The Beer Budget!

[hopjack13]

What (if any) budget do you have set up for beer?
i usually go between $25-$35 a week. a couple 750ml and a sixer of something. sometimes i go up to $50 depending on how much $$$ i have. unless there's a special release of something i really like (yulesmith,double bastard..ect.) then i'll pick up a case.
but on a normal work week about how much is senseable and how much is too much.

for all you home brewers whats the cost you sepend at the store vs. making your own?

[Fast_Eddy]

I almost always drink my HB anymore. I usually have 3-5 bottles of this or that on hand but they last forever.

If I translate my homebrew consumption into commercial beer dollars it would be in the $30-40 range. My actual cost per week is about $5-6.

[steveh]

Hop, your spending sounds much like mine. If I get to the good paint store, my spending goes up. On the other hand, I have a very generous bar tender at my local that saves me a few bucks each week!

S.

[hopjack13]

ouch! for for got t add pub drinking on the pole, though there are not relly any good pubs in my area, so i do most of my beer drinking at home.

[Herb Ninja]

About 15$ a week. Peace, HN-

[hops99]

Great thread topic! I usually average spending about $35 per week on beer myself (a case or more): I'll typically drink a couple bottles a night during the week, and 4 or 5 a night on the weekend, plus my wife usually drinks a beer or two every night. Much of the beer I buy, though, is when I'm out of the area, so some weeks I might not spend any money on beer, and other weeks (like when I drive to St. Louis and back to pick up several cases of New Belgium, Schlafly, and Boulevard brews) I could spend well over $100. It all averages out to about $35 per week, though.

While I live for craft beer at times, I can't imagine spending over $100 per week for beer on a regular basis. That's amazing...

[wortchillergoal]

At this point in time I spend very little on beer. I am on a medication that limits my intake coupled with the fact I treasure my time with my boys. I do have more beer than what my doc says go with the med, but it is mointored and my system seems to be doing ok.

So to the dollar amount, I am probably closer to 0-25 a month. Well it is probably a little more but not too much.

[Beaver]

I normally go through about 3 6'ers in a month. So I can get pretty good stuff for a small amount of money. That doesn't count brewpubs or eating out though.

[brewmonkey]

I may not buy anything for weeks and then I might spend several hundred dollars at once restocking my fridges. My wife also drinks beer, so we usually go in together to pick out what we are getting.

[Jughead]

About $30 per month on homebrew. And once in awhile I'll buy $15 worth at the paint store if they have something new to try.

I guess the $30 per month does not include the homebrew hardware and toys like the kegerator. At least I'm not spending "comma" money though :p

[Luther]

There's always some kind of homebrew around the house, but I go to the store every weekend to look for untried beers.

Has anyone here tried Red Stripe? And what did you think? Should I invest in a six pack?

[studentofbeer]

about $20-$25 a week on bottled beer, though that's probably more than i should spend.

its my one real hobby and i dont go out all *that* much, so i guess it's ok. it's just so hard to resist trying new things.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by Luther
Has anyone here tried Red Stripe? And what did you think? Should I invest in a six pack?

Sort of the Jamaican Budweiser. I wouldn't waste the money, but then again, I will try just about anything once.

[studentofbeer]

Originally posted by skahtboi
Sort of the Jamaican Budweiser. I wouldn't waste the money, but then again, I will try just about anything once. .

/agree

actually its better than bud. too expensive for what it is but the bottles are cute.

[hopjack13]

i've never tried it, but i in some thread burried deep in this forum people were talking about it and it came highly unreccomended.

[fretlessman71]

Homebrew is what's going to save our necks and let us afford to move back to CO in May! 2 cases of killer stout for about $30? That's about $3.75 a 6er, and far better than what I can get around here for twice that much!

On top of that, I have to slow my beer consumption down to about 1 a day max, and preferably 1 every other day, so that'll help too.... :(

[fidcastro]

I go through about a keg a month. They ussually run about $130, so I guess that pus me at about $30 a week.

Sierra Nevada Celebration on tap right now. Almost gone, though, and I haven't decided on the next one.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fidcastro
Sierra Nevada Celebration on tap right now. Almost gone, though, and I haven't decided on the next one.

I said this on another thread, in answer to a completely different post, but it fits as perfectly with this one - Sure, go ahead, rub it in!

Man, on tap - at your own home? 'Course, Celebration every night could be dangerous...

S.

[studentofbeer]

Originally posted by fidcastro
I go through about a keg a month. They ussually run about $130, so I guess that pus me at about $30 a week.

Sierra Nevada Celebration on tap right now. Almost gone, though, and I haven't decided on the next one.

someday. that is too damn cool.

[Brownbeard]

Originally posted by skahtboi
Sort of the Jamaican Budweiser. I wouldn't waste the money, but then again, I will try just about anything once.

Wouldn't waste the money. Red Stripe is $5 a sixer here, and I am in Iowa. That is not much of a waste, and it is not that bad. I spent $4.50 on a 12 oz bottle of barleywine last weekend and wound up dumping it, that was a waste. $5 for a sixer that is surely drinkable is not bad.

[Beaver]

Originally posted by fidcastro
I go through about a keg a month. They ussually run about $130, so I guess that pus me at about $30 a week.

Sierra Nevada Celebration on tap right now. Almost gone, though, and I haven't decided on the next one.

I've always wanted a kegerator, but I don't think I could handle it. I like variety too much. I can't imagine drinking the same beer for a whole month! :)

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by fidcastro
I go through about a keg a month. They ussually run about $130, so I guess that pus me at about $30 a week.

Sierra Nevada Celebration on tap right now. Almost gone, though, and I haven't decided on the next one.

That's a Lot of Beer!!! you may need someone to spot you?
if you need any help with those you let me know! :D

[Jughead]

Originally posted by Beaver
I've always wanted a kegerator, but I don't think I could handle it. I like variety too much. I can't imagine drinking the same beer for a whole month! :)

You just need a Multi-keg kegerator.

[Beaver]

Originally posted by Jughead
You just need a Multi-keg kegerator.

Oooooohhhhh...I LIKE that idea!! :D

[Tweek]

Im with Brewmonkey. I dont spend on a regular basis but once a month or so I go nuts restocking.

[S.F.B.]

I am in the tight wad category. However, I also brew my own so this isn't reflected in this. If I take that in consideration I edge up into the "A little better" category.

[chazwicke]

I am similiar to Brewmonkey and Tweek. I do not have a regular shopping routine and often I will spend between 100-400 on beer but then not buy any more for weeks. I have so much now that it will not all fit in my beer fridge and is in boxes . I also do buy beers to cellar for future use. Now if you count spending on travel for beer, then my beer spending habit goes waaaaaayyyyyy up. I am leaving this afternoon for the Miami / South Beach Fest.:)

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I am leaving this afternoon for the Miami / South Beach Fest.:)

Once again, sure, go ahead, rub it in!

I'm waiting to get socked by a 6 - 8 inch snowfall. Thank goodness for four-wheel drive, and the paint store a block-and-a-half around the corner from home! Wonder if they have any Celebration...

S.

[chazwicke]

I checked the weather . Its going to be in the 80s. I've booked a "Lanai" room for our stay at the new Ritz Carleton there so the wife can bask in the sun. This hotel just opened up and I have not stayed at this RC before. Hope it is on par with the other RCs. It is a couple of blocks from the fest. we are hoping to get out this evening before the wintery mix hits. :)

[Stodbrew]

I probably only spend about $10 a month on beer. When I'm at the store, I'll pick up something new, but usually I just bring a keg home from work. :D

[Beaver]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
I probably only spend about $10 a month on beer. When I'm at the store, I'll pick up something new, but usually I just bring a keg home from work.

You suck! :p

[steveh]

Originally posted by Beaver
You suck! :p

LOL!! Yeah, and so does Chaz!! 80 degrees - shee, I can't even remember 80 degrees!

S.

[hopjack13]

yeah! i've been freezing my ass off down here too, it's been in the low 70'S high 60's all week! i wish winter would hurry up and end! :p

hey stod! if you need any help with your keg you let me know to, my services are at your disposal!

[Beaver]

It's been snowing for 2 days out here. I actually had to go out and shovel this morning. :(

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by steveh
Once again, sure, go ahead, rub it in!

I'm waiting to get socked by a 6 - 8 inch snowfall. Thank goodness for four-wheel drive, and the paint store a block-and-a-half around the corner from home! Wonder if they have any Celebration...

S.

Yeah - here's the part where he tells us that his wife is a 22 year old bi-stripper that sun-bathes nude and brews dry-hopped real ale on the side.

A little more salt in the wound...

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by steveh
Once again, sure, go ahead, rub it in!

I'm waiting to get socked by a 6 - 8 inch snowfall. Thank goodness for four-wheel drive, and the paint store a block-and-a-half around the corner from home! Wonder if they have any Celebration...

S.

Only getting 6-8 inches here would be cause for a Celebration. Our storms come by the foot.

[steveh]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
Only getting 6-8 inches here would be cause for a Celebration. Our storms come by the foot.

I'd agree, if this wasn't the second storm with 6 inches this week. And the 7th or 8th storm of 3 - 6 inches since the beginning of the year - with little melt-off. Bleah! I'm more than ready for Spring - bring me Bock!!

Wort, are you in Penn? I have a buddy in Erie who is going stir-crazy with the snow this year!

<----- You know we can plug in our locations in our profiles now?

S.

[Summer]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
I probably only spend about $10 a month on beer. When I'm at the store, I'll pick up something new, but usually I just bring a keg home from work.

That's just not fair!!! All I bring home from work is stress and friggin' drawings... :p

I spend around 25-35$ /week for beer including at home and in a pub. Imported beer is expensive in finland, e.g. english imported ales 5,5€~6,8$/imperial pint... That sucks!! Well everything is expensive here...

J.

[Summer]

Originally posted by Summer
Imported beer is expensive in finland, e.g. english imported ales 5,5€~6,8$/imperial pint

That's in bars, in stores imports are from 3$ to 6$ (if rare could be even more...)

J.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by steveh
I'd agree, if this wasn't the second storm with 6 inches this week. And the 7th or 8th storm of 3 - 6 inches since the beginning of the year - with little melt-off. Bleah! I'm more than ready for Spring - bring me Bock!!

Wort, are you in Penn? I have a buddy in Erie who is going stir-crazy with the snow this year!

<----- You know we can plug in our locations in our profiles now?

S.
I am in the Syracuse area. A city just a few muiles north got 7 feet in three days. The worst part of thie winter has been the cold. I don't mind snow, but when you can't go out it gets cabin fever time. I know alot of places don't get snow or very little when it is cold but we get a ton of lake effect.

Now you got me, I had been thinking about bocks today and now I would really like to enjoy one.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
I'd agree, if this wasn't the second storm with 6 inches this week. And the 7th or 8th storm of 3 - 6 inches since the beginning of the year - with little melt-off. Bleah! I'm more than ready for Spring - bring me Bock!!

S.

...I'm with you, there! We've got 5-7" coming tonight and tomorrow morning; and then I'm heading to MN for a friend's wedding.
You've heard the expression "out of the fire and into the frying pan"?...this trip will be like the polar opposite (pun intended).

They say the groundhog saw his shadow so we will have six more weeks of winter...if only!!! Six weeks is nothing!!!

I will need to take along about a case of good beer...I remember MN as being a strange place to find a good selection of micros, especially away from the downtown Twin Cities.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I checked the weather . Its going to be in the 80s. I've booked a "Lanai" room for our stay at the new Ritz Carleton there so the wife can bask in the sun. :)

How to win friends and influence people!!!!

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by Beaver
You suck!


That's why I became a brewer, so I never had to pay for beer again! That was my only motivation. :p

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by hopjack13
yeah! i've been freezing my ass off down here too, it's been in the low 70'S high 60's all week! i wish winter would hurry up and end! :p

hey stod! if you need any help with your keg you let me know to, my services are at your disposal!

Hey Hopjack-

Come on down. I need all the help I can get. You should be getting something from my brewery soon. I hope you enjoy it!

Cheers!

Steve

[Beaver]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
That's why I became a brewer, so I never had to pay for beer again! That was my only motivation.

I'll bet that overall, you are paying a lot for your beer (training, supplies, staff, equipment, floorspace, etc). :D

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by Beaver
I'll bet that overall, you are paying a lot for your beer (training, supplies, staff, equipment, floorspace, etc).


I'm not an owner, just the brewer. No money out my pocket! :D

[Stodbrew]

Then again, I'm just the brewer, so no money in my pocket, either! :eek:

[steveh]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
I know alot of places don't get snow or very little when it is cold but we get a ton of lake effect.

Yeah, my pal in Erie gets all lake-effect too, we used to get it a lot here in N. Ill, then it went away for 15 years or so - and now it's baaaack. And the cold never left. :P

You guys in So Cal ought to come visit for February, store up on some character you build up fighting the cold and snow! ;)

Now you got me, I had been thinking about bocks today and now I would really like to enjoy one.

The Sam Adams is out and it's not too bad - 'bout the same as last year's offering.

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I will need to take along about a case of good beer...

'Cause lord knows, ya don't wanna be stranded in the snow without proper sustenance! ;D

S.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
Hey Hopjack-

Come on down. I need all the help I can get. You should be getting something from my brewery soon. I hope you enjoy it!

Cheers!

Steve

I GET TO TRY STODSTEVE BREW!!! WOOO WHOOO!:D

[Jose]

I resent being called a Tight Wad! I rather prefer the term "Cheap Drunk".

Also since many of you are talking about weather. I am in So Cal right now and it is hitting a high of about 88 degrees.

[fidcastro]

It was a damn nice day today. On my back patio it registered 92 at about 2:45. That was right after I tried to pull a liter out of my keg of Celebration. I only got about 3/4 when the keg blew...

DAMMIT!

What a way to ruin a beautiful day. Now I have to figure out what my next keg will be...

Any suggestions? The weather appears to be getting nice again. Should be low 80s all week...


P.S. At least I got to enjoy a 3/4 liter Sierra Nevada Celebration in the sun. Nothin' like winter beer in summer weather...

[barley ben]

Yeah well, I worked for 12 hours in cold rain. Got off and stopped by the beer store. Picked up a couple brews and the car wouldn't start. The rain changed to wet snow. Tried to fix it for like an hour in the store parking lot. Had to wait for an hour, cold and wet till my dad picked me up. All this for a six pack of Guinness. I hate south Jersey sometimes!!!

[hopjack13]

what my next keg will be...

i don't know if you've tried alpines pure hoppieness or not but that is one oustanding brew!!!
i took my car in finally and i knew it was going to be bad but DAMN! $2,000 to fix the transmission and they haven't even got in to whats wrong with the engine yet! so on top of all that i have to keep forking out $250 a week on rental cars.....i am sooo broke!
on the good side i get unlimited miles on the rental so i took the family out to mission beach in san diego, drove out to el cajon and picked up some pure hoppieness then slid over to solana beach and hit pizza port. this weekend???? hmmm dunno , someplace far though! oh and with good beer too!~

[capcity017]

maybe there should be a before/ after marriage added to the opll

before I wed be bride...I would think nothing of spending 50 60 $ on beer for the weekend..always looking for a new micro or two .and that was for home use..not counting bar hopping....these days as a dad ... the budget..well it comes after the mortgage...bills ect ect....I thankfully have a few friends who enjoy me company and bring stuff to taste...while im slugging the cheapo stuff......

[Tweek]

Originally posted by capcity017
maybe there should be a before/ after marriage added to the opll

before I wed be bride...I would think nothing of spending 50 60 $ on beer for the weekend..always looking for a new micro or two .and that was for home use..not counting bar hopping....these days as a dad ... the budget..well it comes after the mortgage...bills ect ect....I thankfully have a few friends who enjoy me company and bring stuff to taste...while im slugging the cheapo stuff......

sounds to me like you need to start brewing your own. There is always a way around "slugging the cheapo stuff"

If you are interested you are in the right place. Myself as well as many others here would be more than happy to direct you to a way to get started on a "fathers" budget.

Cheers!