Home bound brewmasters

[KXaggerator]

I just bought a simple homemade beer brewing set. My grandfather brewed his own ales and lagers, and I thought I would continue the tradition. His system was far more complex then what I bought, but I can upgrade later if I turn it into a hobby like he did. Any body else brew their own? (insert drunken happy face) :confused:

 

[MX265]

I'm considering it. I was going to stop over at this store near my house called "My Brew Heaven", but they went out of business. What kind of kit did you get?

 

[bwalker]

My roomates and I tried it in college. The problem was the end result tasted more like maple and brown sugur oatmeal than beer. The kit looked like a mini keg.BTW even though the stuff tasted funny it packed a heck of a punch.

 

[Patman]

I haven't boiled wort for a couple years but have all my equipment. I make a kick butt porter with a S.G. of a really good stout.:) Offroadr and Gomer brew as well.

 

[SWEDE]

Me and a couple of friends had our own distillery when i was at the university. Does that count?

Very cheap liquer and very illegal. I had a friend that tried to brew his own beer. Problem was that he drank it after just a few days, he could´nt handle the waiting :scream:

I guess patience is the key word for a home brewer!:confused:

 

[ADS]

I am available for quality control (taste tester):confused:

 

[KXaggerator]

I got an inexpensive brewer by Mr. Beer, though I took a look around the SinnerNet and for about twice what I paid I could get a much nicer set up from Hop Tech. My goal is to be able to brew a Fat Tire clone that I found on the BYO Website , since New Belgium does not distribute to CA. I might just pass this kit on and get the Hop Tech set up. I have yet to bottle anything as I figure out the best set up for temperature control

 

[KXKen]

If you want to make a good brew it won't happen with those all in one "malt in a can" brews. You have to do at least a partial grain. All grain brews require way more work than I would ever want to do. If you invest in the equipment and do a 2 stage fermentation it's worth it. When you open the bottle and taste it you'll know what I mean.

 

[motometal]

there are three important rules to remember:

1. sanitize everything
2. make sure everything is clean
3. see #1 and #2

wine is actually easier due to the higher alcohol content which kills more of the harmful bacteria.

 

[bwalker]

got an inexpensive brewer by Mr. Beer,

Thats what we used. IMO The end result is not so good. Unless your into water that tastes like oatmeal.

 

[motometal]

find a good mail order source for your brewing ingredients. depending on where you live, it can be hard to find a store that has fresh stuff. fresh ingredients are very important!

 

[kmccune]

You can make very good beer with inexpensive equipment and bulk or canned malt. You do not need to do a partial mash but you do need some specialty grains to steep in the water while the temp comes up. Follow the cleaning and sanitizing recommendations above and you will do fine. Do not use the bag of beer things or the yeast that comes with canned malt, yuck!
Northern Brewer in ST. Paul has a website and good prices. I brew all grain so I have not used their kits myself, but my buddy Tom uses them and I DO like to drink his beer for him! I'm not sure how to post hypertext so I'll just type it in and you can copy and paste. WWW.northernbrewer.com
BTW brewing is a great winter activity:) :) :)


Kevin

 

[MX265]

kmccune,

Thanks for the URL. Your link works just by clicking on it BTW. I ordered a catalog from Northern Brewer. Maybe I can get something "Brewing" at home. Cool!
:cool:

 

[dhoward]

try this one too.
www.brewguys.com
I've bought a few things from these guys, and they're very good to deal with.
Clean, clean, clean.
Most of the problems with kits are caused by the yeast, check dates carefully! or use a liquid yeast culture. for the first couple of tries, go ahead and use a canned malt extract. It's much easier the first time ot two. I mash all of my beers now, and grow my own hops.
(insert drunken smilie here!)

 

[kmccune]

Originally posted by MX265
kmccune,

Thanks for the URL. Your link works just by clicking on it BTW:cool:

Well, what do you know a new trick for an old dog :)

Here is a link for the brewery, it is a brewing board and has recipes and a lot of info. They also have a link with beer labels... good for cutiing and pasting for your own brews!
www.hbd.org/brewery/index.html

You may want to keep looking for another source, as liquid malt is heavy and costs a lot to ship.

good luck!

Kevin

 

[Offroadr]

Like several people said you are better off going to a brewshop or online and getting the good equipment. Its not much more $$ and will make much better beer!!

 

[KXaggerator]

I have an idea for controlling temperature during the fermenting. I am going to build an insulated plywood box with 6" of pulp insulation (around R17) and PVC rigid plastic sheeting on the interior for sanitation. I want to try using the heat/cool unit out of a 12 volt ice chest system. The heat and cool cycle are controlled by inverting the polarity. I plan to use a heat/cool thermostat with a hysteresis of one to two degrees. I also plan on installing a delay on relay to prevent constant on/off cycling. I plan to use a small fan to create a top to bottom current to stabilize the air temp. The mass of the wort should also help stabilize the temperature. I might also use a HEPA filter over the vent hole in the box. What do you think? Also Mr. Beer is DOA, he is going to be sent on to another home.:uh:

 

[Patman]

Perhaps at DW'02 we should have a beer tasting as well? :debil:

 

[dhoward]

I thought we did at DW'01?
:p

 

[dhoward]

Originally posted by KXaggerator
I have an idea for controlling temperature during the fermenting. I am going to build an insulated plywood box with 6" of pulp insulation (around R17) and PVC rigid plastic sheeting on the interior for sanitation. I want to try using the heat/cool unit out of a 12 volt ice chest system. The heat and cool cycle are controlled by inverting the polarity. I plan to use a heat/cool thermostat with a hysteresis of one to two degrees. I also plan on installing a delay on relay to prevent constant on/off cycling. I plan to use a small fan to create a top to bottom current to stabilize the air temp. The mass of the wort should also help stabilize the temperature. I might also use a HEPA filter over the vent hole in the box. What do you think? :uh:

If you're going to lager, just keep the darn thing cool. For ale, put a lightbulb under the carboy. Don't make it hard, have FUN for cryin' out loud.:p
It's beer!;)
A plain old water-filled airlock works fine.
You may consider filtering your finished beer if the sediment bothers you...

 

[KXKen]

I think Northernbrewer makes a thermostatically controlled blanket that goes around the carboy.

 

[kmccune]

Originally posted by Offroadr
Like several people said you are better off going to a brewshop or online and getting the good equipment. Its not much more $$ and will make much better beer!!

I'm not so sure about that, at least part of my fun with brewing is the designing and building part. My boiling vessel is a self (legally) converted 16 GAL keg and I made my own laughter tun. They work well and I have a high efficiency as well as GOOD beer. One of my friends buys all his equipment and also makes good beer but not much of it. If you enjoy brewing and good beer it will cost a lot (!) to buy a system that makes enough to supply your self and friends with home brew, I would guess in the 2-3 K range for an all grain system ( much less for an extract system). My total cost for my 16 gal all grain home brew set up is less then 300 bucks, plus I got to build it!

I'll say it again, be anal about sanitation, avoid the yeast packs in the canned malt, use a recipe from a reputable supplier (to start with, latter you can make your own up) and realize that you are cooking and nothing more, it’s an adventure in chemistry!

SOOO (I always wanted to say this) Relax and have a home brew!:) :) :) :)


Kevin

 

[kmccune]

Originally posted by KXaggerator
I have an idea for controlling temperature during the fermenting.:uh:

Sounds good, as the fermentation temp greatly effects the flavor. But as stated below... it's beer so make sure it is fun. If you like to design and build things, go for it, it is half the fun :) If you put a fermentation lock on top (or a blow off tube) I think I would forgo the HEPA filter unless you ferment in a damp place (high bacteria). Make sure that you leave a place for the CO2 to escape, and try to build/buy a temperature controller that has a reaonable (or setable) temperature differential (some are up to 20deg. F, way too much). I may have some electrical schematics laying around for temp controllers?

PS with the addition of yeast it is no longer WERT but beer! (or as the middle age monks called it "God is good" I think they were quite the party animals ;) )

Kevin

 

[kmccune]

Originally posted by KXKen
I think Northernbrewer makes a thermostatically controlled blanket that goes around the carboy.

Yes they do sell these, but even though I supported the building if the fermentation box above (just fun diversions), if you are buying it make sure that you need it (unless your a gadget guy who just has to have it). If you are brewing ales you most likely do not need it, as seasonal and air conditioning situations will suffice, if you choose you beer styles and yeast to mach the season.

Kevin

 

[KXKen]

Did any of you guys ever make one of those (I think it's called) Barleywine beers? They take like 12 months to mature and have tons of malt in them. It's a long time to wait but man if you like thick heavy beer this stuff is the best.