Comments on: Why brew beer or make wine when they can be purchased at reasonable prices?

By: Stuart S

Stuart S — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:27:59 +0000

I brew my own as a hobby and because I can make variations each time so that the beer always tastes slightly different. Yes it is true that beer is becoming cheaper in the shops but the cheap beer is often very gassy (lagers) or for ales are creamflow or contain some such widget and frankly they taste awful. The more expensive tinned beers are Ok such as Ruddles, Abbott etc but then again we are in the next price bracket. I do still buy these sometimes and make my own!

I must admit I haven’t tried doing my own wine although I have thought about it. I do think though that wine is different to beer in that there are loads of great tasting wines for around £3.00 – £5.00 that the argument for producing your own on terms of cost does dissipate somewhat.
References :
http://the-hobby-house.blogspot.com/2008/10/becoming-beer-expert-and-then-brewing.html

By: EtOHRx

EtOHRx — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:58:59 +0000

Price as is quality, subjective.
Why brew beer/wine…?

Because we can.
Because one wants to do so.
Because it is of interest as a hobby.
Because one wants to impress friends and themselves with the fruit of their labor.
For the challenge of brewing an ancient beverage, that involves a myriad of variables, with a certain level of reproducibility.
To perfect skills towards a career in brewing. A person can and some have, been their own mentor/apprentice.
The answers to why are as endless as the flavors in beer/wine.

A homebrewer rarely brews all the beer they consume. Rather beer consumption is a balance of those commercially produced and those homebrewed.

Pojďme na pivo.
Koupit mne jeden pivo.
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By: Trid

Trid — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:43:59 +0000

To me, it’s like asking "why paint when you can buy a painting?"
Or "Why fish when you can go to the grocery store?"
There’s a satisfaction of a job well done. There’s the ability to make something exactly to your taste. There’s the camaraderie of sharing your creation with friends and saying proudly "I made that!" There’s a small satisfaction to saying "up yours" to the tax man by not paying excise (even though the price of supplies is creeping up). I inevitably make more than I can drink alone, so it’s nice to be able to cellar some bottles to see how they turn out after aging for a year or three (mmmmm, barleywine!).
If you like to cook, it’s a logical progression.

Happy brewing (is there any other kind?)
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By: hipp5

hipp5 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:32:59 +0000

I enjoy the process. Also, I guess it's different where you are but here it's still a lot cheaper to make your own. Making my own beer costs me $0.50 a bottle and the cheapest beer available is $1/bottle. Wine is even more economical as I can make GOOD wine for $2.50/bottle compared to the $9/bottle I'll pay for an average bottle in the store.
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By: Sauce Monster

Sauce Monster — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:25:59 +0000

I do it because I want to drink the BEST, FRESHEST, UNFILTERD, UNPASTEURIZED beer in the world.
That is only possible if I make it myself and it never has to travel beyond my own back yard.

And yes it’s true – it’s not so cheap anymore. The latest batch that I put together (11 gallons, 45 pints) cost me roughly $.50 per serving, up from about $.30 the last batch. Both grain and hops have risen dramatically.

Believe me, there is a HUGE difference in quality and it’s worth every penny and hour spent.
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By: postres

postres — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:19:59 +0000

i HAVE NEVER TRIED IT BUT AM WONDERING , IS IT REALLY WORTH IT, HOW EXPENSIVE IS IT TO MAKE WINE??? WHEN I CAN GO TO THE LIQUOR STORE AND GET A BOTTLE FOR $5.00???
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By: ahartzler

ahartzler — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:04:59 +0000

I just enjoy it. I started with mead about 10 years ago and started brewing beer a couple of years ago. I like the satisfaction of making it myself and I know exactly what goes in it. I can also tailor it to my tastes. I love to cook as well so to me brewing is a natural offshoot.
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By: Rusty T

Rusty T — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:24:59 +0000

taste. I can make a SUPER hoppy beer that beats anything store bought. I can make the beer I like. If I don’t like it, I’m still drinking five+ gallons of MY beer.

Also, (I brew outside, year round, on a turkey fryer) to have the neighbors come over to ask what the hell am I making this time!
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By: DoH

DoH — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:19:59 +0000

Home brewing is a hobby. You must be a wall street financial analyst if you think home brewing is a cheaper way to supply beer.

I was a home brewer for years, but stopped 10ish years back primarily due to the time investment, not the cash outlay. I was into culturing yeast off commercial beers, doing my own mash from malted grain etc.. each batch was taking a significant amount of time.

Yet, I could never duplicate a Guinness…….
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By: Maria

Maria — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:06:59 +0000

So you know exactly what is going into the beer and wine that you're drinking, perhaps no preservatives or chemicals.
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