homebrewers/beer drinkers, where you at?

[CaliMagFan]

hey guys.

just curious too see whom amongst us is a homebrewer or beer enthusiast. cheers

[FIST2CUFF]

Oh yea!!! I spent some time in Germany many years ago and they have the best beer I have ever had. I really miss the vending machines there! 2 German marks got you a cold brew (back then 1 doller got you almost 4 German marks) and there beer comes in a much larger bottle. Been thinking of getting into homebrewing.

[gimp]

I've brewed a few batches before. It's a blast.

[Altimas]

I've looked into it but it seems pretty expensive to me. I Love the Micro Brewery Beers but unfortunately I don't get to sample them often as they don't sell them in Alabama. They are working on legislation to change that though.

[Hexis]

There is a place here in Minneapolis (perhaps St Paul, somewhere in the metro area anyways) that has all the gear and ingredients you need. You pay them per batch and they supply everything. I have not tried it, but it seams like a good way to see if you like brewing your own before you get spend the money on all the gear. I suppose it would also be a good option if you only wanted to brew the occasional batch. See if there is something similar in your area.

[Altimas]

Awesome... Yeah I'll check around for something like that. Thanks for the info!

[Swampy]

I heard Samuel Adams was having a contest for homebrew beer.

[WaffleBaron]

Homebrewing isn't actually all that expensive to start up. Its when you start getting complex that it can get pricey. I wish we had a brew on premises here, make it so much easier then having to store fermentors in my house.

[maxama10]

Im in Germany currently... It's great! They dont use marks anymore, with the euro and all though. Im 17 so I can drink here(16 is the legal age). Surprisingly though I find that I really don't have such a desire to drink, at least as much as I thought I was going to want to. If that makes sense. Its still really great though and theres beer EVERYWHERE!

I think if you're a beer enthusiast you must come here to Germany.

-Max

[AirAssault]

I have not done it for years but used to brew a couple batches at a time. I am partial to Lagers and Pilsners and used to make a pretty whicked brew. I could get long neck bottles from a store where I went to college for $12 case. I would also keep the bomber bottles from the sunshine wheat and Fat Tire we drank. I don't drink much beer anymore but it sure was fun to make.

[ntn4502]

Alright, so for the last few years I've been having this huge desire to start home brewing(ales specifically), that and now that I'll be having my own place starting next month, I'll need a good hobby. So where do I start, can anybody point me in a direction of a kit to get started and whatnot. I imagine I'll start out with some starter pack recipes, but want to be able to find direct suppliers of hops so I can actually make my own real beer. I currently possess the following

4 years professional winemaking
access to a couple carboys from said winemaking(don't tell my cousin


OH!...and I'll have a steady stream of Grolsh bottles...from yes you guessed it

[robnix]

Alright, so for the last few years I've been having this huge desire to start home brewing(ales specifically), that and now that I'll be having my own place starting next month, I'll need a good hobby. So where do I start, can anybody point me in a direction of a kit to get started and whatnot. I imagine I'll start out with some starter pack recipes, but want to be able to find direct suppliers of hops so I can actually make my own real beer. I currently possess the following

4 years professional winemaking
access to a couple carboys from said winemaking(don't tell my cousin


OH!...and I'll have a steady stream of Grolsh bottles...from yes you guessed it

I've been at it for about 7 years now.

The easiest, and best way to get started is to find a local homebrew store and ask them pestering questions. I would NOT recommend one of those 'Add water and syrup, wait 2 weeks' kits. You get a mediocre product. It's very easy to buy the hops, malt extract, grains, and yeast. A few tips I've come across...

* Having the malt extract ready in a 5lb. can made eliminates the only truly difficult piece of brewing. Use it.
* There are excellent preroasted grains available.
* Don't use distilled water, beer enzymes need the natural minerals to ferment. Spring water is best, avoid water with chlorine in it as well.
* I took some cheesecloth, and the can that the malt extract came in to hold the grains while boiling the wort. Saved a LOT of effort after the boiling process in straining that stuff out. I put the grains in there and hang it in the wort while boiling.
* Go with an ale the first time. They're about the easiest beer to make.
* Cleanliness is KING. Make sure all your gear is clean and sanitized.
* Double fermenting makes better beer IMO, less sediment to chew through.
* Grolsch bottles are fun and easy, but after filling 50+ 12 oz. bottles, you'll wish you had 20 oz. bottles instead. 5 gallon kegs rule.
* Get the tower bottle capper, much quicker than the hand held one.

That's about it.

[gimp]

I've been at it for about 7 years now.

The easiest, and best way to get started is to find a local homebrew store and ask them pestering questions. I would NOT recommend one of those 'Add water and syrup, wait 2 weeks' kits. You get a mediocre product. It's very easy to buy the hops, malt extract, grains, and yeast. A few tips I've come across...

* Having the malt extract ready in a 5lb. can made eliminates the only truly difficult piece of brewing. Use it.
* There are excellent preroasted grains available.
* Don't use distilled water, beer enzymes need the natural minerals to ferment. Spring water is best, avoid water with chlorine in it as well.
* I took some cheesecloth, and the can that the malt extract came in to hold the grains while boiling the wort. Saved a LOT of effort after the boiling process in straining that stuff out. I put the grains in there and hang it in the wort while boiling.
* Go with an ale the first time. They're about the easiest beer to make.
* Cleanliness is KING. Make sure all your gear is clean and sanitized.
* Double fermenting makes better beer IMO, less sediment to chew through.
* Grolsch bottles are fun and easy, but after filling 50+ 12 oz. bottles, you'll wish you had 20 oz. bottles instead. 5 gallon kegs rule.
* Get the tower bottle capper, much quicker than the hand held one.

That's about it.

Those are some great tips. I use most of them. Don't have the keg facilities yet though. Once I get my own house maybe.

There is no way to stress how important cleanliness is. For me, it's the most time consuming part of the process.

The sediment is hit or miss with me. I've got an IPA I brew that I like to have some some sediment. Gives you some wicked gas, but it's cool.

[robnix]

Those are some great tips. I use most of them. Don't have the keg facilities yet though. Once I get my own house maybe.

There is no way to stress how important cleanliness is. For me, it's the most time consuming part of the process.

The sediment is hit or miss with me. I've got an IPA I brew that I like to have some some sediment. Gives you some wicked gas, but it's cool.

Thanks!

[Jeffy-CanCon]

I've been at it for about 7 years now.

The easiest, and best way to get started is to find a local homebrew store and ask them pestering questions. I would NOT recommend one of those 'Add water and syrup, wait 2 weeks' kits. You get a mediocre product. It's very easy to buy the hops, malt extract, grains, and yeast. A few tips I've come across...

* Having the malt extract ready in a 5lb. can made eliminates the only truly difficult piece of brewing. Use it.
* There are excellent preroasted grains available.
* Don't use distilled water, beer enzymes need the natural minerals to ferment. Spring water is best, avoid water with chlorine in it as well.
* I took some cheesecloth, and the can that the malt extract came in to hold the grains while boiling the wort. Saved a LOT of effort after the boiling process in straining that stuff out. I put the grains in there and hang it in the wort while boiling.
* Go with an ale the first time. They're about the easiest beer to make.
* Cleanliness is KING. Make sure all your gear is clean and sanitized.
* Double fermenting makes better beer IMO, less sediment to chew through.
* Grolsch bottles are fun and easy, but after filling 50+ 12 oz. bottles, you'll wish you had 20 oz. bottles instead. 5 gallon kegs rule.
* Get the tower bottle capper, much quicker than the hand held one.

That's about it.

Excellent tips!

I used to homebrew, years ago, and can vouch for most of them. The cheesecloth idea is one I will add if I start up again.


"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
- Ben Franklin