What's the average you spend on ingredients for a custom extract recipe? Working on my own recipe and thought I would see how much it would cost for all of the ingredients I needed. I was a little surprised when my total was $75 before shipping. This is my first custom recipe I wanted to work on and everything I've brewed before were kits, I thought the price would be relatively similar but I am also brewing a higher ABV% beer than I have before which I'm sure impacts the price.
Certainly the ABV has an effect on the cost because DME (or LME) ain't cheap. Hops also can play a big role in the cost. I'm in the process now of dry-hopping my Pliny the Elder clone brew, and with all of the hops that go into that beer (12.5 oz. for 5 gallons) my ingredient cost was $64. I don't keep any records of my costs, but I voted $40-$50 above because it just seems that my tab is always over $40.
Ive only brewed one extract and it was around 50$ for a 5 gallon batch. The most expensive all grain recipe we did was $120+ for 10 gallons.
Yeah, its going to be the 11 lbs of DME that's killing me, I just didn't think it would be this expensive for just a 5 gallon batch.
I made up the upfront cost of the extra equipment for going all grain within my first 3 or so batches. DME is a killer at 3-5 bucks a pound (depending on quantity and place purchased). I can get base malt for $1.50 or less per pound (including the extra cost for them to crush it) in a non bulk purchase and only have to use a little bit more by weight to get the same OG. For 10 pounds of DME that is $30-$50. For an equivalent OG given my efficiency I would need ~14 pounds of base malt @ $1.50, that is $21. I made the switch after spending about $85 on an extract batch and realized that that cost me more than I can buy 2 cases of beer at the store for. Purchasing hops in quantity will also help lower costs a lot too. For example, I can get Centennial for $2.25 by the oz or $1.45/oz if I buy by the pound (at my LHBS).
You can save a fair amount of money on DME I you are willing to buy in bulk. Muntons and Briess DME come in 50/55 lb. bags. Cheers!
If you keep it cool and dry it will last a long time. A Rubbermaid type container will 'work' or even orange pails that you can obtain at Home Depot (with the lids). Cheers!
Thanks, I was wondering if it would be cheaper to brew all grain and that has answered my question. Now I just need to save up to get some all grain equipment.
It is definitely cheaper to brew all grain, if you are strapped for start up money, look up brew in a bag. The start up cost is a $5 bag (assuming your pot is large enough and you already have a wort chiller). I understand efficiency takes a hit, so you need a little bit more grain, but it is still cheaper than extract. I haven't done it yet, but this is my plan for my next batch. SO far I have only done 4-6% abv beers, and come to about $40 a batch (including everything from caps to yeast, to priming sugar).
