    I'm thinking Two Row, Pilsner, Munich 10L, and probably call it at that for base malt.

    Thinking of getting 10 pounds or so of various crystal malts, roasted barley, chocolate malt, wheats, and stuff like that.

    Looking for places that have good shipping rates- as I'm looking at 66 bucks to get 3 bags of grain from Midwest and $120 for the grain alone.
     
  2. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

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  3. scottakelly

    scottakelly Maven (1,487) May 9, 2007 Ohio

    I still haven't found a place that beats my lhbs. Even with the hour drive being factored in.
     
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  4. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    I have ordered from fiftypoundsack a couple times in the past. The last time I looked (~3 months ago) they did not have a lot of malt in stock.

    I ordered from ritebrew once (1 year ago?), they had pretty good prices and a nice selection.

    I think for smaller amount (<10#s) it would make sense to check out northernbrewer since they have flat rate shipping, I think that applies to small amounts of grain.
     
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  5. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    I looked at fifty pound sack like you all, and noticed... not much.. Didn't seem to be cheaper for me anyways, so I was looking for other routes.

    Rite brew didn't look bad, but shipping was expensive.
     
  6. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    I don't live near anything, so have all ingredients shipped. For the last couple of years I have been supplied from the Atlanta area (is that you?). Just Brew It (Jonesboro) had competitive prices (at least before new owner) and was pleased with the product. Now most ingredients come from Brew Masters Warehouse (Marietta). For your smaller amounts they flat rate at 7 bucks which is cheaper than driving across town. The big bags would warrant a field trip.

    I get a kick out of watching the UPS driver straining with my order knowing it only cost about $2/5gal. Can only dream of having a supplier in the same area code.
     
  7. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah


    I am in the Atlanta area, and Just Brew It, is the most local shop to me, infact the one where I buy 99 percent of my stuff from. However, the new ownership, and my limited time to brew, and the backroad 30 min drive has led me to just stay at home and brew whenever I want here.

    I might check out BMW, and see what they can do for shipping bags. I'm trying to avoid a drive, but might just have to and buy a large order somewhere and see if it saves me. Driving in ATL is a pain, and spread out. I'll spend 40-50 to not have to drive.
     
  8. jamescain

    jamescain Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2009 Texas

    The issue with buying bulk grain online is that most places won't use their free or flat rate shipping due to the weight of the grain. LHBS is probably your best option. With my store if I pre-pay for the bag they take 30% off, which basically puts it at cost. All I have to do is order ahead of time so that they can order it for me. For American grains it only takes a week, but for anything European it will take about a month so I would really need to plan out that type of bulk order. If I don't pre-pay then I can buy any bag they have but the cost is whatever they charger per pound.

    Edit: It also helps that I live like 5 minutes from my LHBS so I know that's not an option for everyone. End of the day, planning ahead is key.
     
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  9. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    So BMW, will sell me 50 pounds of base malt, for the price per pound they charge for 1 pound online.

    Offers $6.99 flat rate shipping on the 50 pounds too. However, at 1.40 a pound, it's like 30-40 cents more a pound than my local place. Kind meh.

    Looks like it's roughly $20 a sack to ship to me from Midwest. Cheapest option I've found so far.

    MoreBeer shipping from PA to me, is $17 for a sack, so slightly cheaper..
     
  10. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    That doesn't seem like too bad of a price if it's quality grain. What NA maltster products are we talking here?
     
  11. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

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  12. MLucky

    MLucky Initiate (0) Jul 31, 2010 California

    I've never found an online retailer that will ship 50lb sacks of grain for flat rate: most of them charge so much for shipping that it negates most of the savings you get from buying in bulk. Combine that with my general lack of storage space, and I find myself buying most of my grain from the ol' LHBS these days. No shipping fee, no storage problems, no worries about grain sitting for too long in a hot garage.
     
  13. FeDUBBELFIST

    FeDUBBELFIST Pooh-Bah (1,765) Oct 31, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    If you can get a 50lb sack shipped for $65-70, I'd say that's not bad at all.

    Or another thought....probably a long shot but....are you a good customer or really close with any of your local breweries? Maybe ask them to tack on a couple sacks of base grain to their order for you. Reward them with even more of your business and some of your great homebrew. If they oblige, you might want to continue ordering your specialty grains online though.
     
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  14. psnydez86

    psnydez86 Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I've been buying sacks from more beer here in pa and shipping is ~12$ per sack. I think there pricing is fantastic so haven't shopped around any further.
     
  15. fuzzbalz

    fuzzbalz Pundit (953) Apr 13, 2002 Georgia

    Have you tired Barely & Vine? It's right off of I-75 next to Henry Gen Hospital, they don't offer flat rate shipping but maybe easier for you to get to.
     
  16. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

  17. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

  18. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah


    Small nano that opened down the street from me.. Might need to stop in and see what they are doing. I suspect they are supporting the local store, as there's another small brewery that buys small stuff from the closest LHBS as well.

    I have no issues buying grain locally, just need to call and ask for pricing and such, might be a better deal to just bite the bullet and drive over, and stock up on yeast while I'm at it.
     
  19. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah


    Yeah, it's 17 to me, so not terrible. Trying to figure out what to buy.. I usually use Rarh and Briess for my base 2 row, but I have little brand preference at this point in time.
     
  20. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah


    Have not.. It's farther away than Just Brew It. I should call them and ask how much he will sell me a sack of a few things. I hate the drive over there.
     
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