Are You Saving Money?

[FromZwolle]

For those in select NE states, Wegmans supermarkets have a build-your-own-6-pack deal for $9.99. Not a tremendous selection of beers, but I made one of good IPAs: Stone, DFH 60, some local ones. Not a bad way to try some beers out.

That's the limitation of homebrewing. I might want to drink a bottle or two of pumpkin ale each fall, but I'll be damned if I'm brewing 1-2 cases of that stuff.

1 gallon batches

and my lhbs has the build your own six pack as well. That is a great way to try new beers. especially with really expensive six packs like midas touch (i can choke down one, but's it)

 

[mojo_wire]

I've kept records since I've started in the hobby about a year ago. Figuring what I've made and what I think I can make based on the ingredients I still have available, my variable cost per case is about $13.50 per. Dividing several hundred dollars of equipment (it's amazing how fast $8-$15 purchases will add up), my fixed cost per case is about $30. So my cost per case is about $43. If I buy no equipment for the next year (yeah, right) and only fresh ingredients, my cost per case will drop to about $28.

This doesn't include gas or bottled water, which I get from sources ranging from 33 cents to $1 per gallon and use for most batches. So my variable cost is more like $16/case.

Factor in that I make way more beer than I would ever drink if I was buying it from the store and give away a significant percentage of my production (so I don't drink a ridiculous amount myself), there is no way I'll ever save money by brewing beer. But I don't care about that much, it's fun.

My friends are the ones saving money. The other day a buddy came by to borrow my trailer and I gave him four 22oz beers. He borrows my trailer and I give him beer? How screwed up is that?

 

[devilishprune]

I think that even if you factor in the cost of equipment, you still CAN save money. It depends on your individual situation.

I brewed up a half batch of Arrogant Bastard the other day, a bomber of which costs me 5 dollars. I saved about 45-50 dollars just on that batch, and it was only half!

I think that the savings can really add up after a while, especially if you usually buy beers that are more expensive. You aren't going to be saving that much money if you're trying to clone Busch light, for instance.

 

[Weizenwerks]

But does anyone really go 30 years on a one-time equipment expense? That seems unrealistic. I'd bet most brewers are buying new toys every year.

It doesn't have to be a one time buy in. Some things will last that long and some things are consumables with a shorter lifespan, like Igloo coolers for example. The point is you spend what you want to spend. Some people like to throw thousands of dollars into an automated system with stainless everything. Some others will only brew on their kitchen range doing partial boils of extract recipes and I know a few that compete and medal with such equipment. For that, you're looking at $200-250 and you're set. Homebrewers, ammo reloaders, computer builders are all gear nuts and like to have top dollar equipment, which isn't necessary but is nice to have if you can afford it.

I think I have to replace my hydrometer about every 3 batches on average...

Why so often?

 

[FromZwolle]

I've kept records since I've started in the hobby about a year ago. Figuring what I've made and what I think I can make based on the ingredients I still have available, my variable cost per case is about $13.50 per. Dividing several hundred dollars of equipment (it's amazing how fast $8-$15 purchases will add up), my fixed cost per case is about $30. So my cost per case is about $43. If I buy no equipment for the next year (yeah, right) and only fresh ingredients, my cost per case will drop to about $28.

This doesn't include gas or bottled water, which I get from sources ranging from 33 cents to $1 per gallon and use for most batches. So my variable cost is more like $16/case.

Factor in that I make way more beer than I would ever drink if I was buying it from the store and give away a significant percentage of my production (so I don't drink a ridiculous amount myself), there is no way I'll ever save money by brewing beer. But I don't care about that much, it's fun.

My friends are the ones saving money. The other day a buddy came by to borrow my trailer and I gave him four 22oz beers. He borrows my trailer and I give him beer? How screwed up is that?

can i borrow a hammer?

 

[Homercidal]

For sure the 'tinkering' factor can really add up, but I'd be spending that money on some other project to amuse myself if I wasn't brewing

No doubt. In my case I'm actually saving, because I'm brewing instead of working on my old mustang! And I'm spending on things that I don't really NEED to spend on, like a networkable temperature monitoring system so I can monitor the fermentation temps during the whole process and upload to a web server... Although TBH, that didn't cost that much.

 

[edgeofblade]

I really don't care if I'm saving money yet. Between equipment, ingredients, and "research" into rarer beers, I have to be spending more. I'm sure if I count only the ingredients, I might be making out better, but there's not a chance in hell I've made back my initial investment in savings... and certainly not in beer quality yet.

 

[ongreystreet]

I am not a big gift person, don't like to celebrate birthdays, especially my own. But when these days come up, people are gonna get you gifts. So I just ask for brewing equipment, books, kits, or whatever. Better then getting a new shirt I'll never wear, and saves me a few bucks. If my wife gets me a kit for Christmas and my birthday, that's two batches a year that ain't coming out of my beer budget. (I might have to give up a box cigars to do this)

Plus it's a lot easier to ask for a new pot or book, then a case of beer.

 

[Kaz]

I've had some friends offer to pay me for sixers of some of my brews...I haven't sold any yet, but can you MAKE money homebrewing (although Unc. Sam may frown on it).

 

[Dr_Gordon_Freeman]

If you are brewing big beers or expensive beers like $10+/750mL singles, you will save a good deal of money, even considering time involved. (unless you value your time for $100/hr or so!)

Brewing beers that you can buy for $8/sixer? Probably breaking even or losing money.

It is a hobby though, not a financial exercise.

 

[BendBrewer]

I just assume that all the costs for equipment and builds can be tacked onto the price of the very first batch of brew. All other brews simply cost the amount for the ingredients. So I pay less than 4 bucks per gallon.

That first brew though............MAN.....I hope it was really freaking good. That batch has run me about $400 per gallon so far.

 

[GeoGirl]

I am not a big gift person, don't like to celebrate birthdays, especially my own. But when these days come up, people are gonna get you gifts. So I just ask for brewing equipment, books, kits, or whatever. Better then getting a new shirt I'll never wear, and saves me a few bucks. If my wife gets me a kit for Christmas and my birthday, that's two batches a year that ain't coming out of my beer budget. (I might have to give up a box cigars to do this)

Plus it's a lot easier to ask for a new pot or book, then a case of beer.

I am only just getting started in this hobby but for once in my life, I now have something I can ask for when my kids ask what I want for xmas or my birthday. My initial set-up was actually an early birthday present.

A question my son asked me and I don't really know....Can someone under 21 buy an extract kit. He said he wants to buy one for me for my birthday.

 

[ongreystreet]

I am only just getting started in this hobby but for once in my life, I now have something I can ask for when my kids ask what I want for xmas or my birthday. My initial set-up was actually an early birthday present.

A question my son asked me and I don't really know....Can someone under 21 buy an extract kit. He said he wants to buy one for me for my birthday.

I don't see why not, most or all of the ingredients in beer can be bought and used separately for other purposes besides brewing.

 

[ENS]

I think buying the kits and making my own = saving money. I went to a beer brewing class and the teacher said brewing your own beer is half price. That seems about right to me. That is factoring in gas and water, but not factoring in my time. It takes a lot of my time, but as someone posted before, it is a fun hobby and hobbies take time.

 

[zachary80]

I don't buy any six packs under $10 except Sierra Nevada and occasionally a Sam Adams mix pack or Noble Pils. So far my most expensive batch cost around $9 a sixer, so excluding equipment, I'm saving money

 

[biggerthanyou83]

That is true. I might make 5 gallons of beer for 25-30 bucks and a 6 back of good beer will run me about 10-15$. When i buy beer for my house or just to have I will spend more per bottle. There is a store on the way home from work were they have single bottled beer from all over the place and ill load up with the good stuff probably once a month. Last time i was there i droped a little over 100 bucks for maybe 10 beers. BUT, they were worth it!

I don't buy beer by the 12 pack anymore unless I'm going to a BBQ or something...then I'll pick up keystone. I buy almost everything by the bottle or by the six pack. I frequently spend $10-15 for a six pack. I'm making cheaper beer, but I'm not saving money. The money I have save drinking homebrew, I put back into more expensive, collectible type beers. I frequently spend $10-20 on a single bottle of beer, and I've even spent $120 for a 12oz. bottle before. Insane...I know.

 

[Flomaster]

first batch of extract hefe was $26
second batch of west coast blaster red ale, $80

did I save money, on the HEFE hell yeah, on the ale F**K NO.

was it worth every penny? as long as my ale isn't a DUMPER YES.

I'd rather spend money brewing/ drinking home brew than stick 20's into a slot machine, or scratcher tickets. (my FIL is addicted to casinos) and doesn't drink a drop so thats his vise.


-=Jason=-

 

[aidan]

From a New Zealand perspective:

12 pack cheap commercial beer (e.g. Tui) - around $17 = $4.25/L
12 pack standard commercial beer (e.g. Stienlager) - around $20 = $5/L
that can be matched or beaten in quality by basic kit + kilo - $22 for 22L = $1/L
SAVINGS: homebrew is 75-80% cheaper

6 pack quality commercial beer (e.g. Macs) - $12 = $6/L
500ml bottle of local craft beer - $6 = $12/L
can strive to match or beat with extract and speciality grains - $60 for 22L = $2.72/L
(AG can be done much cheaper but I don't have numbers)
SAVINGS: homebrew is 55-77% cheaper

 

[weirdboy]

I just made a triple IPA/Mild partigyle a couple of weeks ago that cost me $52 in ingredients. I still haven't finished all the dry hopping, but assuming I only end up with 4 gallons of that beer after it's all said and done, I'm still saving a ton of money over buying a commercial equivalent. Plus, I am getting 5 gallons of the mild for practically free...I think total marginal cost on that was maybe $4 for the whole batch.

 

[duckmanco]

I think this question largely depends on beer styles, and how each brewer brews.

As an extract brewer thus far, I save most of my money on imperial beers (RIS, IIPA,) and specialty brews like bourbon barrel beers. I find the average price of these at the bottle shop to be north of $2 (and thats on the low low end) and upwards of 3$-4$ (yeti RIS, Stone Ruination etc.) so brewing these beers you absolutely (even as an extract brewer) save quite a bit of money.

But for more sessionable beers, or IPA's (hops are/can be pricey) I usually save just a little money, or break even, but I still have the fun of making something I can barely buy here in VA. My favorite styles are massive WC style IPA's and DIPA's, and finding those here (other than Green Flash, and Hop Stoopid) is tough to do, so I like making them for 1.50 or less a serving. My .02 anyway.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

When I add everything up, including all equipment, ingredients, even the water then I might save a little money. If I add in anything for the time I spend on it then hell no I'm not saving any money. But I've always said that, for me, homebrewing has nothing to do with 'having beer'. It's all about doing a hobby that I love and it's way cheaper than golf. If it were about 'having beer' I'd take the easy route and just buy it at the store.

 

[sdillow]

Six packs and single bottles of beer! [shakes head] Here in Pennsylvania we're forced to buy cases, or head to a bar with decent six-pack offerings.

 

[ENS]

I bought a bottle of a belgian saison for $20 the other day. It is a liter bottle. I can buy a kit for a similar beer for $40, $50 with shipping, with water, gas, electric and cleaning, I figure $60. To buy the same amount of beer would be close to $200.

 

[jwplessner]

Six packs and single bottles of beer! [shakes head] Here in Pennsylvania we're forced to buy cases, or head to a bar with decent six-pack offerings.

Not all of PA. Many of the delis around here sell loosies of good beer. With awesome, uniquely shaped bottles! Why just the other day it was all I could do to not buy a mess of pre-filled bombers and attribute it to my Homebrew budget. Those steep bottle prices are what's keeping me in the red on this venture.

 

[brewit2it]

Definitely haven't saved any money yet but the potential is there.

My problem is I want to brew more often than I can drink up the product. I'm already itching to start a new batch but have more than 80% of the last 3batches I brewed so I really don't need another 5 gallons. I'm thinking half batches are the way to go, but that means more equipment. Man, it never stops:cross:

 

[TheMan]

Definitely haven't saved any money yet but the potential is there.

My problem is I want to brew more often than I can drink up the product. I'm already itching to start a new batch but have more than 80% of the last 3batches I brewed so I really don't need another 5 gallons. I'm thinking half batches are the way to go, but that means more equipment. Man, it never stops:cross:

Smaller batches is fun. I find it a desireable thing. It takes me too long to drink it all when I make 5 gallon after 5 gallon batch. With less beer I can brew more and make more different styles.

 

[munche]

The only way I can say I'm saving money is if I use "fuzzy Washington math" and don't include my equipment costs. All things told, brewing is a hobby and costs money accordingly. But it doesn't eat money nearly as quickly as say, building up a muscle car, or hell, even building a fancy computer. And in the end, I have beer. That *I* made. So it's totally worth it.

 

[Randar]

I drink a lot of beer, but saving money? BWAAAAHAHAHAHA!

Not only have I dropped a few grand on this hobby, but I am also in the habit of buying better beers to drink as part of background research on various styles or just generally having more appreciation for craft beer and local breweries.

 

[rycov]

I drink a lot of beer, but saving money? BWAAAAHAHAHAHA!

Not only have I dropped a few grand on this hobby, but I am also in the habit of buying better beers to drink as part of background research on various styles or just generally having more appreciation for craft beer and local breweries.

well said. this about sums it up. also to a previous post about not drinking five gal. normally. i see it as a challenge and a responsibility. also it gives me a good excuse to drink excessively

 

[kansasbrew]

OK, as a resident cheapskate, I have tried to go bulk. I've picked up the fifty lb bag of malt and such. No kits, etc. A twelve pack of bottles around these parts puts each bottle at a bit over a buck. My ingredient costs are probably less than a third of that. But equipment has to be factored in too. Not sure, how much I'm saving, but I'm having a good time.