Consensus on Best Brewing Supplier?

[Econwatson]

Hello there!

Just moved to the UK Australia and looking for a really good all-round brewing supplier. I'm located in the North-East of Scotland so post is really my only option. Would really appreciate any advice. Sorry if this is a taboo topic!

Thanks all!

 

[bobsbeer]

I'm not sure what suppliers are in your area. Check out the map button above, and failing that the sponsors in the banner above and below are all good. Also check out the Links button above as there are more listed there. I don't have a local HB shop so tend to browse the online suppliers to see who is cheaper for what I want, and as a result spread my business. I have tried most of our sponsors at one time or another and always had good service.

 

[LeithR]

@Econwatson,
I live just outside Aberdeen (Kemnay) in the NE of Scotland and the only brewshop I know of and with limited selection is the "Green Grocer" in Inverurie, there are others going south in Forfar and Edinburgh and Glasgow.

I buy my AG supplies from the Malt Miller - see above in the Sponsors section I also buy kits from Brewgenie online, they are based in Birmingham but generally have good prices on their kits you can access their web site here..

Delivery to the NE is a bit patchy in that some use delivery agents charge for what they see as being in the highlands. For instance my AB51 post code attracts additional delivery charges whereas AB01 (Aberdeen city) does not attract this extra charge.

If you keep tabs on the forum people quite often post when there is a special offer on at shops like Wilkos or Tescos. I've had some luck buying kits from these sources.

Where about in the NE are you located?

 

[Ian...]

I have tried several online suppliers over the past 12 months and have used http://www.art-of-brewing.co.uk/ for the last four orders. The service has been excellent, their prices are the lowest I have found (and I have trawled through the majority I reckon) and their delivery charges are the lowest at free delivery for orders of £49 and over. They also have some excellent propriety products. I plan to to stick with them.
Good luck

 

[dennisking]

I have tried several online suppliers over the past 12 months and have used http://www.art-of-brewing.co.uk/ for the last four orders. The service has been excellent, their prices are the lowest I have found (and I have trawled through the majority I reckon) and their delivery charges are the lowest at free delivery for orders of £49 and over. They also have some excellent propriety products. I plan to to stick with them.
Good luck

£51 for a 25kg sack of malt, that is very expensive.

 

[RobWalker]

Worcs hop shop are my favourite, homebrew company and malt miller are both solid companies with fair prices too! :thumb:

 

[ryanshelton]

I've used easyhomebrew and never had any problems

 

[nixhaz]

£51 for a 25kg sack of malt, that is very expensive.

BTW, what is a good price for 25kg? Think I might need to start buying in bulk!

I've been using The Home Brew Shop online and they've been awesome so far.

 

[dennisking]

£51 for a 25kg sack of malt, that is very expensive.

BTW, what is a good price for 25kg? Think I might need to start buying in bulk!

I've been using The Home Brew Shop online and they've been awesome so far.

One of our sponsors, the malt miller sells Crisps maris otter at £24 per sack. He sells Crisps pale malt £22.50.

 

[Econwatson]

Thanks for the replies guys, I too am from the North-East, but I brew AG BIAB so looking for some malts.

Do any of the suppliers mix your recipes and post it for you? I had a store in Aus where they crushed my grain and mixed it for me, saved a lot of hassle!

 

[pittsy]

Most will send it out crushed already unless you state not to ,

 

[Ian...]

I have tried several online suppliers over the past 12 months and have used http://www.art-of-brewing.co.uk/ for the last four orders. The service has been excellent, their prices are the lowest I have found (and I have trawled through the majority I reckon) and their delivery charges are the lowest at free delivery for orders of £49 and over. They also have some excellent propriety products. I plan to to stick with them.
Good luck

£51 for a 25kg sack of malt, that is very expensive.

I brew from kits....... 10%-15% cheaper than retail for premium brews like st peters rra etc

 

[LeithR]

@ Econwatson,
Yes, many HBS's will either fill an order if you have put together a recipe or they will send you the makings from a standard set of their own recipe's contact Rob at the Malt Miller to discuss.

 

[Dave1970]

Loads of decent mail order shops about. I've used Malt Miller & The Homebrew Company and both have been faultless. Copper Kettle are good. I've had fantastic customer service from Hop & Grape who sent me an extra pack of yeast free by first class post at 5.00 on a friday night when their courier had let them down.

 

[Leeds Chimp]

i use http://www.goodlifehomebrew.com/

Paul the owner is a top bloke and very very helpful when I first started out...even if you ring him for advice will help you ....

 

[Econwatson]

Thanks all, think I'll go with Malt Miller.

I just ordered an STC-1000 and assorted gear to set up a fermentation fridge, only been back in the UK for 2 days and I'm already excited to be brewing again.

Did most of you just collect your bottles through extended drinking? I had a brilliant collection of bottles down under but now I'm completely bereft. I'm really not a fan of plastic bottles, but I'd be interested to know if you guys had purchased bottles from anyone. Maybe I will just go straight to kegging. :drunk:

 

[Algernon]

Bottles can be collected fairly easily. Options are:
Drink a **** load
Get mates to drink a **** load
Leave a "donations box" at a nearby bottle bank (meets with mixed responses, some find it works, some get a box full of abuse, oddly)
Be nice to bar staff in pubs
Work in a pub
Post a wanted note on Freecycle / Freegle

I get most of mine from friends, with one regular freegle supplier who leaves me a couple of bags every 3 or 4 weeks in his porch which I pick up. Still never met the guy, which seems kind of weird. I also have collected a load from a local specialist beer shop in the local farmers' market.
De-labelling is the hard part, as I am sure you know. I am at the stage now where if it won't come off in warm soapy water I reject the bottle. Takes ten mins to clean one bottle, when you could have done 20 in that time if they were easier.