Buying raw ingredients

Do any of you brew enough where you no longer buy a kit, but simply brew from raw ingredients that you buy in bulk? It seems to me that making beer from a kit is not cheaper than buying the beer already finished (although I know that the fun of it is making it).

I'd be interested in hearing from some of you that brew from raw ingredients. How much does it cost you per batch of beer (5 gallons)?

Thanks

I think the all-grain folks can manage to make a 5 gallon batch for less than $15, but you need a lot more equipment and time to do it.

I don't brew from kits, but I brew with extracts and specialty grains (which is pretty much the same as a kit, except I picked things by hand). If I buy small quantities, this is about the same price as a kit. I am considering buying the malt extract in bulk, which would cut down the cost condsiderably.

-walker

I don't buy what you would call "in bulk" I guess. Just enough for two or 3 batches at a time. I've never bought a kit though.

timdsmith72 said:

I don't buy what you would call "in bulk" I guess. Just enough for two or 3 batches at a time. I've never bought a kit though.

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What would you estimate is your cost per batch?

Ohhhh...About $25 to $27 a batch. Maybe a bit less. I just run down to the LHBS though. I don't shop around on line. I like the store.

I don't really try to cut corners, and I can usually do an all-grain for $20-22 without buying grains in bulk, but in standard sizes. If I could buy grains to the ounce I guess it would be less since I usually have some left over. I don't reuse my yeast, either.

My local store sells grains in any quantity I like.. as far as I know there is no discount for buying in bulk. Plain old two row and six row are the base grains and run .90 per lb and specialty grains (crystal, victory, munich, black patent, carafa, etc.) are 1.50 per lb. The prices are a bit higher than what you get online but I get personalized help and advice, don't pay shipping, and don't have to wait on my order to arrive.

All grain is cheaper but it certainly takes more time. You end up with better beer and have a lot more control over the process.. all this for less money - it's typically the other way around.

Including hops ($1 per oz pellets and $1.50 per oz whole) a 6% abv 5.5 gal batch with a fair amount of specialty malt is $15.. I haven't made an ag batch yet that costs more than $20. The cheapest store made kits the shop put together (grains w/extract) started at $24 or $25 and ranged to upwards of $30.

It is cheaper but I wouldn't go all grain just to save money. It's a step for someone who is serious about brewing and really enjoys the hobby. The batches may be a bit cheaper but you'll need to buy, clean, and store more equipment. Making a batch from grain takes 6 hr start to finish.. sometimes more. Of course you don't have to watch the beer for every second.. I typically do a lot of reading while sparging, mashing, and boiling (after the hot break).

Edit: that cost is including dry yeast.. liquid yeast would up the price of my batches and the kits by about $5.

You also have to factor the cost of propane into the equation. When I brewed extract, I did partial boils on my stove. Now that Im doing all grain, I have to burn through an "unknown as of yet" quantity of propane. Although I don't know how much Im using yet, I would assume I couldn't get more than 3 batches out of a tank. At 15 bucks to refill, thats an additional $5 per batch. Unfortunately I have to order everything online, so I have to fork over the additional shipping charges. It usually costs me about $30 (including propane, liquid yeast, and shipping) to do an all grain batch. I know that could decrease by about $10-$15 if I bought my grain in bulk and milled it myself, but I am not currently able to do that.

Another way to cut costs when ordering online is to order several recipes at once, or a piece of equipment you lack. Austin HBS, for instance, has free shipping if your order exceeds $60 and they have a pretty broad selection. However, if you just want to grab pure ingredients for a single batch it's not as effective.

I go to my local hbs and try to buy at least enough grain and other supplies to do at least 2 brews. I spend around $25 which includes my wyeast. Also it is cheaper to buy all grains by the pound so I try to do 2 brews that are closeso that if I only need 4 oz of a grain for 1 and 6 oz for the other if I buy a pound I can do both. Then what I do is a brew of clean the fridge which I just did. Prelim is pretty tasty. But I was able to use all my hops so that I can start all over again.

I order from Austin Home Brew and utilize their free shipping. I found a recipe I really like(Sunshine Wheat Clone) and decided to buy enough ingredients to do 4 batches in a row. I bought a digital scale from TJ Max for 15$ and placed my order.

It is cheaper if you buy in bulk, but reusing yeast saves the most. I did have to get my extract 6lb increments, just b/c I didn't want to have to measure that stuff out. I ordered 1 vial of White Labs, for the four batches. I'm reusing the yeast, but bought a pack of dry yeast in case something happens.

I ended up get 4 batches for under 80$, which I thought was a great deal. The same recipe with liquid yeast was 28$ each seperately.