New Brewer roll call?

[Aust1227]

Who has brewed their first beer since joining the man cave? How did it go? How many did you brew?

[Irish]

I've been doing a some research for the past few months on equipment and the whole process. My Christmas present is going to be a decent starter kit (probably this one (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=3316)), & I picked up a turkey fryer on sale the other day. So, hopefully sometime in January I'll get started with my first batch.

[Joe Mama]

I've been doing a some research for the past few months on equipment and the whole process. My Christmas present is going to be a decent starter kit (probably this one (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=3316)), & I picked up a turkey fryer on sale the other day. So, hopefully sometime in January I'll get started with my first batch.

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!! Shame on this place!

I too have fallen into this category because of TPMC! (So I guess in a funny sort of way) THANKS!

I stumbled across this place as It started with my poker obsession. Table(s) were built with the help of folk at HPT and Scotts forum. Then I found out that some of the older vets over there were residing here now. Fast forward to today, and I am now a regular of HBT (Homebrewtalk) and that will be my Xmas gift as well! I totally didnt think of the turkey fryer as my boil pot but damn, thats an awesome idea! Ironically, I was thinking of that exact same kit from Midwest as it pretty much has everything needed to start brewing (minus the extract/grains) But the fact that it has 2 carboys makes me smile.

1 bucket as my primary fermenter, a better bottle for my secondary and the other bottling bucket for priming/bottling my tasty brew.
The 2nd better bottle will be used for a batch of EdWorts Apfelwine. I cant wait!!!
Crap... Now that I think of it I think I will need yet ANOTHER container to make some JOAM. (Never had mead before but it sounds good!)
So I guess chalk up +1 to the new homebrewers checking in!
Thanks!
-Me

[bobjenkins79]

Here's a tasty little piece of info I'll share with you guys: Ya know how a 5 gallon carboy will cost about $30 at the LBS? If you buddy up to a guy who drives a water truck you can get them around $6 a piece:)

You may thank me with pron.

[Aust1227]

Here's a tasty little piece of info I'll share with you guys: Ya know how a 5 gallon carboy will cost about $30 at the LBS? If you buddy up to a guy who drives a water truck you can get them around $6 a piece:)

You may thank me with pron.


The hard core guys will make comparisons of the type of plastic used, PET vs. level 5 or 6... But I have used water bottles quite a bit, with no problem at all!!

[Doctor_XXX]

I've used plastic buckets, plastic bottles, glass carboys, etc. and haven't had any problems (that I know of) based on the fermentation container(s). They all work pretty well, considering the cost of each.

I currently use GLASS carboys, because they are (relatively) easy to clean/sterilize AND I think it looks kinda kool to have these big glass containers, with hoses sticking out of them. You know...like a meth lab...not that I know what a meth lab looks like...but, still...you know. :rolleyes:

Anybody using copper/stainless/metal fermenters?

[bobjenkins79]

I don't have any of that fancy stuff yet; I'm actually still working on building some keggles.

The carboys I get from the water guy are glass.

Sometimes you can even get them at the grocery store empty. One time I actually had some dumbass highschool kid ring me up at $2.13. I damn near ran out of the store.....

[Irish]

I've got a couple of these puppies on the way:

http://www.better-bottle.com/

Upgraded both to include racking adapters & valves for easier transfer. The price of these is higher for materials, but because they're so much lighter they end up being cheaper than glass carboys with shipping. No worries about shattering a dropped one either.

[Aust1227]

I have gone full circle with my brewing. I started in a pale, went to glass, then to plastic water bottles, then to better bottles.. Now, i am back in Ale Pales. They are easy, cheap, very easy to clean.. Stackable, transportable... Everything I could ask for.

[MsprinM]

Can I make a suggestion? Well fuck you I am going to anyway. Next time one of you start a batch how about a step by step on the process. I'm not a beer drinker but the brother in law is and he just moved into a place where he can do something like this. He has never done it before either and between the two of us we shouldn't fuck it up to bad.

[Irish]

Can I make a suggestion? Well fuck you I am going to anyway. Next time one of you start a batch how about a step by step on the process. I'm not a beer drinker but the brother in law is and he just moved into a place where he can do something like this. He has never done it before either and between the two of us we shouldn't fuck it up to bad.

The brewer's bible: John Palmer's "How to Brew"

http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

Chapter 1 has a crash course type intro that runs through the basics (assuming you start with an extract based recipe, like you'd get in most beginners kits).

[Aust1227]

The brewer's bible: John Palmer's "How to Brew"

http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

Chapter 1 has a crash course type intro that runs through the basics (assuming you start with an extract based recipe, like you'd get in most beginners kits).

This is a good call. Check out the book.

Each brewer starts his brew a different way..

Some, by concocting all grain recipes based on what they have in stock. Some by walking into a store and picking out a pre-made recipe.. Others by ordering stuff online way ahead of time for specific recipes.

But, first thing you HAVE to do.. Figure out what equipment you will need ahead of time.. Nothing worse than getting half way through a brew and realized you are short some key parts!

Here is the bare min you will need for a beginners (extract) brew...

Water
grains
hops
Yeast
extract

Ice
Cold water source
Two 3+ gallon pots
Strainer (very fine)
big metal spoon
Heat source (stove or propane burner)
thermometer

carboy (bucket)
airlock/blow off

tubing

bottles
racking cane or bottle filler
caps
capper
priming sugar (or DME)



Did I miss anything? I think that will get you started.

[Irish]

Did I miss anything? I think that will get you started.

+Hydrometer (Determines alcohol content)

[Aust1227]

+Hydrometer (Determines alcohol content)

I left that out intentionally. Those things are over-rated.. ESPECIALLY with extract.. Not like you can have a low efficiency! It has alread been converted for you.

[Doctor_XXX]

My only thing to add would be that you don't need it ALL the first day when you start a batch...but you will "need" everything on Aust's list, prior to drinking your completed beer. His breaks in the list are there to separate the different parts of the process, but you don't 100% NEED the bottles/racking cane the same day you are starting the brew, for example. On the other hand, being without a strainer or even yeast on the first day would be...well...a disaster.

Oh, and Aust is right about Hydrometers, too. Get one & use it if you want, but...they certainly aren't NEEDED. (Just like grain bags, irish moss, chillers, and kegs are NICE to have, they aren't really needed to brew up a batch and enjoy it.)

[Joe Mama]

Well, a brief warning to the prospective brewer - This hobby may consume you and make you obsess over what you plan to brew next. You will find yourself browsing beer recipies as well as other alcoholic beverages that you can make in your closet. :)

I have my first batch in the primary, and a batch of Apfelwein right next to it. I went out and initially bought the kit setup, and a brewpot. Since then I have treated myself to a 30some quart turkey fryer and a stainless steel immersion wort chiller. (War dept wants me to take it outside) Gonna bottle this batch in a couple of weeks. Cant wait to taste em!
-Me

[Irish]

It's here...

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd106/irishpenguin75/forums/IMG_4025.jpg

Going to start with an Irish Red Ale. Hoping to get a free day before Christmas to get started, as I'd like this to be ready to go for St. Patty's day. I haven't even brewed a batch yet and I'm already catching the disease. :D

[Aust1227]

Nice well done!! Good luck.. Feel free to drop any questions in here. We are a lot more friendly than HBT (I'm banned there!)

[Irish]

Nice well done!! Good luck.. Feel free to drop any questions in here. We are a lot more friendly than HBT (I'm banned there!)

LOL - what the heck did you do to get banned there? There's tons of info over there, but man there are so many new posts (especially in the beginners forum) asking the same thing over and over that I can't keep up.

Actually I do have a question I've been meaning to check out but haven't had the time to look into. I was planning on fermenting in my basement. Because of Al Gore's Global Freezing it's like 5 degrees outside and my basement is around 62-63 degrees. Is that too cold for fermenting an Ale?

[Aust1227]

That is on the cooler side of Ales, but that is fine if you are going with something like a American 1056 or a dry -05.. Won't work too well with the english, belgian, or french ales that like warmer temps for the desired fruity esters.

[zz-kai-]

I was hoping that this thread was about CC Sabathia signing with the Brewers.

Carry on.