where to get barley malt

[jamesdickie87]

can anyone tell me where i can order like 50lb sacks of malted barley at wholesale prices
that would save me a lot of money
thanks

[mmmBeer...]

I have 2 places but they are both Canadian. Also, generally most places won't ship unless you order at least a pallet.

Gilbertson and Page
P.O. Box 242-501 Dickson Drive
Fergus, ON
N1M 2W8
Canada
Phone : 519-843-1660
Fax : 519-843-1603
Email : orders@gilbertsonandpage.com


United Canadian Malt Ltd
843 Park Street South
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3V1
Canada
Phone : 705-876-9110

[HogieWan]

Check with your LHBS. My guy says he can order whatever I need, but would have to wait until he orders other brewing supplies.

[denver brewhoo]

my experience is that most will do this, for fear they'll lose you as a customer if they say no, and you'll just start doing it yourself on-line...both my locals have indicated a willingness to do this, and let me grind it as needed at their place. Guess they know they'll sell me plenty of specialty malts and yeast and chemicals and equipment and doo-dads.....

Assuming your LHBS isn't as enlightened, doesn't Northern Brewer or Homebrew Heaven or Williams or Austin Homebrew sell by the sack? (and they tend to be 55 lb/25kg, btw.....)

[denver brewhoo]

Answering my own question, jamesdickie87, both Homebrew Heaven and Williams offer both an american 2 row and Maris Otter in 55 lb sacks. Of the two, Williams is pricier, but it is better quality grain(IMHO, as always)--the Maris Otter is Crisp which I feel is better than the Baird that Homebrew Heaven features. Williams also sells Golden Promise in 55 lb sacks, and a pilsener malt as well, I didn't click on the pic to see what kind.

Good Luck!

[corkybstewart]

If there is a brewpub/microbrewery in your area make friends with the brewer. I buy all my grain from a nearby brewery at her cost + 10%. Last time I ordered grain from her it cost $68 for 150 lbs. Whenever she buys grain foir the brewery she'll email me to see if I need any. the previous brewer would even sell me hops.yeast and chemicals like PBW and iodine. Just be friendly, and not pushy. It might help to offer them a few bottles of your best homebrew. Many if not most brewers started as homebrewers so that makes them approachable.

[gone_fishing]

Sorta related question... how long can you keep grains?

[corkybstewart]

Keep them dry,cool, away from bugs and mice, and uncrushed 6 months to a year. I use mine within 6 months of buying, but I'm sure stored properly grain will last longer than that.

[Bilbo Beergins]

If you store your grains in an airtight drum and lay a blanket of nitrogen, they'll last for years. I would blow some nitrogen, layer of grain, more nitrogen, etc., layering to make sure O2 is displaced. Maybe even go back a couple times after sealing to blow in some more nitrogen. Just don't stick your head in the drum or you'll go down like a rock.

[Tweek]

Originally posted by Bilbo Beergins
If you store your grains in an airtight drum and lay a blanket of nitrogen, they'll last for years. I would blow some nitrogen, layer of grain, more nitrogen, etc., layering to make sure O2 is displaced. Maybe even go back a couple times after sealing to blow in some more nitrogen. Just don't stick your head in the drum or you'll go down like a rock.


damn! do you really do that? how much grain do you buy at a time?

[corkybstewart]

Seems a lot simpler to buy a little at atime.

[Bilbo Beergins]

I wish I did...then I'd be sponsoring this site. I just know that a nitrogen blanket will preserve just about anything organic-grains, hops, adjuncts, tobacco, etc. If I ever do step up production I will be getting a nitrogen tank so I don't freak out thinking about that evil oxidation. A definite if I start buying 50 lbs. of grain at a time.

[corkybstewart]

A fifty pound sack of grain is about 2 10 gallon batches for me. I usually buy 2 or 3 bags at a time since the brewery I buy from is almost 50 miles from my house, and I store it in big plastic tubs-not airtight by any means, but rodent-resistant. I had thought once of buying large sealable plastic barrels, but they take too much space. In the winter I brew about 50 gallons in a month or two and let my cornies lager until I need them. I'll do ther same thing in March and April, and that'll last till fall. This way my grain never gets too old.

[Teej]

I can't imagine an LHBS not being willing to sell bulk.

My guy is advertising 2 * 50# bags of Schreier 2 row for $55. (regular price $29 ea.)