DIY drinkers are saving pounds on pints by brewing their own beer and wine at home.
As the credit crunch bites the public are naturally cutting back on non-essentials like holidays, eating out and going to the pub and are choosing instead to stay at home with a bottle of wine and a take-away.
What is more surprising, in this recession, however, is that people are looking to cut their drinks bill down even further by increasingly brewing their own.
Home brew has always been an option, but today its just that bit easier, you don't even have to add any sugar. The fact is that the process has improved so much that that anyone can produce good results and save a decent amount of money at the same time.
"The ease of home brewing is making the hobby more popular than ever and at the moment the saving our customers make can make a big difference to their weekly budget," says Lee Porter Sales Manager at Young’s Group.
A typical night out on the town can easily cost a couple £30.00 in drinks alone, while staying at home with a flagon of your favourite home brew can be as cheap to produce as 15p a pint. Any wonder then as the Treasury raises the alcohol duty on a pint of beer by 3p and on a bottle of wine by 13p, that home brewing is fast becoming one of Britain’s favourite hobbies.
Do it yourself wine making too is on the up. While the savings are not as stark as brewing your own beer given that (let’s face it) your average bottle of three for a tenner plonk can be a bit hit and miss, but with a little practice making your own vino should give you good results time and time again.
"Our process is the same as the professional vintners, but without the mess of crushing your own grapes and at about a third of the cost, the starter kit at under £25.00, with everything you need needn't cost the earth either" says Lee Porter at Young's.
As the UK enters the grip of the worst recession for a generation people seem to be prepared to put in a little more effort into providing their own entertainment especially if it means cutting the cost of an evening’s drinking to a fraction of pub prices. "Home beer and winemaking is on the increase and we are definitely one of the credit crunch winners, and so are our customers," says Lee Porter.
