Bulk grain buying

Mashing
#1

I just got back to brewing after a three year hiatus. I used to buy grain in 55 lb sacks, but I don’t remember where I ordered them (getting old sucks).

Where do you guys order bulk grain?

I might join a local club and get in on their bulk buys, but for now I want to buy around three sacks of base.

#2

I just order a sack at a time from Midwest Supplies. When I’m about to run out of one sack, I’ll pick up another one. I don’t brew enough or big enough batches to justify ordering several sacks.

#3

I’ve just found a local guy who organizes a group buy every month or so, so I’ll probably be buying base grains from him when I can.

What I’ve been doing since spring is ordering 10 lb increments of MO, Rahr, etc. from Morebeer and getting free shipping. It’s funny that sacks don’t qualify for the free shipping program, but you can order 50 lbs in 10 lb. increments and get free shipping. This has been a nice option for me. I like the flexibility. For example, you could get 20 lbs. MO, 30 lbs. Rahr and an assortment of specialty grains.

#4

I just did a price comparison between Midwest and NB, and am very pleased to find that NB is actually now cheaper for me when ordering sacks of my two main base malts.

    Midwest: $53.36 NB: $49.46
Same with MO:
    Midwest: $83.15 NB: $78.94
The difference with respect to MO, though, is that Midwest specifies the maltster as Crisp and NB does not.
#5

MO Malt

#6

There’s a HBS not too far away from me that does a “virtual” bag of grain. You pay for a bag of your favorite grain (s) at bag price, then draw off of it as you need it. It stays fresh as it only exists in the computer and each time you use some it comes from the most recently opened bag at the shop. This also removes the hassle of storing 50 pounds of grain in your pantry.

#7
www.fiftypoundsack.com
#8

I just did a price comparison between Midwest and NB, and am very pleased to find that NB is actually now cheaper for me when ordering sacks of my two main base malts.

    Midwest: $53.36 NB: $49.46
Same with MO:
    Midwest: $83.15 NB: $78.94
The difference with respect to MO, though, is that Midwest specifies the maltster as Crisp and NB does not.[/quote] I'm surprised by that, I've always found Northern Brewer to be much pricier. I've been with Midwest since I started, so it's difficult for me to order elsewhere. I order from Norther Brewer occasionally and usually end up wondering why I didn't just go with Midwest.
#9

I recently got a great deal at Austin Homebrew Supply. $49.99 for Briess 2 row and only $6.99 for shipping. Even my LHBS can’t beat that price and they give me volume discounts. Wish I had room to buy more.

#10

[quote=“Beersk”]
I’m surprised by that, I’ve always found Northern Brewer to be much pricier. I’ve been with Midwest since I started, so it’s difficult for me to order elsewhere. I order from Norther Brewer occasionally and usually end up wondering why I didn’t just go with Midwest.[/quote]
Yeah, was surprised too. I’ve always found NB’s grain prices to be higher. When I switched to all-grain, I switched to Midwest. Then I switched to Morebeer for better savings. For the most part, my money goes wherever I can get the best overall price at the time.

I’d gladly buy a sack of Rahr from NB at this price (if I weren’t stocked up already).

#11

Looks like your LHBS isn’t given you much of a discount. I’ve never used Briess, but when I was asking around the consensus was that the domestic 2-row hierarchy is Rahr > Great Western > Briess, et. al.

#12

[quote=“kcbeersnob”][quote=“Beersk”]I just order a sack at a time from Midwest Supplies. When I’m about to run out of one sack, I’ll pick up another one. I

    Midwest: $53.36 NB: $49.46
Same with MO:
    Midwest: $83.15 NB: $78.94
The difference with respect to MO, though, is that Midwest specifies the maltster as Crisp and NB does not.[/quote][/quote]

Not sure where you got your prices. I just bought 3 sacks last Friday
Midwest: MO. $63.99. Rahr 2 row $34.99

NB rahr pale $33.99

#13

Did you have them shipped? NB charges $17 to ship a sack UPS 3-day to my zip.

#14

Did you have them shipped? NB charges $17 to ship a sack UPS 3-day to my zip.[/quote]
I picked them up at the store

#15

Looks like your LHBS isn’t given you much of a discount. I’ve never used Briess, but when I was asking around the consensus was that the domestic 2-row hierarchy is Rahr > Great Western > Briess, et. al.[/quote]

I’ve not seen this but have used many different brands of 2 row with no problems at all. But I’m curious why most companies offer Rahr for a good deal less than Briess if they are rated so high.

I just did an IPA with Rahr and it was great. I’m going to do it again next week with Briess not because its a different brand but because it’s what I’ve got. I’m now curious to see if I or my beer snob friends can tell any difference.

#16

[quote=“Roddy”]Not sure where you got your prices. I just bought 3 sacks last Friday
Midwest: MO. $63.99. Rahr 2 row $34.99

NB rahr pale $33.99[/quote]
The difference is the amount I have to pay to convince UPS to deliver to my home in Kansas. :wink:

#17

[quote=“kcbeersnob”][quote=“Roddy”]Not sure where you got your prices. I just bought 3 sacks last Friday
Midwest: MO. $63.99. Rahr 2 row $34.99

NB rahr pale $33.99[/quote]
The difference is the amount I have to pay to convince UPS to deliver to my home in Kansas. :wink: [/quote]

I hear ya. I was going to place an order for three 50 lb sacks…until I saw the shipping. Figured I would drive the 55 miles to the store and then get my 10% discount for being an AHBA club member. That cut the cost down to about $31 per bag!