Guest Alan Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Just took my first stab at it yesterday. We are trying a Porter and from what i could tell everything went fine. the yeast is alive and kicking and the beer is fermenting. now we sit and wait for about 10-14 days. anyone ever brew? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I haven't made a batch in a while, but I brew from time to time. I'm hardly a master, though--I've had some very mixed results ranging from very good to...well, there was that one batch that tasted kind of funny and gave me a wicked headache and made my nose go numb, but man, what a buzz! So, come to think of it, I guess all of my experiences have been excellent after all! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ikol Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I have a Belgian Dubbel going now. I've probably made like 10 batches, and most of them turned out really good except for an Irish Stout that didn't get carbonated and a strong golden ale that got too carbonated (one bottle actually exploded in a closet). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I'd like to try it sometime. What's an average setup cost and how long does it take to brew? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 My current housemate brewed in his dorm room last year and he's currently brewing a new batch now. I forgot what kind it is but his batches are always delicious so I'm looking ofrward to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 i don't have the patience, but my neighbor brews some wicked stuff a couple of times each year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I'd like to try it sometime. What's an average setup cost and how long does it take to brew?check out the kits here... http://www.northernbrewer.com/ i got the deluxe kit for my birthday, it's around 140 bucks. it was recommended to me by someone who brews all the time. it comes with two carboys (fermenting bottles) so that i could actually brew two batches at a time if i'd like. you should at least get the glass starter kit. there are cheaper kits out there, like really cheap, but of course you get what you pay for. i already can't wait to start my second batch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 check out the kits here...Thanks! Would this be a bad thing to attempt in an apartment? Due to smells, etc.? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Thanks! Would this be a bad thing to attempt in an apartment? Due to smells, etc.?the smell can get a bit strong, but i don't think it would bother your neighbors much. and the smell is really only strong for an hour or so while you're cooking the wort. as long as you have room to keep the 5 gallon glass carboy sitting around for a few weeks while the beer ferments. preferably somewhere dark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 All grain brewer here..... sanitation,sanitation....and more sanitation!!! -Robert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ikol Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 How much extra time does it take to do all grain versus extract? I'd like to try it sometime, but I probably don't have the time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I used to do this, but everything I made was pretty bad so I quit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 What are the costs of the ingredients like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 depending on the beer they can be quite a lot. I used to brew before the great micro brew revolution, but then suddenly there was so much really good beer of all sorts of varieties that my lame attempts became cost prohibitive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 What are the costs of the ingredients like?i paid about 30 bucks for the ingrediants... grain malt, malt extract, hops and yeast. this is for 5 gallons of beer. about 50 bottles or so. it can get a little cheaper than that, or a lot more expensive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ikol Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Once you've paid for the equipment, I'd say it's a little cheaper than what you'd pay to buy similar quality beer. Of course, there's also the time and work you put into it, but it's worth it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fatheadfred Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 If you have space and a full day to brew, then go all-grain. It is cheaper, usually tastes better, and easier to customize recipes to your specific taste. You need a propane burner, 7 gal stainless pot, a 7 gal bucket or cooler to mash in, a fermenter, auto siphon, bottle filler, blah blah. A lot of little crap. I have about 100 bucks in my system. I am a tight ass diy person, though. Patience must be learned. My batches cost about 18 bucks. These are 6-7% abv's too. For viewing pleasure check this out: http://www.basicbrewing.com/index.php?page=video And for a way more than needed analysis of technique, although it is good to know the entire process, before simplifying, try:http://www.brewboard.com/index.php?showforum=2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 If you have space and a full day to brew, then go all-grain. It is cheaper, usually tastes better, and easier to customize recipes to your specific taste. You need a propane burner, 7 gal stainless pot, a 7 gal bucket or cooler to mash in, a fermenter, auto siphon, bottle filler, blah blah. A lot of little crap. I have about 100 bucks in my system. I am a tight ass diy person, though. Patience must be learned. My batches cost about 18 bucks. These are 6-7% abv's too.For viewing pleasure check this out: http://www.basicbrewing.com/index.php?page=video And for a way more than needed analysis of technique, although it is good to know the entire process, before simplifying, try:http://www.brewboard.com/index.php?showforum=2 Great points here.....the only thing though sanitizing and filling bottles suck donkey balls..... I use the old style soda syrup canisters.....and run a tap handle thru the door of my beer "fridge" -Robert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ikol Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 To sanitize the bottles, I just run them in the dishwasher without soap, and that seems to work fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 i assume all who brew (sans the dishwasher guy i guess) own a bottle tree? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fatheadfred Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I don't bottle tree. Just sanitize in sink with iodophor and place in dishwasher rack to dry, then fill. Yeah, bottling sucks a bit, but I am fighting having another fridge in the house for the cornies (5 gal soda kegs) And I am a dirty brewer. No secondary transfer unless it is a big beer or wine or hard cider Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 we are still fermenting. this is day 16. we plan to bottle next tuesday or wednesday. everything is going fine so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
allgodsmoney Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I've been entertaining the Idea of making a hard cider. There is an orchard that presses their own cider (soft) and I can get it straight from the press. Whadya think? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sly like a Foxwell Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 yep, dish drainer or sink for drying, just rinse them in sanitizer before using. i switched to cornies, but haven't had them full in a while. remodeling and brewing are natural enemies.promash is a great program if you are just getting into all grain. http://www.promash.com/ and the northern brewer forum is the best one i've found for anything technical. a lot of really good brewers over there. all of a sudden, beer is sounding good Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sly like a Foxwell Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Homebrew cider can be really good, just be careful, as i managed to produce 5 gallons of really wicked alcoholic vinegar after it sat too long. fresh is by far the way to do it. most of the storebought ciders/juices have anti fermentation additives . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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