Home Brewing

jones · Aug 20, 2009, 11:55 AM

I am looking to buy a home brewing kit. Are there any other home brewers out there? I have no experience brewing, so any advice would be appreciated. Here is a link to the kit I've been eyeing:

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/COMPLETE_BREWERY_WITH_INDIA_PA_P2349C257.cfm

Thanks in advance for any advice!

aMillionDreams · Aug 20, 2009, 12:31 PM

I've been wanting to get into home brewing for a few years now, but haven't pulled the trigger. I suggest reading a reliable article on how to homebrew, making a list of all the necessary components and find something that fits that list.

I got a cheap set for xmas and it wasn't worth anything, don't skimp out if you wanna do it right is what I'd suggest.

Crispy · Aug 20, 2009, 12:33 PM

Hey, I'm a homebrewer - I've done quite a few batches, but I'm a little out of practice lately.

That looks like an excellent kit, even includes a wort chiller. I would highly recommend getting a glass carboy to use as a primary fermenter - they're way easier to keep sanitized than a plastic bucket. One little scratch in a plastic fermenter, and you might as well throw it away. Plus, with a carboy, you get to watch the stuff ferment, and can use a blow off tube to see what it smells like while it's fermenting. The "Better Bottles" on that site look nice - even if they're not glass, you're unlikely to scratch the inside of it.

jones · Aug 20, 2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks aMD and CYY... I am definitely willing to spend a little extra green to get into a kit that will serve me better. Also, thanks for the tip on the glass carboy; It sounds like a better solution than the buckets and as you pointed out, I can watch the beer ferment. Sweet.

jones · Aug 20, 2009, 01:44 PM

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/7_GALLON_FERMENATOR_-_Free_Dr_P882C135.cfm

This Fermenator is great, but my wife would murder me...

Crispy · Aug 20, 2009, 01:51 PM

Quotehttp://www.williamsbrewing.com/7_GALLON_FERMENATOR_-_Free_Dr_P882C135.cfm

This Fermenator is great, but my wife would murder me...

Oh my god, that thing is beautiful - I've got to go hide my credit card...

jones · Nov 30, 2009, 03:18 PM

So.... I bought my startup kit online today from High Gravity (www.highgravitybrew.com) in Tulsa and I can't wait to start brewing. I feel as though I've done a decent amount of research (more like over-analyzing) and I ended up with their starter kit (primary fermenter, bottling bucket, hydrometer, capper, etc.), which can be customized. I added an auto siphon as well as two Better Bottle carboys for secondary fermenting. This way I can stagger my batches and never run out of home brewed beer (yeah, right).

I also went ahead and purchased two of High Gravity's extract ingredient kits: one that they refer to as 'My Favorite IPA' and the other they call 'Thespian Stout'; both are clones of popular microbrews of the same variety. I plan to start with kits initially; I figure that it is best to take the 'Hamburger Helper' approach until I halfway know what I'm doing.

I am not a patient person, so the fermentation and conditioning will be rough on me. From what I've read: primary fermentation 7-10 days, secondary fermentation (although not entirely necessary) 7-10 days, bottle conditioning 10 days minimum.

So much for instant gratification. :P

Crispy · Nov 30, 2009, 03:30 PM

Hey, that's my brewshop, flyguy! Are you in Oklahoma?

Don't worry about the time, you'll enjoy watching the process happen, and the payoff is well worth the wait. I've got more free time these days, so I'll be doing a lot more brewing soon.

jones · Nov 30, 2009, 04:20 PM

That's hilarious! Actually, I live in northwest Kentucky; I found High Gravity online. Of all the websites I went through, theirs made it easy to go basic or add options if I wanted. Also, they were very helpful in answering my questions (spoke with Dave twice, I think that he and his wife are the owners). I am sure they answer the same questions all day long. They were very helpful. I hope to get my kit sometime this week and start up on Saturday!

ALady · Nov 30, 2009, 05:51 PM

So excited for you, flyguy! Good luck! You can't go wrong starting with an ingredient kit, I think. Let us know how it turns out! :)

Hawkeye · Dec 02, 2009, 10:15 AM

I agree with ALady. Use a kit the first few times. I found out you CAN screw it up, but it takes a real brain fart. Don't forget to add the yeast when you're done! My pumpkin ale didn't turn out so well. I'm still not 100% sure that it's "bad" (bacteria infected), but it just doesn't taste as sweet as I think it should (or at least as sweet as some other pumpkin ales I've had). Either way, I don't like it and I'm throwing it out :( On to the next batch!!

I'm sure you have some of the no-rinse sanitizer, but if you don't, make sure you get that. It makes sanitizing really easy. And if you plan on bottling, there's an attachment they make for your faucet that makes sanitizing bottles a breeze. I've read that, although you should be as thorough as possible with sanitization, you don't necessarily have to be anal about it. I was pretty worried about it my first few batches and they turned out fine. Good luck, have fun, and don't forget the yeast!!

Crispy · Dec 02, 2009, 10:28 AM

As Papazian says, "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew!"

A little care sanitizing goes a long way, and Hawkeye is correct, you don't have to go nuts worrying about it. However, if you are forgetting to pitch the yeast, you might want to look for a different hobby... ;D

jones · Dec 02, 2009, 11:17 AM

Thanks for the tips, guys! One of my main concerns is sanitizing. I did order the no-rinse sanitizer. Oh and by the way...

I got my order from High Gravity today!!! [smiley=beer.gif]

I'm going to start my first batch on Saturday, which will be a stout. I did get Better Bottles for secondaries, but I think I'll just go with the primary and straight to bottles on this batch (I would like to have it finished by Christmas). In theory, I'll bottle the stout a week from Saturday (after a gravity check, of course) and start the IPA on Sunday. I plan to move the IPA into secondary for an additional week before bottling and will make that my standard procedure from there on out. I will try to take some pictures of the progress.

Do you guys use a secondary fermenter? I realize that it's not required, but understand that it will clean the beer up quite a bit in appearance and taste. I also read that some people have a bad reaction to the dead yeast sediment that a primary-only batch could produce. Your thoughts?

Crispy · Dec 02, 2009, 11:24 AM

I highly recommend racking to a secondary -- not just for the clarity (not so important for a stout), but it really helps the flavor to get it off of the trub at the bottom of the primary. I don't know about bad reactions, but after you rack it and get a sample of that sediment, you'll see how you don't want that flavor much in your beer. It's not difficult and doesn't take too long, depending on your siphon system. The most important thing is not to get too much air into it, but even then, you don't have to worry much.

Hawkeye · Dec 02, 2009, 01:12 PM

QuoteAs Papazian says, "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew!"

A little care sanitizing goes a long way, and Hawkeye is correct, you don't have to go nuts worrying about it. However, if you are forgetting to pitch the yeast, you might want to look for a different hobby... ;D

yeah yeah, I knew I'd get some flack for that one!! In my defense, I had a lady friend over who I was trying to show the ropes, and we had a few too many while we were brewing. Let's just say I was doing a lot of wall leaning by the time we were done! And I shan't forget to pitch the yeast again!

Crispy · Dec 02, 2009, 03:10 PM

Quote
QuoteAs Papazian says, "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew!"

A little care sanitizing goes a long way, and Hawkeye is correct, you don't have to go nuts worrying about it. However, if you are forgetting to pitch the yeast, you might want to look for a different hobby... ;D

yeah yeah, I knew I'd get some flack for that one!! In my defense, I had a lady friend over who I was trying to show the ropes, and we had a few too many while we were brewing. Let's just say I was doing a lot of wall leaning by the time we were done! And I shan't forget to pitch the yeast again!

Oh, well, a lady friend -- that excuse could work...once.;)

Thanks to you flyguy, I've just placed an order of my own with High Gravity!

jones · Dec 02, 2009, 09:42 PM

Quote
Quote
QuoteAs Papazian says, "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew!"

A little care sanitizing goes a long way, and Hawkeye is correct, you don't have to go nuts worrying about it. However, if you are forgetting to pitch the yeast, you might want to look for a different hobby... ;D

yeah yeah, I knew I'd get some flack for that one!! In my defense, I had a lady friend over who I was trying to show the ropes, and we had a few too many while we were brewing. Let's just say I was doing a lot of wall leaning by the time we were done! And I shan't forget to pitch the yeast again!
Oh, well, a lady friend -- that excuse could work...once.;)

Thanks to you flyguy, I've just placed an order of my own with High Gravity!

Agreed on the excuses! ;) (Sorry Hawkeye!)

Since there was a Lady involved you obviously couldn't be bashed for that one!

What did you order CrispYY? A High Gravity kit or Brewer's Best? I'm just being nosey...

I will mumble these words to myself in my spare time: Pitch. Yeast. Pitch. Yeast. Pitch. Yeast... and so on.

Crispy · Dec 02, 2009, 10:22 PM

Here's what I ordered, it's being delivered tomorrow: :D
Crystal Malt 80L - Briess - Qty:1
Crystal Malt 120L - Briess - Qty:1
DME Briess Golden Light - 3lb - Qty:2
Pellet Hops Cascade - Qty:3
Pellet Hops Perle (US) - Qty:2
White Labs American Ale Blend Yeast (WLP060) - Qty:1

Ingredients for a basic American Pale Ale to get the ball rolling again. It's been WAY too long.

jones · Dec 03, 2009, 09:46 AM

QuoteHere's what I ordered, it's being delivered tomorrow: :D
Crystal Malt 80L - Briess - Qty:1
Crystal Malt 120L - Briess - Qty:1
DME Briess Golden Light - 3lb - Qty:2
Pellet Hops Cascade - Qty:3
Pellet Hops Perle (US) - Qty:2
White Labs American Ale Blend Yeast (WLP060) - Qty:1

Ingredients for a basic American Pale Ale to get the ball rolling again. It's been WAY too long.

Sweet! I can't wait to get the basic method down so that I can start experimenting with ingredients...

Hawkeye · Dec 03, 2009, 12:18 PM

dammit...(hangs head in shame)

Thanks for the sympathy guys ;)

The sad thing is I'm seriously thinking about becoming a brewmaster! I have a chemistry degree...I love beer...perfect match right? I do have a few contacts in the industry, too, so we'll see. I'll just make sure to never tell them this story!! ;D

Alas, I am still a beginner though (obviously). I can't wait to start trying my own recipes too. My gramps is going to grow me some hops and maybe some grains as well next year, so it should be fun! He is a retired farmer with quite the green thumb, so I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it.

Happy brewing gentlemen...cheers!