Foo - Coffee or Beer?

I have a little extra money at the moment. I can't decide whether I would rather buy:

a) a better coffee grinder (http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1234621246&sr=8-1) so I can make better espresso, as well as a french press (http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Chambord-8-Cup-Coffee-Press/dp/B00005LM0S/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_b), and an electric kettle (http://www.amazon.com/Adagio-Teas-UtiliTEA-Variable-Temperature-30-Ounce/dp/B001A5NFQA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1234621555&sr=1-1) for the press as well as making tea

or

b) homebrewing equipment (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=7587) so I can finally make 5 gallon batches of beer

I only have enough money to buy one. What should I get?

beer is too cheap to buy to warrant making your own.

beer is too cheap to buy to warrant making your own.

I think that would depend on the type of beer. Watery mass produced lager might be cheaper to buy, but a lot of ales would probably be cheaper (and more fun) to make at home (and the extract kits are supposed to turn out really well).

Buy a couple sixes of really good beer and a bottle of barley wine. Then buy
this
Daterra, Northern Italian style espresso

GHH Select Custom House Blend

and one of their limited edition coffees, your pick
http://www.terroircoffee.com/store/more_info.php?gid=271

George Howell is one of the only coffee guys in the country worth paying attention to.
Btw, what are you using for a grinder now?

I think that would depend on the type of beer. Watery mass produced lager might be cheaper to buy, but a lot of ales would probably be cheaper (and more fun) to make at home (and the extract kits are supposed to turn out really well).

I used to make beer. I'd typically use a couple cans of imported malt. Check the prices and see if it makes sense for you. After you get the hang of it (first batch is usually a disaster) try a batch with 3 cans and champagne yeast (barley wine).

Btw, the secret of good beer is temp control. If the temp is going much over 40
where you brew I wouldn't bother. I had a really cold cellar once. Beer brewed warmer always tastes a bit funky.

i had a roommate who brewed his own beer. god was that annoying. the beer was nasty too.

I think that would depend on the type of beer. Watery mass produced lager might be cheaper to buy, but a lot of ales would probably be cheaper (and more fun) to make at home (and the extract kits are supposed to turn out really well).

The kind you'd be able to successfully make at home would be cheap to buy. Good luck making high quality beer at home.

Coffee on the other hand can be brewed very well at home. Just ask KT.

Coffee. Its more of a sure thing.
.

Sounds like some people have had some beer brewed in poorly sanitized equipment. Stick to brewing ales at warmer temps and you'll be fine. Lagers need to be kept around 40 degrees or so.

http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

Btw, what are you using for a grinder now?

a Braun whirly blade grinder...

I roast my own coffee and have made my own beer. I would vote for the coffee, since you probably drink that every day and don't drink beer every day. The major capital investment in homebrewing is buying all the equipment. Once that is bought, the ingredients are not that expensive, but when you amortize out the costs of the equipment, it takes several batches before you start saving money over buying commercial beer. Making good coffee at home however, as opposed to going to Starbucks, has a much shorter payback period.

I don't know anyone who hasn't shelved their home brew kits. A coffee grinder is forever.

I would vote for the coffee, since you probably drink that every day and don't drink beer every day.

This is what I was thinking. I know I'd use and enjoy the coffee stuff every day. Ultimately, I'll end up buying both the coffee and beer stuff, I just wasn't sure which I should get right now.

I don't know anyone who hasn't shelved their home brew kits. A coffee grinder is forever.

I know several people (through my microbiology club) who actively brew their own beer and wine.

Coffee > Beer.

Coffee > Beer.

In the morning, yes.

In the morning, yes.

always....caffeine is considered a PED...alcohol? Not so much. :p

Beer. Homebrewing is a blast. Get some friends over, takes a half day to a day to do it. Hang out, drink beer, and make some good stuff.

coffee. Home roasting is a blast. Get some friends over, takes a half day to a day to do it. Hang out, drink some good coffee, and make some good stuff.

:p

I don't know anyone who hasn't shelved their home brew kits. A coffee grinder is forever.

When I was younger, I was very active in homebrewing, won some awards and even had a recipe for a clone of Redhook ESB published in one of Papazian's books. But as I have gotten older, I lean more towards red wine since my wife enjoys that too. I am the only beer-drinker in the house, and making a batch of 50 12 ounce bottles would last me several months, since I only drink 1-2 beers a week now, if that. So from the economic and variety perspective, it is cheaper and easier for me to buy a couple six packs of different beers and drink that. If I was still competing, or was supplying beer to a host of friends, as I did in earlier days, homebrewing would make more sense. If you are in college and are drinking mass quantities of beer, the scale and economics of homebrewing are more compelling.

But coffee we drink every day. And I can buy a pound of green beans for about $ 3-4 dollars and roast it myself to have the freshest coffee available. This makes more economic sense than buying gourmet roasted coffee at $ 10-15 pound. We probably go through 1.5 pounds of coffee per week.

always....caffeine is considered a PED...alcohol? Not so much. :p

depends on what you're trying to "enhance"

I am the only beer-drinker in the house, and making a batch of 50 12 ounce bottles would last me several months, since I only drink 1-2 beers a week now, if that. So from the economic and variety perspective, it is cheaper and easier for me to buy a couple six packs of different beers and drink that. If I was still competing, or was supplying beer to a host of friends, as I did in earlier days, homebrewing would make more sense. If you are in college and are drinking mass quantities of beer, the scale and economics of homebrewing are more compelling.

This is something I am a little worried about. I don't actually drink a whole lot of beer. Five gallons would last me a long time. I wish extract kits came in smaller sizes, like 3 or even 1 gallon kits. Oh well, I know plenty of people who would be willing to help dispose of my excess homebrew.

I know several people (through my microbiology club) who actively brew their own beer and wine.

I don't doubt it. It's just a hobby that fades as far as I can tell. Coffee is truly for life.

Another plus for coffee vs homebrew is the volume of stuff you're left with finding storage for. A nice burr grinder still just goes in a cabinet, unlike a 5g carboy or 2.

depends on what you're trying to "enhance"

Beer Goggles.:innocent:

a Braun whirly blade grinder...

Oh dear.

That's not a grinder in the same way a chainsaw isn't a haircutter. I mean you can... but the results aren't going to be what anyone had in mind.

The grinder you mentioned should be fine. The usual entry level grinder of choice
is the Barazta; it's not much more than the one you mentioned.
http://mattscoffee.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=43&osCsid=dd22938015f1140e24cb4823ddae6cf4

I'm sure either would be fine. I linked you to Matt because he uses an ancient Italian wood fired coffee roaster that makes a fine coffee.

Buy the beer brewing equipment and get a jar of Folger's instant.

Beer Goggles.:innocent:

http://beertalking.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/img_m483.jpg

And as far as buying opposed to brewing your own... Look at it this way, would you rather support your local brewery or Starbucks?

You know my answer T-Man.

BTW, I have the same grinder (the 'heavier' version, but the same one).
That French Press seems over priced. I got an 8-cup one for about $20-25 IIRC.
Instead of an electric kettle, you may want to consider a hot water dispenser. You can find some for about same price, but they keep water hot (and at "correct temp") for hours until you are ready to use it.

This is something I am a little worried about. I don't actually drink a whole lot of beer. Five gallons would last me a long time. I wish extract kits came in smaller sizes, like 3 or even 1 gallon kits. Oh well, I know plenty of people who would be willing to help dispose of my excess homebrew.

Try this http://www.mrbeer.com/ the beer is pretty good,and it makes two gallon batches. Bunch of different kinds. It's easy, it just takes time to ferment, carbonate,and condition(age). 5-6 weeks. Cleanliness is the key.

Ginger Beer

as someone who's been brewing on a regular basis for (omg, this makes me feel old) over 13 years, i have to say:

go with the coffee.

both are social beverages, but the coffee is good in any situation. beer, not so much.

you have to plan ahead for the beer.

and coffee bottles won't explode.

of course, i say this from the viewpoint of someone who owns a 16-year-old ten dollar coffee machine. and huge amounts of beer equipment - including two multi-tap kegerators.

I drink a lot less coffee than beer, and yet I drink a lot less beer and coffee then I did last year, about 90% less coffee and around 30% less beer and alcohol.

Another plus for coffee vs homebrew is the volume of stuff you're left with finding storage for. A nice burr grinder still just goes in a cabinet, unlike a 5g carboy or 2.

Yeah, I'm not sure I could fit two cases of beer in my fridge right now.


That's not a grinder in the same way a chainsaw isn't a haircutter. I mean you can... but the results aren't going to be what anyone had in mind.

Well, hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised by the results of a better grinder.


BTW, I have the same grinder (the 'heavier' version, but the same one).
That French Press seems over priced. I got an 8-cup one for about $20-25 IIRC.
Instead of an electric kettle, you may want to consider a hot water dispenser. You can find some for about same price, but they keep water hot (and at "correct temp") for hours until you are ready to use it.

eh, I only drink coffee one time a day, don't need hot water waiting constantly. I'm not sure I even need an electric kettle, a stovetop tea kettle would probably work fine.

I guess I'll go with the coffee stuff for now. But the homebrew eq will come soon enough.

I was in 'Style Man' mode when I typed that last reply. I once had that exact same chopper, and got quite frustrated with the inconsistency of the grind.

capbeercino!
like in the drew carrey show :lol:

I'm also a long-time homebrewer and would recommend coffee upgrade with the available money you're talking about. Brewing out of a bucket and making a big ol' mess while bottling 2 cases of beer was NOT fun. To really enjoy homebrewing you need about $300 and a spare fridge. Done right, the $300 will get you a glass carboy, home depot propane burner kit with 8 gallon pot, 5 gallon corny keg with gas/liquid fittings and a tap kit. Brew the beer, ferment, tranfer to and put keg in spare fridge, mount tap handle to door and you've got fantastic beer at your fingertips.

If you're going to do it, do it right. Otherwise just stick to coffee. :)

when you live close to the hop feilds you just go out and pick your own
and then grind it in with the coffee
a very dark stout beer is good mixed with coffee

Homebrew is the best, man. :)

homegrown is the best, man. :)

fify

fify

:lol: You're on one today, aren't you? :)

beer is too cheap to buy to warrant making your own.

I'll second that. With all the microbreweries putting out great beers. There is no reason to make your own.. Coffee is too vital in the AM, to get one going to go cheap. Life is too short for lousy beer or coffee....If we were stuck with just the likes of just Budweiser , then I'd vote beer.

I'll second that. With all the microbreweries putting out great beers. There is no reason to make your own.. Coffee is too vital in the AM, to get one going to go cheap. Life is too short for lousy beer or coffee....If we were stuck with just the likes of just Budweiser , then I'd vote beer.

I don't know about that, it's fun to make your own! And you can experiment with different flavors, too. I want to learn how to brew on my own, just because I think it sounds cool to learn how to do it. The skill could come in handy, if you're ever going to live far away from any cool microbreweries.

Ordered the coffee stuff this morning. Also bought a couple different coffees from Green Mountain Coffee (http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/shop/OurCoffees/FairTradeOrganic).

Homebrew is the best, man. :)

Hey Shadiyah, when am I gonna get to brew up some Kombucha? :D

Hey Shadiyah, when am I gonna get to brew up some Kombucha? :D

Well, my source isn't looking so reliable for a culture, so I'll probably have to make my own. It could be another couple weeks. You might be able to brew your own, with a bottle of GT's kombucha. That is what I'm going to try doing.

Well, my source isn't looking so reliable for a culture, so I'll probably have to make my own. It could be another couple weeks.

Aww, oh well, that's alright.

Ordered the coffee stuff this morning. Also bought a couple different coffees from Green Mountain Coffee (http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/shop/OurCoffees/FairTradeOrganic).

I like their Yirgacheffe. Although it's been a while, so they may be onto a different source. One of the annoyances of nonsourced coffee is you never know. I was getting some superb coffee for a while from Caribou, just raved about it. My supermarket ran out, and decided not to get more. So I mail ordered a couple pounds of the stuff, and when it arrived it wasn't half as good.

Nothing against Green Mountain, but Matts is a little better and Terroir blows their doors off.

I like their Yirgacheffe. Although it's been a while, so they may be onto a different source. One of the annoyances of nonsourced coffee is you never know. I was getting some superb coffee for a while from Caribou, just raved about it. My supermarket ran out, and decided not to get more. So I mail ordered a couple pounds of the stuff, and when it arrived it wasn't half as good.

Nothing against Green Mountain, but Matts is a little better and Terroir blows their doors off.

Yirgacheffe is one of them that I ordered.

Maybe I'll give Matt's or Terroir a try next.

I have about 150 pounds of green coffee beans out in my garage right now. As with any agricultural crop, it varies from year to year. What I taste in the 2006 Harrar shipment from Royal Coffee is not the same as the 2008 Harrar shipment from Royal. And these shipments are from the exact same plantation.

One of the reasons that commercial coffee blends remain so consistent is that the blend is constantly being tweaked by using different coffees with the new crop so that the taste is the same from year to year. When you drink single-origin coffees, you are more prone to the year to year variation in the crop.

When you drink single-origin coffees, you are more prone to the year to year variation in the crop.

This is very true. I love blends, but finding a consistent gourmet blend ain't easy if you know what great coffee is.

Ironically, because George Howell checks on the coffee personally; he maintains excellent quality control. Of course, you pay for the obsessiveness.