Homebrewers, UNITE!

[isukendall]

Been wanting to start this thread for awhile, and figured it would balance out the chatter on the new Bud Light craptastic venture.

Any homebrewers out there on CF? I live in Ft Collins, CO, where there are a ton of breweries and a large homebrewing culture as well. My brother in law got me a homebrew kit for Christmas just over a year ago (he figured it was a gift that HE could benefit from), and I've been doing a batch every 3 weeks or so.

I've moved up to all-grain batches, mashing in a 5 gal Igloo cooler with a braided mesh to drain it, boiling in a keggle. I try to make it a little more complicated/involved each time I brew. For example, last weekend I washed my yeast and will save it for a later batch.

Beers have turned out great so far. Only have had one that didn't turn out awesome. Styles I have done so far (off the top of my head): Brown Ale, Porter, Citra IPA, Hefeweisen, Witbier, Apple Saison, Blackberry Chocolate Porter, Belgian Ale, Belgian Dark Strong Ale, Stout, Red Ale, British Ale, ESB.

Just got a mead going this weekend also (a buddy from home has a bee farm, he gave me 20# of honey and we're splitting the batch). Interesting to see how that works out.

I'm getting tired of bottling. I really don't have room for keg equipment yet, but that's the next step. Anyone have some cornykegs sitting around that they'd like to donate?

Anyhow, would love to hear if other CFers homebrew, equipment, recipes, ideas, etc.

 

[Clonebydesign]

Love homebrewing, got a sour brown in the fert now long wait ahead.

 

[cyhawkdmb]

Aswesome Man! I have been wanting to start homebrewing for the last couple months... but dont really know what to get to start out.. I go online and just feel like the kits online are cheap... But IDK...

 

[isukendall]

Aswesome Man! I have been wanting to start homebrewing for the last couple months... but dont really know what to get to start out.. I go online and just feel like the kits online are cheap... But IDK...

After learning how to do it, I can honestly say that all you really need to brew beer is a five gallon bucket and a big pot. Where do you live (I assume CB is Council Bluffs)? Find a local homebrew shop and they will sell kits of varying levels. Here is an example of a basic kit http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Homebre...I5RS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1328552689&sr=8-4

As you get better, you can buy a new piece of equipment that will make it easier. For example, you'll need a decent sized pot, it would be good to upgrade to a 6 1/2 gallon carboy, etc.

Also, before you buy anything, get this and read it, it will help give you an idea of the processes involved! Amazon.com: The Complete Joy of Homebrewing Third Edition (null) (9780060531058): Charles Papazian: Books

 

[00clone]

I suppose I could still be considered a homebrewer...I used to do a good amount of homebrewing (extract only) before my son was born. With my wife and I on different shifts and the kid, no time for a 3 hour setup, boil, cool, cleanup. I tried the hopped extracts, with little success. Have since switched to wine kits, much less active time involved.

For kegging...yes, bottling sucks, but it also depends on how you drink. I have kegs, but I also liked being able to go to my 15 cases of bottles I built up over the period before that and pick out something different. I think if I go back, I'll probably have a 'go to' beer on tap and bottle others for random pickings.

I also think that when I go back, I'll probably start back brewing one recipe a whole bunch of times to completely lock down my process. In the past, I tried brewing a whole bunch of different things, then if something went wrong, I never knew what it was.

cyhawkdmb: whatever you get, you'll want to add to it later. If you're worried about having everything you need:

EVERYTHING + A CARBOY - Complete Brewing Equipment Kit #2 - Brewing Equipment Kits - Beer Equipment Kits - Brewing Equipment

As for books, in addition to the Joy...How to Brew by John Palmer is good: http://www.howtobrew.com/

And speaking of John Palmer...http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/ Brewing podcasts.

 

[NebraskaCyclone]

Great resources guys! I've only been at it for about a year. So far haven't ventured past the home kits with the extracts, but I've been pleased with the results. Made a hard cider and English style nut brown for the holidays that everyone enjoyed.

Through some friends I found a local Beer Club. We got a nice little group that gathers monthly at homes in Lincoln. Everyone brings a 6 or 12 of something, we sample everything, and once all beers have been sampled it's a free for all! :yes: Lots of fun and the guys who started it know what they're talking about and have been doing home brew for years. Looking forward to learning some more...and of course the drinking.

 

[isukendall]

I agree with 00clone that you'll want to add to your equipment. It may just be worth it to start out with a complete kit like he linked to, that's pretty solid for the price.

I haven't tried making the same brew twice yet, still more experimenting I want to do. I brew like I cook, I try different stuff all the time to see how it turns out. I do however take meticulous notes in case I want to replicate something, or to possibly understand what went wrong.

 

[isukendall]

I feel very fortunate that I have a nice LHBS (local homebrew shop). These guys are great at answering questions whether you're a beginner or advanced, have the equipment I need, and very important is fresh grains, hops, and yeast. I feel like my beers are much higher quality than I could make if I were shipping things in. If you have a LHBS, be sure to utilize them instead of trying to cut corners by ordering ingredients online, it will show in your beer.

Feel free to check them out, they have some solid recipes in their database Hops and Berries

 

[00clone]

I feel very fortunate that I have a nice LHBS (local homebrew shop). These guys are great at answering questions whether you're a beginner or advanced, have the equipment I need, and very important is fresh grains, hops, and yeast. I feel like my beers are much higher quality than I could make if I were shipping things in. If you have a LHBS, be sure to utilize them instead of trying to cut corners by ordering ingredients online, it will show in your beer.

Feel free to check them out, they have some solid recipes in their database Hops and Berries

Heh...my LHBS is a Hy-Vee Drugstore that has one 20 ft aisle of brew stuff. But, I new have in-laws in the twin cities, so Northern Brewer is probably my actual local shop. But, if you have one, use them.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I have been wanting to get into this for a long time. I have been in Beer Crazy (in Urbandale :yes: ) many many times to buy beer. Maybe I need to venture in those other aisles . . .

 

[isukendall]

Heh...my LHBS is a Hy-Vee Drugstore that has one 20 ft aisle of brew stuff. But, I new have in-laws in the twin cities, so Northern Brewer is probably my actual local shop. But, if you have one, use them.

I find it hard to believe Iowa City doesn't have a LHBS.

I hate to say it, but if I could pick one place in the country to open a LHBS/brewery combo, it would be Iowa City. The market is perfect for it.

 

[ianoconnor]

I started last April and have been addicted ever since. I bought my equipment kit from Beer Crazy and am planning on going all-grain here in the next couple of months. Definitely looking to start kegging then, as well.

I've had great luck with Northern Brewer, Midwest, & Austin Homebrew Supply (Austin, TX).

Hopefully before too long I'll have a jockey box and cornie keg out in lot G7 on Saturdays... :yes:


For those that live in Des Moines, check out the Iowa Brewers Union. Iowa Brewers Union - Advancing the art and science of home brewing in central Iowa. There are meetings every 3rd Monday of the month at El Bait Shop @ 7pm. Stop by and try some homebrew and meet some fellow brewers!

 

[pyrocyz]

Don't have time to discuss now, but just wanted to throw it out there that I have a Belgium Pale Ale in the fermenter right now. If I get time I need to rack it into the secondary tonight.

 

[tomocyclone]

I've got about 15 clean and sanatized corny kegs that i'd be willing to sell, as well as a great carboy hookup, both glass and PET plastic (the soda bottle material, not BPA leeching #7). Also, i'm an IPA fiend, so let me know if you've got a monster recipe that you've done. And has anyone tried to clone Sam Adams Noble Pils? Any luck?

 

[timhisu]

Just got my home brewing kit for Christmas. Made a surprisingly good Amber as my first batch.

 

[isukendall]

I've got about 15 clean and sanatized corny kegs that i'd be willing to sell, as well as a great carboy hookup, both glass and PET plastic (the soda bottle material, not BPA leeching #7). Also, i'm an IPA fiend, so let me know if you've got a monster recipe that you've done. And has anyone tried to clone Sam Adams Noble Pils? Any luck?

You should be happy that your first post is about beer.

If you like IPAs, try the Citra Pale Ale recipe from Hops and Berries (link above). Citra hops are very nontraditional, but has a great flavor and is something different. After making that beer I use Citra hops quite often for finishing.

What are you asking for your corny kegs? It'll be a few months before I'll be in Iowa again.

 

[tomocyclone]

You should be happy that your first post is about beer.

If you like IPAs, try the Citra Pale Ale recipe from Hops and Berries (link above). Citra hops are very nontraditional, but has a great flavor and is something different. After making that beer I use Citra hops quite often for finishing.

What are you asking for your corny kegs? It'll be a few months before I'll be in Iowa again.

Finally, something worth posting! haha.

My first IPA used citra to finish, and it was quite nice after about a 2 month conditioning. I was hoping to get 45-50 for them since I went through and put in good FDA food grade o-rings, took them apart and completely cleaned them. For the carboys, I was thinking like ~20 for glass and 15 for plastic. I only use plastic now since you won't break it, lighter weight, etc. It only took me one broken carboy to change my attitude on that, and still makes GREAT IPAs! Usually keep 'em around 7-8% abv and dry hop for 1-2 months in secondary, which is WELL worth it.

 

[RustyClone]

I've never been interested in trying. But, living over here and drinking these Muenchen Lagers I might have to try to recreate this when I get back. If it is even possible.

 

[cyfan964]

Been brewing for about 5 years now. I just started kegging last year and man was that a time saver. Bottling is a thing of the past for me. I usually have 2-3 in fermentation at all times and have a few Better Bottles for Ciders around summer time.

I've brewed just about everything imaginable and have never had a bad batch. My biggest tip that I could give anyone in the homebrew community would be to use StarSan as a sanitizer. That **** is incredible and it is odorless/tasteless so you can leave as much residue as you want and it won't effect the beer. I've left my carboy completely full of foam and dumped the wort in and never had a bad batch.

 

[BKLYNCyclone]

I've got about 15 clean and sanatized corny kegs that i'd be willing to sell, as well as a great carboy hookup, both glass and PET plastic (the soda bottle material, not BPA leeching #7). Also, i'm an IPA fiend, so let me know if you've got a monster recipe that you've done. And has anyone tried to clone Sam Adams Noble Pils? Any luck?

PM me info on those cornies if you're really looking to sell some. I brew faster than I can drink it (damn diet) usually and would like to start aging some bigger brews in kegs.

I roll with 10 gallon batches usually. I've slowed down a lot though with 6 month old twins, even though I'm now in a house in MN and not a 1 bedroom apt in Brooklyn anymore.

The last batch I brewed was Dec. 10. I did a 5 gallon SMASH with 17lbs Maris Otter and Citra (6 oz, mostly late additions). I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure I used the Wyeast Northwest Ale yeast. I was planning on dry hopping it, but it didn't need it. I literally just took it out of the primary bucket last Thursday and went straight to the keg (almost 8 weeks). A big no-no to leave it on the primary that long, but I got an interesting flavor out of it (fruity esters making it smell like fruit punch). So far everyone loves it, despite it being 70 IBUs or so. I'm assuming that the fruit punch smell is because I left it on the original yeast cake so long, but curious if anyone has ever had anything similar. I'm tempted to make another batch and then throw cherries and brett/lactobacillus. I've got 6 carboys that I'd love to get filled and aging soon.