Cost difference betwen AG and extract brewing?

[Short Drive]

I did two recipes of an APA. Both 10 gallon batches. The all grain was one I had just made and the other was an extract version, assuming $2 a lb for DME. The all grain cost was $18.43. The extract was $28.90. But in a quick look today I couldn't find DME for less than $3 a lb. So that would raise the price to about $34. That is my take on the OP's original question.
But as some have said here, its not about the price of beer that drive the move to all grain. For me it was taste and really feeling like I had a craft. Like the difference between assembling a kitchen hutch from a box or building it from scratch from lumber. And please all you extract brewers don't take offense to this. This is how brewing beer makes me feel and has nothing with how you brew or the quality of what you brew.

 

[Bobby_M]

Where can you get 50 pounds of DME for $100? One of the main reasons I went AG was for the cost savings, but better beer and a greater variety was also a goal. but out of the last 7 batches I have done, only two were really good. and many I had to dump. I have never dumped an extract batch. I know I am still learning, but when factoring in time, extra propane costs ($5 or more per batch), and extra frustration the margin narrows. Now I think I am going back to partial mash just because I am tried of brewing crappy beer. I almost do not want to brew anymore cause it takes soooo long. Once I find a group to buy into and get some $20 sacks, then that maybe a different story.

www.northcountrymalt.com has 50lb boxes of DME.

 

[bkov]

propane is usually $5+ for allgrain which hurts the total cost per batch

but buying in bulk(ag or extract) is the key

 

[MVKTR2]

To address the OP, yes it's cheaper. It's cheaper weather you're buying in bulk or not. I've only recently began buying in bulk, $1 per pound grain & $.65 per oz. hops. My AG investments have included aprox. $34 in my 5 gal MLT & $42 for my 10 Gal. pot. Already had a Brinkman fish cooker for burner and propane tank. I brew AG in 5.5 gal. batches as cheaply as can be done from an equipment standpoint. I have Kegs for a 10 Gal. system, but can't front the 'moola' to build the system. Well that and I don't care to have to explain it to my parishioners whom would not understand! Chiefly though I AG brew for the control I get over the final product. My AG bier is much better than my extract bier was. Some is my improvement as a brewer, some is not.

Where can you get 50 pounds of DME for $100? One of the main reasons I went AG was for the cost savings, but better beer and a greater variety was also a goal. but out of the last 7 batches I have done, only two were really good. and many I had to dump. I have never dumped an extract batch. I know I am still learning, but when factoring in time, extra propane costs ($5 or more per batch), and extra frustration the margin narrows. Now I think I am going back to partial mash just because I am tried of brewing crappy beer. I almost do not want to brew anymore cause it takes soooo long. Once I find a group to buy into and get some $20 sacks, then that maybe a different story.

I'd like to offer up some advice sunblock. If you've had to dump multiple batches that quickly something is severely wrong. What's going on? My advice is to get with a local brewing club, or invite some fellow brewers over for a brew day.

Schlante,
Phillip

 

[hercher]

Leaving aside the cost of the equipment, time, etc., it makes sense that AG would be cheaper for extract. Built into the cost of the extract is the cost the manufacturer incurs in making the wort, and reducing it to syrup.

 

[rico567]

Threads on this subject tend to be all over the map, because people engage in "cherrypicking" numbers to prove their point.....and the point usually moves away to motives other than the purely economic. As has been pointed out, the big difference is in the cost of malted grains vs. the cost of extract.

When it comes to equipment, that's often situational. I don't believe that someone who buys a $5K Blichmann system is worried about when the cost of that system will be amortized by their savings. This, in turn, brings up the whole question of the numbers of people who are in this thing to save money.

Speaking for myself, even if I value the time I spend at this at only minimum wage, it's not much better than a wash, I'm not doing it to save money. (Oh, BTW, I DON'T work for minimum wage- I won't turn off he alarm clock and saddle up for less than $150/hr, $1K minimum, $5K if you want me for the whole week (that's my pre-Christmas special).

 

[Hermit]

It seems that part of the problem with buying bulk in extract is that it becomes harder because of the different styles available. Yeah, you can get the 'base' in bulk but what about the rest? I remember one site with a decent selection, including Munich, but there seem to be 5 'standard' extracts. If you have to use one of those with the 'base' then the price goes up more. No? I'm still pecking around deciding how to go, just did my first batch solo (extract) last night, but I'm reluctant to buy 50 pounds of one type of extract at this point.

 

[sunblock]

I think half of my problem, was that I used recalled notty yeast on each batch, and my temps we slightly warm 72-3, but I am at the point were I just want to make my brew day easier. You can use extract much like 2-row malt, you just need to pick a base extract and steep some specialty grains each time to get your color / flavorings. I am most certainly going to go back to AG, but if you really do some hunting the cost difference is much slighter than I thought at first, assuming you are getting your 2-row in the $55 range per sack.

 

[Drunkenfool]

When you go all grain you usually increase your equipment well beyond the necessary to go ag but it is the cost of expanding the hobby. You can do it with just a few coolers if you want, but you will usually go further than that which will expand your knowledge. I would not say that ag is better than extract brewing when it comes to quality in some beers you produce, but you definatley cross another threshold into looking at the process more like a commercial brewing concern, and there is no price that can be put on that. In the long run it will be cheaper per batch....without a question and you will become a better brewer, without a question, but it does depend on if you are in it for the long haul on whether you make the switch. Your brew time will increase substantially with ag brewing compared to extract, which could well justify paying more for extract due to convenience. I made the natural progression a long time ago and I am definatley a better brewer for it.

 

[Synovia]

propane is usually $5+ for allgrain which hurts the total cost per batch

but buying in bulk(ag or extract) is the key

If you're going through $5 worth of propane in every batch, you really need to adjust your burner or something. Thats a tank every 3 brews, which is, frankly, ridiculous.

 

[Synovia]

I am most certainly going to go back to AG, but if you really do some hunting the cost difference is much slighter than I thought at first, assuming you are getting your 2-row in the $55 range per sack.

If you're spending $55 for 55lbs of 2-row, you're getting ripped off. You should be able to get it in the $30 range.

 

[Reelale]

You should be able to get it in the $30 range.

And just where would one buy 55 lbs of malt in the $30.00/bag price range? I assume you're not including shipping, because that sometimes is nearly 2/3 of the unit price, depending on order quantity. Please hook us up with your supplier if you're getting it at that price. Please!

 

[Synovia]

And just where would one buy 55 lbs of malt in the $30.00/bag price range? I assume you're not including shipping, because that sometimes is nearly 2/3 of the unit price, depending on order quantity. Please hook us up with your supplier if you're getting it at that price. Please!

Country Malt group. IIRC, a pallet shipped was only $75-100 and holds 42 bags of grain.

IE, if you do a group buy, its less than $2/bag to ship. Last i checked, it was $26 and change for a bag of 2 row.

 

[starrfish]

I don't buy in bulk. just ordered ingredients for my mild came to $21 with $7 shipping.
Partial mash would have been about $10 higher ...
All extract just under $20 higher ...

Pretty good savings for the investment of a wort chiller, 40Qt brew pot, and propane burner and tank. Had a zap-pap mash-tun with fly sparger from years ago when I tried mashing before.

 

[motobrewer]

Last i checked, it was $26 and change for a bag of 2 row.

woah. awesome.

let me know when that happens again.