Once you start researching homebrewing, one of the first questions is likely to be what your new hobby is likely to cost. Although some costs overlap, such as basic equipment, others can vary depending on your preferred brewing style. In this blog, we’ll dive into potential costs by extract, partial mash, and all-grain brewing.
Depending on the style of brewing your choose, you should expect to spend an average of $40 per five gallons of beer for an extract kit. Beer brewing starter kits can start at $100, but you may also need to factor in the cost of the ingredients. Additional equipment for all-grain brewing can be an additional $170-215, plus $30+ per brewing kit.
Keep reading for a complete breakdown of the costs of homebrewing, including the likely costs of starter kits, equipment, and ingredients by style.
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How much does it cost to make 5 gallons of beer?
The type of beer you are planning to brew and the method you’re using will determine the outlay per cost of 5 gallons of beer (the typical return for one batch).
Starting kits range from about $100 to $350, including ingredients for a beer.
Extract kits can range from $20 to $80, averaging about $40 per five gallons. The equipment needed for partial mash generally adds $10 to $50, depending on what your starting equipment contains.
Once you transition to all-grain brewing, you could spend an additional $170 to $215 on equipment. The average kit costs between $30 and $40 per five gallons. Buying your own ingredients can drive the cost down to $15 to $25.
By using malt extract, you can save in your brewing time but pay somewhat more for ingredients. Extract kits tend to be more expensive than all-grain kits. Sourcing your own ingredients in bulk further decreases the total cost of ingredients. However, as you progress towards all-grain brewing, there are additional costs in time and equipment.
| Style | Ingredients (per Gallon) | Equipment/Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Extract | $3-15 | $100-350 |
| Partial Mash | $9-13 | $10-50 |
| All-Grain | $6-14 | $225-670 |
Please note that the prices in this blog are based on the current market rate. In addition, it is, of course, possible to find ingredients, kits, and equipment at other costs. I made an effort to include a range of prices to accommodate different budgets.
How much does it cost to brew 5 gallons of homebrew with extract?
Extract brewing is a friendly and relatively easy way to start brewing at home. That does not mean that the resulting beer is “cheaper” – that depends on the quality of your ingredients.
It is, however, a great option for beginning brewers. Many begin with extract before progressing to all-grain brewing, as the process is easier and quicker. With extract brewing, you use malt extract, a condensed type of liquid wort.
The average costs when brewing with extract are $100 to $350 for the equipment, plus $30 to $40 for an extract kit.
For those just starting, it makes sense to purchase an equipment kit. If you have the time, you can research and purchase each item separately.
Kits range from about $100 to $350, some of which include ingredients for a brew. A more expensive kit does not necessarily mean a better one. When you are just starting, stick with the basics. You can add more equipment separately as you progress.
When buying the extract recipe and equipment
If you already have the equipment ready, skip to the next section.
The malt extract is available in liquid (LME) or dry (DME) forms in extract brewing. Like malt, the extract is likewise categorized by the type of beer, like pale or dark ales.
Here is a basic list of equipment needed to brew five gallons of extract beer:
- Brewing kettle
- Brewing sanitizer
- Long steel spoon
- Airlock
- Hydrometer
- Thermometer
- Fermentation vessel or carboy
- Rubber stopper, if using a carboy
- Amber glass bottles with swing or screw caps
Just the equipment (to accommodate five gallons):
| Name | Vendor | Cost | Equipment Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Complete Beer Equipment Kit | Home Brew Ohio | $95.89 | – 7.8-gallon fermenting bucket – Drilled lid – Grommet – Racking kit – 5-gallon glass carboy – Fermentation thermometer – Small drilled stopper – Hydrometer – Bottling spigot – 3-piece airlock – Bottle brush – 8 pack of C-Brite sanitizer |
| Premium Equipment Kit | ABC Cork Co. | $100.00 | – 6-gallon bucket – 6-gallon fermenter – Airlocks – 24” racking tube – Rubber stoppers – Hydrometer testing jar – Triple scale – Hydrometer |
Equipment plus a brew (to accommodate five gallons):
| Name | Vendor | Cost | Brew | Included Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeBrewing Starter Set | Northern Brewer | $89.99 | Block Party Amber | – 6.5-gallon fermenter – Spigot – Kid, – Airlock – Bottling kit – Bottle filler – 21” stainless spoon – 5′ siphoning tube – Sanitizer – Bottle brush – Bottle capper with 60 caps |
| HomeBrewing Starter Set with Testing Equipment | Northern Brewer | $109.99 | Chinook IPA or Hank’s Hefeweizen | – Triple scale hydrometer – Testing jar – Thermometer – 6.5-gallon fermenter with spigot – Airlock – Bottling kit – 5-gallon stainless brewing kettle – 21” stainless spoon – 5′ siphoning tube – Sanitizer – Bottle brush – Bottle capper with 60 caps |
| Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit | Northern Brewer | $229.99 | One of: Fresh Squished IPA, Bavarian Hefeweizen, Caribou Slobber Brown Ale or Irish Red Ale | – 6-gallon glass carboy – 5-gallon glass carboy – 2 bungs – 2 airlocks – Blowoff hose – Funnel – 2 adhesive thermometers – Syphon with tubing – Bottling kit – Bottle capper with caps – Carboy brush – Bottle cleaning brush – Sanitizer – Carboy dryer |
| Premium Craft Brewery in a Box | Northern Brewer | $349.99 | Fresh Squished IPA or Caribou Slobber | – 6.5-gallon plastic fermenter – Bung – Airlock – Transfer tubing – Immersion wort chiller – Faucet adapter – 8-gallon pot – Ball valve – 21” stainless spoon – Bottling kit – Sanitizer – Bottle capper with caps – Thermometer – Triple scale hydrometer – Testing jar |
When buying just the extract recipe
Once you have the necessary equipment, let’s focus on extract ingredient kits. Here, I’ll provide several options across the spectrum. (These do not include equipment!)
Extract kits can range from $20 to $80 per five gallons, depending on the type of beer. The average falls between $30 and $40.
Here is a selection of extract beer kits, complete with ingredients and instructions. If you are a fan of Indian Pale Ales, have a look at this variety:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conundrum Session | Indian Pale Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $41.99 | $8.40 |
| Kama Citra Session | Indian Pale Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $46.99 | $9.40 |
| Dead Ringer | Indian Pale Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $49.99 | $10 |
| Houblonmonstre Belgian Tripel | Belgian / Indian Pale Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $59.99 | $12 |
| Hazy Eights Double NE | Indian Pale Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $75.99 | $15.20 |
Other ales to consider:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber | Ale | ABC Cork Co. | 6 | $30.00 | $5 |
| Irish Red | Ale | ABC Cork Co. | 6 | $30.00 | $5 |
How about a crisp, refreshing lager?
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blonde | Lager | ABC Cork Co. | 6 | $20.00 | $3.33 |
| Draught | Lager | ABC Cork Co. | 6 | $30.00 | $5 |
| Pilsner | Lager | ABC Cork Co. | 6 | $30.00 | $5 |
For those, who prefer fruity or spicy undertones, try:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witbier | Witbier | Brewer’s Best | 5 | $41.64 | $8.33 |
| Lemondrop | Saison | Northern Brewer | 5 | $41.99 | $8.40 |
If you are looking for a darker, bolder brew, here are a few options:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stout | Stout | ABC Cork Co. | 6 | $30.00 | $5 |
| Irish Stout | Stout | Home Brew Stuff | 5 | $37.99 | $7.60 |
| Nut Brown | Brown Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $39.99 | $8 |
| Caribou Slobber | Brown Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $46.99 | $9.40 |
| Black Magic Mild | Dark Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $51.99 | $10.40 |
| Bourbon Barrel | Porter / Dark Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $55.99 | $11.20 |
| Brunch | Stout | Northern Brewer | 5 | $59.99 | $12 |
Notes on the kit by vendor:
- Kits from Northern Brewer contain malt extract, steeping grains, hops, dry yeast, priming sugar, and a muslin steeping bag.
- ABC Cork Co. includes liquid malt extract, yeast and hops.
- Home Brew Stuff provides specialty grains, a steeping bag, malt extract, and dry yeast.
How much does it cost to brew 5 gallons of homebrew using partial mash?
Once you feel comfortable brewing with extract kits, you should consider moving to partial mash. Partial mash involves combining extract with wort from grain, either in liquid or dry forms. The added grain adds color and flavor, while the malt extract adds the rest of the sugar needed for proper fermentation.
The equipment needed for partial mash brewing is mostly the same as with extract brewing.
The cost range is the same as before, plus $10 to $50 for missing parts, depending on your initial kit. At this stage, you can buy kits or hunt for separate ingredients to economize.
You can create your partial malt using base malts and specialty grains, or just the latter, combined with your malt extract.
When buying partial mash recipe and equipment
If you started with an equipment kit, check to see if you have the following items:
- Thermometer
- Grain (or brew) bag
- Colander
- Hydrometer
- Test jar
You can continue using the same pot as before or switch to a smaller pot to fit your grain bag, leaving some room. You will also need a separate pot or kettle to sparge water.
Most commonly, kits are missing a brew bag. (I assume that you have a colander and small or mid-sized pot at home.)
Here are three options for brew bags:
- Brew Bags 2Pcs ManLee Extra Large Brew Bag – $8.99
- Brew Bag, 2 Pack Extra Large (26″ x 22″) Reusable – $9.99
- CM 14″ Hops and Grain Muslin Steeping Bags – $12.99
When buying just the partial mash recipe or ingredients
If you are just looking for the recipe, here are some options to consider.
Try one of these for a medium-bodied brew with fruity or malty undertones:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmelite Triple-Grain Belgian Tripel | Belgian | Northern Brewer | 5 | $49.99 | $10 |
| Lakefront Brewery Bridge Burner | Ale / Barley Wine | Northern Brewer | 5 | $64.99 | $13 |
For that dark, full-bodied flavor, consider these:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Beatdown | Porter | Northern Brewer | 5 | $44.99 | $9 |
| Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat | Stour | Northern Brewer | 5 | $44.99 | $9 |
If you want to DIY, check out some recipes online and make a shopping list. Craft Beer and Brewing has a great selection of partial mash recipes.
How much does it cost to brew 5 gallons of homebrew beer using all-grain?
All-grain brewing is commonly associated with an advanced level, but it does not require extensive additional equipment. (You can make it more complicated if you want a challenge.)
The average all-grain kit costs about $40 per five gallons of beer. As you become more confident in all-grain brewing, you might choose to source all of your ingredients in bulk. This way, you can drive the cost down to $15 or $20 per five gallons.
On the flip side, the cost of additional equipment rises. You can mitigate this increase by buying standard, necessary items. These costs should average around $200. For those with a higher budget, there are all-inclusive advanced systems at $500+.
When buying all-grain recipe and equipment
With all-grain brewing, you brew your own wort, rather than boiling extract.
All of your fermenting equipment remains the same, but you need some additional items.
Start with this traditional setup:
| Equipment | Economy | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8+ gallon kettle | Brewers Best Basic Brewing Pot $54.61 | Northern Brewer – Megapot 1.2, Kettle $114.99 | GasOne 32QT – Stainless Steel Kettle $134.99 |
| Mash tun or 7-10 gallon cooler + false bottom | Cooler Mash Tun, False Bottom, Tube Filter & Valve $160 | Igloo Mash Tun, False Bottom & Valve $168.99 | Homebrewers Outpost AG330, False Bottom & Valve $199.31 |
| High temp tubing | Silicone Tubing 3/8″ ID x 1/2″ OD 10 $10.99 | Sealproof 5/16-Inch ID 9/16-Inch OD $12.99 | Vinyl Tubing 3/8″ Id 1/2″ Od 25 Feet $15.70 |
If you don’t have a siphon already, add it to the list. Without the kettle, as you probably have one, additional equipment adds $170 to $215 to your setup.
Optional upgrades:
| Equipment | Economy | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparge arm | Stainless Economy Sparge Arm $29.95 | Imperial Sparge Stainless Steel Arm $53.99 | BE950 The Ultimate Sparge Arm $147.99 |
| Pump | 110V Magnetic Home Brewing System Beer Pump $59.99 | BACOENG Stainless Steel 115 Volt Inline Beer Pump $69.99 | FERRODAY Magnetic Drive Pump Wort Pump $73.99 |
| Propane burner | GasOne B-5300 One High-Pressure Propane Burner $59.99 | Northern Brewer, Dark Star Propane Burner $69.99 | Concord Deluxe Banjo Single Propane Burner $94.80 |
If you are new to all-grain brewing, you might want to start smaller than five gallons. Smaller batches encourage you to brew more often, thereby improving your technique. Smaller batches are also more comfortable to brew in smaller kitchens.
When buying just the all-grain recipe ingredients
For a flavorful ale, some with citrus undertones, check these options:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strange Brew Alchemy | Ale | Strange Brew | 5 | $32.00 | $6.40 |
| Cream Ale | Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $35.99 | $7.20 |
| Centennial Blonde | Ale | My Brew Supply | 5 | $38.99 | $7.80 |
| Kama Citra | Indian Pale Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $44.99 | $9 |
A couple lager alternatives:
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| German Blonde | Pilsner / Lager | My Brew Supply | 5 | $40.99 | $8.20 |
| Marzen Oktoberfest | Lager | Afford-A-Brew | 5 | $57.99 | $11.60 |
Looking for a creamier feel?
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bavarian Hefeweizen | Hefeweizen | Northern Brewer | 5 | $36.99 | $7.30 |
| Twisted Monk | Witbier | BrewDemon | 2 | $27.60 | $13.80 |
Rather have a darker, “baked” brew?
| Name | Type | Vendor | Gallons | Total Cost | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribou Slobber | Brown Ale | Northern Brewer | 5 | $43.99 | $8.80 |
| Bourbon Barrel | Porter | Northern Brewer | 5 | $54.99 | $11 |
Notes on kits per vendor:
- Strange Brew includes crushed grains, hops, yeast, bottle caps, priming sugar, a muslin bag, and irish moss.
- My Brew Supply includes specialty grains, malt, pellet hops, and yeast.
- Northern Brewer comes with crushed malted grains, hops, priming sugar, and yeast.
- BrewDemon includes malted wheat, malted barley, hops, natural essence, natural flavor seeds, and yeast.
- Afford-A-Brew comes with milled grains, yeast, and hops. Priming sugar at an additional cost.
After looking through some forums, I noted some feedback from fellow brewers on their average costs. One user provided helpful insight into the cost of his ingredients per five gallons, saying, “It will depend on the beer, and hoppier or bigger beers will cost more. I try to buy in bulk to reduce the cost as much as possible, so I get 55 [pounds] of grain for roughly $35 and 1.25 [pounds] of hops for anywhere between $8 and $16.”
The breakdown:
| ~11-12 pounds of grain | ~$7 |
| ~2-3 ounces of hops (non-IPA) | ~$1.50 |
| One packet of yeast | $2.50 |
| Propane | $2.5 |
| 50 caps | $1 |
This amounts to ~$15 for five gallons of beer. Other users claimed an average of $20 to $30 per five gallons when buying ingredients separately.