kyle6286
Well-Known Member
Hello,
First, I want to say that this isn't an argument about whether or not home brewing is cheap, expensive, etc. In my homebrewing experience (only started this year), I've made extract beers with steeping grains. I plan on going to partial mash very soon, but right now I just don't feel the need to graduate to all grain due to time and equipment required. Anyways, the only batches I've made so far have come from the major online homebrew retailers like Midwest and Northern Brewer (not trying to market these companies, sorry). I'm not in this hobby to save money, but at the same time I'm not made of money so if I can get a deal, I'll take it. Most of the batches I've made from the online companies are very decently priced, even if you include shipping. However, the two LHBS that I go to for equipment, straining bags, etc. are much more expensive than these online retailers. Companies like Midwest Supplies, Northern Brewer, and AHS are much larger in size and can inherently sell their products for much less in my experience. I'm just wondering if this is the case everywhere when it comes to LHBS. I wish I was fortunate to live next to one of the larger homebrew stores as I could walk out of the store with two kits for about $50. I've come across a few recipes on here that I really want to try out, especially the infamous centeniall blonde that everyone talks about, but trying to obtain these ingredients at my LHBS runs me a good $40-45 when piecing everything together. It appears as though the malt extract is the priciest ingredient. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm not. Also, I should note that I am very aware that homebrewing isn't meant to be a cheap hobby, although it can be cheaper when you go AG, bulk purchase and all that fun stuff. I did just recently get a whole kegerator setup with two cornys (still need a 5lb CO2 tank), so I don't want to consider myself cheap. Rather, I'd look at myself as a bargain shopper. I did get my kegerator setup from my LHBS, and would love to help them out more, but it's tough when I can get pretty good deals online.
First, I want to say that this isn't an argument about whether or not home brewing is cheap, expensive, etc. In my homebrewing experience (only started this year), I've made extract beers with steeping grains. I plan on going to partial mash very soon, but right now I just don't feel the need to graduate to all grain due to time and equipment required. Anyways, the only batches I've made so far have come from the major online homebrew retailers like Midwest and Northern Brewer (not trying to market these companies, sorry). I'm not in this hobby to save money, but at the same time I'm not made of money so if I can get a deal, I'll take it. Most of the batches I've made from the online companies are very decently priced, even if you include shipping. However, the two LHBS that I go to for equipment, straining bags, etc. are much more expensive than these online retailers. Companies like Midwest Supplies, Northern Brewer, and AHS are much larger in size and can inherently sell their products for much less in my experience. I'm just wondering if this is the case everywhere when it comes to LHBS. I wish I was fortunate to live next to one of the larger homebrew stores as I could walk out of the store with two kits for about $50. I've come across a few recipes on here that I really want to try out, especially the infamous centeniall blonde that everyone talks about, but trying to obtain these ingredients at my LHBS runs me a good $40-45 when piecing everything together. It appears as though the malt extract is the priciest ingredient. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm not. Also, I should note that I am very aware that homebrewing isn't meant to be a cheap hobby, although it can be cheaper when you go AG, bulk purchase and all that fun stuff. I did just recently get a whole kegerator setup with two cornys (still need a 5lb CO2 tank), so I don't want to consider myself cheap. Rather, I'd look at myself as a bargain shopper. I did get my kegerator setup from my LHBS, and would love to help them out more, but it's tough when I can get pretty good deals online.