[corkybstewart]

I buy malt from a brewpub for $0.50/pound. hops by the pound and dry yeast for basic recipes.  Even figuring equipment costs of $5 per batch, which is probably twice what it really is,   I can easily brew 10 gallons of a standard porter, pale ale or oatmeal stout for under $25.  I don't brew to save money, I never have, but the way I see it is that the money saved can be spent on my next beer focused vacation.

[The Professor]

I buy malt from a brewpub for $0.50/pound. hops by the pound and dry yeast for basic recipes.  Even figuring equipment costs of $5 per batch, which is probably twice what it really is,   I can easily brew 10 gallons of a standard porter, pale ale or oatmeal stout for under $25.  I don't brew to save money, I never have, but the way I see it is that the money saved can be spent on my next beer focused vacation.

Sounds about right to me...I generally pay a similar amount for my malts (when I can),  I buy hops in bulk, and have been using primarily the same yeast since 1989.  I can make 5 gal of a standard brew for under $10.00 and some pretty hefty brews for the winter months for anywhere from $13.00 -18.00 per 5 gal.  Not too many years ago (less than 10 years ago) , I was buying Crisp Maris for less than $18.00 per sack and the costs per batch were even lower.

Brewing at home began for me almost 40 years ago as a "can I do it" kind of challenge.  The cost savings over commercial beer was never really the main issue, but it is a great benefit of homebrewing (and especially appreciated these days);  for at least the last 15-20 years there has been no real reason to buy any commercial beer other than curiosity or research.  It's actually been quite a LONG time since I bought a commercial beer that I wished I could emulate.

[mnstorm99]

I also could care less about my costs, but I figure I would do a (rough) per batch estimate of equipment ($15), propane ($5) and ingredients ($25/5 gallons).  All of this combined comes out to less than a doller per 12 ounce serving, so I guess I am saving money.  But, the fact that this is a consumable hobby, I would say the cost pays for itself.

[captnjohnny1618]

I buy malt from a brewpub for $0.50/pound. hops by the pound and dry yeast for basic recipes. 

Wow.  I need to find a brewpub.  Right now the only option that I have is DME or LME from a local grocery store (that has a devoted brewing section nonetheless) but still pay $11+ for 3.3 lbs. 

[mnstorm99]

I buy malt from a brewpub for $0.50/pound. hops by the pound and dry yeast for basic recipes. 

Wow.  I need to find a brewpub.  Right now the only option that I have is DME or LME from a local grocery store (that has a devoted brewing section nonetheless) but still pay $11+ for 3.3 lbs. 

Grain is very different than extract, but you really need to look online at some of the shops like Midwest or Northern Brewer.

I am also guessing most brewpubs are not using extracts for their base.

[Thirsty_Monk]

I also buy grain in bulk (about $30 for 55lb),
Hops by the lb,
and repitch most of the yeast.

If you buy DME in bulk it is about $98 to $125 for 50lb bag.
That is about $2-$2.5 per lb.
One bag would last you about 8 brews.