Buying from UK or USA

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PaulC

Buying from UK or USA

Post by PaulC » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:56 pm

Hi all

I'd like to experiment with different yeast strains and want to try some of the different liquid ones. For example, if I were to buy 5 Whitelab vials from H&G the total cost would be 31.50 (Sterling) but 5 vials from morebeer it would only be 17.19 (Sterling). Now I know the yeast from the US may be older and not as viable as bought from the UK (even though it came from the US in the first place) but Whitelab's website says that their vials are good for 6-12 months if a starter is made. I wondered what your thoughts are on this.

Best regards

Paul
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awalker
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Post by awalker » Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:17 pm

hmm I have thought about this

It would be interesting to know how they come over here to hop and grape
air freight or boats?
might be it comes exactly the same way if you order it usps
Fermenter(s): Lambic, Wheat beer, Amrillo/Cascade Beer
Cornys: Hobgoblin clone, Four Shades Stout, Wheat Beer, Amarillo/Cascade Ale, Apple Wine, Cider, Damson Wine, Ginger Beer
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johnmac
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Post by johnmac » Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:11 pm

This idea would make more sense in the cool winter weather.
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Rookie
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Post by Rookie » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:35 pm

How much would the shipping be? Unless you could save a fairly large amount I say buy locally.
I'm just here for the beer.
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martinr

Post by martinr » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:11 am

I recently had two different WLPs delivered from H&G, both well in date, and neither of them started! I have also heard similar stories from others regarding White Labs shipped to the U.K. Hit and miss at the very best, and an expensive miss if it does go wrong.
:cry:
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mysterio

Post by mysterio » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:39 am

I say keep buying from the Hop & Grape so they have a higher turnaround. That way they'll keep stocking more and fresher yeast which is better for all of us :=P

It's not terribly difficult to make a vial last more than one batch anyway which negates the cost somewhat. You could even look into yeast culturing with agar slants.

The 17.19 you quoted surely doesnt take into account shipping either which would probably double the cost?
Last edited by mysterio on Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
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mysterio

Post by mysterio » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:40 am

I recently had two different WLPs delivered from H&G, both well in date, and neither of them started! I have also heard similar stories from others regarding White Labs shipped to the U.K. Hit and miss at the very best, and an expensive miss if it does go wrong.
Did you make a starter?
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awalker
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Post by awalker » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:14 am

Always had good results from H&G WL vials
Even when I had no idea what I was doing with it.

I always at a minimum take the vial out of the fridge early
Keep somewhere warmish and keep cracking it open, so its nice and awake before it goes for a swim

Edit: I agree with that buying them from H&G is the best option. Do they special order in vials if you ask nicely as I wanted to try a lambic later on.
Fermenter(s): Lambic, Wheat beer, Amrillo/Cascade Beer
Cornys: Hobgoblin clone, Four Shades Stout, Wheat Beer, Amarillo/Cascade Ale, Apple Wine, Cider, Damson Wine, Ginger Beer
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mysterio

Post by mysterio » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:19 pm

Yeah they'll order in any yeast that White Labs have available (even ones not on the H&G website). Some are seasonal though.

I quite fancy trying a lambic too, better start ageing your hops.
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steve_flack

Post by steve_flack » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:26 pm

martinr wrote:I recently had two different WLPs delivered from H&G, both well in date, and neither of them started! I have also heard similar stories from others regarding White Labs shipped to the U.K. Hit and miss at the very best, and an expensive miss if it does go wrong.
:cry:
I've never had one fail although I too have heard about people having them not start (and this is people I know make starters). One advantage of the Wyeasts is that they have an inbuilt viability test - if the pack swells then it's alive.
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Aleman
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Post by Aleman » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:59 pm

Thanks for the remider guys, I need to Order the Essex Ale (Adnams) which is a platinum strain available in January . . . . . I suppose I better put together my annual order for Grain and varietal hops at the same time.
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steve_flack

Post by steve_flack » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:25 pm

I thought Essex ale was Ridleys?

Wasn't Southwold Ale (WLP025) Adnams?

I think I recall BeerBloke saying the Crouch Vale yeast was descended from a Ridleys culture....or was I imagining that?
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Aleman
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Post by Aleman » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:51 pm

steve_flack wrote:I thought Essex ale was Ridleys?

Wasn't Southwold Ale (WLP025) Adnams?
cant remember, I didn't think they had been quite so explicit when they named the yeast as Adnams?

Hwever it looks as though WLP025 has not been released this year :cry:

Oh well I suppose thats an incentive to clean up the Crouch Vale yeast :)
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