Why am I doing this?

[Cantina De Jefe]

If i don't include the cost of my equipment, an 11 gallon batch costs me between $60-$80. Maybe $100 if im doing a belgian or something.

11x128oz/12oz per beer/24 beers per case = 4.9 cases.
So like a guiness stout would be $12
an IPA might be $16
And a big beer or belgian would be $20

A case of pacifico at Costco here would be at least $25 plus TAX (10%) plus CRV which i dont ever get back anyways. So yes it is cheaper. Ive seen ONE BOTTLE of, granted, superbly crafted beer for $25 here. So is it cheaper, yes. The real cost is the equipment and so much of that is personal taste. My brew stand is made of 2x4s. My ferm chamber.. and old dorm fridge with insulation. My kettle and kegs and stuff could be resold. So if you are willing to stick it out for a decade or two in the hobby without getting a conical, it will amortize out. Plus you get to design the beer yourself and you know what goes in it.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

Are you buying your grains in bulk? At least your base malts?
Work out a deal with your LHBS for say, cost plus a small percentage for sacks of base malt (whatever you use the most). Even in HI, you should be able to get a sack for under $100. That's steep, but way better than buying by the pound.

 

[Rev2010]

The "you won't save money homebrewing" doesn't apply to everyone. If you live in Canada it's a VERY large savings. 6 packs of BMC here are OVER 15$. A nice 4 pack of tall boys can be over 20$. Cheers

It doesn't even apply to us in NYC. Trust me, I see a whole lot let ATM withdrawal's when I have my own beers in the kegerator. I don't spend the typical $12 for a standard 12oz 6-pack or the $15-17 for a 12oz craft beer 6-pack or 4x16oz pack. I also spend less in bars since I have better beer at home and don't go as often and when I do go I don't stay as long.

That said, C-Rider! Remember when we were chatting and I was planning that move to Hawaii? Well I made that move after my divorce. Quit my job and moved to Oahu. I returned quite shortly thereafter but the reason was the IT jobs were paying only *2/3rd's max* what I get in NYC. Decided I'm not willing to sacrifice that much less pay for relatively equivalent costs of living. I could swear I recall seeing on NorthernBrewer's site that they stopped shipping to Alaska and Hawaii, is that true?


Rev.

 

[Blazinlow86]

It doesn't even apply to us in NYC. Trust me, I see a whole lot let ATM withdrawal's when I have my own beers in the kegerator. I don't spend the typical $12 for a standard 12oz 6-pack or the $15-17 for a 12oz craft beer 6-pack or 4x16oz pack. I also spend less in bars since I have better beer at home and don't go as often and when I do go I don't stay as long.

That said, C-Rider! Remember when we were chatting and I was planning that move to Hawaii? Well I made that move after my divorce. Quit my job and moved to Oahu. I returned quite shortly thereafter but the reason was the IT jobs were paying only *2/3rd's max* what I get in NYC. Decided I'm not willing to sacrifice that much less pay for relatively equivalent costs of living. I could swear I recall seeing on NorthernBrewer's site that they stopped shipping to Alaska and Hawaii, is that true?


Rev.

Ah yes I visited last year and found the pricing was very similar to here. I did like that some of the bodegas or whatever there called would sell individual bottles/cans from 6packs. Cheers

 

[C-Rider]

Can you buy bulk grain and mill it yourself ?

Can but shipping still kills us here. Shipping usually wipes out anything saved by buying online. I will buy a 50 lb bag of my main US grain soon. Will save a few bucks.

 

[Genuine]

I’ve been a huge fan of simple ipa’s with mainly 2-row and then a pound, maybe pound and a half of crystal 15 or 60.

 

[C-Rider]

I’ve been a huge fan of simple ipa’s with mainly 2-row and then a pound, maybe pound and a half of crystal 15 or 60.

I have switched from 2 row to Pale Ale Malt. Gives the beer a bit more maltyness and flavor. Cost is about $1.80/lb here. 50 lbs might cut cost to about $1.60/lb.

 

[Beerwildered]

I have switched from 2 row to Pale Ale Malt. Gives the beer a bit more maltyness and flavor. Cost is about $1.80/lb here. 50 lbs might cut cost to about $1.60/lb.

What about making a deal with one of the local breweries? Maybe they’ll let you buy grain from them??

 

[C-Rider]

What about making a deal with one of the local breweries? Maybe they’ll let you buy grain from them??

Might be an idea. But remember they also have shipping costs but since they buy in bulk might work.

 

[gunhaus]

I am thinking that the outdated craft beer at bargain prices is only a good deal if it a beer you want to drink. That Ripper is a good bit different than the English ales you started out talking about What does a 6 of Fullers cost? For that matter what does a six of ANY non dated craft cost? We are 10-12 a sixer pretty regular here. so 40 plus a case. Does the difference get closer when you compare apples to apples? I mean, the argument that you can buy any old out dated craft for cheapo prices is sort of a Natty Daddy argument really, especially if the bargain ain't something you want to drink!

 

[Toxxyc]

Anybody who says their reason for brewing beer is because it's cheaper is a liar

For me, in South Africa, it really is significantly cheaper. I can brew a "cheap" but still good, drinkable beer for way less than I can buy the same. If I use local grains and local hops I can brew for less than 1/4th the price of commercial beers, and then I can make whatever I want.

EDIT: But to speak the truth, I don't brew purely because it's cheaper. I find it a fantastic hobby, and I love the atmosphere of buddies huddled around a cheap 5l min keg with my homebrew, all fighting over who gets to run the tap next.

 

[Zambezi Special]

I;ll be brewing my own since I cannot get my favourite beers here (Belgium blondes and tripels).
Cheaper? Well, I suppose so, even though most ingredients will have to be imported (mainly from S-Africa)....

 

[Soulshine2]

Anybody who says their reason for brewing beer is because it's cheaper is a liar

most expensive free beer you'll ever drink.

 

[madscientist451]

WOW.....am I crazy or what?

I can buy dated craft beer at a local marked for approx $16 a case.

So again I ask why am I doing this.

Yup, you crazy..yo

For $4 a six pack for decent craft brew I'd be drinking that instead of homebrew that cost $10+ for just the grain.
The hop character might fade a little, but the beer doesn't go bad.

If you ask your LHBS if you can order sacks of grain, (you might have to wait for it to come in) you might get a decent price. Most LHBS have to order grain from their distributor by the pallet, so if you can help them get their skid order moving faster by ordering 5-6 bags, they might go for it.

Since you are watering 2 acres of real estate, maybe you can grow your own barley?
https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/GreenManureCrops/barley.pdf
Growing and malting your own barley would be a lot of work, but compared to $3 a pound, or even $2 a pound, it may be worth it. Maybe someone nearby grows it?
If not, maybe there is some kind of tropical fruit you can grow and ferment.

If I ever get out to Hawaii, what stores usually have the cheap beer?