Mead Journal: Supply Issue

[matrix4b]

Ok, So I am currently upset at my honey supplier: Madhava's. I just checked in and it seems that they increased their prices to the point that they are so close to non-wholesale that they may as well not be a wholesaler. I also got told that my lovely Alphafa honey is not available in time for my brewing on Monday, memorial day. They also no longer carry the 42 pound buckets. They have 24 pound (2 galons) and by a special 2 week advance order a 60 pound size. The price went from nearly $2.00 a pound to now at about $2.30 a pound, again this is WHOLESALE.

I checked with another supplier in Lakewood and he wants a whoping $4/lb for a 60 pound size. That is actually more than at Vitamin Cottage.

One supplyer in Greely (Rice's Honey) may still have the 60 pound clover for $125, which is $2.09 a pound. Stlll, my costs are going up.

Sigh, I need to see what Apiary's there are about: Bee Keepers. Or find a supply from a farm or something.

If anyone has a good supply for inexpensive, I'd like to hear of it.

Matrix (Sad times now for brewing)

Comments

[eschercrow.livejournal.com]

While several very good discoveries have been made, bee hive death is still a reality and the prices of honey still go up. :(

I'm uncovering my brewing tool, dusting everything off and getting ready to resume brewing once we've bought a house. I haven't looked into honey suppliers here in Minnesota yet, but my old suppliers in Wisconsin have prices similar to what you're seeing.

I'll probably start with a couple of beers, in styles that are hard-to-find or expensive (Belgian tripels, lambic) before trying my hand at meads again. Less costly materials, and I get something to drink sooner as well.

[matrix4b.livejournal.com]

Lambic is too much work for me, then again so's beer. I am considering a Braggot though, a Strawberry Oatmeal. Using the Mash process on the oats.

I saw online that there is a few really good honey suppliers. I think that Minasota is also the home of B-Nektar Meadery. From what I hear on Gotmead.com they seem very friendly. They may know some great sources. Also, You have excelent sources for strawberries and raspberries. Two fruits, especially raspberries, that are really expensive here. And the fun of taking the family to the u-pick-it farm for your brewing flavors. For that I am envyous. But hey, the winters are not worth it for me and my life is here in CO.

Laters
Dave