Is it economically viable to make beer at home?

Question

I don't have the first idea on how to make my own beer, but it has always been something I've wanted to try out. I was wondering if it's even worth it to buy the ingredients and give it a whirl or if it's too much trouble and I should just stick to buying a sixer of my favorite.

Answer 1

If you are the sort of person who thinks that Corona is drinkable or one who likes the American megabrews, no. If you want to experience good beer and enjoy an occasional challenge, yes.

I don't drink that much myself but I do enjoy brewing. It makes me really popular at parties. Besides, where else can I get spruce beer, braggott, double bock, hefeweisen, and 80/ Scotch ale?

You can get the basic equipment for about $70 , more or less -- less if you get lucky on eBay. Supplies for an extract brew might set you back $30 or so, to make about 50 12-oz bottles.

Answer 2

If you want to try it, see if there's a "U-Brew" near you. These places basically supply all the equipment and sell the ingredients you need. You pay a fee to use the kettle and fermenter, then you have to buy the bottles + caps and then you fill them there. The bottles are reusable, glass bottles need new crown caps each fill but plastic ones you can wash and euse the s***w caps I think.

Home brewing is fine but you have to buy a bunch of stuff and cleaning/sterilizing all the equipment is tough.

I really suggest a U-Brew as they take care of the cleaning (except the bottles, that's your job) and maybe you'll be disgusted by your beer and never want to do it again.

There are all sorts of recipes, you'll get dissed a bit if you want to make stuff like US factory beer but you can do it pretty easy - however most home or U-brew brewers want to make more distinct beer like European or English type beers with more hop flavor than Bud/Miller/Busch/etc American mass-market beer. starting out with a  recipe close to what you drink may be useful so you get an idea of what home brew is like before trying a Dogbolter or something else way different from what you usually drink.

Answer 3

You won't see a whole lot of cost benefits, unless you are spending alot on beer currently, or if you are buying premium beers.

Kits usually run between $35-$45 and make 50 bottles.

That will make each bottle about $0.80.

Now if your buying a 6 pack at $8.00, those are $1.33 bottles.

To start making your home brew, you have to purchase supplies / bottles that will run you about $75-$100, but that is a 1 time purchase.

I make my beer at home and figure I about break even, of course as I get more into my hobby, I want to spend more $ on nicer brewing supplies.

If your just trying to save money, it's not worth it.

Answer 4

http://www.beertown.org/homebrewing/inde...

No. For the most part homebrewing is more expensive than buying a sixer. But it can be more fulfilling when you make a great beer and share it with friends. It is a hobby and as such it will costs you. Just compare it to any other hobby where people spend thousands of $$.

This site is the location of the American Homebrewers Association. Here you just might find a local homebrew club they can help you with questions.

Answer 5

LMAO!!!!  you must be really bored

Go to the bar, there's actually people there to talk to and they won't even remember what you said.

Answer 6

The initial investment of equipment will make it more expensive than going to your favorite store to buy a 6-pack, but after that it is actually much cheaper. My last batch, the ingredients cost me about $30 and it made me 55 bottles (12 oz each). That's just over $0.50 per bottle. It is very economically viable.

If you're looking to do it more as a hobby, it is definitely worth the start-up costs.

Answer 7

Salutations,

I was part of a group for awhile that Brewed regularly. We did not brew to sell, we were all part of a group that did ren-fairs and we gave our wares to fellow re-enactors at overnight events.

  each state has a maximun amount you can brew at home in a year, and anywhere you could buy the equipment would know the laws for your area. I would say give it a try, I always found it very enjoyable, except for the occassional exploding Carboy. the stuff is bottled under pressure after all. cheers