Cost to brew?

[z987k]

Moreover, it's a reasonable estimate of what I'd be willing to spend, which was really the point.

Oh I know, I was just going OT, and wondering what cool stuff you were flying... (MOD EDIT)

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I'm a big fan of Mooneys. A friend and his Dad own one each.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Your time per hour rate should not be a factor when it's a hobby.

 

[z987k]

really cost savings as a whole is not a factor when it's a hobby. How much the hobby costs and can you afford it, sure, but it's not about saving money.

 

[newbrewr4fun]

I really just got my beer kit and will be brewing my first beer this weekend. I spent 229 dollars on the kit, and 26 dollars on the ingredients for a stout. I still think that I am going to be saving money by brewing beer this way even if I didn't want to to begin with. All in all I think most home brewers over time will save themselves at least a little cash, but even if you don't having something you love to do is more important than a little money.

 

[fratermus]

I am glad you are enjoying the fruits of your first labors.

Homebrewing is not inherently cheap, although I find that I can brew craftbrew quality cheaper than craftbrew but not cheaper than megaswill-on-sale.

If you are interested in saving $$$, consider these possibilities:

* go all grain and buy malt in 50# bags
* buy extract in bulk
* brew lower-gravity, lower-alcohol beers. I prefer these anyhow.
* brew lower-hopped beers. (again, I prefer this)
* ranch liquid yeast cultures to reduce yeast costs
* grow hops for flavoring, and maybe even for bittering

As with all other things, buying in bulk is only cost-effective if you have good ways to store the material and use it all up.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Since I wash my yeast, have several pounds of hops (pre-scare days), and have several hundred pounds of DME on-hand my prices will maintain about $17 per batch for the next year or so... :rockin:

 

[mr x]

Your time per hour rate should not be a factor when it's a hobby.

Amen.

Personally, the reason I started brewing was that I tired of paying $37.99 for a flat of garbage ('John Labatt's Blue, the good stuff' - what a crock). I've never really gotten off only brewing because it's wonderful (although I have now discovered that it is). If I could buy better beer than I can make at a cheaper price, that's what I would most likely do.

 

[abracadabra]

Any $ you might save would also depend on the kind of beer you like and buy. I like Duvel Belgian Ale $12+ for a 4 pack that's over $3 a beer.

If I drank 2 per night @ $3 x 365 days per year = $2190 / year

vs

($0.75 x 2)365 = $547.5

for a savings of $1642.50 a year

And while brewing big 10 -15 gal batches or kegging won't save any money it will save a considerable amount of time.

 

[Homercidal]

Amen.

Personally, the reason I started brewing was that I tired of paying $37.99 for a flat of garbage ('John Labatt's Blue, the good stuff' - what a crock). I've never really gotten off only brewing because it's wonderful (although I have now discovered that it is). If I could buy better beer than I can make at a cheaper price, that's what I would most likely do.

Hey, Labatts ain't bad!

I'd be saving money if I only bought expensive beer. So, I brew that kind of beer instead. Except I still usually buy expensive beer, just to see what it's like!

Brewing is fun, AND can save you money if you do it right and replace costly beers with your homebrew.

 

[rcb]

I think there are to many variables to ask that question like that, but I think i do save money. If you really enjoy doing it you shouldn't worry about the money at all and enjoy yourself. I ain't saying to go and blow your whole paycheck on brewing and not pay your mortgage though.

 

[Bobby_M]

I busted my ass to land a job where I can earn enough money to waste all the money on homebrewing that I want to.... oh, and to post on HBT all day too.

Seriously though, this debate has been err debated to death already. There are equal camps of yes it does save money, no it doesn't, and I don't give a ship if it does or not. I liken the opinion that homebrewing saves money to the opinion that free energy machines are a step in the right direction. If you really want to prove to your SWMBO that it's cheaper to brew than buy, some of the Enron accountants might work cheap.

 

[mr x]

If you really want to prove to your SWMBO that it's cheaper to brew than buy, some of the Enron accountants might work cheap.

Yes, Enron made a lot of money telling people they had money that actually wasn't there. Reminds me of something else always in these threads...

 

[malkore]

$50 for a 5 gallon extract batch, assuming its not an IPA with a lot fo hard to get hops...sounds way too high.

also don't compare craft brewing prices to Budweiser or Miller or Coors. You'll never make 2 cases of Bud for less than it costs to buy it at the grocery store.

Now, something like Guinness, which is $8 a 4-pack here....yeah, you'll save TONS over the duration of your brewing lifetime.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

$50 for a 5 gallon extract batch ... sounds way too high

It's on the high side, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Not everyone has access to an LHBS with bulk extract on hand. When buying *ME by the individual bag or can, it's pretty expensive. Things get even more expensive when shipping becomes a factor.

 

[The Blow Leprechaun]

It's on the high side, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Not everyone has access to an LHBS with bulk extract on hand. When buying *ME by the individual bag or can, it's pretty expensive. Things get even more expensive when shipping becomes a factor.

Yeah, extract at my LHBS is about $13 a can, most beers require two cans, that's $26. Toss in a pound of specialty grains, up to $28, 3 oz of hops will run you about $10 to $38, liquid yeast to $44, then you factor in tax and you're pretty darn close to $50.