Homebrewers, UNITE!

[ianoconnor]

The Northern Brewer guys put out a great video podcast called Brewing TV if any of you haven't checked it out. It's both informative and hilarious.

The Brewing Network also has a weekly podcast that's roughly 4 hours long called The Sunday Session which is has some great stuff, too.

 

[CO4Cy]

When I lived in Ames I always used to get my brew supplies from northernbrewer (Northern Brewer - Home Brewing Supplies and Winemaking Supplies). They also have some great resources and how-to videos on their website.

I got a keg kit a few years ago. It is much easier than bottling. However, it only saves about an hour since it takes time to clean an sanitize the kegs. My wife gave me some perilick faucets and a fridge conversion kit for X-mas so I now have the official beer fridge with taps.

Kendall, I disagree about Hops & Berries in The FC. Their grain varieties are limited and the last 2 time I went in they were out of the typical 2-row. I work in Denver occasionally so I tend to go to Beer at Home in Westminster.

I brewed a black IPA a few weeks ago and have a english brown on tap at home. I hate brewing in this cold weather. I am ready for spring to replenish my supplies.

 

[troutslayer]

I started homebrewing about a year ago and love it. I get some supplies from my LHBS, but order the majority from Northern Brewer. They just opened an additional store in Minneapolis! My favorite kit from them so far is a Moose Drool clone, Caribou Slobber. Great brown ale! IMO, you can't go wrong with their Deluxe Starter kit. The only thing you need aside from that to get started is a boil kettle. Plan on brewing an Irish Red this weekend, weather be damned!

 

[kilgore_trout]

I'd like to try this but have two questions for you brewmeisters:

Is fermenting at regular ambient apartment temperature (I have no basement) a problem?

Can I bottle it in 1 quart Mason jars?

TIA

 

[isukendall]

Kendall, I disagree about Hops & Berries in The FC. Their grain varieties are limited and the last 2 time I went in they were out of the typical 2-row. I work in Denver occasionally so I tend to go to Beer at Home in Westminster.

I know they've been stretched pretty thin lately. They're supposedly opening another store closer to I-25 with more space, I'm guessing it will be easier to find things and more selection when it gets opened up. Anyhow, the point I was trying to make is that it's nice to have a LHBS in the first place, as many places don't have anything nearby.

 

[isukendall]

I'd like to try this but have two questions for you brewmeisters:

Is fermenting at regular ambient apartment temperature (I have no basement) a problem?

Can I bottle it in 1 quart Mason jars?

TIA

All of my fermentation is done in my half bathroom. It is small and has baseboard heat, so if you close the door it's easy to keep at a controlled 70F. Keeping consistent temperature is the most important thing, as long as it's in the 65-75 F range.

I would say no, don't bottle in Mason jars. I'm sure it's been done before. I've carbonated some in growlers before when I was out of bottles. But I'm guessing most people would tell you not to do that. Bottling isn't too difficult or expensive, it just takes some time.

 

[Jonecy]

I thought I would post this for any future homebrewer's looking for a starter kit....Groupon is offering a great deal right now....

Midwest Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies Deal of the Day | Groupon Minneapolis / St Paul

I get all my supplies from Midwest and it's a great store with very knowledgable staff.

 

[troutslayer]

All of my fermentation is done in my half bathroom. It is small and has baseboard heat, so if you close the door it's easy to keep at a controlled 70F. Keeping consistent temperature is the most important thing, as long as it's in the 65-75 F range.

I would say no, don't bottle in Mason jars. I'm sure it's been done before. I've carbonated some in growlers before when I was out of bottles. But I'm guessing most people would tell you not to do that. Bottling isn't too difficult or expensive, it just takes some time.

Remember that during fermentation, your wort is going to be at least 5 degrees warmer than ambient. So, if you're at 70 ambient, your wort is at 75. That's really on the high end, if not higher then most recommended ferm temps. Get yourself a tub big enought to hold your carboy or bucket, pour in about 5-6 inches of cold water, place your fermentor in the tub and drape a t-shirt over it with end of it sitting in the water. The water will wick up the cold water and keep the temps down. You really want to be on the low end of the recommended temp range.

 

[cyhawkdmb]

So my wife got me the True Brew Kit K-3 with Auto siphon. I know I still need a pot.. But my other problem is i have a induction stove top... So the bottom has to be magnetic... But also what would be a good easy beer to start out on? A Stout?

thanks

 

[troutslayer]

So my wife got me the True Brew Kit K-3 with Auto siphon. I know I still need a pot.. But my other problem is i have a induction stove top... So the bottom has to be magnetic... But also what would be a good easy beer to start out on? A Stout?

thanks

Most of the extract ale kits are pretty easy, so it depends on your taste. I would start with a pale ale, IPA, stout, brown ale, wheat, porter. I would stay away from Belgians, Hefeweizens, Blondes and other bit more complex beers until you have a few under your belt. Northern Brewer www.northernbrewer.com has a great selection of extract ales to choose from. The instructions that come with the kits are very detailed and their service is great. Can you do your boils outdoors? If so, that's your best bet. It can take awhile to get a 3-3 1/2 gal boil going on a stove. Also, Northern Brewer has a great forum you can go to for anything questions or concerns you might have. A lot of brewers on there with a lot of experience, and they're all very helpful.

 

[NickTheGreat]

What is the best homebrew forum? I've been lurking on homebrewtalk.com, but what to find the best one. You know, the CF of homebrewing :wub:

 

[troutslayer]

What is the best homebrew forum? I've been lurking on homebrewtalk.com, but what to find the best one. You know, the CF of homebrewing :wub:

My experience has been the Northern Brewer Forum.

 

[ianoconnor]

I think homebrewtalk.com is the most extensive & best formatted.

 

[CykoAGR]

I have been considering Homebrew for a long time but never really felt ready to take the plunge. With the start of this thread I decided to read “The Joys of Homebrew” and now I can’t stop thinking about getting started. I actually even got my wife convinced that this is a good idea!! Don't ask me how, I don't think she realizes the cost or the obsession that will follow but I digress.

I live in Waukee and was thinking of going to Beer Crazy to get a starter kit. I have read a lot of forums etc that talk about “must have” items that don't come with the beginner kits etc.

A couple of them are:

Wort Chiller
5+ Gallon boil pot (Wouldn’t need right away but don't want to buy 2)
Propane Burner (Faster time to boil vs. elec stove and no issues with boil overs)
Extra Carboy – Not sold on this YET because I don't think I would need a secondary right off the bat.


I know the burner and pot will add to the startup cost BUT potentially save the marriage if I were to destroy the kitchen stove. The chiller is just something that I think (with zero experience) would help speed up the process and make life easier than trying to ice bath a huge batch. Obviously people do it and it works so maybe I am blowing it out of proportion before I even try but whatever.

Anyone have any comments on the DSM LHBS? Is Beer Crazy better/worse/same as Heartland, I have read some poor reviews.

Please comment on the post with any additional “must haves” or if anything I listed is way out of line for a noob.

Thanks

 

[Clonebydesign]

CykoAGR:

Please never compare Beer Crazy to Heartland (now closed). Mark and his staff will help you with any questions you have, they rock. Once you go in you'll love it. Just have fun and do it.

 

[Clonebydesign]

What is the best homebrew forum? I've been lurking on homebrewtalk.com, but what to find the best one. You know, the CF of homebrewing :wub:

Homebrewtalk.com you'll love it. Plus I'm a vendor there so ask questions.

 

[00clone]

I have been considering Homebrew for a long time but never really felt ready to take the plunge. With the start of this thread I decided to read “The Joys of Homebrew†and now I can’t stop thinking about getting started. I actually even got my wife convinced that this is a good idea!! Don't ask me how, I don't think she realizes the cost or the obsession that will follow but I digress.

I live in Waukee and was thinking of going to Beer Crazy to get a starter kit. I have read a lot of forums etc that talk about “must have†items that don't come with the beginner kits etc.

A couple of them are:

Wort Chiller
5+ Gallon boil pot (Wouldn’t need right away but don't want to buy 2)
Propane Burner (Faster time to boil vs. elec stove and no issues with boil overs)
Extra Carboy – Not sold on this YET because I don't think I would need a secondary right off the bat.


I know the burner and pot will add to the startup cost BUT potentially save the marriage if I were to destroy the kitchen stove. The chiller is just something that I think (with zero experience) would help speed up the process and make life easier than trying to ice bath a huge batch. Obviously people do it and it works so maybe I am blowing it out of proportion before I even try but whatever.

Anyone have any comments on the DSM LHBS? Is Beer Crazy better/worse/same as Heartland, I have read some poor reviews.

Please comment on the post with any additional “must haves†or if anything I listed is way out of line for a noob.

Thanks

WRT propane burners and 'no issues with boil overs'...not sure what you mean there. Propane burners will boil over faster and easier than a stove because they put out more heat. Perhaps easier cleanup/ruin stove as you mentioned? The one down side to propane is that you're going to be doing it at best in the garage. In winter, that's not the most convenient, although with all the heat, it stays decently warm.

I have a wort chiller, an immersion style (the coil goes in the pot, water runs thru it). Nice, definitely. Needed? Not really.

There are 2 theories on starting equipment...like you mentioned about not buying 2 pots...that's one. The other is a self created one...check craigslist regularly. First, you might pick up a deal on some equipment. Second, realize how many of times you see whole homebrew setup sales. These people were really going to get into home brewing as well. If you don't end up sticking with it, the more money you're out.

 

[troutslayer]

I have been considering Homebrew for a long time but never really felt ready to take the plunge. With the start of this thread I decided to read “The Joys of Homebrew†and now I can’t stop thinking about getting started. I actually even got my wife convinced that this is a good idea!! Don't ask me how, I don't think she realizes the cost or the obsession that will follow but I digress.

I live in Waukee and was thinking of going to Beer Crazy to get a starter kit. I have read a lot of forums etc that talk about “must have†items that don't come with the beginner kits etc.

A couple of them are:

Wort Chiller
5+ Gallon boil pot (Wouldn’t need right away but don't want to buy 2)
Propane Burner (Faster time to boil vs. elec stove and no issues with boil overs)
Extra Carboy – Not sold on this YET because I don't think I would need a secondary right off the bat.


I know the burner and pot will add to the startup cost BUT potentially save the marriage if I were to destroy the kitchen stove. The chiller is just something that I think (with zero experience) would help speed up the process and make life easier than trying to ice bath a huge batch. Obviously people do it and it works so maybe I am blowing it out of proportion before I even try but whatever.

Anyone have any comments on the DSM LHBS? Is Beer Crazy better/worse/same as Heartland, I have read some poor reviews.

Please comment on the post with any additional “must haves†or if anything I listed is way out of line for a noob.

Thanks

The wort chiller, although nice and quicker, is not a must have. I chill with an ice bath in the sink and I'm fine with that. If I go to larger batches than 5 gal I'll probably consider it. I would say get started, and if the ice bath isn't your cup of tea then you can always spend the money on a chiller. You will need at least a 5gal brew pot and will probably want to boil outside.

Beer Crazy is great and only getting bigger. I also order things through Northern Brewer. Things that didn't come with the Deluxe Starter Kit I ordered through Northern Brewer:

Bottles
Long spoon
Brew kit
Boil pot
Propane burner

Although there are things you absolutely need to have, brewing and supplies are for the most part personal preference. You will hear so many opinions and ideas, but what works for one may not work for the other. Once you get into it you will develop your preferences, but stay open to other ideas! It's a great hobby.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Homebrewtalk.com you'll love it. Plus I'm a vendor there so ask questions.

Like I said, I've been lurking there for a while. But I may have to join up sometime. GOD knows I don't belong to enough forums

 

[CykoAGR]

CykoAGR:

Please never compare Beer Crazy to Heartland (now closed). Mark and his staff will help you with any questions you have, they rock. Once you go in you'll love it. Just have fun and do it.

My bad :spinny: see I told you I was a rookie. I wil make Beer Crazy my LHBS.

Thanks for the reply