Please Help!!!

[Mack Robinson]

i am currently researching the cost effectiveness of home brewing for a Research project,
i am looking for current firsthand accounts.
the question is 'Is it possible and cost effective to make Beer on a small scale?'
if someone could help to add any information to this topic
Thanks

[codewritinfool]

i am currently researching the cost effectiveness of home brewing for a Research project,
i am looking for current firsthand accounts.
the question is 'Is it possible and cost effective to make Beer on a small scale?'
if someone could help to add any information to this topic
Thanks

I'm sorry, but you sort of look like a troll to me, even though you are indeed posting from an educational institution.

Sorry again if I seem like I'm slamming you, but dude, "Is it possible and cost effective to make Beer on a small scale?"
Yes, it is possible. You came to The Brewing Network to ask the question. That ought to tell you something.

Is it cost effective? Some think so. I certainly do.

[cornhole]

i am currently researching the cost effectiveness of home brewing for a Research project,
i am looking for current firsthand accounts.
the question is 'Is it possible and cost effective to make Beer on a small scale?'
if someone could help to add any information to this topic
Thanks

As this is your first post, please take some time to introduce yourself (do that in the new users section). That might help you get off to a better start with the group.

The terms 'Cost effective' and 'small scale' are kind of ambiguous, put a number to it. As a research project are you looking for anecdotal accounts or some sort of financial analysis? If you define the project better, you could get a better response.

Home brewers brew for many reasons. In my opinion, cost effectiveness is low on the list. A home brewer can beat the price he would pay for a craft beer 6 pack if he is only considering the material costs. When you start to add equipment and overhead, then add the value of the time of the home brewer, it is no longer cost effective. Sometimes people call that a hobby.

[ziggy]

The average batch costs me $20 in ingredients. I have spent $500 on brewing equipment in 6 years. Each batch takes about 6 hours of my time. Each batch is 5 gallons or 54 12 oz bottles. It is about equivalent to what I would pay $8-10 per 6 pack at the grocery store. If you're looking purely at numbers it depends on how much value to put on your time.

[alkohall]

In my opinion, cost effectiveness is low on the list.

I couldn't agree more. I do it because I love to do it, not to save money. I would think that it would take me quite awhile to break even after all of the money I have sunk into equipment, but it doesn't matter. It is possible and very enjoyable to brew beer on a small scale.

[gwk453]

Beer or No Beer! Now that is something for a young bright mind to ponder. Make sure you add the cost of a BN hoodie, hat, and tee shirt to your equipment cost.

[alan_marks]

I would also suggest you read the articles and books, as well as listen to the recordings, of Dr. Charley Bamforth, professor and chair of the brewing science department of UC-Davis. Without a doubt all of the background information you would ever need can be found in his works with a little study and dilligence on your part.

Best wishes on your journey into brewing,

[cornhole]

Anybody betting whether or not we will get a "thank you for all your help" from our new friend Mack Robinson? I mean he did put three exclamation points in his subject line, he surely would have checked back by now, don't you think?