Is home brewing cheaper than buying beer? Home beer machine vs pub vs supermarket

Is it better value to buy a supermarket beer, order a pub pint or make your own at home?

Home brewing can be good value, but equipment and the time you want to spend matter too.

With Pinter, brewing, conditioning and tapping happen in one all-in-one machine. Fresh Beer starts at £1.79 per pint, and selected Flexible Beer Plans include the machine.

Is home brewing cheaper than buying beer in the UK?

Yes, brewing at home can cost less than regularly buying pub pints. Pinter Fresh Beer costs just £1.79 per pint, compared with the £5.34 average for a UK draught pint. Selected Flexible Beer Plans also include the Pinter, reducing the upfront cost of getting started.

That makes Pinter a practical option if you enjoy fresh beer on tap. Traditional home brewing involves more equipment and bottling, while Pinter brings brewing, conditioning and tapping together in one machine.

Supermarket prices vary by brand and pack size, so compare the cost per pint of what you usually buy. If pub beer is a regular purchase, Pinter lets you enjoy fresh beer at home for less.

Beer costs compared

If pub pints are your usual comparison, Pinter brings fresh beer on tap at home for just £1.79 a pint. Ten pints cost £17.90, compared with £53.40 at the average pub price. Selected Flexible Beer Plans can also include the machine, reducing the upfront cost. That makes Pinter a compelling way to enjoy fresh beer at home without buying a traditional kit or bottling each batch.

Want to learn how Pinter compares to home beer taps or kegerators? Read our guides.

What does home brewing really cost?

Traditional home brewing

The first batch costs more than the ingredients alone. A complete starter kit for around 40 pints can cost about £80, and may include brewing equipment, bottles and ingredients for your first brew. For later batches, you’ll need another ingredient kit, plus any brewing sugar, cleaner or replacement supplies.

You’ll also spend time brewing, cleaning and bottling. That hands-on process is part of the appeal if you enjoy making beer, but it belongs in the cost picture too.

Brewing with Pinter

Pinter brings brewing, conditioning and serving together in one machine, so there’s no separate fermenter, bottling kit or keg setup to buy. At £1.79 per pint, a 10-pint Fresh Press works out at £17.90. The Pinter costs £99, but selected Flexible Beer Plans include the machine.

For anyone who wants fresh draught beer at home without managing traditional brewing equipment and bottling, that combination makes Pinter an appealing way to get started.

How to work out your own cost per pint

Start with the amount you actually pay, then divide it by the beer you can pour:

Cost per pint = Total cost ÷ pints poured

For a Pinter Fresh Press, £17.90 divided by 10 pints comes to £1.79 per pint. If you’re using traditional equipment, include the starter kit in your first-batch cost. To compare later batches, spread that equipment cost across the total number of pints you expect to brew, and add recurring costs such as ingredients, sugar and packaging.

Use the beer you’ll actually drink, not just the kit’s advertised yield: spills, sediment or an unfinished batch can reduce the number of pints you pour. Then compare like with like. A pub pint is a different benchmark from supermarket beer, so use the price you would normally pay.

When is a home beer machine worth the cost?

A home beer machine makes most sense when you’ll use it regularly and enjoy the idea of pouring fresh draught beer at home. It’s especially appealing if you often host friends or usually buy pints when you want beer: Pinter’s Fresh Press works out at £1.79 per pint, and selected Flexible Beer Plans include the machine, subject to the plan’s order requirements.

Convenience is part of the value, too. Pinter combines brewing, conditioning and serving in one machine, so you can make beer at home without taking on the separate equipment and bottling involved in traditional home brewing.

And with different Fresh Press styles to choose from, you can enjoy more variety than keeping to one regular pub or supermarket choice. If you like fresh beer and will make use of the machine, Pinter can be a rewarding long-term addition to your home.

Kevin, Pinter Customer

So, is home brewing cheaper than buying beer?

If pub pints are your usual choice, making beer at home can bring the cost down. With Pinter, Fresh Beer works out at £1.79 per pint, and selected Flexible Beer Plans include the all-in-one machine. You can pour fresh draught beer at home without buying a separate fermenter or bottling each batch.

For anyone who wants the home-brew experience with less equipment and effort, Pinter makes a strong case on both cost and convenience.

Frequently asked questions

About the author

Charlie Howsego

Community Executive

As Pinter's Community Executive, Charlie loves nothing more than helping people discover the joy of brewing at home. Through his writing, he shares practical tips, brewing insights, and a genuine passion for fresh beer.