Homebrewing beer

[BOMBAYCAT]

I used to home brew a lot. Not so much anymore as the supply stores have gone away in this area. My favorite was IPA and it took a while for me to figure out how the dry hopping should work. I actually have some Cascade hops growing in the yard. I keep saying I will brew another batch in the down time before the outdoor growing season.

 

[420mike]

Bottling tomorrow.. probably start the next batch next weekend.

 

[ConfirmPassword]

Haven't home brewed in almost 15 years. The stuff was awesome. Doesn't take much to make beer better than what you can buy off the shelf.

 

[STUNKY]

I'll look into those... I thought about planting some hops. Is it easy to grow
?

 

[420mike]

Not sure how easy it is to grow hops but I think I read somewhere that they are poisonous to dogs...

 

[STUNKY]

My cats will love it.. Lol Jk

 

[Rob547]

Hey everyone, knew there had to be a home brew thread around here

After realizing I don't really have much for hobbies this is what I'm deciding on. Just been looking into kits and reading about it for a few days, can't wait to start! Always been a craft beer guy so can't wait to brew my own.
People always make it seem like a bigger process than it is, extract brewing wise at least.

Anyone have thoughts on plastic vs glass carboys? I know its a pretty highly debatable thing, and I know there's that Better Bottle carboy.
Also not sure where to get a cheap pot, probably going with aluminum for now. That's the only other thing I need really besides kit.

 

[Ziggaro]

I've been reading a lot about home-brewing lately, too.

I don't know much about plastic vs glass, but I have read that you should not use an aluminum pot. I'm looking at a 40-quart pot at my local home-brew supply that is stainless steel. I was thinking about going with a 20-quart until I realized that its going to be a mess trying to do a 5 gallon brew. It's about 80 dollars so gotta work the old lady a bit

 

[STUNKY]

Looks to be a fun hobby.i just ordered a five gallon batch of sweetwater 420 clone.. Man that's a lotta grain. I'm having to wait till I get my shop built.im gonna have to make one of those sparging thing and get a big pot..the process isn't to hard. It's having the tools for the job.cheers ..

 

[SeaMaiden]

Rob, we used the plastic carboys. When I had my aquarium set-up & maintenance biz I used plastic Sparkletts water bottles for transporting the saltwater. Never had any issues in any aquarium doing that, so I figure if it's ok for those living things, the yeastie-beasties would be ok. We never detected any off flavors, either.

For me, the bigger difference occurs when it's done and you're at the that choice moment--bottle, or keg? Convenience is kegging, but that beautiful natural carbonation is bottling.

 

[GP73LPC]

i also use plastic.

yeast affects taste far more than anything else.

 

[Rob547]

From what I've read it is pretty important to use high quality yeast, and if I remember correctly, not to use yeast out of an aluminum package?

SS pots seem really expensive which is why I was considering the aluminum. I'm sure it will be fine for however batches I'd be doing in the forseeable future.

 

[wantaknow]

we make strwberry wine /i moonshine on the side ,the wine is the best ,just let it stand and it will smmmooottthhheenn out ,potent stuff for shure

 

[Homebrewer]

Anyone have thoughts on plastic vs glass carboys? I know its a pretty highly debatable thing, and I know there's that Better Bottle carboy.

Plastic is safer but plastic can also scratch when you clean it and bugs that screw up beer love to hide in scratches.

Also not sure where to get a cheap pot, probably going with aluminum for now. That's the only other thing I need really besides kit.

Aluminum is fine as long as you don't clean it with an oxygen-based cleaner (ie. Oxyclean, One-step). Go with stainless if you can afford it or just go aluminum and buy yourself a good scrub brush with the money you saved.

 

[Rob547]

This is the info I read " Passive oxide layer must be created and maintained. This is done easily enough by filling the kettle with water and boiling for ~30 minutes. You'll know it's there when the inside of your kettle has a brown discoloration
Although an aluminum pot will likely last for as long as you need to use it, it probably won't last forever. If you inherited your great-grandparents aluminum pot, leave that for spaghetti
CIP cleaners cannot be used without damaging your pot. With aluminum, you'll need to use old fashioned manual labor"

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/vs-pro-con-analysis-109318/ last 2 posts

essentially what you were saying homebrewer

 

[ghostmade]

hi all yall beer folk!i was woundering if u had any suggestions on a beer that is really good for a first time beer drinker?ive always like liquer but most beer is nasty.but my gma said a mug a beer in the morning and a phat glass of wine is good for ya health!lol (german's) thanx also maby ways to make beer healthy,like idk viatamins or somting

 

[Rob547]

I'd try either a brown ale (newcastle or something like that) or a lighter beer, hefeweizen or pilsner, personal preference really. A lot of people don't like hoppy beers at first. pale ales, IPAs and such.

 

[spring fed]

Some photos of todays session. A citra pale ale extract kit.

 

[The Sensi Rebel]

Just cracked my Amber Ale I let sit for 4 months...mmmmmhhm!!

Its so tasty and nutty. I can't wait to let it sit more. Going to be sipped slow over a dinner of porkchops and potatoes..

Going to brewing my Stepfather's IPA recipe, dry hopping in keg with some Cascade.

Loving the Hallertauer and Chinook hops. I would like to find a Chinook rhizome for my garden.. thats my 2nd favorite hop variety. Anybody like Chinook?

 

[MaynardG_Krebs]

Just cracked my Amber Ale I let sit for 4 months...mmmmmhhm!!

Its so tasty and nutty. I can't wait to let it sit more. Going to be sipped slow over a dinner of porkchops and potatoes..

Going to brewing my Stepfather's IPA recipe, dry hopping in keg with some Cascade.

Loving the Hallertauer and Chinook hops. I would like to find a Chinook rhizome for my garden.. thats my 2nd favorite hop variety. Anybody like Chinook?

Chinooks are not a hop I go out of my way to use, but have in the past (back during the hop shortage and you had to get what you could get). The one thing about Chinooks that's important.. don't be too heavy handed with it on the bittering end of things.. it can really become harsh.. I like it more for a 'flavor/aroma' hop addition.. Dry hopping in the keg can be a little tricky.. every time i do it, i get a plugged output and have to mess with it.. I did use some big tea balls for a while, but they finally crapped out.. Good luck with it!!

mgk

edit: This is the time of year to get hop rhizomes.. do a google search for them.. you'll find em.. Hop Union lists them on their site, but I'm not sure how much or whatever.. better do it quick tho.. they'll be selling out of t he popular varieties soon..