TOPIC:

"Dr Jacoby":1ia50eoc wrote: Taken to its logical extreme, the decision to always buy goods from the cheapest source will inevitably eliminate players from any market. This is why businesses don't compete on price alone; they also advertise and offer promotions. [/quote:1ia50eoc]

There are broadly three types of business that either offer something cheaper than everyone else, a better service than everyone else or something unique. It is generally not possible for any business to focus on all three.

"Dr Jacoby":1ia50eoc wrote: It's a fantastic business. The reality is that the odd bulk purchase from abroad hurts nobody in Ireland. In fact, it may help them. With all this grain to be brewed, I'll need to source auxiliary supplies (yeast, hops, extract, sanitizing solution etc.). [/quote:1ia50eoc]

I think that this is correct. Any good homebrew shop should really be encouraging people to brew as often as possible because they may get some business from at least a proportion of the brewer's ingredient list. I buy some of my ingredients from either the local supermarket, health food shops or the market.

Would you buy a sack of pale malt from here? [url:1ia50eoc]http://www.brewingshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=154bf06c344422f/shopdata/index.shopscript[/url:1ia50eoc] <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: -->

&amp;quot;Dr Jacoby&amp;quot;:1q8kessv wrote: The reality is that the odd bulk purchase from abroad hurts nobody in Ireland. In fact, it may help them. With all this grain to be brewed, I'll need to source auxiliary supplies (yeast, hops, extract, sanitizing solution etc.). And I'm pretty certain that the HBC will be top of my list.[/quote:1q8kessv]

yea but unfortunately that bulk grain make up a lot of room on a pallets an with out it, its not economically viable to bring in pallets of homebrew ingredients. There are currently hops shortages happening and possibly other ingredients down the roads

I have bought a lot of my stuff in the Hop and grape in the UK- I have come to know John, Patsy and Janet pretty well.

I have made a few purchases from the home brew company also.

I bought my last batch of maris otter from the hop and grape as it was free - I was already buying other bits and bobs (they toped it up to the max for one delivery). Might I also add my CC details fell off the order - they left a message with the problem, the sent the order anyway - without payment! I of course fixed up payment later that day. When I asked why they sent it, the said if it didnt get out wednesday - I wouldnt get it friday and the yeast might not survive a weekend in a depot.

How considerate !

I will make a bigger effort to source my grains locally in an attempt to support local farmers but I struggle to get all the kit from the HBC. I have one gripe about the HBC- they dont refigerate my WYEAST. It says clearly on the packaging to keep cool. The hop and grape send it with an ICE-Pack, I havent had one dead smackpack yet.

Interesting topic - I do support the idea of buying locally to encourage local business but I am a hipocrite for purchasing from the hop and grape!

Ideally I purchase my grains from HBC and Yeasts in UK.

&amp;quot;Partridge9&amp;quot;:1ft9ovl7 wrote: I have one gripe about the HBC- they dont refigerate my WYEAST. It says clearly on the packaging to keep cool. The hop and grape send it with an ICE-Pack, I havent had one dead smackpack yet.
[/quote:1ft9ovl7]

I don't strictly think that's necessary here, it's usually only about 15c out at most, and usually much lower, except in the summer months. I know you can buy an ice back with your yeast from the australian craftbrewer store, but it's probably *really* hot over there most of the time. I've never had problems with HBC's Wyeast

&amp;quot;EoinMag&amp;quot;:zugsb0eq wrote:

If you look back over the thread I didn't twist any words on anyone nor did I mention any shops.

That's enough for me, no need to get all aggressive all the time, it's kind of boring.[/quote:zugsb0eq]

I believe you said something along the lines of "i'm not the one telling people where to buy their stuff"
I didn't tell anybody where to buy anything, i just tried to point out the dangers of not supporting our local shops.
I'm sorry if you find that aggressive, in future i'll try to be more gentle if you're so sensitive <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->