Hi, I'm new to home brewing. I've brewed about 4 batches now. They have all been from kits using grain and liquid malt extract. I'm very interested in trying to brew a recipe using fresh ingredients. My question is where is everyone getting their ingredients from? Where do you find the freshest, and best ingredients? I'm located in MA. Thanks, -Troy
One way to get the freshest ingredients is to purchase from the biggest retailers, either local or online.
Thanks for the reply LarryBrewer. Do you have any recommendations for online retailers that you trust?
I've used MoreBeer.com, they are in California. A buddy of mine uses http://www.midwestsupplies.com/ all the time. Mostly I buy local, that way I save on shipping. Really depends on what part of town I'm in. I freeze all my hops. For extract, I would not buy in bulk, since you really want that to be as fresh as possible. Grains have their own natural packaging, and I'll use up a 55lb sack in under a year. With yeast I shoot for it being manufactured in under 3 months prior to brew day. So if the yeast was made in Jaunary, I'd try to use it by March. Watch out for expired yeast at your home brew store!
I agree with Larry. The fresher your ingredients the better. I like using dry yeast since it tends to last a bit longer but some recipes require the liquid. I always buy my liquid yeasts locally the day before I plan to brew with it. Online, you can also try www.DIYBrewSupply.com and save yourself quite a bit of money as well. The first 50 people to enter "BREWERSFRIEND" when editing their cart will receive an additional 10% off their entire order. Sorry for the shameless plug Larry!
I've been using Adventures in Homebrewing which is based in metro Detroit/Ann Arbor as I can physically go to the store and they have plenty of fresh ingredients and knowledgeable staff. Before, when I was closer, I used Northern Brewer as they have better turnover than midwest supplies. Both of them are based in the twin cites area (minnesota). I've also heard good things about Austin Homebrew Supply though I've never used them.
Online suppliers are fine, but you should try to find and support a local home brew store. The AHA has a locator on its website http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/directories/find-a-supply-shop along with a lot of other great info. Supporting a LHS, if you can, keeps them in business which promotes the expansion of the home brew community. Also if you need something like fresh liquid yeast or keg parts, and need them NOW, they will be there for you. You can also bring your brew in for tasting and advice. Just my opinion.
For hops, I love Peterbaugh Farms, AKA Hopsdirect.com. Good prices on domestic and foreign hops, although the selection is a little thin until the new crop comes in. Cheapskate tip: check out Serebrianka hops. $9/# (plus shipping), very tasty and unique hop.
Brewrite.com is another great place to get grains. You can buy sacks or 5lb bags or even by the oz. Hops will keep as good long time in the freezer. Yeast I always buy fresh and try not to buy liquid in the summer online. Its a crap shoot if it will be good
@Minbari It's a 2012 thread...... Spam re-activated. African translation services? Maybe my fault for being a member
Morebeer has a fulfillment warehouse in PA. Dme is a much better choice for buying in bulk and if kept dry lasts a long tome.
I do both. When I need a bunch of ingredients and some equipment, I goto morebeer.com, Adventures in Homebrewing, Northern brewer and Great Fermentations, all online. When I need liquid yeast or a quick grain purchase, I go local and as always, I bring beer and sample their beers and shoot the you know what for an hour or so.
