Sugar price check

Research sources, reviews and links to information relating to distillation.

Moderator: Site Moderator

User avatar
BigSwede
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 674
Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:36 am

Re: Sugar price check

Post by BigSwede »

Back in Brazil... Got me 4 more kilos of white, granulated, compressed Amazonian sunshine to take back. I know it's not much, but I can't resist it.

I am a sugar mule. And it will add up.

In the same store, browsing the liquor and checking prices, everything was up there, EXCEPT for one bottle, the national swill of Brazil, "51" rum. It's not rum (well, maybe technically it is, being sugar based) and it's not 151 proof. What it is, is CHEAP.

A one liter bottle cost 7.60 reals, thats THREE BUCKS U.S.

The taste... Hard to describe, I have tasted worse, but not many. It has an extremely odd off flavor that is like agave, as if the bottler tossed in 3% tequila. Truly odd. Now I know why a mohito here is just drenched with sugar and fruit juice. That said, if this sold in the USA at that price, every wino with a bottle of night train or thunderbird would be all over it.

OK, who has tasted cheaper, and worse, commercial likker?
User avatar
thecroweater
retired
Posts: 6079
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:04 am
Location: Central Highlands Vic. Australia

Re: Sugar price check

Post by thecroweater »

well northern Oz is one of the worlds major producers of sugar but in the south here we pay $1.79 AUD for two kgs of white and raw sugar is considerably more, molasses is cheap (less than a dollar a ltr) but panella doesn't seen to be produced here. I here costco is cheaper but the nearest to me is Melbourne over an hr away. the guys up north bu a ute/pickup load of raw sugar for cheap as dirt but not so here
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin
User avatar
cb_j
Swill Maker
Posts: 168
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:24 am
Location: Oz

Re: Sugar price check

Post by cb_j »

I've seen photos of that (punkin?). It makes me laugh. Makes me think of the Simpsons episode where Homer gets the pile of sugar...
hellbilly007
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 581
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:59 am
Location: Never one place very long

Re: Sugar price check

Post by hellbilly007 »

Something I'm a bit aggravated with is at my local grocery store it quite a bit cheaper to buy small bag compared to larger bags. I save over $0.10/lb by buying multiple 5 lb bags as opposed to buying a 25 lb bag. 5 lb bags are $0.398/lb and 25 lb bags are $0.55/lb.
User avatar
thecroweater
retired
Posts: 6079
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:04 am
Location: Central Highlands Vic. Australia

Re: Sugar price check

Post by thecroweater »

Yep same here, no idea why and more so for unprocessed raw sugar, go figure
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin
User avatar
cb_j
Swill Maker
Posts: 168
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:24 am
Location: Oz

Re: Sugar price check

Post by cb_j »

like it was mentioned, molasses is added back to the refined sugar.
from the supermarket, looking at the sugars, all the crystals are uniform, meaning they still get processed. i've rarely seen chunky sugar. just palm sugar in a box from the asian section that you have to break with a hammer. but that wasn't cheap (relative), either.
YHB

Re: Sugar price check

Post by YHB »

BigSwede wrote:
In the same store, browsing the liquor and checking prices, everything was up there, EXCEPT for one bottle, the national swill of Brazil, "51" rum. It's not rum (well, maybe technically it is, being sugar bas14d) and it's not 151 proof. What it is, is CHEAP. A one liter bottle cost 7.60 reals, thats THREE BUCKS U.S.

The taste... Hard to describe, I have tasted worse, but not many.
If it's the same 51 that I tried it is Cachaca or distilled fermented sugar cane juice.

I am not apologising for my taste buds, but I was given 51 with lots of ice and a twist of lime topped up with coke on a beach on a sunny afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So I checked it out at the local grog shop, 12 UK pounds a bottle, and my local bar 15 UK pounds a shot. I kid you not, I did not check the price until I had Ordered 2 Doubles.- it hurt.
User avatar
jedneck
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 3769
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:16 pm
Location: drive to the sticks, hang a right past the sticks amd go a couple more miles.

Re: Sugar price check

Post by jedneck »

$.46/lb is the best I found.
welcome aboard some of us are ornery old coots but if you do a lot of
reading and don't ask stupid questions you'll be alright most are
big help
Dunder
User avatar
thecroweater
retired
Posts: 6079
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:04 am
Location: Central Highlands Vic. Australia

Re: Sugar price check

Post by thecroweater »

cb_j wrote:like it was mentioned, molasses is added back to the refined sugar.
from the supermarket, looking at the sugars, all the crystals are uniform, meaning they still get processed. i've rarely seen chunky sugar. just palm sugar in a box from the asian section that you have to break with a hammer. but that wasn't cheap (relative), either.
you might be thinking of brown sugar
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-raw-sugar.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin
Braz
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1899
Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:38 pm
Location: Indiana, USA, Inc.

Re: Sugar price check

Post by Braz »

My local Kroger has a sale - 4lb bag of cane sugar for $.99. I'm buying all they'll let me have.
Braz
goblin
Bootlegger
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:25 am
Location: Houston

Re: Sugar price check

Post by goblin »

same here Braz, i have 3 local krogers. was going to start all grain, after 23 gens of UJSSM, but....
User avatar
coastershiner
Bootlegger
Posts: 134
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:06 pm
Location: Canada, eh

Re: Sugar price check

Post by coastershiner »

Costco cananda is 18.99 for 20 kg.
Canadian Wholesale Foods is 17.99 for 20 kg
both are Rodgers suger, they have a suger factory about 80km from me
User avatar
ranger_ric
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1277
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 5:24 pm
Location: West Of Eden

Re: Sugar price check

Post by ranger_ric »

well the SAms here is selling 50# bags at $0.42/lb or you can buy 10# bags at $0.44/lb. I figured for a dollar more I would buy the smaller bags and not have to rassle that big ass bag and probably spill a dollars worth any way....
After a little more practice I am going to start doing AG and get away from this sugar addiction....
If you are not willing to learn
No One Can Help You...
If you are Determined to Learn
No One can STOP you!!
We want you to be safe and succeed so start here
Drunk-N-Smurf
Rumrunner
Posts: 682
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:56 pm
Location: Alberta

Re: Sugar price check

Post by Drunk-N-Smurf »

I buy the 20kg bags from Costco here for just under $20
Hangover? I don't get no stinking hangover!
User avatar
pfshine
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 3106
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:59 pm
Location: Vegas

Re: Sugar price check

Post by pfshine »

I get the 50# bags from Costco for about $15. Heyy RR don't stop buying sugar, do an ag then a piggy back with the grain and some backset.
Last edited by pfshine on Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Life is a journey you take alone. Make sure you do what you what makes you happy
carbohydratesn
Swill Maker
Posts: 398
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:37 am

Re: Sugar price check

Post by carbohydratesn »

They're ~$23.50/50lb at my Costco.
User avatar
ranger_ric
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1277
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 5:24 pm
Location: West Of Eden

Re: Sugar price check

Post by ranger_ric »

Hey PFshine, Can I use a backset from UJSSM on my first AG, or will that drop the pH too much?
If you are not willing to learn
No One Can Help You...
If you are Determined to Learn
No One can STOP you!!
We want you to be safe and succeed so start here
User avatar
Jimbo
retired
Posts: 8423
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 1:19 pm
Location: Down the road a piece.

Re: Sugar price check

Post by Jimbo »

Dont do it, you'll pull sugar wash flavors into your AG.
In theory there's no difference between theory and practice. But in practice there is.
My Bourbon and Single Malt recipes. Apple Stuff and Electric Conversion
liquid therapy
Novice
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:19 pm

Re: Sugar price check

Post by liquid therapy »

Giant eagle has 4# bags on sail for .99 each. Picked up 40 bags!!!!
User avatar
ranger_ric
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1277
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 5:24 pm
Location: West Of Eden

Re: Sugar price check

Post by ranger_ric »

Thanks JimBo
If you are not willing to learn
No One Can Help You...
If you are Determined to Learn
No One can STOP you!!
We want you to be safe and succeed so start here
User avatar
coastershiner
Bootlegger
Posts: 134
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:06 pm
Location: Canada, eh

Re: Sugar price check

Post by coastershiner »

carbohydratesn wrote:They're ~$23.50/50lb at my Costco.
Is that in the states?
carbohydratesn
Swill Maker
Posts: 398
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:37 am

Re: Sugar price check

Post by carbohydratesn »

coastershiner wrote:
carbohydratesn wrote:They're ~$23.50/50lb at my Costco.
Is that in the states?
Yes, in Colorado. I'm once again jealous of those of you who don't live in the states :P
User avatar
coastershiner
Bootlegger
Posts: 134
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:06 pm
Location: Canada, eh

Re: Sugar price check

Post by coastershiner »

Ya but u can buy weed in the store!
I thought that most things were cheaper on your side of the border?. Maybe sugar is cheap for me cause sugar beets are farmed and processed in my area. Rodgers has a huge plant close by.
Hound Dog
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3002
Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:45 pm
Location: Hounds Hollow, VA

Re: Sugar price check

Post by Hound Dog »

I do Costco but pay the extra $.50 per #25 for the convenience of the bag. This seems to be just the right size in my 20 gallon Brute trash can fermenter with two boxes of cereal and some head room to get me to 10%. Saves the trouble of trying to split the bigger bag between two barrels evenly.

I still want to read the story in the paper about Big Swede when he gets the wood shampoo for bringing bricks of sugar over the border. Make sure it's wrapped up in plastic then sealed with a few wraps of duct tape in each direction. Preferably 1 kilo each. Hey I hear if you pack it in coffee grounds it will help throw off the dogs :lol: :lol:
LM Still Operating Instructions
Cranky's New Distiller's Advice
Using Google Search

Drinking Rum before noon makes you a Pirate not an alcoholic.
User avatar
Tokoroa_Shiner
Distiller
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:02 am

Re: Sugar price check

Post by Tokoroa_Shiner »

$5 for 3kg bag or $9.50 for a 10kg bag.
Must read topics for new members

The Rules By Which We Live By
Safety And Related Issues
New Distillers Reading Lounge

Have Fun, Keep Safe and Shine On
carbohydratesn
Swill Maker
Posts: 398
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:37 am

Re: Sugar price check

Post by carbohydratesn »

carbohydratesn wrote:
coastershiner wrote:
carbohydratesn wrote:They're ~$23.50/50lb at my Costco.
Is that in the states?
Sorry, I didn't know Costco existed outside North America! Yes, in Colorado. I'm once again jealous of those of you who don't live in the states :P
User avatar
coastershiner
Bootlegger
Posts: 134
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:06 pm
Location: Canada, eh

Re: Sugar price check

Post by coastershiner »

carbohydratesn wrote:
carbohydratesn wrote:
coastershiner wrote:
carbohydratesn wrote:They're ~$23.50/50lb at my Costco.
Is that in the states?
Sorry, I didn't know Costco existed outside North America! Yes, in Colorado. I'm once again jealous of those of you who don't live in the states :P
As far as I know just Cananda and America have costco.
User avatar
thecroweater
retired
Posts: 6079
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:04 am
Location: Central Highlands Vic. Australia

Re: Sugar price check

Post by thecroweater »

Costco is here but can't say I was over impressed. Maple and corn syrup was quite a bit cheaper, sugar not so much maybe a few cents if at all
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin
googe
retired
Posts: 3848
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:53 pm
Location: awwstralian in new zealund

Re: Sugar price check

Post by googe »

Yeah I've found that to crow, all the places that do big bags 25kg etc are no cheaper than buying at woolies!.
Here's to alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all life's problems.
"Homer J Simpson"
User avatar
Tokoroa_Shiner
Distiller
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:02 am

Re: Sugar price check

Post by Tokoroa_Shiner »

Most of the time here it's cheaper per kg to buy many small bags then one big bag. Around $1.66/kg for 3kg bag($5) or $1.90/kg for 5kg bag($9.50). 5kg bag is the biggest bag that I've seen at any supermarket here. We only have 3 different supermarket chains, and it's all the same price unless it's on special at one.
Must read topics for new members

The Rules By Which We Live By
Safety And Related Issues
New Distillers Reading Lounge

Have Fun, Keep Safe and Shine On
Post Reply