I have purchased most of my equipment used...with 20 batches done, I think it has been paid off. I brew all grain, utilize a frequent customer discount at my LHBS, and farm/wash yeast... I have been as low as $12/5 gallon and as high as $28/5 gal, but most styles I enjoy are in the $16 to 18 range...easily under $.50 each....for decent to excellent craft brew that would cost $1.35 to $3.00 per bottle in my local Utah State Liquor Store.
I do drink beer more often now...but that is more than offset by how much less i drink wine and hard alcohol....so another savings.
Looking at it in another scale: I typically spend $20-$25 per week (or every other) at my LHBS, and visit the liquor store at most 1 time per month for $30ish...total $100ish per month...AND I have built up 200+ bottles of beer in my cellar...and give away quite a bit more. Before brewing my alcohol spending was much higher...my enjoyment lower. Seems like a good way to spend my spare time.
I do drink beer more often now...but that is more than offset by how much less i drink wine and hard alcohol....so another savings.
Looking at it in another scale: I typically spend $20-$25 per week (or every other) at my LHBS, and visit the liquor store at most 1 time per month for $30ish...total $100ish per month...AND I have built up 200+ bottles of beer in my cellar...and give away quite a bit more. Before brewing my alcohol spending was much higher...my enjoyment lower. Seems like a good way to spend my spare time.