I just started brewing in June, and my first batch was "drinkable" by the end of July. That first batch is down to the last 6-pack, I've polished off a batch of BierMuncher's Centennial Blonde and have the second batch of that bottle conditioned already, and I have 3 others that are conditioned and in the rotation already. I'm also winding down the first batch of my Edwort's Apfelwein (batch #2 is 4 months in the fermenter this week, about time to bottle!). I've got a couple of beers to bottle this weekend (Bass clone and a Fat Tire clone), and a couple more to bottle in a few weeks (Guinness clone and a Spotted Cow clone). In other words, plenty of variety.
Last night was the first time I've bought beer since that first batch was conditioned enough to drink. I bought a 4-pack of New Glarus Saison (never had a New Glarus beer I didn't like, and that is continuing with this one), and a 6-pack of Sam Adams IPAs (2 each of 3 different kinds) because I'm getting ready to brew my first IPA and wanted a few before I embark on that journey.
Once you get a pipeline going, there's really no need to buy beer from the store unless there's just something you want to try.