Guardian article on homebrew clubs

[CARA]

Came across this, this morning

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/oct/11/homebrew-clubs-making-own-craft-beer-sociable

[delzep]

Specialist chatrooms

makes it sound so seedy


which it is 

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

UK clubs are all independent and keep any money they raise themselves. Gives them an enviable level of spending power.

I am a member of London Amateur Brewers, and its a big club, but not incorporated or financially flush, so to speak.

Mostly any bargaining power is down to the size of the club. It is typical for home brewers to buy a 5Kg pack of hops, and break them down for sale to other members.

There is no centralised buying power, finance officers or anything like that. But there are a few very flush members who are happy to host big brewing projects. I am involved in 3 barrel projects atm (Laphroaig RIS, Bourbon belgian quad, and another whisky barrel barleywine).

Its a good club but not a cooperative if you know what I mean.