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12-31-2012, 02:15 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 146
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Cost cutting
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What are some ways for the all-grain brewer to cut his costs on each batch? Right now I get everything from the LHBS. Sometimes I use dry yeast instead of activated, but what are some other ideas that actually save money?
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I've brewed: Oktoberfest, Alaskan Smoked Porter, Rochefort 10 trappist, "Reverend Desmond" trappist, DFH 90 clone, Sam Smith Oatmeal stout,Fat Tire Amber, Dave's Double Dog IPA, Leffe Blonde CLone (didn't work).
What I want to brew (so I don't forget): Fullers London Porter, "Desiree's" Cream Ale, Grimbergen red, SA Imperial Double Bock, Marshalls IPA, MacEwan's Scotch Ale
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12-31-2012, 02:20 PM
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#2
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Huntington, NY
Posts: 205
Liked 10 Times on 8 Posts
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Buy ingredients in bulk, recycle yeast
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Next up.. Firestone Walker Double Jack Clone
guns before beer and you're in the clear...
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12-31-2012, 02:27 PM
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#3
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Kingston, Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbriscoe
What are some ways for the all-grain brewer to cut his costs on each batch? Right now I get everything from the LHBS. Sometimes I use dry yeast instead of activated, but what are some other ideas that actually save money?
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Buy Natural Ice when it's on sale at the Citgo! I got a 24 pack for $5.99 last summer when I Camping in upstate NY. I didn't sh!t right for a week! LOL!  |
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12-31-2012, 05:25 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Posts: 932
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Bulk base grains, larger amounts for specialties. Online Hop orders by the lb. Group buys.
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On Deck: Black Lager (im stalling on this one for some reason), Octoberfest/Marzen
Fermenting:Apfelwein, Pale Ale
Kegged: Breakfast Stout, Cream Ale, Apfelwein, ESB
Bottled: American Amber/Red Ale
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12-31-2012, 05:30 PM
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#5
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Aurora, IL
Posts: 83
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+1 on the larger quantity buys-
also look on the classified's here for hops where folks have bought too much
-harvesting yeast -- saves money and now my beer is better since I always make a starter with the recycled yeast.
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12-31-2012, 05:31 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rutland, MA
Posts: 360
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Get your buddies interested in brewing beer, go to their house and drink theirs.
Seriously though, this hobby can cost some serious cash depending on how you go about it.
Bulk buys, only use liquid yeast when absolutely required and harvest yeast from previous batches for reuse.
Oh and do not make any insane IPA's, hops get expensive quick!
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12-31-2012, 05:36 PM
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#7
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Location: Metairie, La
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I saved enough buying my 2 row in sacks that I was able to make another 5 gallon batch for free (basically). For me, the big savings are washing my yeast. My LHBS charges $6.25 for most liquid yeasts and $3 for most dry. From 1 batch I've already brewed 4 batches using washed yeast. Thats $25 saved there and enough to pay for 1 batch.
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Wherever you go, there you are!
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12-31-2012, 05:55 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Willamina & Oak Grove, Oregon, USA
Posts: 25,610
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Unless you are willing to spring for a grain mill, reusing yeast is your best option. Buying a mill makes sense if you brew 20-30 times a year.
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12-31-2012, 06:02 PM
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#9
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AHA Member
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Location: Nashua, NH
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Buying grain in bulk via group grain buys quickly lets you recover the cost of a grain mill. When you can get a sack of grain for under $30 (to your home) that grain mill is suddenly rather inexpensive.
Making yeast starters so that you only need one vial/packet of liquid yeast also helps. 100-300g of DME is a lot cheaper than getting another vial/package of liquid yeast. Especially when you could need 2-3 packages of yeast for a batch otherwise.
Look into washing yeast and storing it for use later. Also look into freezing yeast for use later. I have a dozen vials of a yeast strain I simply can't buy right now (Wyeast 1882-PC). I'm also thinking about getting another packet, or two, of the next strain I'll use, make a starter for one to use in a batch, and then another starter with the other to freeze. That way, I don't need to worry about washing the yeast to use later. 
Also, buy your hops in bulk, when on sale. Or at least get them in bulk (a pound at a time). You can save a good amount there too. Just keep them in the freezer so that they last.
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Hopping Tango Brewery
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On Tap: Caramel Ale, Mocha Porter II, MO SMaSH IPA
Waiting/Carbonating: 12.5% Wee Honey II, 8.9% Old Ale, English Brown Ale, Lickah ESB, Mocha Porter II
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K1: MO SMaSH IPA
K2:
K3: TripSix
On Deck: Caramel Ale
Aging:mead
Mead [bottled]:Oaked Wildflower Traditional, Mocha Madness, Blackberry Melomel, maple wine
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12-31-2012, 06:04 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: boston, ma
Posts: 221
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Likes Given: 6
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grow your own(hops that is).
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