An Ankoù
Landlord.
I wasn't pointing the finger at the HBS, but I don't get why those who sell Crisp's MO sell it for more than the smaller maltsters' MO, Simpsons or Munton, for example. I get even less why the traditionally cheaper Malts such as Crisp's Best Ale malt (flagon) and Minch Hook Head, have taken more of a hike than the premium malts, but Baird malts at BrewUK, less so being only £33 a bag. In fact I don't blame the HBSs at all (at least not over this) as I think it's the maltsters who are raking it in and Crisp seems to be the worst offender with Baird the least. How can Brew UK sell pale ale, low colour pale, and lager malts at £32.99 when everybody else except THBC is well north of £40. Why is MO only £30.25 and pale malt only £29.60 at Tuckers in Crediton? Why is Pop's pale only £27.50?I think that the problem is that there has been a rise in prices from the maltster, the wholesale price was held down and has just taken a big jump, (positively speaking last year I saved half the increase). There have been massive increases across all the areas that maltsters need (transport/fuel and heating fuel/gas). I don't think (as I have put in earlier) that the HB suppliers are shafting, the 30% add on is about the going rate to cover their overheads. And you can get everything from them so reducing different suppliers shipping.
Who is shafting us is the government, allowing for these massive price rises in power costs.
(And I just checked Pops malt with shipping £40)
Most of the cheaper prices are smaller maltings who don't have the economies of scale of the likes of Crisp.
And yes, the government is shafting us, but that doesn't mean others have to follow suit.