LHBS Ingredients: Driving vs Ordering Online Options

[dagomike]

I always go to the LHBS for my ingredients, but something occurred to me last week. I buy most everything in bulk, sacks of grain and cleaner from the LHBS, hops online. The only thing I really don't get is yeast.

I rarely buy yeast online, but I had an order into NB and didn't think I could get out to the LHBS last week to make my starter for tonight. So, I ordered my two tubes of WLP833. I think it's kind of silly to pay $8 shipping for $6 yeast, plus $1 for a couple cold packs. But then it got me thinking... NB gets here in two days, which is pretty fast. The yeast is very fresh (this time, LBHS = 9 weeks old, NB = 2 weeks). A starter tonight for that fresh yeast is 2x less than the starter for the old yeast. DME is expensive. LHBS is about 40 miles round trip, gas today was $3.3x a gallon. So, it costs about $4.75 to drive to the LHBS! For less than 2x that, I can have it delivered to my door and be super fresh, plus buy whatever else I need for no additional shipping. Finally, it's not unusual for the LHBS to not have the yeast I want anyway, making me sub or think about driving another 40 miles to the other LHBS.

Granted though, I enjoy hanging out talking BSing and drinking homebrew after work or on a Saturday, but 50% of the time I run out there is just for yeast.
If I don't have to go to that end of town, it's getting tough justifying running to the LHBS for yeast. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/sad.gif)

[azmtnbiker]

I do something similar to what you are doing. The on LHBS that I can get bulk grain from and my cleaning/sanitizers solutions is not the closest one. So, I don't go as often as I would like. I do pick up some yeast from them in the summer just because it is WAY too hot here to have the yeasat sit outside for any length of time. I tend to stock up on yeast in the winter and try to treat it right and get 2-3 batches with each vial/smackpak. I order from NB too and their yeast is always fresher then the LHBS.

[Bearphin]

Unfortunately, for me there is no LHBS within 30 miles of me (one way). Which mean, given the MPH of my Jeep, I can go through almost 4 gallons of gas plus a great deal of my time.

I tend to look for the online HBS that have a standard shipping price and then order all I need at once. I have had great luck with Homebrewers Outpost and BYO. Both have sent great kits that I truly enjoyed plus the shipping cost were below what my gas cost would be.

[Barley]

I guess I'm really lucky. My LHBS is <7 miles away. I may pay a little more, but I support them in almost all my purchases. My feeling is that I want them there when I need something in a hurry. It does happen. So, short story long, I buy local.

Brew on,
jeff

[Dean Palmer]

My LHBS is about 8 miles, and I get about 10-12mpg, so ordering online is becoming a reality for a lot of ingredients, not to mention equipment that the LHBS will never carry. Due to the increased costs I'm planning four brews ahead, and making a single trip to the LHBS to buy what they have before ordering the rest. I always have them order full sacks of grain, but they don't have a lot of the specialty grains for some recipes. I've started ordering common specialty stuff online in extra amounts and keeping it around so I don't need to make multiple orders for small amounts.

When I can get a keg of decent commercial micro-brewed beer down at the local superstore for about what I can brew it for, I gotta cut costs somewhere, but the LHBS does get a visit first. More and more these days I have a commercial beer on tap to fill the voids (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/cheers.gif)

[Ghost of Winter]

I have to agree with the thoughts about buying most if not all supplies from online stores. The only thing that I regularly buy local is my bulk grain. The reason for this is because I live pretty close to MidCountry Malting and I buy my bulk grain there. If I didn't live so close I would more than likely buy that online as well. The closest HBS to me is about 30 miles one way as well and they are mostly a wine store (it's an orchard that also makes and sells wine) They don't have much of a selection. And what they have is of unknown age.

The next closest HBS is one that I will NOT patronize for personal reasons. Couple that with the fact that they RARELY have the items I want and was forced to substitute. The store is very jumbled and not easy to find anything if you are just looking to pick up something small or a single item such as starsan. I had asked several times while in there if they carry whirfloc and they STILL do not carry it. Yet another reason to not buy from them. The other HBS that are in the area are about 40 miles away in the heart of Chicago and that is a bit too far of a drive with gas costing what it does.

I just stock up on specialty grains and such online on a semi-regular basis so I don't have to run to the HBS to get items for a brew.

Greg

[DJ in KC]

When the temps during shipping are OK I'll tag on some yeast. Summer and Winter, forget it. I probably drop 60 - 80 bucks at the LHBS every time I go. But bulk base grain and hops are ordered online or through Lawrence Brewers Guild. Bulk orders won't happen in KC because the LHBS basically founded and maintains our club in KC. Very nice of Blktre and LBG to organise - still it's a bit of a drive but I get to see some knucklehead brewers when I head a little west.......


dj

This post has been edited by DJ in KC: Mar 30 2008, 06:52 PM

[consumes]

i walk to my lhbs .... its 2 blocks away (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/smile.gif)

[DavidS]

Well, I guess I am a lucky fool as my wife works at AltBev/HBA part time. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/inlove.gif)

So not only do I get the inside scoop, Jess gives her an employee discount (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/biggrin.gif)

I am planning on getting a mill to start buying grains in bulk

[Neddy191]

For me its 35mi each way to my LHBS. That makes driving vs. shipping about the same money-wise. My LHBS doesn't carry some of the brands of malts that I prefer to use so I order online for those. During the summer/winter I buy all my yeast from the LHBS, but spring/fall I"ll pick some up online if I"m already placing an order.

I'm in a similar boat as DJ - my LHBS also essentially runs the local club.

[dagomike]

Yeah. my club is at the LHBS too, which is just fine for me. I still get my sacks of grain at reasonable prices, and I've got a reason to drive out there and buy stuff once a month.

Really, I think the cost is secondary for me. It's the fact that it's inconvenient and NB has a better and fresher inventory. I don't think I can buy yeast during the hottest and coldest months of the year, but I don't tend to brew much then either.

[cavman]

My LHBS prices were pretty good, but I went there the other day and 12# malt, 2 oz 2007 Saaz pellets and 2 smack packs cost me $49.80. Last year the same thing would have cost me around $30-35.

[BlackAnvil]

I'm pretty proud to support my LHBS, even if it's 30+ miles away. But I'll be even prouder once they get their inventory inserted into the website I built them so they can do e-commerce. Then I can support them both online and off, and know that I've helped them expand their market reach. As some of you have pointed out... I really want to make sure they stick around!

BlackAnvil

[Salsgebom]

My LHBS prices were pretty good, but I went there the other day and 12# malt, 2 oz 2007 Saaz pellets and 2 smack packs cost me $49.80. Last year the same thing would have cost me around $30-35.

And to make it even worse, their profits are probably smaller than last year!

[TexAg]

Reading this thread makes me realize how fortunate I am to have a company car. For me the gas is moot, but, unfortunately my LHS isn't reliable for ingredients so I end up ordering from AHS.