How often do you buy beer as a homebrewer?

[Jtk78]

Since I started homebrewing, I rarely buy beer anymore. I've created a steady stream of beers I want to drink. Usually the only time I buy beer now is if I'm out of town, out on the town, or see something I really want to try.

How has brewing changed your beer buying?

 

[Invertalon]

Not as much as I used to, that's for sure. Typically, anytime we go out of town and there is distro that I am unable to get where I live... Or some new beers are released by breweries that I love (Looking at you Sierra Nevada and your Oktoberfest!)

I always have a nice collection of bottles and cans, but I typically try to drink more of what I have on.

 

[geoffm33]

There is an inverse relationship between my commercial beer purchases and my brewing frequency

 

[johnwpowell]

I'm totally off the grid. Maybe once every few months will I pick up an interesting six pack of beer.

 

[Totally]

When I am getting a recipe together for a style I have not brewed before or in a while I will buy various commercial examples of the style to help me settle on a target profile.

Much less beer purchased than before I started brewing though.

 

[November]

I'm totally off the grid. Maybe once every few months will I pick up an interesting six pack of beer.

Same here.

 

[flars]

I'm buying different styles more often. Not in bulk but to expand my tastes for what to brew.

 

[catdaddy66]

Every few months I grab a sixer of an eye catching variety, and that usually is when I have to replenish bottles.

 

[Murphys_Law]

For the house - rarely. I did buy a six of Jai Alai a month or so ago just because I love that beer and it just came out to CO. I will buy commercial if I'm going camping or something just because it's easier to deal with cans.

I try and keep several styles on tap or in bottle so I have plenty of options from which to choose.

 

[MrPowers]

I buy quite a bit of commercial beer for "inspiration". However, I rarely buy the same beer twice unless it's outstanding or I want to show it to someone.

 

[Sammy86]

I went 2 years without buying commercial beer for the house...then the baby was born and that has changed...trying to build the pipeline back up though see if I can't go another run.

I would buy beer if the SWMBO and I went out to eat or like others have said at a distribution area where I could get something I couldn't get at home...otherwise no buying beer for this guy

 

[kingwood-kid]

I've bought one beer this year, and that was to harvest the yeast dregs at the bottom of the bottle (although the beer was absolutely delicious).

 

[C-Rider]

We have a local market that gets "dated" craft beers and sells them for like $14 a case. Shoots I can't brew that cheap so I've been buying stuff like:
Firestone Walker 805 AND Easy Jack IPA
Sam Adams Ocktoberfest and Hopscape
Deschuts Variety Pack
Something called Hoppy Birthday (can't remember the brewery)

 

[Jtk78]

I'd like to add I will buy a beer style if I'm interested in brewing a style I haven't had a lot of examples from. In that case, I prefer to build my own 6 pack that's fairly common around here. I'll grab 2 or 3 beers of that style, and fill the rest with other stuff I've never had.

I have my equipment pretty set, no plans to purchase anything else. I can't see spending $8 to $16 for a six pack when I can get much more beer with the enjoyment of brewing it, brewing what I want, for much less money. Especially since I've spent a fair amount (but really nothing crazy due to buying used, diy, and having a relatively basic all grain setup) on getting the equipment.

I'm not surprised by these results at all, but I was wondering if I was the only one that has drastically reduced beer buying.

 

[Brownalemikie]

After trying every style of beer available I have narrowed down my beers to stouts, porters and brown ales. I currently have all 3 styles of home brew in my spare frig. I do go to my local brewery every Saturday to drink a couple of their beers for ideas for my home brews.

But no, I seldom by off-sale beer.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

If I'm out I will, but almost never for home consumption. I have 5 beers on tap which is plenty variety for me.

 

[corkybstewart]

I still buy beer. My wife loves Hop Hunter so there's almost always some in the beer fridge. Some beers I buy to harvest the yeast(brett mostly). And after 25 active years of brewing I admit there are some beers(many) that the pro's do better than I do. I have 8 beers on tap now, 7 of them are good(one is mediocre) but there will always be a place for different beers in my fridges.

 

[FirstAidBrewing]

With two little ones, brewing is currently a luxury, so I find myself buying maybe a six pack every week or two so I can keep trying new stuff and have some beer in the house

 

[chalkboardbrewer]

I generally brew beer I can't buy. For example, I love Nut Browns as well as Altbiers. I am an extract brewer and don't have lagering tools either. So, yes, I do buy beer. A pick-sixer about every month or two.

 

[seatazzz]

We'll buy a 12 pack of Coors once in a great while, mostly when we're partying with our friends or neighbors and need something to contribute. But I'll also bring a growler or two of my own to share. For home consumption, I'll get a bomber or two once in a while as well if it's a style we want to try brewing. When I used to dump my recycling into the big barrel outside it was loud enough to wake the neighborhood, now I'm lucky if I can fill the thing once a month, and that's mostly paper and cardboard. Nothing quite like the CRASH TINKLY SMASH of emptying a full recycling bucket...then moving quickly back into the house so I don't get judged.

 

[Mer-man]

We have a local market that gets "dated" craft beers and sells them for like $14 a case. Shoots I can't brew that cheap so I've been buying stuff like:
Firestone Walker 805 AND Easy Jack IPA
Sam Adams Ocktoberfest and Hopscape
Deschuts Variety Pack
Something called Hoppy Birthday (can't remember the brewery)

Oh god, 805.

I buy new-to-me beers all the time to try new things. But I buy SN Torpedo Extra every fricking chance.

 

[3gbrew]

I almost never drink something I didn't brew at home. I will take a couple bottles to the beach, places like that..

 

[ncbrewer]

I always have some BMC around to drink with hot wings. And buy some craft beer on vacation.

 

[Anon111]

Batches of 1 gallon, so they last 1 week, 2 weeks at most. Buying different beers to train my palate.

 

[C-Rider]

Oh god, 805.

I buy new-to-me beers all the time to try new things. But I buy SN Torpedo Extra every fricking chance.

Yea the 805 is not the best, but I had to buy it to find out. Just like Obama Care. LOL

Sam's Club always has SN Torpedo on sale...well cheaper than the local market. LOL

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Frequently

 

[day_trippr]

I rarely have store-bought beer in the house; when I do it's usually one of my sons came across something and wanted me to try it.

Otoh, I generally don't bring my home brew with me when I travel, even if it was feasible.
Eg, when the whole extended family does Cape Cod Week it's all about store-bought...

Cheers!

 

[oceanic_brew]

I'm totally off the grid. Maybe once every few months will I pick up an interesting six pack of beer.

Depends on where you buy your supplies hahahaha might not be so off the grid. Although I like that way of thinking about it ..."off the grid brewer" I'll steal that now.

 

[oceanic_brew]

I think brewing provides me with quantity of beer, so that dabbling in single purchase of various bottles from regions I enjoy doesn't cost me a fortune.

It's harder to justify for some when you make beer $20-$40 a keg but that's exactly what makes the $12 a bottle purchase justifiable for me.

I'm happy to say that I've gotten this brewing thing cornered enough now that I enjoy most of my own brews more than at least half of what's available in the stores near me. Although some of the brews in that half I would enjoy more if they were my brews, my expectation is higher when you have a million dollar operation and mine is 3 grand.

 

[Kent88]

When I'm at a bar for sure. I live in Wisconsin, and I like New Glarus, so when I notice something new from them I'll pick up a small pack to try. I really like their Yokel. When I don't have enough homemade to share with family I'll take a 12 pack of Spotted Cow for them, as they don't have easy access to it.

And usually when I go visit friends in Minnesota or South Dakota I'll put together a sample pack of Two Women and Totally Naked, because it is hilarious.

I often try to find examples of styles that I find intriguing, but that can be tough. I've been looking for some Biere de Garde, and Belgian Dark Strong Ale as I've made those styles, but I haven't had many examples so I don't know how well I did.