Author Topic: Brew?  (Read 3971 times)

KnuckleBuckett

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Brew?
« on: June 02, 2016, 12:42:14 PM »
Anyone brew beer?

A friend and I have been brewing small batches for a few months now.  We have had an excellent success rate thus far.  A couple have been nothing special, however most have turned out nearly professional.  One or two have been better than anything I can find in the same category commercially. 

I find that with two people it is both entertaining, good dude time, and a constant learning experience. 

We started with basic pots and pans that were either a few bucks or already in our homes.  Brewed on the stove too.  After a few months we moved out of the kitchen and into the garage. 

We use a piece of software, a few forums, and YouTube to help us work through the recipes and brewing process.  The information, tools, and supplies available these days is truly amazing.

Recently we began the process of upgrading to better hardware for larger and more efficient batches.  That means 5 gallon instead of one gallon batches.

We have brewed pale ales, IPAs, Belgian Strongs, Porter, and an Imperial Stout.  With the Belgians as the clear winners and an orange peel IPA as a close second.

For us I think the most difficult part of the process was learning how to achieve the optical clarity that takes a great tasting beer to a level that makes it difficult to tell from any microbrew off the shelf.

If anyone has an interest in this, post and I will step you through what you need.

 :)

Jake

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Re: Brew?
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2016, 01:02:55 PM »
I have interest, but no time!

haha. Post some pictures of your set up and final product MR. KNUCK.
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KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Brew?
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2016, 03:54:00 PM »
If you are interested in brewing or think you might be get this book.  It is the best read out there and cheap.

url=http://www.amazon.com/Beer-Craft-Simple-Guide-Making/dp/1605291331?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage]Beer Craft: A Simple Guide to Making Great Beer[/url]

Get your kit...please note that everything in this list can vary dramatically in price and quality....
Siphon
Bottle Filler
Hydrometer
Burner
Mash Tun
Kettle
Sanitizer
Thick Wall Silicone Tubing - Various sizes  Not that clear stuff the brewers sell.
Starter Kit - This will get you the basic misc pieces.
Small Buckets - Get three
Airlocks - DO NOT USE during early primary ferment!
Bags for hopps get three or four packs.

Best thermal readout solutions on the market.  Get one for your kitchen too, we have been using one for 15 years.

Lots of other odds and ends.  A dozen cotton, towels, bottles, caps, labels, cleaning supplies, a timer, etc.

Knowledge and help is to say the least abundant.  Forums, YouTube, workshops, Udemy, books.  Find a local brew supplier, they can really be of aid.

Figure out a recipe.  We use BeerSmith2 and recipes from the internet, often from the same site.


KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Brew?
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2016, 03:58:56 PM »
If you are interested in brewing or think you might be get this book.  It is the best read out there and cheap.

Also watch this for a solid view into the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CRI1veziKI


url=http://www.amazon.com/Beer-Craft-Simple-Guide-Making/dp/1605291331?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage]Beer Craft: A Simple Guide to Making Great Beer[/url]

Get your kit...please note that everything in this list can vary dramatically in price and quality....
Siphon
Bottle Filler
Hydrometer
Burner
Mash Tun
Kettle
Sanitizer
Thick Wall Silicone Tubing - Various sizes  Not that clear stuff the brewers sell.
Starter Kit - This will get you the basic misc pieces.
Small Buckets - Get three
Airlocks - DO NOT USE during early primary ferment!
Bags for hopps get three or four packs.

Best thermal readout solutions on the market.  Get one for your kitchen too, we have been using one for 15 years.

Lots of other odds and ends.  A dozen cotton, towels, bottles, caps, labels, cleaning supplies, a timer, etc.

Knowledge and help is to say the least abundant.  Forums, YouTube, workshops, Udemy, books.  Find a local brew supplier, they can really be of aid.

Figure out a recipe.  We use BeerSmith2 and recipes from the internet, often from the same site.

http://beersmith.com/

ober

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Re: Brew?
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2016, 04:24:33 PM »
I have interest, but no time!
Your lumberjack videos suggest otherwise.  :)

hans

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Re: Brew?
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2016, 11:41:10 AM »
I bought a kit and did a few batches and now it sits in my basement. I'm currently looking to unload it on relatives or throw most of it for sale. I just have too much other stuff going on to make any anymore and it takes up quite a bit of space.
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Perspective

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Re: Brew?
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2016, 01:42:27 PM »
I have interest, but no time!

haha. Post some pictures of your set up and final product MR. KNUCK.

+1

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Brew?
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2016, 03:07:35 PM »
It is time consuming. A full 5 gallon brew is realistically 8 hours-ish start to finish.  Just plan a day to brew.  Most of the rest of the time consumed with a brew is simply waiting for yeast to do yeasty things in a dark closet or basement.  So with the various changing of containers and bottling, add another 2 hours.  You typically end up with just over two cases of 24, 12 oz bottles from each brew.  More than enough to last quite a while for a casual drinker.

We are working on creating a small library of differing styles and versions of beer to last us for a while.  We typically end up keeping just short of a case each type. Sometimes we take a five gallon brew and near the end add various flavorings, say, cherries, orange peel, raspberries, etc.

Where we live there is kind of a steady trade and test from the local amateur micro brewers in the area.  A few bottles come and go that way.  It is a nice community and useful for occasional reviews and advice.