How can breweries sell it so cheap ????

[spunky]

I have been upping the level ( OG) of fermentables in my homebrew. Now, when I do the math, I am trying to get near 8.0 ABV. I end up coming up about 10.00$ dollars more per 6 gallon batch than buying ???? I can get a 6 pack of scottish ale for 8.65$ ???

What gives ???

Is the markup on malt extract that high ??? Are they using sugar to up the percent of alcohol ????

[drobbins]

I think it's the markup on extract
I've never done all grain but I think it can be a lot cheaper once you have the equipment

Dave

[mattoleriver]

Are you maybe comparing a Scottish Ale to a Strong Scotch Ale?
At 8.0 ABV it looks like you're wanting to brew a Strong Scotch Ale. A Strong Scotch Ale will have about double the ABV of a Scottish Ale. That increase in ABV requires a substantial increase in fermentables and will be much more expensive to brew.

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style09.html

If you are using liquid yeast you can save a substantial portion of the cost by reusing your yeast. If you like Scottish Ales it would be a good idea to brew a Scottish Ale then use that yeast cake to brew your Strong Scotch Ale. You will get a great fermentation and cut your yeast cost in half.

I haven't priced extract lately but I know the price of hops has gone through the roof. You're lucky you're brewing Scottish Ales and not IPAs!

George

[Aspera]

Your local homebrew shop has about a 300% markup for small volumes of extract which are expensive to inventory, ship and produce. Try buying extract in bulk or take the plunge and go for all grain brewing.

[drobbins]

Aspera

any idea where one could buy extract in bulk?
I'd like to make the all grain plunge but probably not for a while

Dave

[edit] never mind, I see northern brewers has it

[dorado]

Dry malt extract in 55# boxes.

Grape and Granary in Ohio.

http://www.thegrape.net/browse.cfm/2,1500.html

Homebrew adventures in North Carolina.

http://www.homebrewadventures.com/shopping/index.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=homebrew&Category_Code=ING-dme-x-light

[Ben Brewcat]

Yeah, a lot of the expense is the extract. It's wort that then has to have most of the moisture driven out under near-vacuum, and as we know it's a huge hassle to handle and package. All-grain can really be done pretty cheaply if you use the plastic bucket Zapap-style mash and lauter tun. I make 10 gallons for about 30 to 40 bucks, and I don't reuse liquid yeast anymore and go for quality hops. Breweries of course have an economy of scale.

[spunky]

Are you maybe comparing a Scottish Ale to a Strong Scotch Ale?
At 8.0 ABV it looks like you're wanting to brew a Strong Scotch Ale. A Strong Scotch Ale will have about double the ABV of a Scottish Ale. That increase in ABV requires a substantial increase in fermentables and will be much more expensive to brew.

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style09.html

If you are using liquid yeast you can save a substantial portion of the cost by reusing your yeast. If you like Scottish Ales it would be a good idea to brew a Scottish Ale then use that yeast cake to brew your Strong Scotch Ale. You will get a great fermentation and cut your yeast cost in half.

I haven't priced extract lately but I know the price of hops has gone through the roof. You're lucky you're brewing Scottish Ales and not IPAs!

George

Wow 300% ; I understand the weak USD$ and why malts produced in europe are expensive, but usa made malt extracts are just as high.

Got the hop thing covered. I have a 12yr old cascade vine; just planted 2 nuggets and 2 sterlings rhizomes; so next year I will be set.

I was trying to brew a copy of McQwens ( sp) ?????

used to be brewing homebrew was fun , cost saving venture

[mattoleriver]

Listermann's has a pretty good price on bulk LME and ships (UPS) free on orders of $35+ east of the Mississippi.
http://www.listermann.com/Store/products.asp?id=20

George