How to keep it cheap?

betarhoalphadelta · Aug 16, 2017

Surprised with this thread that people mention "buy in bulk" but don't mention the initial outlays needed to support that.

Buy grain in bulk = you need a malt mill to crush your malt
Buy hops in bulk = you probably need a FoodSaver / vacuum sealer for storage

With those two, you're probably out $300 or so to save money by buying in bulk. Which amortizes over time (and of course the FoodSaver is good for saving money in the kitchen by buying in bulk, not just for brewing), but that's still a significant chunk of change.

You can probably recoup that cost over ~10 batches or so depending on what styles you normally brew. So it's definitely worth it.

mongoose33 · Aug 16, 2017

bwarbiany said:
Surprised with this thread that people mention "buy in bulk" but don't mention the initial outlays needed to support that.

Buy grain in bulk = you need a malt mill to crush your malt
Buy hops in bulk = you probably need a FoodSaver / vacuum sealer for storage

With those two, you're probably out $300 or so to save money by buying in bulk. Which amortizes over time (and of course the FoodSaver is good for saving money in the kitchen by buying in bulk, not just for brewing), but that's still a significant chunk of change.

You can probably recoup that cost over ~10 batches or so depending on what styles you normally brew. So it's definitely worth it.

Well.....maybe not that high. You can get a Cereal Killer mill for circa $100. It's not a Monster Mill but it will work for dozens and dozens of batches, maybe hundreds.

Add some 5-gallon buckets with lids....FarmandFleet has 5-gal buckets right now for $2.99 each, lids are $1.19 each.....with tax figure $4.50. You can get maybe 25# of grain in a bucket....figure six total buckets and lids for $26.

A vacuum sealer will cost well under $100. Here's one with great reviews for $60. You'd need add additional seal packs.

Depending on where you buy in bulk, the savings can be huge. I get my barley from RiteBrew; $.76 per pound for 2-row in 25- or 50-pound sacks. I can get Maris Otter for $.98 per pound in 55-pound sacks.

Compare to LHBS where the 2-row is $1.50 per pound and the Maris Otter is nonexistent.

With a grain bill of 10 pounds, saving 74 cents per brew is $7.40 saved. If compared to extract, well, it's really a savings.

Kee · Aug 16, 2017

bwarbiany said:
Surprised with this thread that people mention "buy in bulk" but don't mention the initial outlays needed to support that.

Buy grain in bulk = you need a malt mill to crush your malt
Buy hops in bulk = you probably need a FoodSaver / vacuum sealer for storage

With those two, you're probably out $300 or so to save money by buying in bulk. Which amortizes over time (and of course the FoodSaver is good for saving money in the kitchen by buying in bulk, not just for brewing), but that's still a significant chunk of change.

You can probably recoup that cost over ~10 batches or so depending on what styles you normally brew. So it's definitely worth it.

YMMV, but storing a modest amount of hops in plain freezers bags has been working for me. And whatever you think about Brulosopher, tasters had trouble distinguishing between that method of storage and vacuum sealed.

The mill is easy, especially if you BIAB. Use a Corona mill. Works great and cost about $30 or so.

betarhoalphadelta · Aug 16, 2017

Wow... You guys are better at finding deals than I am lol... I have a Barley Crusher I've had for 5+ years and about the same for the FoodSaver, so I haven't priced them out for a long time.

BTW if you're a Costco member, these large bins works well for grain storage:

http://hip2save.com/2016/12/30/cost...ust-6-99-womens-patagonia-jackets-only-99-97/

I store them in the bag in that bin, and that'll basically hold 2 sacks of grain (sometimes I don't put the grain in until after I've used it for one batch to take a few pounds out). And I keep leftover specialty malts in there in plastic bags as well. I didn't want a bunch of 5 gallon buckets of grain around, especially since I'd have to split bags and label each bucket (I know, I'm lazy).

mongoose33 · Aug 16, 2017

bwarbiany said:
Wow... You guys are better at finding deals than I am lol... I have a Barley Crusher I've had for 5+ years and about the same for the FoodSaver, so I haven't priced them out for a long time.

BTW if you're a Costco member, these large bins works well for grain storage:

http://hip2save.com/2016/12/30/cost...ust-6-99-womens-patagonia-jackets-only-99-97/

I store them in the bag in that bin, and that'll basically hold 2 sacks of grain (sometimes I don't put the grain in until after I've used it for one batch to take a few pounds out). And I keep leftover specialty malts in there in plastic bags as well. I didn't want a bunch of 5 gallon buckets of grain around, especially since I'd have to split bags and label each bucket (I know, I'm lazy).

I need to blame you for something....

While I was checking the costs of Foodsaver-type sealers, I felt compelled to buy one....and some pint bags. Here comes buying hops in 1-pound increments.....

You're a bad influence.....

*********************************

I went with buckets as I had in mind a system to stack and store them. I actually have a few of those bins, but they don't work well for the space I have. But it's a great idea.

I ended up doing this as I was out of wall space. Made a rolling shelf unit on which I could store my buckets. It's inspired by the rolling "file walls" you see some places using. In other words, I can push this back against the rest of my brewing equipment and pull it out when I need to access that.

Hoppy2bmerry · Aug 16, 2017

@bwarbiany you have no issue with pantry pests with those bins? Anyway, good tip the biggest bulk I buy is 10# (I do small batches) bags they fit fine in in a 5 gal bucket with gamma lid.

CudaJoe · Aug 16, 2017

I havent gone into buy hops in large increments or reusing yeast yet, I dont have the space for it and I dont brew enough. All grain is definately the cheaper method for brewing. Buying bags of grains over prepackaged kits.

soccerdad · Aug 16, 2017

I calculated a "basic budget for beer" a while ago and it came to $30 for 5 G

Water and heating cooling treating water $3
Grain 12 pounds at $1.50 .. $18.00
Yeast 3 batches per $9 purchase .. $3
Hops 4 oz at $1.50 each $6

9 times out of 10, I beat that budget, but then I do a New Zealand ipa and blow the budget

6 bucks a gallon .. 70 cents a beer .. as close a calc as I need

owmatooth · Aug 16, 2017

seconds to reusing the yeast, especially when you get down to about three or four main yeasts you stick with. Most of my beer is on the lighter side with an OG of 1.056 or less. I spend about $25 on grain for a 12-14 lb grain bill and I stick with three or four different hops as well, I'll buy those by the pound and keep the pellets in the freezer. Just picked up grain for a belgian wit today and total was $22 including an 8 oz bag of East Kent Goldings which will last me for at least 4-5 brews. Talking 5 gal of course.

betarhoalphadelta · Aug 16, 2017

Hoppy2bmerry said:
@bwarbiany you have no issue with pantry pests with those bins? Anyway, good tip the biggest bulk I buy is 10# (I do small batches) bags they fit fine in in a 5 gal bucket with gamma lid.

I haven't had issues. They have a lid that snaps into place, and I have other things that sit on top of the lid and weight it.

Frozenpuck · Aug 16, 2017

I found someone locally who was selling off grains and hops from a brewery. The owners had a falling out. I grabbed two bags of 2row for 30 bucks each and hops for 8 bucks a pound. Snagged up some Citra, Centennial, Warrior and Cascade. Good to go for a while. Was a bit concerned with the quality (you never know how long they've been sitting) but all is good.

Gonefishing · Aug 16, 2017

I sent emails to the LHBS I've always used (that is now 100 miles away, but near my daughter's house) and one that is only about 40 miles away to ask about 2-row bags. They both quoted me $55 for a 55# bag. I think buying it by the pound I have been paying $1.79 so the savings would be substantial. Guess what my next purchase is going to be....

betarhoalphadelta · Aug 17, 2017

Gonefishing said:
I sent emails to the LHBS I've always used (that is now 100 miles away, but near my daughter's house) and one that is only about 40 miles away to ask about 2-row bags. They both quoted me $55 for a 55# bag. I think buying it by the pound I have been paying $1.79 so the savings would be substantial. Guess what my next purchase is going to be....

Even that's a little high for base malt... But not outrageous. I'd expect to pay probably mid-$40s for domestic 2-row.

You may want to check if either store offers an AHA discount (and if it applies to bulk grain).

How to keep it cheap?

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