Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start homebrewing?
There are several variables including what size batches you want to make, all grain vs extract recipes, and how extensive you want to have your initial setup. 1-gallon starter kits are in the range of $40 to $75. 5-gallon starter kits range from $70 to $200. The most popular 5-gallon starter kits are around $99 and usually include your first recipe. That usually does not include beer bottles. A 5-gallon recipe will fill around 2 cases (48 bottles) of beer. Two cases of 12-ounce long-neck bottles cost around $20.
What kind of beers can you make at home?
Your choice of beer styles is only limited by your imagination and your budget. Most homebrewers start with ale recipes. Something simple such as an Irish Red, American Pale Ale, or an IPA if you have to get your bitter buzz going. Ales can be fermented at room temperature and require 2 weeks from cooking the recipe to bottling. Lagers require cooler, stable temperatures and can take 2 to 3 months to finish before bottling.
Is it cheaper to make your own beer or buy it at a store?
It is far cheaper to make your own beer. Most recipes will break down to less than $1.00 per bottle.
How much time is involved in making your own beer?
Using extract recipes, you need about 2 hours the day you cook the recipe. Most recipes call for a 60-minute boil time. You also need time to heat the water up and time to cool the wort (fancy name for your unfermented beer), add the yeast, and store the fermenting vessel, For a 5-gallon batch, you need to consider another 2 hours for the bottling process. With more practice and equipment, you can get the bottling time down considerably.
How long can home brewed beer stay fresh in a bottle?
Frankly, I have never had a batch last longer than a few months. Sunlight can be your biggest enemy. Same can be true with temperature extremes. Use brown beer bottles and keep them in a closed box at room temperature. The beer definitely mellows and improves with a couple of months aging. Technically, beer can stay fresh for up to a year. After that, you risk the beer going stale.