Why are homebrew people SO cheap??

[r4dyce]

I see it EVERYWHERE on hbt and it's driving me insane. I love craft beer and the homebrew hobby, but I can't help but notice it everywhere. I imagine some of it is just related to having a low income, but that can't account for all of it.
From complaining about the price of beer in a bar to bragging about how cheap you brew a beer per ounce. I assume if you're into beer then the priority would be to make good beer, but for many on here it seems to be how cheap you can be about it. The most annoying is when people seek to find ways around well known longtime good vendors to save $10. That kills me honestly. I'm not gonna act like I've never bought something on amazon, but I always try to support good vendors and my lhbs.
I am also into cars as a hobby and naturally see the same type of people. It's like a cancer to hobbies in general.
Am I insane?
Anybody agree?

I think part of it is because it is a very process and improvement focused hobby. Cost per batch is an easy measurement of efficiency.

Regarding your statement on vendors I couldn't disagree more. The only one who benefits from vedor/brand loyalty is the business who could not care less about you. I also support my brew store for grains, ingredients, co2 etc. But I would never go there for equipment because it's 15-25% more expensive than online. But I also understand your view and if you don't mind spending the extra money, good on you.

Lastly I'd just say that yeah it's a hobby. Which by it's nature usually means using up expendable income. A lot have people have that in limited quantities these days.

I guess this is a very long winded way of saying it doesn't bother me, and there's plenty of room in the hobby for all types. Relax don't worry etc etc

 

[Yooper]

Last time I checked, making homebrew is a hobby. My version happens to pretty good (or so I am told) and I'm a cheap bastard EXCEPT for yeast.

C'mon down to Ft. Lauderdale, Ms. Yooper [emoji3]

Better- YOU come over to the other coast!

For me it's all about the hobby and the cash and space and of course great beer

Actually, for me I can make inexpensive beer of course. But I can make some IIPAs that cost a small fortune in hopes. I spent probably $3000 on my gear over the years. So it's really not about the cost overall- it's a hobby. The great thing is that I have beer I love in the end, so that makes it a better hobby (and cheaper) than scuba diving or racing cars.

I'm nearly 55 years old, and I weigh 135 pounds on a good day. Having some pumps and gear means an easier brewday for me since 11 gallons of beer and the grain and water to make it means a heavy workday for me. So I do spend money to make my hobby more enjoyable.

I'm not really cheap- I have everything I need and more so I just don't need to spend money on things that aren't important to me. Brewing is important to me and so I have a very awesome ghetto-fab system.

 

[thehaze]

Homebrewing is not cheap. This is my personal opinion.

It can become a means to produce cheaper beer, but it doesn't make it better than what I can usually find in supermarkets or local beer / wine shops and pubs. Not even by a stretch. I know homebrewers that brew cheap beer and you can taste it. Actually, you can smell it and then taste it.

For me it's not cheap and I never intended, nor do I intend to transform it into a method of procuring beer, at a lower price. For that, I can always turn back to the likes of Heineken, Carlsberg, and all other macro lagers and ales you can find around. Homebrewing is passion, a delightful hobby that brings people together ( alcohol helps in that aspect, but I do feel it's common ground for most " people gatherings " ), it's sometimes madness when using 20 oz hops for 5 gallons of IPA and lots of expensive vanilla, coffee beans, cocoa beans and other adjuncts for that one sexy Stout or Porter you want to brew, but never cheap. Not money-wise. The experience of actually brewing something being worthy of being sold as craft beer, and enjoying it along with others, that shouldn't be, nor feel cheap.

Cheers.

 

[kh54s10]

Seems to me the OP thinks saving money = crappy beer. Or that those that scrimp are somehow lesser human beings. Or actively trying to put small businesses under to save a buck.

For me. I compare, decide how much I need to spend to achieve what I intend. Do I need the latest and greatest conical fermenter with wifi controlled temperature? Can I even afford that. The same goes down to little parts. Is the B brand exactly the same as the A brand. Is the B brand different but just as good as the A brand?

If I save by buying the B brand often, I can then afford something from the A brand where B brand doesn't cut the mustard.

I do my best to support the LHBS and small businesses, but if I bought exclusively from them, didn't DIY, I would not have the equipment that I have now, thus would be able to brew less, thus would be spending less at those places.

And I can afford to brew more beer.

 

[catdaddy66]

Unless you're in the '1%', then cost can be an issue. That doesn't mean you give up on your hobbies because, well! It's just too damn expensive!

No, what you do is find a way to enjoy your hobby in more frugal ways. I'm pretty sure I have heard it said that where there's a will, there's a way.

I was gifted most of my initial ingredients (extract kits) and equipment. Then a family member gifted me a mashtun 8 years ago and I haven't looked back once switching to all grain. I look for ways to repurpose stuff and also look for sales on stuff, whether it's online or at the lhbs. I will buy in bulk and on sale to make my beer. But I also look for deals at the grocery store...

I am pretty proud of what I can produce on the cheap, but honestly I have never trumpeted this to anyone in any forum. I just keep brewing.

 

[Homergah]

Hobby?? Hobby??? Are you guys telling me people actually enjoy doing this????

 

[engineofgod]

Us Americans in general have never really learned how to haggle. Some people are just naturally good at it and enjoy it. It really is an art form, and yes some people enjoy the just haggling part. All it really is; is negotiating to a place where both people are happy with the deal.

I'm sure you'll be shocked to learn that in most of the non-Western world the price on the item is shall we say.... a thank you sucker price. There same things happens here, except we have been trained that the price you see is the price you pay. Which puts all the negotiation work on the buyer and not the seller and the seller never had to give anything to be up to sell an item. The buyer is the one making all the decisions and it is super easy for the seller (ie no effort).
When in reality it should be both people working too make a deal. The seller deciding how much profit or reduction in loss that he is willing to accept to move the product and the buyer in how much of the product and at what price and quality he can get with having the seller refuse.

But go ahead pay whatever people ask you to. You'll make less quality beer than you otherwise would have.

 

[catdaddy66]

"Don't you want to haggle?"

 

[engineofgod]

Lol, damn that is a great scene!!!

 

[jcubit]

Because my Franconia ancestors did it with a pot, some buckets and a barrel....so can I.

 

[catdaddy66]

Lol, damn that is a great scene!!!

It is possibly my favorite scene in what I consider their best film!

 

[Lefou]

Hobby?? Hobby??? Are you guys telling me people actually enjoy doing this????

I used to have a job that took me to 15 countries on a government passport over the years, paid up to $40 an hour for working twelve hour days, seven days a week. There was nothing I loved better than fabricating, building, or fielding telecom systems in remote places, hauling antenna masts on my back up a hill, or sighting and activating SATCOM links.
I could do that every day. It was tough but if you enjoy the labor, it doesn't really seem like work.
Brewing is the same for me. A good end result justifies all the effort.

 

[rodwha]

Us Americans in general have never really learned how to haggle. Some people are just naturally good at it and enjoy it. It really is an art form, and yes some people enjoy the just haggling part. All it really is; is negotiating to a place where both people are happy with the deal.

I'm sure you'll be shocked to learn that in most of the non-Western world the price on the item is shall we say.... a thank you sucker price. There same things happens here, except we have been trained that the price you see is the price you pay. Which puts all the negotiation work on the buyer and not the seller and the seller never had to give anything to be up to sell an item. The buyer is the one making all the decisions and it is super easy for the seller (ie no effort).
When in reality it should be both people working too make a deal. The seller deciding how much profit or reduction in loss that he is willing to accept to move the product and the buyer in how much of the product and at what price and quality he can get with having the seller refuse.

But go ahead pay whatever people ask you to. You'll make less quality beer than you otherwise would have.

When SWMBO was younger she worked at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and would have to deal with foreigners who tried to haggle the prices. They didn’t the get the concept that the price on the sticker was the price.

 

[NeverDie]

I don't think the OP was complaining about haggling per se, though maybe that too is on his taboo list, I couldn't say. Instead, I think he was asserting that some/many/most of us are neurotic tightwads with deep pockets and alligator arms. I haven't found that to be true, but maybe I'm reading different threads than he is.

 

[tat2Pompadore]

I don’t consider myself cheap. I have been brewing for 9 years. I started with the Mr. Beer I received as a gift. Now I’m brewing 25 gallons at a time. I’m a diy guy as well. I didn’t buy a giant brew sculpture for $2000/$6000, I built one for $300. Through the growth of my beer set up I have bought stuff from Craigslist and even sold some stuff. I even sold some for more than I originally paid for it. I buy all of my ingredients in bulk as well. Are those who go with a yeast starter cheap? They didn’t buy 6 packs of yeast. The math is 61 cents a bottle for me without counting the cost of equipment. I’m not opposed to paying $6 a pint when out with the wife for the evening. But I surely do enjoy my cheap homebrew at home and with friends.

Call me cheap if you want. But when the home brew store folks see me coming in, they are happy to see me buy 100 pounds of grain at a time. Just as happy as they were when I bought only 10 pounds of grain.

 

[Jtk78]

I will usually pay the lower cost for the exact same item if given the choice. Yes, I've purchased many items and ingredients at my LHBS to support their existence. However, I cannot justify paying $3.00 or more per oz of hops, or $2.25/lb for base grain. Too many easily accessible options for me.

Also, I don't understand how someone else's spending habits or bargain shopping is so frustrating for you. I'm not saying you HAVE to bargain shop, but don't get mad at me when I do.

 

[NitrogenWidget]

Right on brotha. Save where you can, so you can spend where want!

Many will say that I'm a cheap bastard. And their right, but it this cheap bastard is escaping the Seattle winter in sunny Costa Rica for a couple of weeks! [emoji41] [emoji111] View attachment 612936

yup.

I buy my grain in bulk, my hops in bulk, harvest yeast and do BIAB.
The only person who can tell the difference between one of my beers and some random craft brew is me because I know what my beer tastes like.
I'm not even trying to be cheap.
it's just inexpensive to brew.

couple 12 packs of a craft ipa for $30 or 10 gallons of my IPA for $30?
seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[AzOr]

I will usually pay the lower cost for the exact same item if given the choice. Yes, I've purchased many items and ingredients at my LHBS to support their existence. However, I cannot justify paying $3.00 or more per oz of hops, or $2.25/lb for base grain. Too many easily accessible options for me.

Also, I don't understand how someone else's spending habits or bargain shopping is so frustrating for you. I'm not saying you HAVE to bargain shop, but don't get mad at me when I do.

Yes^
Remember when hops came in 2 oz packs only?

 

[imasickboy]

So, after seventy-something posts, and next-to-no participation from the original poster, I think it's safe to say, TROLL.

Keep being thrifty, homebrewers, it helps keep us creative.

 

[Jayjay1976]

All my hobbies involve DIY because I enjoy making things that other people have to buy. As far as homebrew is concerned, I not only make beer, but I also built my electric kettle, programmable element controller, counterflow chiller, all in a self-contained rolling brew stand. I DIY not because I'm cheap, but because I can. A side benefit is that I saved a ton on getting going in brewing. I also buy base malt by the sack, hops by the pound, and nearly every recipe I've brewed I wrote myself with the generous input and opinions of the kind folks here on HBT.

A guiding principle in all of my hobbies is a firm belief in and dedication to the idea that a true hobby can be sustained on a shoestring budget. IMHO, multiple small expenditures over the course of a long period of time fulfills that goal. Being thrifty or on a tight budget, as so many people are these days, is but one factor in the surging popularity of homebrewing.

 

[NitrogenWidget]

Sometimes when people brag about how cheap they can brew beer, the subtext is actually how much of the process they can do themselves.
For instance I have a few hop bines(produces maybe 1.5 lb of dried hops annually) so when I brew using those hops, I’m pretty quick to brag about how much the batch cost to produce. Since I also harvest/wash yeast, I only pay for the grains on those batches.

The cheapskate bragging rights really mean that I’m doing as much of the process myself.

Now if I had some acreage to grow barley, I’d make a T-shirt that said, “5 Gallons of Beer costs me $2”

Ps- I’m sending in my HBT dues this week.

this will be yr two of my cascade and tetnager hops which did not much last yr plus i'm planting a few more this yr so i can brew with my own hops. so maybe cheaper beer. i like a little variety in hops though so will still buy.

 

[NitrogenWidget]

Might should rename this the "blue light" thread.

Labbatte is coming out with Blue Citra.
haven't seen pricing yet though.

 

[NitrogenWidget]

So, after seventy-something posts, and next-to-no participation from the original poster, I think it's safe to say, TROLL.

Keep being thrifty, homebrewers, it helps keep us creative.

My thoughts when I first saw it.
but not too many people were up in arms over it or offended.

 

[rodwha]

Yes^
Remember when hops came in 2 oz packs only?

Austin Homebrew Supply only sells them by the ounce.

 

[tiredofbuyingbeer]

It's true that, even if you can brew cheaply, you could probably get beer even more cheaply by buying American macrobrew.

But it's also true that, even if you can brew beer well, you can probably buy better beer than you can make. So on neither front are you at any absolute advantage homebrewing.

Here's why I'm cheap: I like the idea that I can produce any sort of beer I want, whenever I want, at a low marginal cost. It's the same reason people buy swimming pools for their backyard. Given how much most people actually swim, it's probably cheaper in absolute terms to get a membership at the local Y or use the municipal pool. Their pools are also probably better than whatever hole you're going to dig in your yard. But some people really like the idea of being able to go swimming whenever they feel like it for zero cost. Personally, I don't, but I get the idea.

Not everyone's cheap because they want to maximize their absolute consumption potential. Some people are cheap to maximize their freedom, i.e., minimize the cost for them to do what they feel like doing. If you think about the costs of owning tools, and the value of your time, learning how to fix things around your house probably also doesn't pay off. You wouldn't expect it to, because of the division of labor: a trained plumber is so much better than you are at fixing a leaky faucet that your time is probably better spent either enjoying yourself or working longer hours. But people do DIY fix-it stuff because they want to be self-sufficient. They don't want to wait around for someone else to fix it. They don't want to think of their relationship to their home as one of managing a bunch of contract repair persons. Not for everyone, obviously, but the ethos seems perfectly intelligible to me. Homo faber ain't homo economicus--they're different outlooks.

 

[Scturo]

I don’t see what’s wrong with saving a buck if you can. I’m guessing most of us aren’t rich. I know I’ve got a mortgage and two kids in college to deal with. So Save On!

 

[NitrogenWidget]

But it's also true that, even if you can brew beer well, you can probably buy better beer than you can make. So on neither front are you at any absolute advantage homebrewing.

I disagree with this.
Like I said before my friends cannot tell the difference between my home brew and a random microbrew if I put a glass of it in their hand.

NOW.

i've made some bad beers and some "ok" beers my first yr of brewing.

But, i pretty much drink my own beer when home or at a friends and try to keep a few different varieties on tap so I don't get bored.

I rarely buy beer and when I do it's usually a 6 pack of something new that came out at the beer store to try it out.

 

[Numsquat]

As with any hobby, unless you have unlimited funds, you look for the best value in your purchases. If that's considered "cheap" so be it. I have fixed expenses and those get paid first, savings next, then hobbies. If I had less hobbies, I probably would spell more on home brewing. I do upgrade at times, usually to try something new or to make by brewing easier but for the most part I'm happy with my system, make pretty good beer, and I still look for best prices for ingredients. Luckily the closest HBS has very competitive ingredient prices so they do get much of that business from me, hardware is another thing though.

 

[dwhite60]

My father passed away January 3, 2016. Dad had been an electrical technician for the Federal government. Didn't make a lot of money but, he was the cheapest man on the planet. Dollar bills used to squeak coming out of his wallet, when they came out. He had to sneak up on them sometimes. Once retired, at 53, he'd spend at least one day a week driving around from grocery store to grocery store to save $10. He had a wood stove and still split his own wood up until his death. Never had air conditioning in the house and this is central North Carolina.

Dad had invested in ENRON back when they were THE hot stock on the market, he lost his back side in it too like thousands of others.

Anyway, after Dad passed we started going through the financials. We were absolutely ASTOUNDED at the amount of wealth he had built. Dad kept up with the money and investments while Mom paid the bills so Mom never knew.

THAT is why people are cheap.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[Leapsandbounds]

Last time I checked, making homebrew is a hobby. My version happens to pretty good (or so I am told) and I'm a cheap bastard EXCEPT for yeast.

C'mon down to Ft. Lauderdale, Ms. Yooper [emoji3]

Totally off topic but are you participating in the Robot Brewery Homebrewing competition in Boca?

More on topic,

I think worrying about cost makes financial sense. Naturally, the amount of expendable income an individual has will determine to what extent cost is considered.

Anyways, I typically search for the cheapest price for quality ingredients (most of the time). My goal is to always stretch my play money as far as I can. If I stop into a shop I’ll grab some stuff to support them but I won’t go out of my way to exclusively purchase from a brick and mortar store.