Cost of AG vs LME vs DME in bulk

[ryno1ryno]

My final results:

LME Premium: 0.87 (US dollars) per 12 pack of beer
DME Premium: 1.50-2.50 per 12 pack

This is based on my LHBS and Midwest Supplies (which ever was cheaper)
Cheap 2-row pale
Briess Pilsen LME
Briess Pilsen DME

I also took into account the differences in amounts required to brew a 5 gallon batch.

This is just based on a typical 5 gallon batch of base malt (8 ag, 6 LME, 4.8 DME). The formula is price per pound* 6 lbs LME (8 for AG and 4.8 for DME) divided by 4.44 (12 packs in 5 gallons). Then the premium will be the difference of LME and AG and then DME and AG.


I used 12 packs because most Americans buy 12 packs... so the premium price makes sense. If you want to see the cost diff in a case, just divide by 2.22.

It doesnt take into account the rest of your choice add ons.

I was trying to put a price premium on buying base malt in bulk.

What are your premiums?

 

[helibrewer]

My final results:

LME Premium: 0.87 (US dollars) per 12 pack of beer
DME Premium: 1.50-2.50 per 12 pack

This is based on my LHBS and Midwest Supplies (which ever was cheaper)
Cheap 2-row pale
Briess Pilsen LME
Briess Pilsen DME

I also took into account the differences in amounts required to brew a 5 gallon batch.

This is just based on a typical 5 gallon batch of base malt (8 ag, 6 LME, 4.8 DME)

It doesnt take into account the rest of your choice add ons.

I was trying to put a price premium on buying base malt in bulk.

What are your premiums?

What was your ag number?

 

[FredTheNuke]

Damn I'd LOVE to find LME cheaper than DME. Where'd you manage that one at?

 

[jCOSbrew]

Your LME cost seems very low (<$1 per pound, <$4 per batch). Most online sources I have seen are $2-3 per pound + shipping.

I can get 2-row at my LHBS for $1/pound in a 50 pound sack. I have seen people getting a sack of grain for as low as $30 in group buys. You don't get a cost savings online due to the shipping cost.

 

[helibrewer]

Yeah, that LME number is not right. More = $2.60/lb; Midwest = $2.65/lb

 

[ryno1ryno]

The ag is 0 because it is the cheapest.

I tried yo put a premium on the extra cost for LME and DME.

At my LHBS I can get 33 lbs of LME for 59.99. You can also buy it from them online.

 

[jtkratzer]

I would think the best way to compare would be to look at the price per point of gravity or degree Plato or something like that.

Reason - the recipe for Denny's Bourbon Vanilla Porter is double the grain bill for Centennial Blonde. Going to have very different pieces per 6 or 12 pack.

I feel like if have the ability and desire to use grain and want the cheapest per brew cost, do grain and get a mill. Buy the grain in bulk and crush it yourself. I can't see how DME or LME would have a longer shelf life than uncrushed grain once the DME/LME containers are opened.

 

[jtkratzer]

Your LME cost seems very low (<$1 per pound, <$4 per batch). Most online sources I have seen are $2-3 per pound + shipping.

I can get 2-row at my LHBS for $1/pound in a 50 pound sack. I have seen people getting a sack of grain for as low as $30 in group buys. You don't get a cost savings online due to the shipping cost.

You can't complain about $6.99 shipping from Brewmasters Warehouse and tax free prices. I just ordered ingredients to do 25 gallons of beer and the shipping works out to $0.62/case of 24 12oz bottles or $1.40/keg.

Factor that into not having to buy in bulk...sure, it's not $1/lb, but for me to drive 20-25 minutes one way to the LHBS (gas/diesel), 6% tax, etc, I can order my recipe exactly as I need it, crushed, bagged, and delivered for $1.40/keg on this order.

I rarely order less than 20 gallons worth of ingredients from them and had a 10% coupon on today's order. And I ordered this afternoon and delivery is scheduled for Saturday. Not bad.

 

[helibrewer]

The ag is 0 because it is the cheapest.

I tried yo put a premium on the extra cost for LME and DME.

At my LHBS I can get 33 lbs of LME for 59.99. You can also buy it from them online.

So your results mean that those are costs ABOVE what could be achieved by using all grain?

My quick look says: LME 6lbs = $10.86 (using your bulk source)
Retail grain for me is $1.29/lb for all types 7 days a week = $10.32

Bulk grain can be purchased for about $1 per pound depending on type and foreign/domestic.

 

[ryno1ryno]

I would think the best way to compare would be to look at the price per point of gravity or degree Plato or something like that.

Reason - the recipe for Denny's Bourbon Vanilla Porter is double the grain bill for Centennial Blonde. Going to have very different pieces per 6 or 12 pack.

I feel like if have the ability and desire to use grain and want the cheapest per brew cost, do grain and get a mill. Buy the grain in bulk and crush it yourself. I can't see how DME or LME would have a longer shelf life than uncrushed grain once the DME/LME containers are opened.

Yeah... that does make sense.

I figured though, if you were gonna use more base in a specialty then you would take that into account as a higher cost in general as you are using more malt.

 

[stpug]

Assuming the accepted conversion is 1 lb grain = 0.75 lb lme = 0.60 lb dme, I get the following:

1 lb grain = $1.14
0.75 lme = $2.22
0.60 dme = $2.70

NB prices:
50 lb grain = $57 (briess 2row organic)
36 lb lme = $80 (NB gold)
50 lb dme = $135 (briess golden)

Shipping was not taken into account

 

[helibrewer]

Storing and measuring out bulk LME is a PITA.

 

[ryno1ryno]

At my LHBS they have a sale of 2-row pale of 50lbs for $44.95. I used that... Midwest has a dollar per lb before shipping.

Heartshomebrew.com is my LHBS

 

[ArtVandelay]

Northern brewer has 50lb Rahr 2-row for 35 bucks

 

[ryno1ryno]

My costs are this:

AG 0.90 ppp
LME 1.82 ppp
DME 3.64 ppp (LBHS 55 lbs for 200)
DME 2.80 ppp (Midwest 50 lbs for 130 + 10 shipping)

 

[ryno1ryno]

Northern brewer has 50lb Rahr 2-row for 35 bucks

Good price... how much for shipping?

 

[ryno1ryno]

My theory on storing 33 lbs of LME.

You can use 33 lbs in a month if you have 2 five gallon batches fermenting at all times. That is 33/4 @ 8.25 per brew... So if you can have 2 carboys going at once you probably will have the LME a little over a month.

Otherwise, maybe buying in bulk is not a good idea?

But yeah, AG is cheaper.

 

[matt2778]

Another aspect to consider is added propane when doing an ag batch. Realistically I'd say about $1.50 for a five gallon batch, however since I'm getting briess two row for $.78 a pound the propane expense doesn't effect my bottom line much.

 

[sloose]

my LHBS deals in bulk liquid extracts, and they are fresh and cheap. They sell them in quart containers, which is 6lbs i believe, in 1lb increments. They get $3 per lb for the extracts, and they get $2/lb for malts ($1.50/lb for briesse 2 row) ... so going all grain wasnt really that big of a savings for me.

 

[jtkratzer]

Another aspect to consider is added propane when doing an ag batch. Realistically I'd say about $1.50 for a five gallon batch, however since I'm getting briess two row for $.78 a pound the propane expense doesn't effect my bottom line much.

What about electric or NG?

For me, it wasn't cost savings. I enjoy cheaper beer using all grain, but I enjoy the process, controlling mash temps and having more grain choices. I also like the bread we make with the spent grain.

Haven't added up the cost of the porter using extract, but it has to be significantly higher than the $75 for ten gallons before bourbon.

I enjoy the process and I like having the ability to choose any and every ingredient that goes in my beer.

 

[FredTheNuke]

Also take a look at bulk DME from www.labelpeelers.com especially when they have their 21% and 30% off coupon sales (no I am not affiliated with them - just love their bulk pricing and cheap shipping for those of us east of the Mississippi).

 

[ryno1ryno]

Also take a look at bulk DME from www.labelpeelers.com especially when they have their 21% and 30% off coupon sales (no I am not affiliated with them - just love their bulk pricing and cheap shipping for those of us east of the Mississippi).

Cool, thanks!

 

[ArtVandelay]

Good price... how much for shipping?

No idea, sorry. I get it locally. Check northernbrewer.com