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Buying in Bulk

  • Thread starter Eric_Stephenson
  • Start date
E

Eric_Stephenson

Hello All,

Got a question about buying in bulk to lower the cost per batch.

Are there certain grains, hops, DME or other things that you will purchase in bulk (say 1 lb instead of 2 ounces at a time) to lower the cost?

Are there any "base" ingredients that you use in alot/most of your batches that you purchase this way? Light DME or Cascade Hop Pellets for examples.

Thanks in advance.
 
I always buy pale malt in 50lb bags.  It significantly reduces the cost per batch.  I usually go through at least one bag a year.

I've considered other items, but it would take me too long to consume a few lbs of hops or 50 lb of a specialty grain.

One other trick is to culture/reuse yeast from one batch to the next.  You can get 5 or more batches from a single yeast pack if you are careful about making clean starters from older batches and storing them in the fridge.

Brad
 
heck ya. If I didn't buy my base malt in 55 pound bags (Maris Otter at about 45 cents a pound) I wouldn't be able to afford to brew as often as I do.  I also buy hops by the pound, reuse yeast, etc...

I recently bought iodophor by the gallon, though I got hosed on shipping, so I didn't save anything. I'm also looking at buying my specialy grain in 55# bags and splitting it with guys in my brew club.
 
I am looking for a new place to buy bulk grains, any suggestions? Since Austin/Bulk Homebrew supply shut down thier bulk side I can't find anyone. The best price I have found is $1.10lb for 2row! I used to get 50lb sacks for $29.95!
 
I recommend going local if you can.  Shipping from out of the area usually kills the price unless you order a truckload.  

If you have no one in your local area, wait until you travel and pick up a bag then.

Brad
 
Brad...Where you get your 50# bag of Malt, is it a website? If so can you pass that along?

Thanks
 
I just found out that if you Google for "buy pale malt in 50lb bags" Alot of places come up.
 
When I was in Virginia I bought from Jay's brewing in Fairfax.   My last bag came from San Antonio when I was on vacation.

Most local shops sell them in the $30-40 range if you pick it up - depending on what it is. Sometimes you can find one for $25-30 for domestic malt if you get lucky.

Brad
 
You can get free shipping from here if you spend $59.00. 55 lbs of maris otter from Crisp Malting for 45 bucks,

http://www.morebeer.com/browse.html?category_id=2345&keyword=&x=1&y=1
 
When I was in Virginia I bought from Jay's brewing in Fairfax.   My last bag came from San Antonio when I was on vacation.

Most local shops sell them in the $30-40 range if you pick it up - depending on what it is. Sometimes you can find one for $25-30 for domestic malt if you get lucky.

Brad

I do the same.  When I am on vacation, or in a town with a LHBS, I buy a sack of grain.  Our brewclub just made a grain purchase with the aid of Millstream brewery in Amana, IA.  We were able to get a pallet of assorted grains at 30 cents a pound.  I got 2 bags of 2-row, a sack of munich, and a sack of biscuit.  I know "A whole sack of biscuit?", but I use it in all of my pale ales and IPA's.
 
The best place to buy bulk is your local brewpub.. They are always eager to help. I buy 50# bags of 2 row for 17.00. They sell it to me at cost and ofcourse there is no shpiping fees when you pick it up. Also I am able to enjoy a cold brew while I am there.
 
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