Smart Beer Buying: Save Money, Enjoy More

There are many ways to save money when buying beer. Firstly, it is important to note that the day of the week can impact the price of beer, with Saturday being the most expensive day to purchase alcohol. Buying beer in bulk from wholesale stores such as Costco can also help to reduce costs. Brewing beer at home is another way to save money, although it requires an upfront investment in equipment and ingredients. Growing your own hops and herbs can further reduce costs for home brewers, as can building your own equipment and reusing yeast.

Buy in bulk or join a group buy

Buying in bulk or joining a group buy is a great way to save money when buying beer or brewing ingredients.

For home brewers, buying in bulk is a simple way to save money on ingredients. If you're an all-grain brewer, you can buy 50-pound bags of pale malt locally for less than half the price of buying it by the pound. A 50-pound bag of pale malt will typically yield 10-12 batches of beer. Similarly, you can buy hops and specialty grains in bulk, either by the pound from mail-order houses or at a discount from stores. For example, you can buy hops by the pound for less than half the cost of retail hops by the ounce.

If you don't need a large quantity of a particular ingredient, you can still save money by joining a group buy. Contact your local homebrew club or connect with other brewers to organise a group purchase. By buying in larger quantities and dividing the ingredients, you can take advantage of bulk discounts without having to commit to a large amount of a single ingredient.

For beer drinkers who are not interested in home brewing, buying beer in bulk can still offer cost savings. Look for retailers that offer discounts for purchasing beer by the case or in larger quantities. Some stores may also offer loyalty programs or membership deals that provide additional savings on bulk purchases. Additionally, consider joining a beer club or a drinking group where members can pool their money to buy beer in bulk and share the savings.

In summary, buying in bulk or joining a group buy is a cost-effective strategy for both home brewers and beer enthusiasts. By purchasing larger quantities or banding together with others, you can take advantage of volume discounts and save money on your beer or brewing supplies.

Cut down on hops

One way to save money when buying beer is to cut down on hops. Hops are often one of the most expensive ingredients in beer, and their price can vary depending on the variety and availability. By reducing the amount of hops used in the brewing process, you can save money without sacrificing the taste or quality of the beer. Here are some tips to cut down on hops:

• Grow your own hops: If you have the space, consider growing your own hops. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run, especially if you brew beer regularly. Depending on the variety, hops can be expensive, and growing your own allows you to control the cost and have a steady supply.
• Buy in bulk: Purchasing hops in larger quantities can result in significant savings. Many stores offer discounts when you buy hops by the pound or in bulk. This option is ideal if you brew large batches of beer or can split the purchase with other homebrewers.
• Reduce hop usage: Little adjustments in the brewing process can help reduce hop usage without compromising the final product. Techniques such as using a full batch boil, boiling bittering hops for a longer duration, or opting for higher alpha hops for bittering can collectively lead to cost savings over time.
• Explore alternative ingredients: While hops are essential for brewing beer, you can experiment with alternative ingredients to complement the flavour profile. Brewing herbs like dandelion, bee balm, rosemary, yarrow, and juniper berries can be cultivated or foraged, adding unique characteristics to your beer without breaking the bank.
• Join a homebrew club: Connecting with other homebrewers through local clubs or communities can provide opportunities for group purchases. By pooling resources, you can take advantage of bulk discounts and share the cost of hops and other brewing supplies, reducing the individual financial burden.

Wash and reuse yeast

Yeast washing, also known as yeast harvesting, yeast re-harvesting, or yeast rinsing, is a great way to save money on brewing. It is a simple process that can be done by anyone, and it allows you to explore more liquid yeast styles while cutting down on costs.

The process of yeast washing involves reusing the yeast that settles at the bottom of your fermenter after brewing. This yeast can be washed and reused up to 10 times, providing serious savings for brewers. The technique is straightforward and can be done by anyone, regardless of their brewing experience.

Step 1: Prepare Sterile Water

Begin by boiling 1 litre of water for 15 minutes and then let it cool to room temperature. Store the sterile water in the fridge in a sterilized jar until you are ready to use it.

Step 2: Sterilize Jars

You will need three mason jars for this process. Boil the jars in water or immerse them in a sanitizer solution to ensure they are sterile. One jar should be large enough to hold all the slurry from the bottom of your fermenter, also known as the trub, plus four times as much water.

Step 3: Sanitize the Carboy's Rim

It is important to sanitize everything that will come into contact with the yeast to prevent infection. Make sure to sanitize the rim of the carboy, as well as any other equipment that will be used.

Step 4: Shake Up the Yeast

The fermenter will contain a layer of thick trub, which includes hop bits and yeast sediment. Swirl the fermenter to break up the trub and loosen it from the bottom. If needed, add some sterile water to help loosen and mix the trub.

Step 5: Transfer to a Mason Jar

Once the trub is loosened and mixed, transfer the liquid to one of your sterilized mason jars and cover it with the lid.

Step 6: Let it Settle in the Fridge

Place the jar in the fridge for 20 minutes to allow the trub and yeast to separate. The trub will appear as a dark brown layer, while the yeast will be white. If you have filtered out the hops, you may have very little trub, and the jar may mostly contain yeast and liquid.

Step 7: Check for Cleanliness and Transfer Again if Needed

After the settling process, check how much trub remains in the jar. If there is a significant amount of trub, you will need to remove the top white layer, as this is the healthy yeast you want to preserve. Transfer the liquid and white portion to another jar, swirl it, and let it settle for another 30 minutes. Repeat this process if necessary until most of the trub has been removed.

Step 8: Cap the Jar and Store in the Fridge

Once you are satisfied with the separation, cap the jar and store it in the fridge for a few days. Over time, the yeast will settle at the bottom of the jar, and the water will sit on top. The yeast can be stored for a month or two, but it is best used within one month when it still has a nice white/creamy colour.

Step 9: Reuse the Washed Yeast

When you are ready to brew again, take the washed yeast out of the fridge and gently pour off the liquid, leaving the yeast behind. Swirl the yeast and then pitch it into your new batch as you would with fresh yeast. It is important to bring the washed yeast to pitching temperature before using it.

Washing and reusing yeast is a great way to save money and explore different yeast styles. By following these steps, you can reuse yeast up to 10 times, reducing costs and expanding your brewing options.

Brew your own beer

Brewing your own beer is a great way to save money, and it can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Here are some tips to help you get started:

First off, you should know that homebrewing can be divided into two types: all-grain brewing and extract brewing. In all-grain brewing, you extract the sugars from malted grains yourself. This method gives you more control over the flavour profile of your beer. In extract brewing, you use ready-made malt extract, skipping the sugar extraction process. This method is simpler and requires less equipment, so it's a good choice for beginners.

If you want to give homebrewing a try, you can buy a beer-making kit that includes all the basic equipment and ingredients you'll need. These kits are designed to be user-friendly and can produce quality beer. Once you've brewed a few batches and decided you enjoy the hobby, you can start investing in fancier equipment.

The four main ingredients of beer are hops, grains (or malt extract), yeast, and water. Hops add bitterness, aroma, and fragrance to your beer. The bitterness of a hop depends on its alpha acid percentage. Grains must be milled or crushed before use, and you can do this at home if you have a grain mill. Malt extract is a convenient way to make beer, and it comes in liquid or dry form. Yeast consumes the malt sugars and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. Finally, water quality is important because beer is mostly water. It should be clean, moderately hard, and have low to moderate alkalinity.

The basic steps of the brewing process are boiling (or extracting from malt) the ingredients, adding hops for flavour, fermenting with yeast, and then bottling or kegging. During fermentation, the yeast consumes the malt sugars and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. After fermentation, you'll need to transfer the beer to a keg or bottles and let it condition.

Homebrewing can be an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that allows you to experiment with different ingredients and create unique beers that reflect your personal tastes. It may seem intimidating at first, but with a good guide, quality ingredients, and the right equipment, anyone can learn to brew their own beer.

Don't buy on a Saturday

Don't Buy Beer on a Saturday

If you're looking to save money on beer, one of the most important things to keep in mind is to avoid buying on a Saturday. According to research by the shopper-rewards app Ibotta, beer prices on Saturdays are significantly higher than on other days of the week. In fact, consumers tend to pay 9% more for beer on Saturday compared to Monday. This makes Saturday the worst day of the week to purchase beer if you're looking for a good deal.

So, why is beer more expensive on Saturdays? Well, it likely has to do with demand. Saturdays are typically when people have more free time and are more likely to socialise, so retailers know that people will be buying more beer. By increasing the price, they can take advantage of the higher demand and maximise their profits.

To make sure you're getting the best deal on your beer, it's a good idea to plan your purchases in advance. Mark your calendar or set a reminder for the day when beer prices are typically lower, and stock up for the week ahead. This simple strategy can help you save a significant amount of money over time.

In addition to timing your purchases, there are other ways to save money when buying beer. For example, buying in bulk from warehouse clubs can often get you a better deal. However, it's important to always check the unit price to make sure you're actually getting a discount.

Another way to save is by brewing your own beer at home. While it requires an upfront investment of time and money, homebrewing can be a satisfying hobby that gives you control over the ingredients and brewing process. You can even grow your own hops and brewing herbs, which will save you even more money and give you an opportunity to spend time outdoors.

Frequently asked questions