Cost of beer kits

[Aussie]

I went to my closest brew shop last week and was looking over some stuff when I noticed some beer kits consisting of a can of extract, yeast, and several different types of hops. They were starting at 60 bucks going upto 80+ dollars. Now one of the main reasons I started brewing was to get heaps of good quality beer at a fair price, so I really struggle to justify buying kits at those prices. I guess what I am asking is are they worth it? Do you buy them on a regular basis? Is the beer that much better than a cheaper can? Am I alone in thinking that these are too expensive? I'd like to hear what you fellow brewers think please.

I find that the yeast on the cheaper cans of extract is pretty average so I purchase "after market" yeast for about $6, I also buy light malt/dextrose pack for $10 so my total outlay is $35 bucks ($18 for can extract).

My favourite brew shop sells to his regular clients a Pale ale 17 litre cube which he makes at his shop, it has several different hops and costs me $45. That's the upper limit of what I'd pay and both options above give me a really good beer that I'm more than happy with.

On and Andy_chil's can of extract is something I'm keen to look at, I priced up those kits at $33

[d@rk51d3]

The Coopers kits are about $11 here, and the malt/dextrose packs are about $6. The yeast included is an ale yeast (I think), which is more tolerant to higher storage temperatures. I guess it allows the kits to be trucked all around the country, with little detriment.

Woolies brands, and Tooheys are on the shelves here too, and are a couple of dollars cheaper but seem to be OK, although the yeast in these looks sickly.

I've toyed with the idea of all the added extras, but I'm pretty happy with the quality of the coopers brew for the price, and just keep it to 20L to fortify the flavour a bit better.

I'm liking the "real ale" at the moment with either 1kg light brown sugar or the enhancer pack #2, and just bottled an "English bitter", although it smelled a bit too sweet. Time will tell.

I've been priming with dextrose I bought from the stockfeed joint, but I've noticed it seems to give a low fizz, a bit like solo. Makes it easier to drink though, and more pleasant IMO.

[LandyAndy]

I find that the Home Brew specialist stores have bumped prices up to cash in on the popularity of homebrew.
I live in a small country town,my local general store stocks brew kits for me.
My favorite,Coopers Real Ale,$13 can Brew Enhancer 2 $6.99.I have been getting them to stock Coopers Mexican Cerveza(Corona),its $16 a can.Have asked them to stop stocking it,it doesnt like brewing in hot weather,every brew has had slight off flavours.It brews really well in winter,unfortunately its a summer style beer.
Andrew

[d@rk51d3]

My favorite,Coopers Real Ale,$13 can Brew Enhancer 2 $6.99.

Makes a nice drop, doesn't it.

The Canadian blonde I knocked up, errrrrrr, brewed I mean, came out a bit light and girly. The missus likes it for shandy's though.

[LandyAndy]

Have to agree.
I did brew Canadian Blonde and enjoy,enjoy too well,too easy to drink,lolly water.
The Coopers Real Ale turns out perfect every time in my keg system;););););)
Andrew

[Andy_Chil]

On and Andy_chil's can of extract is something I'm keen to look at, I priced up those kits at $33

This kits are reasonable value because you don't have to add anything if you don't want to and they also come with SAF yeast.

[sparky82]

The coopers brewmaster series kits with the enhancer packs are really good. I brew them to fill 19 ltr kegs for my kegerator. If you buy one of those 80 dollar jobs u might as well do an allgrain brew from scratch. Mmm beer Im feeling thirsty again

[jazzaD1]

all grain brews are way cheaper than most kits, they tend to rival the cooers kits in price, but they aren't as convenient and there is also much more room for error

the aroma that fills your house while brewing is addictive though!

[d@rk51d3]

Not only the room for error, but the inability to guarantee consistent malt due to seasonal variances and grain quality.

You can end up with the best beer you've ever tasted in one batch, never to be repeated, and followed by some of the worst.

[jazzaD1]

Not only the room for error, but the inability to guarantee consistent malt due to seasonal variances and grain quality.

You can end up with the best beer you've ever tasted in one batch, never to be repeated, and followed by some of the worst.

thats a bit extreme!

[LandyAndy]

How much are you guys paying for the ESB 3KG kits??? I found a place in Perth yesterday that stocks them.
Purchased a Traditional Bitter,Australian Pale Ale(Draught with a different yeast the guy in the shop swapped out) and 1 cascade hops.$76.00 thankyou.
Dont mind splashing out occasionally as long as its a good brew.

Also spoilt myself at Dan Murphys on the way home,Carton of James Squire Orchard Crush Cider,its a loverley drop.If you ever get to taste it on tap its even better,discovered it in Albany when down there for the Xmas holidays;););)

Andrew

[Aussie]

I found them for $33 just up the road from my house

ESB 3 Kg (http://www.thebrewersden.com.au/'stg=637)

[Andy_Chil]

Try the ESB website. I think is www.esbbrewing.com.au. Dunno what they charge for postage but the price is thirty something.

[agrojnr]

Hey Andrew its about $15 for postage to Kelmscott and $23 postage to Tassie:mad:

Adam

[LandyAndy]

Adam
Is it worth contacting them and seeing if they have a Tassie stockist???
Im happy to pay the Perth price occasionally,will stick to my Coopers Real Ale for most of my brews,slurping on a pint or 3 at the moment;);););)
Andrew

[agrojnr]

No they don't buy I'm going to stick with the Black Rock an Coopers brand I'm just waitin to get more bottles in and then I will start

I'm also going to convert an old chest freezer into a brew house for when the winter comes

Adam

[agrojnr]

https://store.coopers.com.au/shop-diy-beer/

ATM free delivery for orders $50 or more


Adam

[LandyAndy]

I have the 3kg ESB Bitter keg on the go at the moment,it is a loverly drop.Well worth the premium over normal brews.As you guys claimed.
Will buy it again for sure.
Andrew

[Aussie]

I think I might have a go at one as well then. Did you buy any hops or yeast for it?

[agrojnr]

Ive just done the Muntons Old English Bitter Gold range comes with all you need will post pics up when I taste for the first time

Adam

[LandyAndy]

I think I might have a go at one as well then. Did you buy any hops or yeast for it?

They include the correct saff yeast(make sure its from the fridge),from memory it was cascade hops,loverley flavour!!!
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

Ive just done the Muntons Old English Bitter Gold range comes with all you need will post pics up when I taste for the first time

Adam


I have had that before Adam,its a bloody good beer.
ENJOY
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

Was in the city today picking up parts for work.Bootleg Homebrew was just up the road so I called in and got 2x3kg ESB traditional bitter kits and 2x Goldings Hops.:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[Aussie]

I've made the switch to BIAB, made 3 brews so far using this method, cost about $6 each and tastes much better

[Bigbjorn]

I'm liking the "real ale" at the moment with either 1kg light brown sugar or the enhancer pack #2, and just bottled an "English bitter", although it smelled a bit too sweet. Time will tell.

I've been priming with dextrose I bought from the stockfeed joint, but I've noticed it seems to give a low fizz, a bit like solo. Makes it easier to drink though, and more pleasant IMO.

Try this one. Very good. One Coopers Real Ale can and 2.0 kgs of rich brown sugar, two packets yeast, yeast nutrient, citric acid. Make up to 24 litres after initial strong fermentation has subsided. Gives 32 bottles @ 6.2% alcohol.

I don't brew any more. After my heart problems last year I am not allowed much alcohol.

[Aussie]

Try this one. Very good. One Coopers Real Ale can and 2.0 kgs of rich brown sugar, two packets yeast, yeast nutrient, citric acid. Make up to 24 litres after initial strong fermentation has subsided. Gives 32 bottles @ 6.2% alcohol.

I don't brew any more. After my heart problems last year I am not allowed much alcohol.

That's not a bad recipe at all, i think i'd have heart problems too after drinking that..:D