cphair16
Active Member
Im wondering what is the most economical way to purchase brewing ingredients. Is it more cost effective to get a kit or will I save money buying the ingredients separate?
True, AG is the way to go to save the most money if you brew and drink/share a lot.david_42 said:Going all grain and buying in bulk will save money in the very long run, since you'll have to figure in a mill and storage containers.
Yeast harvesting is a relatively easy first step.
There are a lot of variables when it comes to the cost of going all grain so it's kind of an individual thing.homebrewer_99 said:True, AG is the way to go to save the most money if you brew and drink/share a lot.
Does anyone know the ROI (Return on Investment) cost for say going AG and brewing 100 gal per year? How many batches do you have to brew to pay for all the equipment you have to buy?
FWIW, this is a serious question...anyone?
david_42 said:Going all grain and buying in bulk will save money in the very long run, since you'll have to figure in a mill and storage containers.
Yeast harvesting is a relatively easy first step.
RichBrewer said:There are a lot of variables when it comes to the cost of going all grain so it's kind of an individual thing.
I can tell you what I save between grain and malt extract with each batch.
I buy my base malt (American 2 row) in a 55 pound sack. It costs me about 30 dollars or roughly 55 cents per pound. I use about 9 pounds or so in a batch. I don't buy specialty grains in bulk so figure about 2 pounds average at 1.50 per pound.
On grains alone I'm spending about 8 dollars or so. The equivalent in malt extract would be approximately 14 to 18 dollars depending on how much you use and if you use dry verses liquid extract. I'm guessing I'm saving about 6 or 7 dollars per batch.
Folks who brew extract check my numbers. I haven't purchased much extract lately and I could be off.
I honestly don't think I will ever pay off my AG equipment with the savings but brewing cheaper wasn't my primary reason for going AG. I love the hobby and the capability of having more control over my beers was worth the investment.
Trust me when I say it's in name only...God Emporer BillyBrew said:Yeah, but you're Rich, Brewer.
Baron von BeeGee said:Saving money by going AG is one of the great misnomers of homebrewing since your need for new equipment on a continual basis goes up exponentially! Now, when are pH meters going to become more affordable...
RichBrewer said:There are a lot of variables when it comes to the cost of going all grain so it's kind of an individual thing.
I can tell you what I save between grain and malt extract with each batch.
I buy my base malt (American 2 row) in a 55 pound sack. It costs me about 30 dollars or roughly 55 cents per pound. I use about 9 pounds or so in a batch. I don't buy specialty grains in bulk so figure about 2 pounds average at 1.50 per pound.
UTDoug said:Interestingly (or maybe not) while studying for my finance final I used risk-neutral probabilities to determine the net present value of going all-grain. I considered that I'm a new brewer and said there was a 20% chance I'd do only 5 more batches and an 80% chance I'd do 40 batches before work kills the fun, and then used the $7 or so cost savings per batch, and in the end did I think the project was only worth $20 or something. Plus there is the cost of storage, and if you're married your significant other will probably decide they need something else for their hobby too so you can double all your costs.
Ain't that the truth!UTDoug said:, and if you're married your significant other will probably decide they need something else for their hobby too so you can double all your costs.
RichBrewer said:There are a lot of variables when it comes to the cost of going all grain so it's kind of an individual thing.
I can tell you what I save between grain and malt extract with each batch.
I buy my base malt (American 2 row) in a 55 pound sack. It costs me about 30 dollars or roughly 55 cents per pound. I use about 9 pounds or so in a batch. I don't buy specialty grains in bulk so figure about 2 pounds average at 1.50 per pound.
On grains alone I'm spending about 8 dollars or so. The equivalent in malt extract would be approximately 14 to 18 dollars depending on how much you use and if you use dry verses liquid extract. I'm guessing I'm saving about 6 or 7 dollars per batch.
Folks who brew extract check my numbers. I haven't purchased much extract lately and I could be off.
I honestly don't think I will ever pay off my AG equipment with the savings but brewing cheaper wasn't my primary reason for going AG. I love the hobby and the capability of having more control over my beers was worth the investment.
I've probably invested about two hundred bucks in gear to go AG. Would have been more if BostonBrewin' wasn't such a great guy and sent me a keg to convert. But, between the parts to convert that, the mash tun, the burner, deposit on a propane tank, the chiller... yeah, about $200.
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