Homebrewers official thread

[kenstogie]

H O M E B R E W I N G

Yup here's a thread on HOMEBREWING, I do it and have been getting into it lately. It is really pretty easy too

So just ask a question if.....

• if your new and would like to know more about
  
  
• Are brewing a batch and aren't really sure about something
  
  
• have a good recipe
  
  
• just have any questions about home brewing
  
  
• are an unattached super model (females only) that want to try a bottle of homebrew
  
  
• post a cool link about brewing
  
  
• etc etc etc

CHEERS!

[fortytwo]

I started getting into home brew back in January. I've had a couple of successes so far - a blonde ale and an amber ale. I'd like to try doing a wheat beer next. Any suggestions? Any "gotchas" I should be thinking about before I start trying to brew that style?

Also - where do you all get your ingredients from? There is a local homebrew shop near me, but I'd prefer to not pay those prices.

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by fortytwo

I started getting into home brew back in January. I've had a couple of successes so far - a blonde ale and an amber ale. I'd like to try doing a wheat beer next. Any suggestions? Any "gotchas" I should be thinking about before I start trying to brew that style?

Also - where do you all get your ingredients from? There is a local homebrew shop near me, but I'd prefer to not pay those prices.

Your in luck I've brewed 2 batches of Wheat. If you've done 2 batches already you know what to do mostly. Cleanliness is key of course. The other thing that's helpful is tempurature control. You could try using a better yeast like White's but I have had good luck with the pkts too. The batches I made one was a "Edme" wheat beer that was light in taste but had body. The other is Coopers wheat and that so far is even lighter. Both were great summer beers, used the pre-made malt extract kits, and were ready in about 2-3 weeks. The EDME was about 4.2% ABV and the Coopers was about 4%.
Hope that helps enjoy!

[dj1340]

Great hobby, used to brew all the time some years ago until the career took over my spare time. I was into Grains, great way to add some different things to your beer. Still have all the gear, maybe someday soon I'll get back into it.

[Nismo#12]

Here's another hobby I am planning to add to my life. Always wanted to get into it. Can't this year due to getting married and buying a house. But next year it gonna be on like donkey kong.

Great thread idea...Looking forward to a plethora of information...

[fortytwo]

Thanks for the tips. Sounds encouraging. I'll see if I can pick up the ingredients soon.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by kenstogie

Your in luck I've brewed 2 batches of Wheat. If you've done 2 batches already you know what to do mostly. Cleanliness is key of course. The other thing that's helpful is tempurature control. You could try using a better yeast like White's but I have had good luck with the pkts too. The batches I made one was a "Edme" wheat beer that was light in taste but had body. The other is Coopers wheat and that so far is even lighter. Both were great summer beers, used the pre-made malt extract kits, and were ready in about 2-3 weeks. The EDME was about 4.2% ABV and the Coopers was about 4%.
Hope that helps enjoy!

[kenstogie]

A good local home brewing store is a great resource. Our local one Hennessy Home brew is only 10 mins away!!!

• I don't know what the legality of this is but perhaps a trade thing might be an idea.
  
• For those who think homebrewing is hard. I am pretty sure all homebrewers thought that in the beggining but it's really easy.
  
• Remember the yeast does all the work!
  
• After you get your first batch done your like "that's it? Hmmm that wasn't that hard at all."
  
• Once you get the hang of it, it doesn't take as long as you may think

[AspiringGent]

Great post idea. My brother and I have been thinking about doing this for a while. While there's a lot of info out there, it can be a bit overwhelming. Is there a particular site / how-to you recommend for the first timer?

[fortytwo]

From what I've seen, Palmer's How To Brew is pretty much the definitive source for home brewing. I got the book with my homebrew kit, but you can also read most of it online here.

[azpostal]

I can only brew out here for a couple of months a year. It's to dang hot from April- October.

[MX1]

I brew, there for, I am









DRUNK

Anyway I love to brew, just started a year ago, and only have about 30 gallons under my belt.
I am on HBT a lot, it is a great Home brew site.
I just poured 5 gallons of APA down the gutter due to infection. I am taking a break and re-looking over my process so I can try to figure out where I went wrong. Gotta go and get a new ferm bucket before I start again as well.

I have brewed:
Irish Red Ale
Honey Brown Ale
Spiced Belgium Brown Christmas Ale

and planning a chocolate / Coffee porter.

I use Brew Alchemy on my mac for all my micro processing needs.

RDWHAHB....Cheers.

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by AspiringGent

Great post idea. My brother and I have been thinking about doing this for a while. While there's a lot of info out there, it can be a bit overwhelming. Is there a particular site / how-to you recommend for the first timer?

This is where I'd go.
Beginner extract brewing howto - Home Brew Forums
Also a home brew store too. It's not rocket science but that first batch seems overwhelming it not that bad.

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by azpostal

I can only brew out here for a couple of months a year. It's to dang hot from April- October.

If you have air conditioned room that'd work too.

Just brewed a dunkelwiezen! it'll be ready in 2 weeks, just in time for the camping trip on the 4th.

[macster]

Started homebrewing in 1995. Began with partial mashes and went to 10 gal. batches of all grain in 2000. Mostly brew the big brews lately; DIPA's, Imperial Stouts, Old Ales and Barleywines. 9% abv and up. Got some homebrews in the beer fridge with 6-7 years on them. Still tasting great.

A great hobby if you can afford the time and $$$.

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by macster

Started homebrewing in 1995. Began with partial mashes and went to 10 gal. batches of all grain in 2000. Mostly brew the big brews lately; DIPA's, Imperial Stouts, Old Ales and Barleywines. 9% abv and up. Got some homebrews in the beer fridge with 6-7 years on them. Still tasting great.

A great hobby if you can afford the time and $$$.

THe $$ not that bad if consider the cost of 6pack of good microbrew and it's a better product IMHO. I didn't realize that homebrews would last that long. Cool.