Does making homemade beer cost more or less than buying it at the store?!
To answer your question, we had this same discussion on http://www.homebrewtalk.com and the consensus was that it is cheaper on a bottle to bottle comparison to homebrew your beer, but most homebrewers tend to cancel out those savings due to new equipment purchases, etc. as they expand and get new 'toys'.
The bottom line is, it's a hobby. If you go into it looking to save money, or make money, then you need to either do it on a larger scale than most homebrewers choose, or only buy the starter kit, and no new toys later on down the road.
Answers: First, get rid of the Mr. Beer and get yourself a 'starter kit' from your local homebrew shop.
To answer your question, we had this same discussion on http://www.homebrewtalk.com and the consensus was that it is cheaper on a bottle to bottle comparison to homebrew your beer, but most homebrewers tend to cancel out those savings due to new equipment purchases, etc. as they expand and get new 'toys'.
The bottom line is, it's a hobby. If you go into it looking to save money, or make money, then you need to either do it on a larger scale than most homebrewers choose, or only buy the starter kit, and no new toys later on down the road.
I found that, not counting the original outlay for equipment (not a kit, a realy home brewery) I could create a brew equal to superior in quality to premium beers like Anchor Steam, Bass, or Tucher. My manufacturing price (not counting labor) was about 65 cents per 16 ounce bottle. Only you know if you will make and consume/give away enough beer to make our original outlay for equipment cost effective. I can tell that beer bottled in 21 ounce chapagne bottles and gold foil, cork cage, and a fancy custom label is usually a more economical hostess or special occasion gift than something store bought.
Remember to get some pilsner glasses, as unlike most commerically available bottle beers, your homebrew will have some sediment. the pilsner glass is designed so that this settle to the bottom and is not drunk.
You can get schlock beer cheaper than you can make it. You can make good beer cheaper than you can buy it.
Once you have learned to make beer, graduate ASAP from the Mr Beer setup. You can get fermenters from places such as bakeries (old icing containers) and carboys show up frequently at flea markets. Buy a copy of Papazian's "New Complete Joy of Homebrewing" and follow it.
Making an American beer costs about a third less than buying it. Making European beers generally costs half (or less) than buying it.