Thanks everyone for your continued patience, we're getting close to restarting the group buy albeit in a limited fashion. The new product list is up but you can't yet order until I finalize a few things with 3 Stars.
I have purged the original #25 group buy on the website so if you had something in the list you'll need to re-add it. I have a copy if you don't recall but thanks to all the changes I assume you'll want to review the new product list anyway.
So, something that's been discussed for years but (thanks to 2020 being what is) will be implemented this buy:
3 Stars will be adding a $5 service charge to each full sack of grain ordered. Most items are still cheaper with the added charge, some by a couple of dollars and some by $30-40, when compared to the major online retailers and my LHBS. You're going to have to do your own research on pricing and see if the group buy is your best deal.
Note: None of this money goes to Peter or me, we still cover the operational costs (website and development) out-of-pocket, and this does help cover the brewery's cost of ordering, storing, and staging the pickup. They're good people and have always helped us out, but they are a business struggling like so many, and they have to watch expenses. I'm not going to lecture you, you run the numbers and make your own personal decisions.
Next, slightly better news. Although many products are no longer available (due to 3 Stars dissolving their relationship with LD Carlson) the new product list has more LME/DME as well as bulk hops. I've asked for clarification on additional charges, if any, for hops but would assume extract sacks would include a service charge due to their size.
Finally, as many of you know the 3 Stars HBS closed earlier this year and thanks to the pandemic they were unable to have a liquidation sale. They have equipment, books, and a few other things they'd like to clear out. They also have retail hop inventory discounted by 50% as shown below. Please contact
Harmony Dale at 3 Stars if you'd like more details or to place an order.
This is outside of the Group Buy order so you'll have to arrange payment and pickup with the brewery.
Manufacturer | Description | Qty Available | Original Price | Liquidation Price |
Lallemand | Abbaye Belgian Style Yeast | 1 | $4.25 | $2.13 |
BSG | Azacca | 4 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
LD | Bravo | 2 | $2.40 | $1.20 |
YCH | Bravo | 2 | $2.40 | $1.20 |
YCH | US Brewer's Gold | 8 | $2.40 | $1.20 |
BSG | Cluster | 6 | $2.40 | $1.20 |
BSG | Challenger | 1 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
Artisan Hops | Columbia Whole | 1 | $3.99 | $2.00 |
YCH | UK Challenger | 1 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
LD | Denali | 4 | $2.90 | $1.45 |
YCH | Ekuanot (LupuLN2) | 1 | $3.60 | $1.80 |
YCH | French Strisselspalt | 1 | $2.25 | $1.13 |
BSG | Galena | 10 | $2.50 | $1.25 |
BSG | Galaxy | 1 | $2.95 | $1.48 |
BSG | Hersbrucker | 3 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
YCH | German Hersbrucker | 1 | $2.95 | $1.48 |
BSG | Huell Melon | 6 | $2.95 | $1.48 |
YCH | Liberty | 4 | $3.15 | $1.58 |
BSG | Magnum | 1 | $2.40 | $1.20 |
LD | German Mandarina Bavaria | 2 | $2.95 | $1.48 |
BSG | Mandarina Bavaria | 9 | $2.95 | $1.48 |
BSG | Motueka | 3 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
BSG | Pacific Jade | 1 | $2.75 | $1.38 |
BSG | NZ Pacific Jade | 6 | $2.75 | $1.38 |
YCH | Palisade | 4 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
BSG | Sorachi Ace | 25 | $4.30 | $2.15 |
LD | Sterling | 4 | $2.95 | $1.48 |
BSG | Summit | 4 | $2.50 | $1.25 |
BSG | Traditional | 3 | $2.50 | $1.25 |
BSG | Wai-iti | 4 | $2.75 | $1.38 |
BSG | Warrior | 4 | $2.40 | $1.20 |
BSG | W.G.V. | 18 | $3.85 | $1.93 |
So that's a lot of changes but we live in interesting times. For the new guys, things usually aren't this chaotic but we're definitely in a transition period with the buy. For the regulars, I know this isn't the way it used to be when Tony ran the show and I certainly hate that things are now so messy. I too miss the simpler times when the only problem was a missing sack or some spilled PBW.
Looking forward to better times but until then: Relax. Don't worry. And have a homebrew.
Slàinte