Started out to save money....

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StoutNoDoubt

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Ok, so I first got into this hobby back in April of this year and originally wanted to be able to enjoy craft brews for a fraction of what craft brews cost in a store. But then I decided I wanted to have my beer on tap so cha ching! I bought a kegerator and love it. Now I recently bought all grain stuff to make all grain beers. Again! Cha ching! I am starting to realize that if I look at this as a hobby it's not as bad haha. I do enjoy the act if brewing beer and always love to try the end product. So if we all just look at it as a hobby we can feel much better about the cost lol.
 
haha, But... There are many things in this hobby that will last forever though, so at some point you actually can still save money!
 
Save money... oh, what a wise guy.

roflmao.jpg
 
Now that you have made the equipment outlay, you can start to save $$. Look into reusing yeast, try to get in on a group grain buy, at least buy grain and hops in bulk. I am below $2 per bottle cost and have started kegging also. One more significant expense is to make my kegerator.

It will just take time and will power in not buying the latest bling!
 
kh54s10 said:
Now that you have made the equipment outlay, you can start to save $$. Look into reusing yeast, try to get in on a group grain buy, at least buy grain and hops in bulk. I am below $2 per bottle cost and have started kegging also. One more significant expense is to make my kegerator. It will just take time and will power in not buying the latest bling!
Click to expand...
Yeah, I went with a used kegerator and modded it some. My mash tun, hlt, burner, and 7 gallon pot are all used. I did save a big there.
 
StoutNoDoubt said:
Yeah, I went with a used kegerator and modded it some. My mash tun, hlt, burner, and 7 gallon pot are all used. I did save a big there.
Click to expand...

except for the fact that you have a mash tun, hlt, burner, and 7 gallon pot. Not being a dick, just saying: every time you brew, you will realize there is another piece of equipment you NEED to make a better brew. The truth is, no, you don't really NEED it, but in one split second, you mind will decide you definitely do, and you'll spend the money.

And yes, these things most definitely do make better beer. I'm just saying, don't expect an actual ROI during the first brew... or thirty...
 
These threads always end up in the same place so let me help:

You can brew beer for pennies a bottle! Just harvest yeast from the bottom of a bottle of Sierra Nevada that someone gives you (of course you wouldn't pay for it!) perpetually culture it with borrowed or stolen lab supplies, grow your own grain at a community garden (so you don't have to pay any property taxes silly!) do the same with hops. Harness the sun's energy for heating by either stealing, borrowing, finding solar/electrical supplies, or fabricate a giant magnifying glass from old car windshields and use that to heat your kettle. Collect rain water for brewing and steal oxyclean from your mom's wash room. Don't sanitize, it's unnecessary and expensive. Ferment at ambient temp no matter what that is, ale yeast likes it all! Stick to blondes and cream ales so you don't need too much hops or grain, and plug your nose while you drink.

Another option is just to buy this and skip the work while saving money at the same time! http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx/Spirits/Vodka/Kavlana/Kavlana-Vodka/_/R-4-531

In all seriousness, OP, I think you have a healthy attitude!
 
jbaysurfer said:
These threads always end up in the same place so let me help:

You can brew beer for pennies a bottle! Just harvest yeast from the bottom of a bottle of Sierra Nevada that someone gives you (of course you wouldn't pay for it!) perpetually culture it with borrowed or stolen lab supplies, grow your own grain at a community garden (so you don't have to pay any property taxes silly!) do the same with hops. Harness the sun's energy for heating by either stealing, borrowing, finding solar/electrical supplies, or fabricate a giant magnifying glass from old car windshields and use that to heat your kettle. Collect rain water for brewing and steal oxyclean from your mom's wash room. Don't sanitize, it's unnecessary and expensive. Ferment at ambient temp no matter what that is, ale yeast likes it all! Stick to blondes and cream ales so you don't need too much hops or grain, and plug your nose while you drink.

Another option is just to buy this and skip the work while saving money at the same time! http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx/Spirits/Vodka/Kavlana/Kavlana-Vodka/_/R-4-531

In all seriousness, OP, I think you have a healthy attitude!
Click to expand...

you been lookin' in mah hhwindow, prevert?:mug:
 
jbaysurfer said:
These threads always end up in the same place so let me help:

You can brew beer for pennies a bottle! Just harvest yeast from the bottom of a bottle of Sierra Nevada that someone gives you (of course you wouldn't pay for it!) perpetually culture it with borrowed or stolen lab supplies, grow your own grain at a community garden (so you don't have to pay any property taxes silly!) do the same with hops. Harness the sun's energy for heating by either stealing, borrowing, finding solar/electrical supplies, or fabricate a giant magnifying glass from old car windshields and use that to heat your kettle. Collect rain water for brewing and steal oxyclean from your mom's wash room. Don't sanitize, it's unnecessary and expensive. Ferment at ambient temp no matter what that is, ale yeast likes it all! Stick to blondes and cream ales so you don't need too much hops or grain, and plug your nose while you drink.

Another option is just to buy this and skip the work while saving money at the same time! http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx/Spirits/Vodka/Kavlana/Kavlana-Vodka/_/R-4-531

In all seriousness, OP, I think you have a healthy attitude!
Click to expand...

The ironic part is, after spending all this money on gadgets and whirligigs, this IS where you will end up: growing your own hops and grains, harvesting yeast or doing spontaneous fermentation, and trying to perpetuate that one strain of yeast that is so damn hard to get on the market (I'm looking at you, Conan.)

Welcome to the hobby! Hey, everyone thinks your a drunk when you tell them you brew your own beer. But once you get them drunk, then you're a damn idol! :tank:
 
I've already mastered the art of reusing yeasts. I have mason jars refrigerated full of sterile water for the moment my primary is done fermenting. I will use the same strain typically for 5 batches before starting with a new one. Thanks!
 
I will say that I plan to do my own home brewing coming up. I am trying to do it on the cheap as best as possible. That said it does save money. Here in the DFW area you can find cheaper brews, you can buy a bud light. But a really good craft brew can easily be $10 a 4 pack. That is the actuality of it. Its like comparing a Lamborghini to a Kia. They both have 4 wheels, a motor and go. But each doesn't have the same depth and craftsmanship.
 
I convinced my wife that by buying an additional freezer, with a Johnson temp controller, we can not only save space in the basement for her things, but we'll also save money long term because I'm going to brew 10 gallon batches. I haven't even mentioned kegging to her yet...
 
This again... My brews (even my extract one) cost less than $1 a beer (16oz). Try getting a nice craft beer for that price... I have a running spreadsheet of my costs, including equipment - having brewed close to 20 batches this year, I am totally saving money over purchasing beer. I guess it depends on how much you and your friends drink.
 
A frequent topic. FWIW after the sunk costs in equipment and supplies have been recouped or written off to "hobby expenses" :p I'm usually paying about half (market) price for craft brew. That does add up after a while. Its like getting 2-for-1 deals on cases at your local distributor.

But I love the creative brewing process itself, so it really is a hobby with some nice perks. Think of it like cooking. People buy all kinds of fancy cooking supplies and ingredients and no one really questions whether they're getting economic "value" out of it.
 
Cathedral said:
except for the fact that you have a mash tun, hlt, burner, and 7 gallon pot. Not being a dick, just saying: every time you brew, you will realize there is another piece of equipment you NEED to make a better brew. The truth is, no, you don't really NEED it, but in one split second, you mind will decide you definitely do, and you'll spend the money.

And yes, these things most definitely do make better beer. I'm just saying, don't expect an actual ROI during the first brew... or thirty...
Click to expand...

Hahaha so true...I tried to keep it simple, then I realized I NEEDED a stir plate for yeast starters and to save money by multiplying yeast. Then I realized I NEEDED a chiller, co I built a counterflow chiller, now im realizing I NEED to go all grain so im thinking about building a mash tun!

Its fun tho, and I think I like building the stuff as much as I like brewing. Luckily, ive worked out a deal with a friend...he will grow hops, I will multiplicate yeast, then we help each other.
 
I always wonder why I always leave my lhbs spending 3X more money than I indended when I first walked in there.:) If somebody was really dilligant enough and probably somewhat a minimilist/even a borrower he/she really could save money possibly-especially doing bulk-group buys, most of us use the excuse and just call it a hobby because saving money is mostly not the case with the majority of homebrewers.

Per beer cost and just from buying ingredience I can at least match or spend a little less (probably more sometimes-hops$$$...) than craft beer though. Same with mead or wine per cost of ingredience I can make 750ml wine bottles at around 5 bucks a piece-give or take. Then again, if your making(and drinking-or giving away) more beer than you use to drink then yes your spending more right there, I think Ive drank more beer since I started homebrewing and getting back into craft beer than I have drank a total of in my life before brewing. Its also a nice world to explore the unkown-undrank world.

I dont even have an elaborate sopisticated brewing system,just some brew pots,fermenters,and other stuff for BIAB stovetop smaller batch brewing, I know one thing... If I tallied up all my spending on batches,brewing equip,and craft beer buying in the last three years I definatley would crap my pants a couple times at how much Ive "invested" in beer and beer stuff.

I definatly dont brew to save so I dont have to go to the store and get good beer, because I like having good beer from the store-otherwise Id really be missing out. And I appreciate good/great beer too much to do that.
 
jonmohno said:
I definatly dont brew to save so I dont have to go to the store and get good beer, because I like having good beer from the store-otherwise Id really be missing out. And I like beer too much to do that
Click to expand...

The research beer adds a lot to the price of admission, I have bought a lot more specialty beer than I did before i started brewing.;)
 
I got into brewing because my uncle aunt makes wine I had some extra money and bought a set up and I haven't had extra cash since
 
My boys have been wanting to brew for a couple years now and so I got into as a hobby for the three of us. I've tried to get equipment that will last them forever but damn I have thrown a lot of money at equipment recently and it will be December until the pricy stuff is even delivered to us.

No way in hell will we break even in my lifetime!
 
I didn't get into this hobby to save money but it seems like it cost more money every day...by want not necessity :D

I started out with the same simple extract kit that many of you probably did. Then I bought a bigger kettle, then a better kettle, than an immersion chiller, then a freezer for temp control, then more carboys.

That's when I started spiralling downward out of control. I bought another freezer for a kegerator system. I purchased a bigger kettle and mash tun to move to all grain. Then pumps to help cool the immersion chiller water in the Texas heat.

At the next moment standing in line at my LHBS with a basket full of items I really had no use for, I realized I hit rock bottom. Now I'm getting my own grain mill for reasons I cant even justify to myself. Purchasing another freezer for yeast farming. Also looking really hard at an all electric brewery.

This is a terribly awesome addiction. :rockin:
 
We went straight to all grain and have been brewing at a retail place that rents their setup. Instead of getting a small kettle and a propane burner and upgrading later we went with an electric setup 3 20g vessels from Stout and the Electric Brewery control panel, bought a freezer which we turned into an 8 faucet keezer, temp controllers for keezer and fermenting fridge...it's never ending! Our vacation plan for next year was to go to Italy but man is that out!
 
My cost per beer is much less than buying commercial beer, but I find that I am drinking a lot more beer (I really like my home brew) than I was before and the total cost is more...:drunk:
 
Has anyone mentioned how great it is to have empty recycle bins? Man, when my kegs run out I know my garbage man notices ..or assumes we had a big party! Homebrewing, save money... and the environment!!
 
Just wait until you realize you have almost $800 in brewing books.
 
There is certainly significant startup costs, but if you factor in the price per bottle for good beer at the market over the life of the equipment... It should only take you around 15-20 batches to pay for the equipment. Then you are paying roughly .50 per 12oz serving after that.

At least in my case.
 
Well, my buddy and I were dropping $100 every 2 weeks on good brews...so we decided this would be cheaper. An all grain set up later with pots, built in temp and spickit, 5 fermenting buckets (who needs only 1..?) and a four kegs, a new beer fridge, and a **** ton of other costs later, we are realizing cheap is not exactly the word.. But it's fun as hell!!!
 
SPR-GRN said:
Whenever I'm worried about how much money I've spent and plan on spending on this hobby, I go to my keezer and drink until it starts responding to my advances. DONT TELL MY WIFE, she gets jealous..
Click to expand...
I'm not even sure how to respond to this but it's fantastic
 

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