Texastrooper
Well-Known Member
I did all grain brewing in 5 and 10 gallon batches until about 6 or 7 years ago. I then stopped brewing for various reasons. But mainly because of time, and because I have become more a cider and win drinker and since I shifted to other hobbies such as cycling. I know these are just excuses... lol
However I never sold any of my gear and could start again. I am actually using some of my gear to make cider. But I no longer have a large keezer either. My 6 tab keezer died and converted a much smaller freezer I had sitting around to a 4 keg keezer. 1 tap with sparkling water and 1 or 2 for cider only leaves me with one tap for beer.
And on top I had to learn that my local homebrew store closed several months ago after being in business for 50 years. The next one is about a 120 miles round trip which is is about $25 to $30 in gas for my old SUV plus tolls. On top of that prices for propane have gone up as well.
I know worldwide grain prices have gone up too with the war in Ukraine but I don't know how much that has already affected the homebrew supply chain yet.
How much does it approx cost nowadays to brew a 5 gallon batch of IPA if you factor everything in such shipping and energy? When I still brewed I think I calculated about $40 to $50 per 5 gallon. But I assume it has become a lot more expensive since then.
So long story short I wonder if it makes sense to get back into brewing with no store close by since I have to get everything shipped. And no I don't have space to store multiple 55 lb bags bulk buy. Or would a change to extract brewing make more sense? I would assume extract brewing has cheaper shipping cost, less energy cost since you almost save the mashing process and it takes a lot less time. I won't need to spend a whole day anymore but could be done within a few hours.
Sorry for the rant. Thanks
However I never sold any of my gear and could start again. I am actually using some of my gear to make cider. But I no longer have a large keezer either. My 6 tab keezer died and converted a much smaller freezer I had sitting around to a 4 keg keezer. 1 tap with sparkling water and 1 or 2 for cider only leaves me with one tap for beer.
And on top I had to learn that my local homebrew store closed several months ago after being in business for 50 years. The next one is about a 120 miles round trip which is is about $25 to $30 in gas for my old SUV plus tolls. On top of that prices for propane have gone up as well.
I know worldwide grain prices have gone up too with the war in Ukraine but I don't know how much that has already affected the homebrew supply chain yet.
How much does it approx cost nowadays to brew a 5 gallon batch of IPA if you factor everything in such shipping and energy? When I still brewed I think I calculated about $40 to $50 per 5 gallon. But I assume it has become a lot more expensive since then.
So long story short I wonder if it makes sense to get back into brewing with no store close by since I have to get everything shipped. And no I don't have space to store multiple 55 lb bags bulk buy. Or would a change to extract brewing make more sense? I would assume extract brewing has cheaper shipping cost, less energy cost since you almost save the mashing process and it takes a lot less time. I won't need to spend a whole day anymore but could be done within a few hours.
Sorry for the rant. Thanks