cost savings measures that you have implemented

[bgburdman9]

I know, there will always be another shiny new toy!

Seriously. First I made a mash tun, then bought 2 50lb sacks, then a mill so i could mill it, then a chest freezer, then kegs, then more kegs, and last night i bought a thermapen. If I didnt have to boil all this stovetop I am sure I would have a burner, larger kettle, pump, and a plate chiller.

 

[kpr121]

I am going to do this. I am at the one brewery like once a week for growlers. He is big into sustainability too so is very happy to give away his by products.

I just got started. Spent way too much on my first two batches but Id do it over again. They will get cheaper as I go I would imagine.

Where you at in Pittsburgh? And what brewery? I am all for sustainability!

 

[noggins]

craigslist

 

[beaksnbeer]

I have 6 strains of yeast that I keep going like sourdough.

 

[joety]

That's the toughest one, and a savings I haven't been able to capture yet. However, after I buy a grain mill and an oxygen aeration kit, I think I'll be done.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've said that or something similar, although I'd probably buy more gear with it.

 

[scottland]

Buying grain and hops in bulk is all I do. I use dry yeast 85% of the time, and at $3.50 a pack, the cost savings isn't worth my time.

At 80-84% effciency I use 8-10lbs of base malt a batch. That's at 80 cents a pound. Hops are in bulk $9-10 a pound. Adding yeast and specialty malts, brew salts to add to RO, propane, and star san, I pay an honest $14-25 a batch depending on how hoppy the beer is. That's good enough for me. My time is worth more to me, so I don't need to dig any further.

 

[mummasan]

Make friends with local homebrewers. Timing my brewing so that I can reuse harvested yeast.

 

[Jaybird]

I have an insulated propane gas boil kettle that captures the heat off the sides of the kettle and vents it out the back through a stove pipe exhaust toward the top of the kettle, so basicly I trap the heat from the bottom and heat the sides too. I used a pool filter and wrapped my BK to give me about 1" gap between the BK and the pool filter housing. I can keep my boil going with about 1/2 the propane I used to use. This is a massive savings for me!

 

[iaefebs]

When you finally realize that you have all the equipment you need to make beer.

 

[Atvar]

Where you at in Pittsburgh? And what brewery? I am all for sustainability!

I'm guessing he's talking about East End Brewing. They talk a lot about brewing "green" on their website.

 

[a_potter]

Jaybird, that sounds like a realy cool contraption. Do you have a picture of it?

 

[dotsun]

PUR water filter instead of spring water. We had the filter, I just never thought about using it until I started looking for ways to cut batch costs.

 

[Beezy]

Where you at in Pittsburgh? And what brewery? I am all for sustainability!

http://www.eastendbrewing.com/node/6

I am in the North Side / Pig Hill.

 

[kpr121]

http://www.eastendbrewing.com/node/6

I am in the North Side / Pig Hill.

I was thinking you would say EEB. I have never been, but I do like their beers. Maybe I should go check them out soon.

 

[remilard]

I'm guessing he's talking about East End Brewing. They talk a lot about brewing "green" on their website.

Lagunitus brews green. Four days a week, 20 hours a day.

 

[Beezy]

I was thinking you would say EEB. I have never been, but I do like their beers. Maybe I should go check them out soon.

Yeah they are pretty convenient for me. I am close to the growler shop and my kids baby sitter is not far from the brewery. The growler prices are just right. Doesnt make profit off of the growlers, the glass themselves I mean. 3 bucks. I recommend going down when he releases the wheat wine. It will go fast. I had the barley wine on cask and it was amazing. The only barely wine I have liked so far.

I like Full Pint and Voodoo (Meadville) a lot too. Finally some good local brew in the Burgh.

 

[Spartan1979]

While I do buy two row and pale ale malt in bulk, saving money on a batch isn't a high priority. I'm more interested in doing things that will save time on brew day.

 

[Jaybird]

Jaybird, that sounds like a realy cool contraption. Do you have a picture of it?

Should be in my pictures. let me see if I can find it and post a link.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/jaybird-brewery-38923/

Cheers
Jay

 

[bambam190]

i made a filter for my water. saves about eight dollars a batch

I do the same, in addition when we cool our wort I send the water from the cooler through the filter into the carboy to clean and sanitize it.

 

[Beezy]

I just fill my kettle the night before. The tap water is decent but letting it sit, the chlorine will evaporate.