160 replies to this topic

[Smithwicks]

Since it seems like theres a couple people on the VS who do a little homebrewing every once in a while I thought there should be a thread dedicated to different beers to try, equipment, different methods and where some good places to get supplies and ingredients are.

In Milwaukee I have been getting my stuff from Northern Brewer

So far my roommates and I have done a: Leffe Blonde Imitation, Lager, Witbier, Sierra Nevada IPA Imitation, and a Cream Ale.


-Tom

[bdimag]

I was impressed by this site: http://beveragefactory.com

they list stuff on eBay too -- sometimes much cheaper than their site.

[Pops Racer]

i drink beer.

[bdimag]

Pops Racer, on 24 March 2011 - 01:04 AM, said:

i drink beer.

this is most excellent!

[Owned]

I've done it at home as well as professionally. Fun indeed.

[Pops Racer]

I volunteer to be a taste tester. drinking beer is fun.

my pop used to make bitters and ales, awesome stuff and fun. I helped.


Its a long process and its a tease to go into the basement ans see the 5 gallon carboy bubbling. then the bottling and then another wait. well worth it.

I'd be doing this myself if I didnt have other projects in the works.

[Owned]

Pops Racer, on 24 March 2011 - 02:06 PM, said:

I volunteer to be a taste tester. drinking beer is fun.

my pop used to make bitters and ales, awesome stuff and fun. I helped.


Its a long process and its a tease to go into the basement ans see the 5 gallon carboy bubbling. then the bottling and then another wait. well worth it.

I'd be doing this myself if I didnt have other projects in the works.

It's pretty cheap to get into if you're planning on starting out simple with extract brewing. Just make sure you avoid gimmicks like 'Mr. Beer' kits and stuff like that. Get a starter kit from a real home brew store. I used to use Northern Brewer, FWIW. There's nothing really 'wrong' with extract brewing, after all, that's what every American Guinness is. There's more of sense of accomplishment and pride when you move past extracts, though.

When I brew these days, it's generally 93,775 gallons at a time.

[Che'_Moderator]

Start with cidars as they are probably the easiest and fastest. Tom has been getting batches 11%+ in under a week.

[wmartinlsmith]

shut it adam.. im still miffed that the samples you sent me got ruined in transit..

[Smithwicks]

bdimag, on 23 March 2011 - 08:07 PM, said:

I was impressed by this site: http://beveragefactory.com

they list stuff on eBay too -- sometimes much cheaper than their site.

Are you making your own kegging system?

Owned, on 24 March 2011 - 02:44 PM, said:

There's nothing really 'wrong' with extract brewing, after all, that's what every American Guinness is. There's more of sense of accomplishment and pride when you move past extracts, though.

What would be the differences between extract and all-grain brewing?

Im hoping to be able to start messing around with recipes starting this summer and not just going with the kits.

[Owned]

Extract brewing is literally boiling water.
It's not a bad way to learn the basics.

Depending on how involved you get when you're grain brewing, each "step" you add to your process takes additional knowledge and equipment (like most things do). The more control you want over your brew, the more it will cost in time and equip.
I have seen very impressive improvised setups before that work very well. There's no need to buy a super expensive wort chiller and LT when if you're willing to build them.

[PyROTech]

i dont know about the area you guys are in, but some brew places will sell all the needed stuff and let you put it at the store location till its done (experts on hand to assist with knowledge). Wine also and they have bottling onsite. In ontario everything is ruled with an iron fist (booze) so these places cant actually touch the steps involved but can tell you by your side. Super easy way to get started till you get the hang of it, then its off to your shed, basement, whatever to do it solo.

[Pops Racer]

Damn moonshinin Canadians, ruin it for erabudy.

[Owned]

PyROTech, on 28 March 2011 - 07:59 AM, said:

i dont know about the area you guys are in, but some brew places will sell all the needed stuff and let you put it at the store location till its done (experts on hand to assist with knowledge). Wine also and they have bottling onsite. In ontario everything is ruled with an iron fist (booze) so these places cant actually touch the steps involved but can tell you by your side. Super easy way to get started till you get the hang of it, then its off to your shed, basement, whatever to do it solo.

Overpriced and takes the fun out of learning. Do it in your bath tub like a man!

[Smithwicks]

Bottled our roommates Cream Ale, smelled good, so we'll find out in a couple weeks if its good.

Going to try a recipe out of one of my dads old brewing books instead of just going from a kit. Its filled with various award winning recipes...now to choose which one.

[bdimag]

Just ordered:

-http://www.northernb...tarter-kit.html (Deluxe started kit)
-32qt pot
-2 extract kits to get started with:
--Petite Saison d'Ete Extract Kit
--Dead Ringer IPA Extract Kit



Special thanks to Dave for that 10% off.

[Volvo_go_go]

I've made wine 3 times in my Micro lab when I worked at college....
the first year we had 'wine tasting'
3 years later the 'wine tasting' turned into a full fledge massive Cinco De Mayo party with epic eats, DJ, and much more.

I used to start it in October, so it was ready by May I should try my hand at beer....

[cheapwagon]

bdimag, on 26 July 2011 - 03:44 PM, said:

Just ordered:

-http://www.northernb...tarter-kit.html (Deluxe started kit)
-32qt pot
-2 extract kits to get started with:
--Petite Saison d'Ete Extract Kit
--Dead Ringer IPA Extract Kit



Special thanks to Dave for that 10% off.

Looks like fun. Lemme know if you need a local taster...

[Smithwicks]

bdimag, on 26 July 2011 - 03:44 PM, said:

Just ordered:

-http://www.northernb...tarter-kit.html (Deluxe started kit)
-32qt pot
-2 extract kits to get started with:
--Petite Saison d'Ete Extract Kit
--Dead Ringer IPA Extract Kit



Special thanks to Dave for that 10% off.

Nice! Went with that kit as well minus the capping equipment since I have a bunch of grolsch bottles lying around.

One of my buddies did the Petite Saison kit and it turned out great!


Trying out my Belgian Dubbel this week.

[Owned]

Smithwicks, on 27 July 2011 - 02:10 AM, said:

Nice! Went with that kit as well minus the capping equipment since I have a bunch of grolsch bottles lying around.

One of my buddies did the Petite Saison kit and it turned out great!


Trying out my Belgian Dubbel this week.

Just FYI you're technically supposed to change the gaskets on those types of bottles with every fill. I've never had issues reusing them a few times but they definitely don't last forever. You can buy them in bags for relatively cheap.