Changing Markets

[Ian...]

I was reading the other day that beer sales in supermarkets and pubs have gone down 6.5% in the last year. And, surprise surprise, home brewed beer sales have increased by 46% over the same period. 46%! It makes sense though, considering the costs.
my nearest home brew shop is 20 miles away so it costs as much in fuel as it does in postage if buying on line. I guess I'll just have to purchase in bulk to keep the postage down.

I resent the march of the supermarkets (and I'm as hypocritical as the next person about them) but I would welcome it if they started stocking brewing ingredients more.... I reckon it wont be long before they are on to the trend. It would be good to be able to go to my local supermarket and browse, whilst the wife does the unimportant shopping. I don't have a Wilkinsons nearby and Tesco direct still has delivery costs and a very limited range. Do you think they will get on to it?

 

[alanywiseman.]

If I was you I would use the forum sponsors. The Homebrew Company have free postage for orders over £75. I imagine that could keep you busy for a fair while :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

There are plenty of good online shops some with free carriage over a certain amount. All our forum sponsors also come highly recommended, I use one for all my all grain supplies.

Unfortunately it is the sign of the times, I have found that supermarkets in general are beginning to stock more of nothing more departments but less range in each, which should in time give rise to good specialist independent retailers but whether that happens locally on the high street remains to be seen but I am not holding my breath.

:thumb:

 

[Ian...]

Just found a company www.art-of-brewing.co.uk giving free postage for orders over £49.

 

[RobWalker]

it's good and bad. fact is if supermarkets become the main home brew suppliers, what you gonna do when you need some aromatic malt or nelson sauvin hops? ask the gimpy teenager stacking the bananas? it'll be a case of bare essentials and not much else.

my hbs isn't the greatest place on earth, but for such a small shop, you'd really miss it if it was gone. the guy who owns it repairs stuff for the price of whatever he uses (new tap, etc) if it's a quick job. you won't get that at tesco!

 

[Loetz]

Anyone know of any shops offering free shipping within Europe when someone orders over a certain amount?
Or at least affordable shipping?
I might be looking for a new online store this January.

 

[Dr Mike]

Back in the 1980s, and even into the 1990s, most high street branches of Boots sold basic homebrew stuff - kit beers, fermenters etc.

I wouldn't be that surprised if the total level of beer kit sales was still well below that seen in the 70s and 80s. But I'd imagine there are more AG and extract homebrewers.

 

[jonewer]

I think the internet has allowed a revolution in home brewing er.. I mean craft brewing.

I dont think I would ever have made the leap to AG without sites like this one to guide me through every step of the way and to show me how possible it is. I mean before I started brewing, brewing was like Alchemy or something way beyond the reach of mere mortals. Now its something I do early morning in the kitchen before a late shift!

 

[TRXnMe]

I think the internet has allowed a revolution in home brewing er.. I mean craft brewing.

I dont think I would ever have made the leap to AG without sites like this one to guide me through every step of the way and to show me how possible it is. I mean before I started brewing, brewing was like Alchemy or something way beyond the reach of mere mortals. Now its something I do early morning in the kitchen before a late shift!

I'll second that.

My brew shed arrived today, my AG kit is all but ready to go in it, I've made 6 gallons of AG in a 13 litre stock pot (BTB2, I thank you) as practice for the new brewery.

This place has cost me a fortune* over the last 8 months or so :)





*If I'd tried to don what I've done without the advice on here I'd have spent a LOT more though :)

 

[beermaker]

Postage / petrol costs and investment in equipment and infrastructure certainly do push up the costs of brewing, but over the years i've more than broken even on my expenses and brewing now is all profit :-) especially considering a pint in Yarm now costs about £3.50!! Based on that, my next planned brew will get me 64 pints for the price of 5!

 

[Baldbrewer]

This place has cost me a fortune* over the last 8 months or so

+1 to that! :lol: but you know what ? I love it not only do I learn about brewing, I've discovered the pleasure of DE shaving, thinking about building another pc, etc etc.
I could go on but I won't bore you all !

Oh and the other Forum users are very good company :thumb: