Poll: Buy in bulk, or only what's needed

[PaulStat]

Hi Folks,

Just curious what most people do when buying their grain, do you tend to buy in bulk or only what you need, when you need it? I bought a 25kg sack of MO probably about 9 months ago and I'm only now coming to the end of the sack. I probably will get another one now, but only because MO is basically my base malt for pretty much everything I brew. The smaller quantity malts I only tend to order what I need. So do you

(a) I buy everything in bulk
(b) I only buy base malts in bulk
(c) I only buy what I need for the planned brew
(d) other

[DarloDave]

base malts in bulk, then i work out 5 or 6 brews I wanna do and buy the speciality malts for them, even though I end up changing my mind when it comes to brewing anway!

[chris_reboot]

been buying as needed, but storage is an issue, so need to keep it away from mice, otherwise I'd buy more in bulk!

[Mitchamitri]

Base malt - MO - I pick up from Warminster Maltings so avoid p&p. Malts and hops from barley Bum, have only placed one order so far. Emergency stuff from SOuthwick (down the road) - they stock a simple range but are open 7 to 7 every day!!!

[Jymbo]

Living in NI I have to buy in bulk as delivery charges are exhorbitant.

[subsub]

I buy everything in bulk and then skim off what I need for "home use"

[Hawkinspm]

I buy my MO in 25KG bags then similar to borodave I buy a stock of speciality malts to see me through the next 6 or so brews, also find I change my mind each time so order a good selection these days.

Paul

[mysterio]

Yeah I buy a sack each of lager malt and MO. Along with a few kilos of different grades of crystal, and some roasted malts. Usually bulk buy hops from Farams or go to Ross @ Craftbrewer. If you brew 10 gallons at a time, a sack of malt will be gone in no time.

[kevthebootboy]

i do what proberly alot of people do, buy a sack of MO , 2 or 3 KG of crystal, then 1 kg bags of the selection on offer,
its good getting in all in, you dont have to worry about planning and ordering a recipe when you want to brew,you can just get stuck in!

[MARMITE]

It 's a good idea to buy in bulk and share with a few mates if you can. eg you can buy 5 kilos of hops for about £20 whereas 100grams isn't far short of a fiver.I am going to need some Hersbrucker and Cascade very soon so that is what I intend to do .At those prices it would be worthwhile paying the postage if you don't live close or chucking a load away even though it goes against the grain (pardon the pun)

[Stonechat]

It 's a good idea to buy in bulk and share with a few mates if you can. eg you can buy 5 kilos of hops for about £20 whereas 100grams isn't far short of a fiver.I am going to need some Hersbrucker and Cascade very soon so that is what I intend to do .At those prices it would be worthwhile paying the postage if you don't live close or chucking a load away even though it goes against the grain (pardon the pun)

Any chance of sharing your source of hops ?
The cheapest from Farams are Hersbrucker(Hallertau) at £8.50 a kilo, £42.50 for 5 kilos.
Cascade are £24.75 per kilo or £123.75 for 5 kilos!!!!!

I'm down to my last kilo of Cascade in the freezer. The 5kgs cost £31.50, but that was a couple of years ago. Not sure I'm prepared to pay current prices for Cascade

[towser]

I live in Austria, so when I travel up to Belgium/Holland, I but in bulk from Brouwland and save the postage.
I live in an area that grows two-row and six-row barley and I'm sure there must be a roaster somewhere, but can't get hold of Pale Malt anywhere close.

I have a dedicated fridge for the hops, and a cool dark room for the malt, so it's all quite well stored.

[rick_huggins]

I only by M/O in bulk 25Kg bags, hops & other grain is normally form Paul @ BarleyBum

[rick_huggins]

I only by M/O in bulk 25Kg bags, hops & other grain is normally form Paul @ BarleyBum

[Invalid Stout]

Yeah I buy a sack each of lager malt and MO. Along with a few kilos of different grades of crystal, and some roasted malts. Usually bulk buy hops from Farams or go to Ross @ Craftbrewer. If you brew 10 gallons at a time, a sack of malt will be gone in no time.

Where do you get your pale malt, Mysterio? I seem to recall you said you'd bought malt from West, but only doing German styles they wouldn't have Maris Otter, would they?