Homade Beer

[Lunker]

Im looking into trying to make my own beer. My buddy makes his own desert wines and hoy moly they are the cats meow!!! Now If he can do that with wines I know I can figuire out my own brew. Am I actually the first one to bring this subject up or is it forboden..? Hopefully some one can fill me in on a few good ones. PS Did anyone else see that show about the Jungle Natives working at clearing feilds for a days ration of homade maize/date beer. Its gotta be good stuff eh! Later off to see Star Wars!

Lunk

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy, Lunker-

Head over to the nearest microbrewery in your area. I'm sure they will be happy to steer you to local brew clubs, suppliers, etc.
You could also contact www.Dragonmead.com , my favorite microbrewery.
Good luck, and skoal!

[STEINFISHSKI]

Lunker, I've been homebrewing for about 8 years now and there is no other beer I'd rather drink than my own original handcrafted beer made to my liking and taste. With homebrews you can add only the ingredients that suit your tastes.

I started with the 1 gallon mr beer kit and dry yeast packets, but that is a waste of time and doesn't taste too good either. By my 3rd batch I was brewing 5 gallons at a time which yields approximately 2 1/2 cases. Now I brew a batch every couple months and have at least 2 styles of beer on hand at any given time. I started with pilsners, ipa, wheat, german, english, and then settled in on stouts. I never had too much luck the lighter the profile, so I ended up on the dark side. Chocolate and roasted malts. Dark crystal malts, lightly hopped for a clean finish and fruity aroma. My mouth is watering already.

Let me know if you want more info, but here are some good tips.

use liquid yeast cultures.

sanitize, sanitize, sanitize.

steep small amount of crushed grains for start of wort.

Use thermomiter, measure sg, and copy recipe everytime with notes.

Happy brewing. Tim
:D

[Lunker]

STEINFISHSKI and PrtyMolusk,

Thanks this site is truly a touch of heaven isnt it! I cant wait to dive in to my own homeade brew batch!!! Question -Does plastic or glass brew containers make a quality difference on the finished product ...? And also those chocolate and roasted malts are making my mouth water and Ive never even tried one yet!Whats the worst thing I could do to my homade brew ? Any good stories like going blind or anything?


P.S. Star wars was slow starting but the finish was awesome! Its worth seeing it once... I wouldnt stand in line for more than 20 mnutes. Buy your tickets in advance and walk past the lines like I did . Yoda is so cool on this one.

Lunk

[STEINFISHSKI]

The grains are steeped in a grain bag just under a boil 30 minutes. I like 1/3 lbs each chocolate and roasted, and 1 lb crystal malt grains cracked, not powdered. Add 1 large can dark malt extracts syrup and 3 lbs sprayed dried malt extract and boil 50 minutes until the bubbles turn from the size of peas to the size of marbles. Last 10 minutes of boil I add 1 oz favorite low alpha acid hop pellets in grain bag. At end of boil I add 1 oz high alpha acid hops for 10 min. Measure specific gravity with hygrometer. For my primary fermentor I use a 5 gallon bucket with lid and spigot on bottom. pour wort into bucket, add water to 5 gallon mark, when temp is right pitch yeast. I like the American ale II and Irish ale liquid yeasts for my stout. Cover and use airlock. 10 days later I transfer to secondary fermentor which I use a glass 5 gallon jug w/airlock. 4 days later I transfer to the bucket again and measure specific gravity. The second sg reading minus the first will be your alcohol content. Then add 1 1'2 cup light unhopped sprayed dried malt extract to carbonate. While constantly stirring use bottle filler to fill bottles, cap, and wait 4 weeks before sampling.

The worst that can happen is if you do not sanitize properly you could probably get sick, but so far no problems here. Once bacteria starts in your equipment it is tough to get rid of they say. 3 oz bleach per 5 gallons will take care of any problems. I guess you could overcarbonate and start the bottles popping like the fourth of July. To date 3 bottles have popped on me. Don't store them on carpet. I can bring some samples to try if you're going to the pig roast.:D

[1fish2fish]

You asked about glass vs. plastic. I've been homebrewing off and on for about 12 years. Definately get glass. People have used plastic with no problems but it's draw back is that it scratches easy and it makes it harder to sanitize. I work in the food and beverage industry and could give you the long drawn explanation as to why scratches don't sanitize as easy as a smooth surface (stainless or glass) but trust me glass is safer and relatively cheap.

Buy the book "The Joy of Home Brewing" and you will probably do it the rest of your life. It's a cheap, easy and enjoyable hobby.

[Lunker]

Thanks so much for the help youve been more than helpful guys Ill let you know how it all goes.

Lunk