Anyone here brew your own beer?

[PocketAces]

It's something I've always wanted to try. After starting to stock up on my holiday brews it hit me again. Beer is getting so expensive and the holiday brews are even more.

Is brewing fun or just a pain in the ass? I love Cooking (BBQ) and not afraid to get a little messy.

Is it a big initial investment? After the up front costs is it even cheaper to make your own beer?


There is a home brew place near my office that I'm going to check out.

 

[twofingers]

I got started when I got a kit at a garage sale for $5.00 and have been hooked ever since.

I suggest looking on craigslist for a starter kit ( $50-100 bucks) and brew a few batches to see if you like it. Tons of videos on you tube on brewing.

If you like it you can invest some money ( 200 - 500) and get a nice set up.

i can brew two cases of beer for about 50 cents a bottle and never want to drink a commercial beer again.

I like a beer on draft at the local bar called Rohrbach's Scotch ale but is goes for $5 a glass but have made my own that is every bit as good for a fraction of the cost.

I do what is called all grain brewing so here is what I have put out in money:

Starter Kit - $5 garage sale
7 gallon pot - $20 on CL
Turkey fryer burner - $5 on CL
Grain Mill - $120 new ( Not necessary. Most home brew stores will crush grain for you)
Lauder Tun - Made own out of igloo cooler and $30 in parts from Lowes
Bottles - Free... put the word out to friends to save pop top bottles
kegarator - 150 on CL
Corny kegs (2) - $40
Wort chiller - $ 50 new ( Makes life a lot easier.highly recommend if you decide to stick with it)

I buy base grains in bulk (50-70 bucks for 50 lbs) at austin brewers online. I use local Home Brew store for hops,yeast, and adjunct grains.

I suggest seeing if you have a Home Brew club in your area and see if you can hook up with a member on brew day and see what is like. Some stores will do demonstrations on Saturdays as well.

Brew days can take between 4-8 hours so there is a time comittment. Helps if you have friend who wants to do it with you.

Good forum is homebrew talk

 

[bleedingpurple]

All I can say is that I have tried several people's Home Brew.

Always tasted like piss. Maybe they didn't know what the hell they were doing but I'll go to the liquor store.

 

[bleedingpurple]

Also, we live in WI, is there another state who sells beer cheaper? :shrug:

 

[PocketAces]

This sounds like something that I would like to try. Thank you for the input.

 

[PocketAces]

Also, we live in WI, is there another state who sells beer cheaper? :shrug:

I just can't drink bud light anymore. The beers I like now are about 16 bucks a 12er.

There is a home brew place near my office that I'm going tcheck out.

I'm also going to look on Craigslist.

 

[McVegas]

Go check out the home brew place....see if there is a "brew on premise" in your area, I've done that about 5 times over the last few years......beers have been excellent (one batch was so-so)....if there is a "brew on premise" nearby, then do that, the quality control is much better and they have to do all the cleanup. Good luck.:toast: