Is this really worth it ?

[Lord Sterrock Hammerson 8]

I`ve only done one batch and still need some experence before going on any further. So with that said i`m sorry if anyone got offended. Seems that some of the folks here have a nasty personallity and most of the replies we`re very helpful and I thank those folks.

I didnt see any nasty posts in this thread maybe i need glasses.

 

[the_bird]

I didnt see any nasty posts in this thread maybe i need glasses.

Maybe he was reading some of the other threads recently...

 

[Brewpastor]

I by no means meant any disrespect about your concerns over cost. I know that was a consideration when I started. But things have gotten a little out of hand over the years and I just tell myself price doesn't matter to keep me from having a complete melt-down. I used to buy bulk DME to same cash. I still buy grain in as large a quantity as I can get. No use wasting money.

 

[Whelk]

I hope I didn't sound pissy or anything, I didn't mean to--I just really love brewing and I'm a total pusher. I will freely admit that as the only homebrewer I know personally (well, one of three, neither of whom told me they brewed), I've pressured at least three people into homebrewing. I just want everyone else to have as much fun with this as I do, and damn the expense!*


*As long as my girlfriend approves, of course--I'm crazy, but not THAT crazy.

 

[Lord Sterrock Hammerson 8]

Maybe he was reading some of the other threads recently...

What threads could you be talking about bird?

 

[brewhead]

you can't buy my beer anywhere. some people hunt, some people fish, others do other things. i make beer.

 

[burch]

I ordered a Yeauling ( I think I spelled that right ) draft a dinner and was in love with the taste. So I decided to try a six pack of two different types of the Yeauling. Man did it suck, both beers from the bottle was horrible. In fact I gave the rest away. I`m going to find out what that draft was and try to find a reciept that`s close. I also like Michelob Lager. Does anyone know what would be close to that. I realize brewing lagers will also be down the road but i`d like to know anyway for future reference.

Thanks again,
Burch

 

[Whelk]

Try a Belgian wit, especially if you like more refreshing "lawnmower" beers. But a good English brown ale is great to start with--tastes great, and hides a world of errors.

 

[Orfy]

Am I the only one that can say I'm in front on the $$$ score.
if I drink 10 pints a week in the pub at £20 a week for 1 year thats
£1040 for 520 pints
My brew kit probably cost me well under £400 inc keg kit and a pint costs around 20p So 520 x £0.20 = £104.
= a saving of well over £500 in the first year.

Okay I still drink the odd pint in a pub and bottled commercial but you get the point..

I think the reason for this I use the KISS method and like to source cheap items or build them myself.

 

[CBBaron]

I did notice that all-grain can be cheaper than extract but after you figure in the initial investment it seems you would have to brew quite a few batches to come out ahead unless you are buying in bulk.
I also noticed that most of the cost of an extract recipe is the extract and you can save alot of money by buying that in bulk. I usually see 33# of malt extract for $55US vs. 3.3# cans for $11-$12. This works out to about half the cost. The "down" side is you need to use it up in < 6months before it starts going stale.
Even buying the kits at $25-$35 for 50 bottles is alot less expensive than buy craft brews. Ofcourse I will probably be giving alot of my brews away so I won't really be saving anything.
As was mentioned by most with nearly any hobby it has to be something you enjoy or the economics won't add up.
I am already enjoying this hobby and my first brew hasn't carbonated yet.

Craig
Primary - clean
Secondary - Irish stout
Bottles - Irish red
Up Next - Oatmeal stout

 

[Orfy]

This hobby is great.

The more you drink, the more cost effective it is.

 

[Geologist]

Well it looks like Orfy hit it on the nose. And in your example above don't you think it's a bit conservative? 10 pints a week? And if your significant other likes to drink pints then add that into the picture. Oh, and the wild parties I have at home serving up beer on tap. Unfortunately I can't seem to remember many of them....

 

[Orfy]

Well it looks like Orfy hit it on the nose. And in your example above don't you think it's a bit conservative? 10 pints a week? And if your significant other likes to drink pints then add that into the picture. Oh, and the wild parties I have at home serving up beer on tap. Unfortunately I can't seem to remember many of them....

Yep, but I'm looking at the worst case scenario (or is that best case)
At present I'm drinking more like 20 pints a week but that wont last. I refuse to buy larger trousers.
SWMBO loves the wine I make so that adds to the equations.

The amounts I mentioned are actually lower than the amount saved but it was more a illustration than a real case study.

 

[Yooper]

I love good food, good wine and good beer. So, making my own is always rewarding and worth it to me. Yes, sometimes (especially with extract brewing and liquid yeasts), I've spent almost $50 per batch, which is pretty expensive! But, it's also my hobby. I don't build model planes or sew, etc, so this is not just a way to make great beer, it's part of my mental health therapy!

All-grain is generally much cheaper- and all I had to buy was my MLT, since I had everything else. It will only take about 4 batches to pay for the MLT investment. I reuse my yeasts as many times as I can- usually 3 times.

I guess I think of it this way- I can buy Stouffer's frozen lasanga at the store and bake it. It might cost $7. Or I can make the lasanga at home with super good quality ingredients for $20. They both will taste fine. The homemade lasanga will be outstanding, but cost quite a bit more and take up a whole day of my time. Is it worth it? It usually is.

 

[dan244]

I just got 2 kits from Morebeer ( German Hefeweizen and Irish Red Ale), both with white labs liquid yeast. They shipped everything for free... only cost me $59 for about 4 cases of good beer. Of course thats not including the cost of propane for my burner and water.

 

[Fingers]

This hobby is great.

The more you drink, the more cost effective it is.

HEY!! Orfy just gave me a new get-rich-quick scheme!

 

[tbulger]

I have almost 2 grand worth of guitars and guitar equpment only to play reaaly ****ty versions of little wing i could have bought the song for a dollar from itunes.

 

[kb9vzh]

It's all about the enjoyment of brewing your own beer and the best part, drinking it!! I spent more than I expected to start my own home brewery, after I realized the Mr. Beer Kits did not keep up with my needs. The thing is, I enjoy doing it. I have no problem spending $25 or $30 on a kit. Now I even get the White Labs Yeast that runs around $7.00+ per vial. You can go to the store and purchase Miller, Bud or some other "PISS" for $4.99 a six pack for $40.00 per 5 gallons or up to $70.00 for "good” imports. I travel 4 to 5 days a week so that means one brew is ready to drink, one secondary for bottling, another going to the secondary, and another for the primary. What's next?????? If you still want to be cheap you can get a 40oz. of Colt .45 or Old English 800 at the local gas station. (Reminds me of High School)

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

This hobby is great.

The more you drink, the more cost effective it is.

HEY!! Orfy just gave me a new get-rich-quick scheme!

and

I have almost 2 grand worth of guitars and guitar equpment only to play reaaly ****ty versions of little wing i could have bought the song for a dollar from itunes.

Two of the best posts in the entire thread! LOL!!!!!


As for me, I didn't mean to come off as rude with my lasagn comment earlier on. I might've been in a hurry and trying to make my point without an overabundance of words. Or, perhaps, I was just trying to make the point as simply as possible. It was a short statement, but wasn't means to be rude.


Cheers!

 

[Bernie Brewer]

If you're into this hobby to save money (or any hobby for that matter) and are concerned about the work involved, well then, sorry but this probably isn't for you. You're not finding it fun. If it isn't fun, why do it??? Personally, I love it!

 

[Pabst Blue Robot]

While I didn't especially get into homebrewing for the cost savings, I must admit that I really do enjoy compiling my equipment "on the cheap". I barter things on craigslist, I build things, I find things at the Boeing Surplus store that were never meant for making beer and it all comes together. In fact just today I traded some computer memory for a chest freezer, temp controller, and a half barrel keg.

 

[blefferd]

it might not be cost effective but you can sure brew to your taste and im sure with all the knowldege out there you can brew to save your self money

:rockin:

 

[abracadabra]

I personnally don't think it can ever be justified on a cost basis (rationalized maybe but not justified excluding Orfy of course ). If you factor in your time at even minimum wage. Then if you add equipt. to make things easier on yourself the costs sky rocket and most of this stuff is way over priced. If you enjoy making things yourself there's a good book called "Brew Ware" that can help keep the cost of equipt. down. Most of my equipt. is heirloom quality I'll never recoup the cost but if my son or his son enjoys the hobby the equipt will be around for them. They will be able to brew at a signifigant saving. To me it's all about the taste. I'll buy organic food if it tastes better. That's also one of the reasons I garden.

If you think this thread has nasty comments: Make a negitive post about aluminum brew pots. You'll see the nasties come out of the wood work. Some people will even make disparaging remarks about you personnally. Try not to take things personnal and remember when you are dealing with the public you are bound to get a Jerk or 2. Although I have to admit I didn't see anything here but
then again I don't read everyone's posts anymore either.

Most of the folks here are just trying to help others that are interested in the hobby. have a little fun, maybe learn something or any or all of the above.

I think like any hobby it needs to be a labor of love if not it's just work.

 

[cweston]

What all these people have said...

Also, if you're unsure what styles you like and might want to brew, I'd recommend doing a good bit of "research" with craft and import beers. Taste really good examples of several styles and see what you like. Then brew those styles.

The cost will come down as you graduate from pre-built kits to compiling your own ingredients and buying some things in bulk.