The Cost of Beer: Store-bought vs. Homemade
Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is sold in various flavors and brands, but the cost can vary greatly depending on where you buy it. If you are in search of a more cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite brew, home-brewing might be the solution. Home-brewing has been growing in popularity in recent years, offering an alternative to the expensive store-bought beer. So, how much cheaper is it to make your own beer compared to buying it from the store?Crunching the Numbers on Home-brewing
Let’s break it down with some numbers. According to research, a year of home-brewed brewing costs just $109 to purchase the kits, and six batches cost $32.25 each. This means that a year of home-brewing can save you around $62 per year! This may not seem like much, but it adds up over time. It is important to note that the cost of home-brewing will vary depending on the type of ingredients used, the quality of the equipment, and the batch size. However, on average, home-brewing is much cheaper than buying beer from the store. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you made it yourself.The Benefits of Brewing Your Own Beer
There are many benefits to brewing your own beer. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also allows you to create your own unique flavors and experiment with different ingredients. Home-brewing is also a fun activity to do with friends or family, and it can be a great way to impress guests at parties or gatherings. Another benefit is that you have complete control over the brewing process. You can decide the alcohol content, the bitterness, and even the carbonation level. This level of customization is not possible with store-bought beer, making home-brewing a great option for those who like to customize their drinks.Saving Money Through Home-brewing
One of the biggest advantages of home-brewing is the cost savings. As mentioned earlier, brewing your own beer can save you around $62 per year. However, this number can increase if you buy your ingredients in bulk or grow your own hops. Another way to save money is to reuse your equipment. While it is important to sanitize your equipment before each use, you can reuse most of it for many batches. This can reduce the need to buy new equipment and save you even more money over time.The Cost of Basic Home-brewing Equipment
While the cost of home-brewing is generally much cheaper than store-bought beer, there is still an initial cost to get started. The good news is that the basic equipment needed to get started is relatively inexpensive. Here are the basic equipment you will need to start home-brewing:- 1 gallon glass carboy or plastic bucket with lid
- Rubber stopper and airlock
- Auto-siphon
- Bottles and bottle caps
- Bottle capper
- Bottle brush
- Pot and Spoon