Homebrew Beer Club

[ToiletCrusher]

So here's the deal:

We all like beer (if not, go post elsewhere) and we like to tell people about the beer we enjoy. Some of us like beer enough to go ahead and make our own. I do that. Currently, I am making a seasonal brew with anise and nutmeg (porter and a lager).

Anyway, the point of this thread is to have people give tell their trials and tribulations about making their own beer.

Topics (hopefully) include:

Ideas for flavors
Recipes
and most importantly foraging a kinship with beer-making peers and if possible begin some sort of a beer trade.

Beer trade:

Exactly like it sounds! You brew. Tell people on this thread.
If someone is interested, they PM you their mailing address. You trade brews.

This could wind up being a bust or being the best! But I know one thing, I am in it to win it.

So, if you want in, post here and hopefully this can be more successful than when people tried trading concert recordings on DAT.

Cheers!!!!:drunk:

[AF Mike]

Mister Toiletcrusher I don’t know you but I have to ask – How the fuck did you get into my head? Just this morning I was sitting in my shop staring at a sink full of empties and thought to myself “ if we’re not making money we should at least be making beer.”

How about recommendations/links for a good starter setup ? Something reasonable that’s still going to be useable if the first few batches go well. I’m degreed in Chemical Engineering and have run a ton of fermentation labs. I understand the chemistry but would appreciate advice on the hardware.

[Hottub]

Great idea for a thread.:drunk:


And although I haven't brewed for a while, I am more than willing to be the official board Brew Guinea Pig.

In particular, I want to try ANC's East Side Dave brew.

[Chuck Norris]

Great idea for a thread.:drunk:


And although I haven't brewed for a while, I am more than willing to be the official board Brew Guinea Pig.

In particular, I want to try ANC's East Side Dave brew.

We all know you have an excess of yeast tub. Might as well put it to good use.

[furie]

i've brewed before. I have been procrastinating starting a new batch
I do really enjoy brewing

[Foster]

i've brewed before. I have been procrastinating starting a new batch
I do really enjoy brewing

I make a new batch every day

[DarkHippie]

I love brewing my own beer. unfortunately my living conditions at the time do not permit me to brew, not clean enough.

[JerseyRich]

My brother and his friend are actually coming out to Jersey this weekend to start brewing some beer.

I will Document it with Photos and post them here on Sunday.

What a coincidence.

[ToiletCrusher]

I like the way this is starting off!!

So, to answer the first question - simply searching google can yield a good amount of homebrew starter kits.

http://www.google.com/search?q=home+beer+making+kit&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

It all depends on what you choose to spend. My kit included a primary fermenter, secondary fermenter, a coil cooling kit (uses cold tap water) and it came with all ingredients to start me off. I just went from there. It cost $249.

Bottles: I typically go to garage sales to find old bail-top beer bottles. Otherwise, you can sterilize non-threaded beer bottles and re-cap them.

[AF Mike]

I like the way this is starting off!!

So, to answer the first question - simply searching google can yield a good amount of homebrew starter kits.

http://www.google.com/search?q=home+beer+making+kit&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

It all depends on what you choose to spend. My kit included a primary fermenter, secondary fermenter, a coil cooling kit (uses cold tap water) and it came with all ingredients to start me off. I just went from there. It cost $249.

Bottles: I typically go to garage sales to find old bail-top beer bottles. Otherwise, you can sterilize non-threaded beer bottles and re-cap them.


I tried the google yesterday and got bogged down in a couple of different brew forums.
Too much information for a newbie. I ran a craigslist ad (http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/wan/945831768.html) this morning looking for used
equipment, can't wait to see the replies. Thanks for the pricepoint
I have an idea of what these quitters spent.

[ANC]

I'm in buddy boy! Hopefully I can get down to the homebrew supply soon.

:drunk:

[Tallman388]

I love brewing my own beer. unfortunately my living conditions at the time do not permit me to brew, not clean enough.

You should see some of the stuff that ends up in non-trappist belgian beers, they're clearly not worried about cleanliness.

I'll join in the fun in the spring, when I can dedicate the time.

[joethebartender]

Although I won't be brewing any beer soon; I just want to throw my hat into the ring for official taster/beer judge of this club.
PM me for your sample and entry shipping info.

[Servo]

I'm in buddy boy! Hopefully I can get down to the homebrew supply soon.

:drunk:

Dude, I gotta get back into it. You need to show me some more advanced techniques... those Mr. Beer malt extracts can only take you so far.

And we need to have another all-day marathon brew-fest. That was fun.

[Annie Waits]

cool thread

if anyone is looking for some good kits, the Homebrewers Outpost out of Flagstaff, AZ ships and I've tried pretty much all of their kits and they all rock the fat ass!! they are also really nice about answering any question, great store!

http://www.homebrewers.com/

[ANC]

Dude, I gotta get back into it. You need to show me some more advanced techniques... those Mr. Beer malt extracts can only take you so far.

And we need to have another all-day marathon brew-fest. That was fun.

Hell yeah buddy! Definitely will do. We can discuss more this weekend..

[ANC]

Perhaps our own Dr. Steve would be interested... I believe he's into homebrewing as well.

[skyscraper]

I used to brew, I would love to get back into it. I once brewed a honey beer during the superbowl. it had such a kick (honey is of course nothing but fermentable sugar) that I called it "uberbowl".
maybe after the new year.

[ANC]

I used to brew, I would love to get back into it. I once brewed a honey beer during the superbowl. it had such a kick (honey is of course nothing but fermentable sugar) that I called it "uberbowl".
maybe after the new year.

I use honey in my Honey Wheat beer. Gives it a nice crisp dry taste.

[ToiletCrusher]

This is working as planned!!!! Very nice!

[ANC]

Apparantly Dave liked the East Side Dave's Irish Steam I brought in studio a few months back.. I'll post the recipe if anyone wants it.

[drjoek]

Apparantly Dave liked the East Side Dave's Irish Steam I brought in studio a few months back.. I'll post the recipe if anyone wants it.

Dave likes Beer?:ohmy:

[ANC]

Dave likes Beer?:ohmy:

It was a long shot, but I took a chance...

[ToiletCrusher]

Apparantly Dave liked the East Side Dave's Irish Steam I brought in studio a few months back.. I'll post the recipe if anyone wants it.

recipes are more than welcome!!!!!!

[ANC]

recipes are more than welcome!!!!!!

I'm still in partial mash, but feel free to tweak it.

For 5 gallon batch:

2.5lb Extra Light LME
2.5lb Amber LME
1.5lb <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Crystal</st1:City></st1:place> Malt 90
2 oz. Fuggle (60 minute boil)
1oz. Cascade (Dry)
SafLager S-23 yeast

:drunk:

[OGC]

cool thread

if anyone is looking for some good kits, the Homebrewers Outpost out of Flagstaff, AZ ships and I've tried pretty much all of their kits and they all rock the fat ass!! they are also really nice about answering any question, great store!

http://www.homebrewers.com/


I am at work and can't click on the link.

I've never brewed beer. How much would it cost to start at zero and get a GOOD kit and how long does it take to go from start to drinking my own beer ?

[ToiletCrusher]

I am at work and can't click on the link.

I've never brewed beer. How much would it cost to start at zero and get a GOOD kit and how long does it take to go from start to drinking my own beer ?

bare essential - $99. good starter kit - 200 - 300 !!!

[bossdjbware]

My buddies brew on a regular basis. Check out the link in my sig. They blog all their beers.

Here are some pics I took over the summer:http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MWFgmbBmUas/STWWLYFXeLI/AAAAAAAABXI/ROeuuISMliI/s800/1615%20006.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MWFgmbBmUas/STWMXSF7hpI/AAAAAAAAAqo/_KohljpH_NQ/s800/7.31.07%20024.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MWFgmbBmUas/STWMkh3eTHI/AAAAAAAAAsI/ZBXeL8QU3HU/s800/7.31.07%20036.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_MWFgmbBmUas/STWMp09P7YI/AAAAAAAAAs0/2H4HfOzDZX8/s800/7.31.07%20041.jpg

[Chigworthy]

Northern Brewer has several different levels of starter kits, as well as just about any of the other stuff you'll "need". By that I mean all the cool gadgets that you don't really need.

Also, anyone else made/thinking of making the leap to all grain? I started building a cooler mash tun a few months back but got distracted by a new job.

Right now I have a fruit cake old ale in secondary on 4 pounds of dried fruit, and a tripel in secondary. Maybe I'll bottle next week.

There's nothing better than a house that reeks of malted barley and hops.

[ToiletCrusher]

Here's a good looking white ale. I need to cut it in half as it is intended to be 11 gallons but It can be done. Any thoughts?

http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator?group=25&item=7278

[NewYorkDragons80]

This thread read my mind. I've been looking to pick up some brewing equipment for a little while now. When toiletcrusher says good starter kit, I'm looking for something where I get to brew with hops and malt and all that good shit. I don't want a kit that gives me mixes. If I want a mix, I'll buy a 3 minute ice cream maker.

[mhaugan]

Here's a good looking white ale. I need to cut it in half as it is intended to be 11 gallons but It can be done. Any thoughts?

http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator?group=25&item=7278

I'd go with fresh orange zest and more of it. I also used a tea bag of chamomile tea in my wit this summer and it turned out wonderful. Last 10 minutes of boil.

[ToiletCrusher]

I'd go with fresh orange zest and more of it. I also used a tea bag of chamomile tea in my wit this summer and it turned out wonderful. Last 10 minutes of boil.

good thought. I was thinking that I might mix some orange zest with my sugar water prior to bottling.

[Aqualad]

I just made the Chocolate Stout recipe from the Brewer's Apprentice. http://www.brewapp.com/equipment.htm#top

It smells awesome.

[ANC]

I just made the Chocolate Stout recipe from the Brewer's Apprentice. http://www.brewapp.com/equipment.htm#top

It smells awesome.

Nice! That's where I go for my homebrew supplies! :thumbup:

[Aqualad]

Nice! That's where I go for my homebrew supplies! :thumbup:

This is my first "real" beer. I have a Mr. Beer, and my sister gave me this recipe for Christmas. She said they shipped it really fast.

[ANC]

This is my first "real" beer. I have a Mr. Beer, and my sister gave me this recipe for Christmas. She said they shipped it really fast.

Nice! Yeah they're really good over there. Depending on how far South Jerz you are, you could take a ride over.

[Aqualad]

Nice! Yeah they're really good over there. Depending on how far South Jerz you are, you could take a ride over.

A guy I work with buys his supplies at the shop, apparently it's not far from us. It wasn't hard to do- if the beer turns out well I would definitely buy from them again.

[ANC]

A guy I work with buys his supplies at the shop, apparently it's not far from us. It wasn't hard to do- if the beer turns out well I would definitely buy from them again.

Yeah I've been meaning to get down there. It's in freehold off Route 79.

[Edwin]

How the hell did I miss this thread? Anyone still brewing? I may still have some of our medal winning Saison left.

What's the haps? (hops)

[ToiletCrusher]

I think a lot of people are still brewing. I know I am!


Can we get this to be a sticky???






btw edwin,
did you see my gift to you in the 1/21 listening thread?

[boosterp]

I will be starting back soon, and I am getting my supplies back together for making wine.

[Edwin]

Brewing with the crew tomorrow. Not sure what we want to make yet. I'll try to get some pics up.

Here's some pics of our previous brewing days:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ed5275/BrewDay62108#

http://picasaweb.google.com/ed5275/MemorialBrewDay08#

Or my entire public album (very beer-centric):

http://picasaweb.google.com/ed5275

[Aqualad]

I just made the Chocolate Stout recipe from the Brewer's Apprentice. http://www.brewapp.com/equipment.htm#top

It smells awesome.

This recipe turned out great.

I tried to order some more supplies from them today, but their online store doesn't seem to be working.

[Freakshow]

So I found a recipe and i'm going to give the Milk Stout a shot. I am basing it on the Left Hand, although it was the Lancaster Milk Stout I had last week that got me thinking about it.

And what the hell is fuggle? I feel like I should know what that is...

[hydee]

This summer I am planning a very nice medicinal herb garden. Since I placed my order I have been thinking about beer and herbs and if it's possible to infuse them with my homebrew. We have been making our own for about 3 years now, and have experimented with fruits dry and fresh but I was wondering if anyone ever brewing with herbs.

[Freakshow]

what kind of 'herbs' are we talking about?

http://hempmuseum.org/ROOMS/HempenAle.jpg

[hydee]

what kind of 'herbs' are we talking about?

http://hempmuseum.org/ROOMS/HempenAle.jpg

Lavender, wormwood, figwort, wintergreen, thyme and that sort of herbs. My budget doesn't allow for weed infused beer just quite yet.

[CHUCKWAGONCOOK]

I uncapped a bottle of my Oatmeal Porter today and I do believe it to be the best Home Brewed Beer I have ever tasted.

When I conditioned it with priming sugar, I used a light Orange Blossom Honey. 3/4 cup for five gallons of beer. I treated it just like sugar, IE. brought it to a boil with one pint of water then let it cool to room temp before adding to the wart. Then I bottled it. It only had to sit for 10 days in the bottle.

Great frothy head with lots of lacing. I really like the honey when it comes to priming. You should all try it.

[Freakshow]

Lavender, wormwood, figwort, wintergreen, thyme and that sort of herbs. My budget doesn't allow for weed infused beer just quite yet.

wormwood you say. Skip beer and go straight to absinthe...

[hydee]

wormwood you say. Skip beer and go straight to absinthe...

I do plan on making a tincture of the wormwood. I look forward to seeing what it will do.

A friend and I got so drunk I felt it for days on Absinthe. We were listening to Jack Kerouac reading "On The Road" on the Steve Allen show, on a DVD about JK, it was quite possibly the coolest time I ever got drunk.

[led37zep]

I've always wanted to brew my own beer. I just wish I had the space.

[Freakshow]

Well, I took the plunge and i'm trying all-grain. I built a lauter tun out of a cooler and am mashing as we speak. I didn't buy a larger brew pot, I bought a second 5 gallon pot and am going to split the batch in two. But now it occurs to me I can't cool them both in my sink at the same time. I guess I will buy that bigger pot in the near future...

[Freakshow]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3320528429_2f495cea2c.jpg

It's not the most beautiful thing in the world, but it was pretty effective. I do need to cut some more holes in the bottom so it will sparge a little quicker. I made it myself, in hindsight, I should have bought the copper pipe that was already bent...

I actually got a higher specific gravity then I was expecting, but i'm thinking it's because I added the lactose at the end (i'm making a milk stout). It certainly seemed like it smelled and looked like there was a lot of fermentable sugar coming out of the tun. I won't know how it really came out for a few days, and then a couple of weeks after bottling. I'm very excited, though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3320527069_8ec04ccf10.jpg
12 pounds is a LOT of grain. :)

[ROBRYANCOMIC]

I love beer and would love if there was a topic just to talk about our favorite or recently had craft brews. I lack the rf.net cred to do so. So hopefully some of you fellow beer nerds can get it done. The last beer i had that i want to drink all day was weyerbacher double simcoe ipa, what was yours?

[PapaBear]

My brother and his band mate brew. Both of these guys are my brothers.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/l_4419a71503174ab0adebfd9d3b2928d3.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/l_724f53e2676944abb13bf97e6822703f.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/l_97c4354d918346afb53789059532f84f.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/l_caff409c45684faa97130b57a4a2a060.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/l_eb5e85a1340641c79fc11b11f2998ef2.jpg


If I'm not mistaken, his band mate grows his own hops.

[led37zep]

I'm thinking of buying a version of this kit from Homebrewers outpost
http://www.homebrewersupply.com/hbsimages/K6StarterKit.gif

My only concern is that I'm in a 1 bedroom Apt in NY and want to make sure I will have enough space and the smell won't bother the surrounding folks.

I've seen that most people do this in their garages, does anyone have the space limits I'm dealing with? If so any advice?

Also,

Seems like ANC and Toilet seem to be the most skilled folks around NYC. Is anyone open to a brewing party? I'd love to see first hand the process before I go and drop the cash on the equipment.

[ANC]

I'm thinking of buying a version of this kit from Homebrewers outpost
http://www.homebrewersupply.com/hbsimages/K6StarterKit.gif

My only concern is that I'm in a 1 bedroom Apt in NY and want to make sure I will have enough space and the smell won't bother the surrounding folks.

I've seen that most people do this in their garages, does anyone have the space limits I'm dealing with? If so any advice?

Also,

Seems like ANC and Toilet seem to be the most skilled folks around NYC. Is anyone open to a brewing party? I'd love to see first hand the process before I go and drop the cash on the equipment.

Yo! Thanks for the kind words..Currently I'm in a 1 bedroom with a small kitchen with hardly any room for storage. I use a 2 gallon Mr. Beer fermenter (what I started out with). It fits right in my cabinet.

I will be getting a full rig, but I'm trying to sell my place and get a house.. so brewing will have to wait a few months :sad:...

[led37zep]

Yo! Thanks for the kind words..Currently I'm in a 1 bedroom with a small kitchen with hardly any room for storage. I use a 2 gallon Mr. Beer fermenter (what I started out with). It fits right in my cabinet.

I will be getting a full rig, but I'm trying to sell my place and get a house.. so brewing will have to wait a few months :sad:...

Good luck with the move buddy.

How much flexibility do you have with Mr. Beer? I'm really just trying to get up to speed on the process. Naturally I want to buy a bigger rig so when I perfect the process I can brew more, but maybe I should start small and focus on a smaller batch.





ha...I said smaller batch.:annoyed:

[ANC]

Good luck with the move buddy.

How much flexibility do you have with Mr. Beer? I'm really just trying to get up to speed on the process. Naturally I want to buy a bigger rig so when I perfect the process I can brew more, but maybe I should start small and focus on a smaller batch.





ha...I said smaller batch.:annoyed:

:laugh:

Well with the Mr. Beer, I only use the fermenter, I go to the local Homebrew supply shop to get grain, malt extract, hops and yeast. I haven't made the jump to all-grain yet, so the beers I make are partial mash (Grains for steeping, Malt Extract). The fermenters are $10 on Mr. Beer's website.

[Bernie Madoff]

Does making wine in a prison toilet qualify as homebrewing?

Regards & Salutations,
B.M.

[led37zep]

I've been doing some research and I'm going to buy the starter kit I posted when I get back from LA next week. I think I might just start with one of their pre packaged brew kits as well just to learn how everything operates.

I'm pretty pumped for the whole learning process and especially the beer. If I'm any good at it I'll see about sending out some samples and seeing what you all think.

[Aqualad]

:laugh:

Well with the Mr. Beer, I only use the fermenter, I go to the local Homebrew supply shop to get grain, malt extract, hops and yeast. I haven't made the jump to all-grain yet, so the beers I make are partial mash (Grains for steeping, Malt Extract). The fermenters are $10 on Mr. Beer's website.

I made a decent beer recently with some Mr. Beer mix. I used a couple cans of the Canadian mix, and added hops and yeast that I had gotten at the homebrew store. It came out nice.

I think the shitty yeast is the main reason why the Mr Beer system gets such a bad rap.

[ANC]

I made a decent beer recently with some Mr. Beer mix. I used a couple cans of the Canadian mix, and added hops and yeast that I had gotten at the homebrew store. It came out nice.

I think the shitty yeast is the main reason why the Mr Beer system gets such a bad rap.

I agree, you'd actually probably be better off with baker's yeast than what comes with Mr. Beer..

I typically use Nottingham Ale Yeast or SafeLager.

[led37zep]

Bought the basic Equipment and first extract kit on friday.


I'm stoked!

[led37zep]

Alright...I haven't brewed a damn thing and I'm still waiting for my kit to arrive but the thought of eventually rocking this gear is quickly becoming my new obsession.

42 Gallon Fermenter = more beer!
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/images/27_gal_fermenator.jpg

20 Gallon brew pot with false bottom and spout makes me happy!
https://www.nexternal.com/hombre/images/20gal_BoilerMaker_pot.jpg

I'm obviously getting ahead of myself, I'm still just as stoked to be brewing in my 5 gallon brew pot and bucket fermenter.

[led37zep]

Alright. So my brew kit and first extract have arrived but I need to source out a quality brew pot. I've done some reading about how using aluminum can taint the batch. Anyone have any experience with this? Should I just go with Stainless Steel and not worry?

Also, 3 gallons or 5 gallons? I'm leaning toward the 5 gallon (or maybe 6) so I'll be able to handle an all grain batch down the road. Any advice here would rock.

[Annie Waits]

this is what chuckwagoncook and I use, it's a big enamal camping pot, works perfectly!

http://www.gsioutdoors.com/images/products/zoom/18664_h1_g.jpg

[CHUCKWAGONCOOK]

this is what chuckwagoncook and I use, it's a big enamal camping pot, works perfectly!

http://www.gsioutdoors.com/images/products/zoom/18664_h1_g.jpg
The thing about using this tin pot we have is this. It's only a 3 gallon pot. So your kinda making a condensed wart when your cooking it. You add more water to the carboy or bucket after you boil the wart.

It's good to do this because you have to bring down the temp. before you pitch the yeast anyways.

Also the pot I got had a very thin bottom. This means that you have to stir while you put the malt in.

I also muslin bag the grains and hang them from the side with a string until the grains float. This I do to keep them off the direct heat of the bottom of the pot and thus hence scorching them.

But you can get any pot you want. If I had a dream pot I would buy a 3-4 Gallon Stainless with a thick thick bottom.

Enjoy your kit buddy. The hardest part is bottling. Pain in the ass. Remember to wipe down your bottle heads before you cap them.

Love Peace and Fresh Beer Grease,

Lenny

[Freakshow]

Alright. So my brew kit and first extract have arrived but I need to source out a quality brew pot. I've done some reading about how using aluminum can taint the batch. Anyone have any experience with this? Should I just go with Stainless Steel and not worry?

Also, 3 gallons or 5 gallons? I'm leaning toward the 5 gallon (or maybe 6) so I'll be able to handle an all grain batch down the road. Any advice here would rock.

Actually, I just did my first all-grain and I needed an 8-gallon pot. I didn't have one so I tried to use 2 5-gallon ones. It worked ok, but not great. So go for the 5 gallon, I found one at target for $40 or so. And I found one online for a little less, I believe (amazon).

[led37zep]

I've got the brew pot, extract kit, and everything else I'll need to make my first batch on sunday.

I'm stoked!

[ANC]

I've got the brew pot, extract kit, and everything else I'll need to make my first batch on sunday.

I'm stoked!

You really only need one free hand...wucka wucka!

Seriously good for you buddy. In a few months I'll be back to brewing and probably expanding my setup.

[led37zep]

You really only need one free hand...wucka wucka!
:laugh: So now I have to do this while I brew? I'm not that coordinated!

It seems like we've got a enough guys brewing that we could start our own little home brew trading club. I know there is a version of this going on now with Chuckwagon and a few other folks.

So what if we made it a little more formal? You brew a batch, you send a few bottles out, and we can all review. Anyone interested?

[ANC]

:laugh: So now I have to do this while I brew? I'm not that coordinated!

It seems like we've got a enough guys brewing that we could start our own little home brew trading club. I know there is a version of this going on now with Chuckwagon and a few other folks.

So what if we made it a little more formal? You brew a batch, you send a few bottles out, and we can all review. Anyone interested?

Definitely, I traded brew with CHUCKWAGON, and sent some out to buzzard as well.

[led37zep]

I saw this online this morning. It was done by Greg Koch from the Stone Brewing Co

<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4298464&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=8a8a 8a&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4298464&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=8a8a 8a&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/4298464">I Am A Craft Brewer</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1639839">I Am A Craft Brewer</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

[LZMan1]

i use a 5 gallon stainless steel lobster pot. works quite nicely

[led37zep]

i use a 5 gallon stainless steel lobster pot. works quite nicely

Are you brewing extract batches with that or partials?

[LZMan1]

just partials. haven't brewed anything in a while. i may have to dust my shit off, sterilize it and brew something up.

[LZMan1]

I'm thinking of buying a version of this kit from Homebrewers outpost
http://www.homebrewersupply.com/hbsimages/K6StarterKit.gif

My only concern is that I'm in a 1 bedroom Apt in NY and want to make sure I will have enough space and the smell won't bother the surrounding folks.

I've seen that most people do this in their garages, does anyone have the space limits I'm dealing with? If so any advice?

Also,

Seems like ANC and Toilet seem to be the most skilled folks around NYC. Is anyone open to a brewing party? I'd love to see first hand the process before I go and drop the cash on the equipment.
that's pretty much exacty like like the kit i got from sam adams. my old house was rather small, my bedroom now is bigger than the kitchen in my old house but that never kept me from brewing up some hoppy goodness.

[Edwin]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3320528429_2f495cea2c.jpg

It's not the most beautiful thing in the world, but it was pretty effective. I do need to cut some more holes in the bottom so it will sparge a little quicker. I made it myself, in hindsight, I should have bought the copper pipe that was already bent...

I actually got a higher specific gravity then I was expecting, but i'm thinking it's because I added the lactose at the end (i'm making a milk stout). It certainly seemed like it smelled and looked like there was a lot of fermentable sugar coming out of the tun. I won't know how it really came out for a few days, and then a couple of weeks after bottling. I'm very excited, though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3320527069_8ec04ccf10.jpg
12 pounds is a LOT of grain. :)


We made ours out of a rectangular Igloo cooler. Drains out through the spout. It works fantastic...we've taken home two awards!

[led37zep]

So I brewed my first batch on April 19th. It was a Northern Wheat Beer Extract beer brewed with some specialty grains. Everything was going well. I didn't have any sanitation problems, and the air lock was bubbling within 24 hours.

Then it happened...a week after brew day.

I got called away to LA to work for about a week and a half. No big deal right? I could still come home, rack, prime, and bottle when I got back.

Then it happened again. I booked two more shoots in LA that would kept me away from my first batch for another four weeks.

By the time I came back the batch had been sitting on the trub for faaaaaaar too long and I had to dump it down the drain. :thumbdown:

So I'm going to try and brew a new batch in the next week or so and time it out better..I'll keep the tread updated on how it turns out.

Had I racked the brew after fermentation into a carboy or 2nd bucket does anyone think the beer could have been saved?

[Freakshow]

no clue.

batch is brewing right now. had a technology malfuntion, so this might be a small beer. we'll see.

[Chigworthy]

So I brewed my first batch on April 19th. It was a Northern Wheat Beer Extract beer brewed with some specialty grains. Everything was going well. I didn't have any sanitation problems, and the air lock was bubbling within 24 hours.

Then it happened...a week after brew day.

I got called away to LA to work for about a week and a half. No big deal right? I could still come home, rack, prime, and bottle when I got back.

Then it happened again. I booked two more shoots in LA that would kept me away from my first batch for another four weeks.

By the time I came back the batch had been sitting on the trub for faaaaaaar too long and I had to dump it down the drain. :thumbdown:

So I'm going to try and brew a new batch in the next week or so and time it out better..I'll keep the tread updated on how it turns out.

Had I racked the brew after fermentation into a carboy or 2nd bucket does anyone think the beer could have been saved?

What made you toss it?

[led37zep]

What made you toss it?

I tasted it before deciding to toss the batch and it had some really bad off flavors. I thought it might be salvageable from the look and smell of the brew but that first taste was so bad I knew racking and bottling probably would have been a waste of time.

In hind sight I wish I at least bottled 1-2 just to try it out.

Think I tossed prematurely?

[Chigworthy]

I tasted it before deciding to toss the batch and it had some really bad off flavors. I thought it might be salvageable from the look and smell of the brew but that first taste was so bad I knew racking and bottling probably would have been a waste of time.

In hind sight I wish I at least bottled 1-2 just to try it out.

Think I tossed prematurely?

If there was no sign of contamination, absolutely. If you don't bottle the whole batch, at least bottle a twelver or two and let it sit for a year or so. Time can do wonders for homebrew.

[led37zep]

I think I got nervous having it sit for so long with the dead yeast, but you're right.

:wallbash:

[Chigworthy]

I think I got nervous having it sit for so long with the dead yeast, but you're right.

:wallbash:

It's alright. My wife and I have basically quit drinking, which made the batch of fruited old ale I made for christmas low priority. I dumped it from the primary the other day because it had developed white growth on the top (presumably a lacto from the 5 pounds of dried fruit it was fermenting on). Oh well, I wasn't ever going to bottle it anyway. Which doesn't explain why I have a trippel in the secondary from 12 months ago. Wow, I'm lazy.

[led37zep]

It's alright. My wife and I have basically quit drinking, which made the batch of fruited old ale I made for christmas low priority. I dumped it from the primary the other day because it had developed white growth on the top (presumably a lacto from the 5 pounds of dried fruit it was fermenting on). Oh well, I wasn't ever going to bottle it anyway. Which doesn't explain why I have a trippel in the secondary from 12 months ago. Wow, I'm lazy.

Quit drinking means quit brewing?

I'm in nor cal rather frequently and will be more than willing to take some of those beers off your hand if you ever get in the mood to brew again.

[led37zep]

If anyone is interested Beer Wars is being shown in Brooklyn. Along with your ticket you get a Flight of 4 beers from Stone, Brooklyn, Dogfish, and Smuttynose.

Anyone going?

http://brooklynbased.net/everything/beer-wars-meets-flight-club/

[The-Mexi-Cant]

I am by no means at all an adventurous beer drinker. I pretty much live by the motto of Quantity over Quality when it comes to beer (hey what can I say I'm still a young man in his 20's who cannot appreciate fine beer)... but for some reason I just have an insane obsession with wheat beers. I like to try all kinds especially at this time of year (summer) so if anybody makes any pm me.... I don't make any beer of my own so I cannot trade but I would be more than happy to buy some home made wheat beers for a reasonable price. I'm in a bit of a hurry at the moment so I did not have time to read through the whole thread to see if anybody already makes some I'll check when I get home. Thanks in advance to anybody who pms me.:drunk:

[Big_Joe]

wow I guess I'm blind cause I just saw this thread for the first time tonight. I'm not big into beer but I love a good cider. I have tried many different recipes and many different flavors. I don't have many, but I'll share a few pics with ya.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/Brewing/DSC07058.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/Brewing/DSC07054.jpg

[Edwin]

Saturday's brew: Imperial Vanilla Breakfast Stout!

[Freakshow]

California Common aka Anchor Steam just went into the secondary. Tasted more like an IPA in my opinion. Not such a bad thing.

[MustyHatchetwound]

I know its beer thread but can I add my latest wine batch? Peaches and golden raisins....Should be a 18-20% batch.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/Shup1/Wine%20making/Peachwine09Sept09.jpg

[ANC]

California Common aka Anchor Steam just went into the secondary. Tasted more like an IPA in my opinion. Not such a bad thing.

I did a nice California Common. I can't wait to start up again.. I also do a Steam Wheat Beer. Damn tasty.

[Freakshow]

I suppose I should be sharing my grain bill--

I did:
7.5 pounds of english pale
2.5 40L Crystal
.25 Cara Munich

I used cluster hops for bittering and Willamette for finishing/aroma

California Ale yeast


I like messing around with stuff...

[Freakshow]

Drinking my first California common right now. It's pretty good. Could have used some more hops...

[west milly Tom]

without back reading...anyone try the Mr. Beer home kit I've been debating getting it for months now?

[Freakshow]

yeah, do it...



Milk Stout in the primary today. Damn it looked good. I'm making dog treats with the spent grain too. Liver, of course, she is straight carnivore...

[led37zep]

I can't wait to start brewing again. I'm thinking of going with a pumpkin ale in time for Thanksgiving.

[Freakshow]

My California common:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/4063378111_8dd497f400.jpg
(it's not quite as dark as it appears here)

Grain
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/4064130034_4639a6a5e3.jpg

in the lauter tun
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/4064131454_29f4fd220b.jpg

sparging
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4064133712_588dcc02b3.jpg
(water at temp sprinkled over the grain which has been sitting at temp for an hour--grain is converted to fermentable sugar--slowly drains out into the brew pot)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/4064134906_01ce742424.jpg
boiling the wort, I don't have a big enough pot yet, so I split it into two. You add bittering hops and aroma hops during the boil

My helper:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4063386991_1f7c4b59d7.jpg
i'm thinking of naming my brews Neugier--german for curiosity, as in curiosity killed the cat...

[led37zep]

Nice work Freakshow!

I just placed my order for a pumpkin spice that I hope to have ready in time for Thanksgiving.

[Gutter]

might wanna be careful on the pronunciation on that beer name Freakshow hahaha.....cool pics tho.

[Dan 'Hampton]

I bought a 1-gallon brew kit at Williams Sonoma that produced a pretty decent ipa out of it. Not anything fancy but I'd drink it if it was on tap. Just bought a 3-gallon carboy and ordered a wheat-ipa mix that sounds great.