OT - How much is yours worth?

Rocky_Creek · Post by **Rocky_Creek** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:50 am

I have spent a good bit of money trying to get my system like want it. Starting off crudely and working up.

I guess I'm looking for a mental justification, other than I like the process and the result.

In terms of dollars and cents I would have to say that it would cost me $25(US) per fifth (750 ml 80 proof) to get something near what I'm making ( money I would never spent for alcohol). Then if I found it it would probably give me a hangover.

Have any of you that are proud of your product put a $ value on it in terms of what you would pay for the same quality?

jbrew9999 · Post by **jbrew9999** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:10 pm

If you're asking how much we would pay to buy our own brew in the store--

Well, I wouldn't pay more than $10 per fifth for anything. Regardless of quality.

As to how much I would Have to pay to get the quality I can make at home-- I'll have to pratice and get back to you on that one.

I really enjoy gin and rum but I buy it in the carribean where I can get high quality for cheap. Hopefully, with practice I can get better results at home. I'm going to work on rum first. Then Gin and Tequila. The tequila will likely cost about $10 per liter to make because of the high price of bulk Blue Agave Syrup.

possum · Post by **possum** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:02 pm

I got juiced up in the bar sunday night on JD...Monday

Oh God the pain

.
My home blend runs @110-120 for sipping, and it never hurts me to the extent that comercial swill does.

If I was buying what I make I would be willing to pay @ $20per fifth, at least for the whiskey, and that never has aged over 2 months, but I'm trying to set some back.

If I factor in my labor, then it's cheaper to purchase, but since I can order my mash bill and aging wood,direct the cuts for safty and flavor,and/or the gin botanicals...ect from myself, the service can not be beat.

By the way, as a beer drinker also, I must mention that I would rather drink the beer recipees that I have perfected than the stuff at the distributors that resembles the types I brew myself. My brews are tuned to my pallette's preference...which is why I participate in these hobbies.

Watershed · Post by **Watershed** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:23 am

I worked out it costs me 53 pence per litre to make gin, if I allow for time working it on the amount I get paid at work, that goes up to about £120 per litre. Thankfully I don't charge for my spare time.

junkyard dawg · Post by **junkyard dawg** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:53 am

That time adds up....

Its not the cost of ingredients or even equipment so much as the investment of time.

As far as being nice to me the next day... no other commercial liquor is as kind the next day as what I have been making. No headaches, no feeling sick, unless... well, you know...

I don't know what I would pay to just buy a bottle of my likker...Its gotta cost about 50 bucks a bottle to make when you add everything up, but its value is measured with a different sort of currency. You can't just go buy it...that makes anything valuable.

knuklehead · Post by **knuklehead** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:43 pm

I'm sure a lot of you go through the same issues. People you know always asking for a bottle. They know you make it at a few cents a bottle and figure it's no big deal for you to give them a bottle for nothing. I had a guy constantly bugging me for a bottle. I often have parties where everyone is welcome to have as much as they want.....but no doggy bags. Once I calculated the cost for the guy that kept bugging me for a bottle. I told him this is how much the ingredients cost me. This is how much labor is in that one liter bottle and supposing I would be working for the currant minimum wage in Canada the price I quoted for a 1 liter bottle was around 33 CAD, I didn't even add in the price of all my equipment, water or electricity. He was pissed and responded "for that price I can go to the liquor store and buy a bottle". I told him that was a damn good idea

I value my product way to much to actually be able to put a dollar figure on it. After you have stripped off three batches, all in separate evenings. Then done a spirit run on the stripped wash. Let it age on wood for another 2 months or sometimes longer. I find myself carrying a bottle like it was a new born baby in fear it may fall and break spilling all my hard work.

Pothead here · Post by **Pothead here** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:35 pm

because of the time factor, and the fact that I don't have much spare time.....I don't get to make as much as I would like to. After I give away some to the begging inlaws, sisters & brothers, I barely have enough to have 1 drunk weekend to myself.
Therefor, It is priceless to me. I couldn't put a dollar figure on it.

Post by **Grayson_Stewart** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:38 pm

You have to remember to factor in all the mason jars that seem to never make it back when people want seconds and thirds

rectifier · Post by **rectifier** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:51 pm

Well seeing how a 26er ("fifth") costs $20-25 here for even the nastiest of liquors, probably around $35-40/fifth would be fair for a liquor that comes through so low on the hangover.

As is, I treat it like it's free... like Knuklehead I like to bring a big jug to a party, I'm hoping to do so this Saturday if I can distill my latest batch in time - but if I ever found a guy filling up a bottle from my jug, he would be in for a whuppin'.

Booze, especially shine, is for sharing - but sharing does not mean you can take it home! I do give bottles to my close friends, of course.