Someone Stop Me!...Too Late!

[John Sand]

I went to the LHBS yesterday, and bought 58lbs of grain. Most of it 2-row, in a 50lb bag. It's both scary and exciting. Last night my best neighbor stopped over for a beer, he tried two of mine, liked them both. Later at a bar I saw another friend who drank a few of mine some weeks ago, he wants to come back for more. He asked how much beer the 50lbs will make. I told him about 25 gallons, his eyes got round. I better start brewing.

[Beer-lord]

I buy a 50 lb bag every few months. I have at home now, 1 sack of 2 row and about 50 lbs of other grains combined.
Don't ask about hops.....I think I have about 8 or 9 lbs now, maybe more because 3 more pounds came in yesterday!

I can introduce you to the BBA (Beer Brewers Anonymous) group if you want. I go to meetings twice a week!

[Brewbirds]

I can introduce you to the BBA (Beer Brewers Anonymous) group if you want. I go to meetings twice a week!

Well there's the problem right there, you're going to the wrong meetings!!!! You clearly need to be in a Shoppers Anonymous group (they don't care WHAT you keep buying just that you CAN"T stop buying it.

[John Sand]

No, it would have to be the BBA. I might run into my wife at Shopper's Anonymous, then it wouldn't be "anonymous". Though she doesn't admit to having a shopping problem- "It's not a problem, I have it down to an art!"
I think now I have about 72lbs of grain, 15lbs of LME, 2lbs of hops. I'm very tempted to buy more hops, but I want to use what I have. Winter is coming!

[Brewbirds]

No, it would have to be the BBA. I might run into my wife at Shopper's Anonymous, then it wouldn't be "anonymous". Though she doesn't admit to having a shopping problem- "It's not a problem, I have it down to an art!"
I think now I have about 72lbs of grain, 15lbs of LME, 2lbs of hops. I'm very tempted to buy more hops, but I want to use what I have. Winter is coming!

Okay guys don't anyone tell him about the Label Peelers sale. Shhhh

[FedoraDave]

While it might be cheaper in the long run to buy in bulk like that, I tend to buy the grains I need from brew session to brew session. Even then, I sometimes have a quantity of grain left over, such as with specialty grains. Then I vacuum-seal them and save them for another batch. But I don't have the room to store a lot of grain for an extended period of time; at least not in a temperature-and-humidity-controlled space.

But whatever works for you.

[Beer-lord]

My LHBS is pretty cheap on grain by the pound and milled...about $1.25 or so a pound for 2 row but buying 50 lbs gets me to about about $.90. Not a huge difference but after a year, it adds up. But, space is a problem for me.

[Inkleg]

Hi, my names Jeff and I'm a grain buyer. Then everyone says "Hi, Jeff"

Me: "I have 50lbs 2 Row, 50lbs Maris Otter, 50lbs various specialty grains, 4-5lbs of hops and a yeast bank in the fridge. It's not a problem, I know just what I'm doing."

[John Sand]

The 50lb bag is broken up into two five gallon buckets with tight lids. All of my grains are stored in an unheated, musty basement. There is nowhere else. I try to wrap them tightly and use them before too long, which I define as around six months. I have been using ten pound bags, but I've gone through more than thirty pounds since June. In addition to the savings per pound, I'm saving an 18 mile 50 minute round trip to LHBS. That time can be important if I suddenly find a free afternoon to brew. I bought a variety of crystal and roasted malts. I hope to be able to brew many recipes with what I have on hand. And I'll learn as I brew, what is most useful. But right now I think that two row can be the basis of the most styles.

[John Sand]

Hi, my names Jeff and I'm a grain buyer. Then everyone says "Hi, Jeff"

Me: "I have 50lbs 2 Row, 50lbs Maris Otter, 50lbs various specialty grains, 4-5lbs of hops and a yeast bank in the fridge. It's not a problem, I know just what I'm doing."