Ask Mr. Steve

in general which is cheaper, brewing all grain or an unhopped malt with added grains? thanks!!

- chad

Answer

Actually Chad the cost is very close these days. The reason is because we sell malt extract in bulk which has dropped the price for the receipes four to five dollars.

The grain on the other hand has been taking a hit the last two years with a ten cents per pound increase every couple of months, supposbly from weather conditions. Fuel costs and weather conditions always seem to be the reason we hear. If it's not the grain it's the hops. If it's not the hops it the yeast increasing in price. The only saving grace is as our prices increase so do the prices increase for commerical beers, still making our costs about 1/2 the costs per case. Even if you spend $40.00 per batch of homebrew you are still paying $20.00 per case for good fresh hand crafted beer with your very own bragging rights!!

There is a way to reduce the costs per batch though. 1- all grain brewers can buy a sack of grain saving a good bit of money. 2 - Extract brewers can buy 30 lb hed pecks of extract saving a good bit of money. 3- both extract and all grain brewers can use the yeast more than one time really cutting the cost of a batch of beer. Attend our tips class in two weeks and  we will show you how to harvest yeast. Hope this helps you Chad. Thanks and.....Hoppy Brewin! Mr. Steve