chappo1970
Piss off or Buy Me A Beer
Ok I have been AG brewing since around Feb/March this year. Been trying to avoid SWMBO and the Christmas onslaught so have been hiding out in the brewery. Whilst cleaning up I came across my purchases file and started to tally what I have spent to date on this brewing hobby. Lets just say I was just a little floored by the results.
30lt Fermenter x 821625lt Cubes x 811260lt Fermenter x 215840lt Glass Demi's118Refractor74Ball Valves84Barbs27Silicon Hose15355lt Willow (MT)11980lt Ali Pot16060lt Ali Pot130False Bottom75Rambo Burner180Crown Urn 40lt280Dial Thermometers x 3216Chiller Plate Mk2129Brew Rig Frame350Tempmates x 3 312Extension Cords38Plumbing Bits and Pieces200Gate Valves x 384Water hoses and connections220Welding/Brazing odds and sods150SS Clamps etc93Hop sock25Beer Filter and bits249Beersmith29Hydro jar14Hydro's x 3395lt Flasks150Kegs * 12792Co2 Bottle 6kg280Reg148Beer lines30John Guest bits80SS 1kg Scoop29SS Mash Paddle293lt Jug282lt Jug glass35Thermometers x 245Celli Taps250Bottle Cappers x 342Scales69Fridges x 4600Brewery Bench250Marga Mill129MM SS Mill upgrade270Motor and Rig for mill345HERMS UPGRADEMarch Pump290Valves7211.5lt SS pot20Copper Tube60Element 2200W12Silicon Tubing51Barbs, bit and pieces70Tempmates x 2188Switches28Power Sockets18Glands8BUS Bar28Wiring odds and sods25Aluminium Tape59Insulation for MT308594
I am positive I have at least another $200 of gear, odds and sods. Anywho add another $3687 for grains, adjuncts, cleaners, scourers etc etc and we get the grand total of $12,281. Sound like a heap huh?
Well let me break it back then to some reality. I brewed 1796lt of beer which equals approximately 200 cartons. Now even before I began brewing I refused to drink cheap crappy beer so I will average it out, what $40 for ya Toohey's New and say $60 for Peroni/Crown/Import etc sound fair? So lets say that I would have spent at least $50 average per carton minimum. That's $10,000 straight up over the same volume. Now I used to also go to the pub very regularly and never missed a Friday Arvo session so I used to spend a minium $100 on beer and the GG's. Since home brewing I don't go to the pub, well very rarely, so lets say 30 trips to the pub at $100 a go there's another $3000. Plus I won't factor I'm at the Pub better get on the GG's, as I am known to have a flutter here and there, but nowhere as much as I used to. At least $13,000 a year easy I would have spent. Geeze haven't even added in spirits etc.
The wash up is I am at least $700 in front for the year!
And will be even more in front next year as 90% of the equipment I have bought will out live me. That's provided I am doing the same volumes which I doubt I will be as I will only be really brewing for me and Dad.
Lesson learnt is buy the very best you can, even save a little longer or harder for the equipment you want, as good equipment will last for years and years without fail. It will cost you less in the long run. I really hate having to replace inferior gear I bought on the cheap ends up like payig for it twice IMO.
Anyhow that's been my experience to date and you could buy things cheaper and better no doubt. But that's half the fun really. I could have also sold reduntant gear but always prefer to pass on any brewing gear to my fellow brewers.
Merry Christmas!
Chap Chap
30lt Fermenter x 821625lt Cubes x 811260lt Fermenter x 215840lt Glass Demi's118Refractor74Ball Valves84Barbs27Silicon Hose15355lt Willow (MT)11980lt Ali Pot16060lt Ali Pot130False Bottom75Rambo Burner180Crown Urn 40lt280Dial Thermometers x 3216Chiller Plate Mk2129Brew Rig Frame350Tempmates x 3 312Extension Cords38Plumbing Bits and Pieces200Gate Valves x 384Water hoses and connections220Welding/Brazing odds and sods150SS Clamps etc93Hop sock25Beer Filter and bits249Beersmith29Hydro jar14Hydro's x 3395lt Flasks150Kegs * 12792Co2 Bottle 6kg280Reg148Beer lines30John Guest bits80SS 1kg Scoop29SS Mash Paddle293lt Jug282lt Jug glass35Thermometers x 245Celli Taps250Bottle Cappers x 342Scales69Fridges x 4600Brewery Bench250Marga Mill129MM SS Mill upgrade270Motor and Rig for mill345HERMS UPGRADEMarch Pump290Valves7211.5lt SS pot20Copper Tube60Element 2200W12Silicon Tubing51Barbs, bit and pieces70Tempmates x 2188Switches28Power Sockets18Glands8BUS Bar28Wiring odds and sods25Aluminium Tape59Insulation for MT308594
I am positive I have at least another $200 of gear, odds and sods. Anywho add another $3687 for grains, adjuncts, cleaners, scourers etc etc and we get the grand total of $12,281. Sound like a heap huh?
Well let me break it back then to some reality. I brewed 1796lt of beer which equals approximately 200 cartons. Now even before I began brewing I refused to drink cheap crappy beer so I will average it out, what $40 for ya Toohey's New and say $60 for Peroni/Crown/Import etc sound fair? So lets say that I would have spent at least $50 average per carton minimum. That's $10,000 straight up over the same volume. Now I used to also go to the pub very regularly and never missed a Friday Arvo session so I used to spend a minium $100 on beer and the GG's. Since home brewing I don't go to the pub, well very rarely, so lets say 30 trips to the pub at $100 a go there's another $3000. Plus I won't factor I'm at the Pub better get on the GG's, as I am known to have a flutter here and there, but nowhere as much as I used to. At least $13,000 a year easy I would have spent. Geeze haven't even added in spirits etc.
The wash up is I am at least $700 in front for the year!
And will be even more in front next year as 90% of the equipment I have bought will out live me. That's provided I am doing the same volumes which I doubt I will be as I will only be really brewing for me and Dad.Lesson learnt is buy the very best you can, even save a little longer or harder for the equipment you want, as good equipment will last for years and years without fail. It will cost you less in the long run. I really hate having to replace inferior gear I bought on the cheap ends up like payig for it twice IMO.
Anyhow that's been my experience to date and you could buy things cheaper and better no doubt. But that's half the fun really. I could have also sold reduntant gear but always prefer to pass on any brewing gear to my fellow brewers.
Merry Christmas!
Chap Chap
