Gonna give home brewing a shot

[NA4BH]

Found me a Mr. Beer home brewery today at K-Mart. I am making a batch of "West Coast Pale Ale" as the kick off special. I have never tried this before, so it either will be good or two gallons of fermented liquid going down the drain. :-D I was looking at their other recipes that were in the instruction book and modified the recipe a little. I added one cup of honey and mandarin oranges to the mix. Hopefully this will increase the octane and flavor of the final product.

Anybody else brew their own?

[kc7jty]

Good luck, it's a lot of work.

[kd8dey]

I found an intact Mr beer kit at the scrap yard where I worked security.
worked fine but their list of "Supplies" were a little expensive.
Pale Ale was OK....

[NQ6U]

Spend the money for top-notch hops and malt. If you don't, the results will be disappointing.

BTW, unless you drink a lot of beer, you may discover that it's actually more expensive to home brew than it is to just buy a six-pack when you want one. Oh, and your addition of honey and fruit to the mix are an abomination.

[kc7jty]

You'll be getting exploding bottles if you don't know what you're doing.

[W3MIV]

Zymurgy is more science than art; like baking, it is more chemistry than creativity. I would be leery of making any changes or additions to any of the recipes/formulae provided without first having made the stuff according to the particular Hoyle who packaged it.

[N8YX]

This is in my future:

http://hopville.com/recipe/203391/russian-imperial-stout-recipes/diablo-de-negro

A local beer/winemaking shop - the "Grape and Grainery" - has a kit for a Belgian Abbey Dubel that simply kicks a$$. A coworker who sits immediately next to me brought one of these in and I became immediately hooked. He's providing a bit of coaching.

[NA4BH]

Zymurgy is more science than art; like baking, it is more chemistry than creativity. I would be leery of making any changes or additions to any of the recipes/formulae provided without first having made the stuff according to the particular Hoyle who packaged it.

Normally I wouldn't have changed it up, but they had a recipe in there that called for honey and blueberries in light syrup. I don't particularly care for blueberries so I substituted mandarin oranges in light syrup. We shall see.

[kc7jty]

Zymurgy is more science than art; like baking, it is more chemistry than creativity. I would be leery of making any changes or additions to any of the recipes/formulae provided without first having made the stuff according to the particular Hoyle who packaged it.

I'm split as to this post. Although I agree totally with the latter portion I have considerable qualm with the entrada.

[W3MIV]

I'm split as to this post. Although I agree totally with the latter portion I have considerable qualm with the entrada.

Zymurgy is chemistry; the various interactions of the ingredients are crucial to the success of the final product. Red, White and Blue compares to Blue Moon as a mongoose compares to the Blue Goose; just because they share some elements does not mean you may intermix them willy-nilly.

[KE7DKN]

Zymurgy is chemistry

No, it isn't.


...just because they share some elements does not mean you may intermix them willy-nilly.

Right back at ya.

...

Congrats on your first brew, NA4BH. I've never used a Mr. Beer setup, but they've always looked like a decent way to try home brewing. It's most likely not going to be the best or most rewarding brew possible (nor do I think makes the claim anyway), but it should be good enough for giggles.

Good on ya for trying the honey & orange. I don't know the specifics of your ingredients, but there's nothing in home brewing that automatically precludes citrus fruits like oranges from being added. Even vegetables aren't unheard of. And if the batch isn't to your liking at all, it's not the end of the world.

Have fun!

[W3MIV]

error

[W3MIV]

No, it isn't.

Yes, it is. Here is the official definition, for your edification:

Zymurgy. n. That branch of chemistry concerned with fermentation (as in making wine, brewing or distilling).

This from Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary:


zymurgy



The chemistry (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/chemistry) of fermentation with yeasts (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/yeast), especially the science (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/science) involved in beer (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/beer) and wine (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/wine) making.

Note the emphasis on "science" in the second definition. Do not argue where you are ill-equipped to do so. Mere opinion counts for nothing in science.

[WØTKX]

:rofl:

I had a Mr. Beer kit, the first batch was drinkable. A liquor store in Frisco CO sells the supplies, so I hit them up about a dozen times, and used the kit. Worked great.

Later, I bought enough Grolsch, and kept the bottles. Dark Weiss Biers were a favorite to make.

[W3MIV]

Later, I bought enough Grolsch, and kept the bottles. Dark Weiss Biers were a favorite to make.

Ah, the virtues of the flip-top. Back in the sixties, in Germany, just about everything meant for domestic consumption was put up in flip-tops. They were, of course, "returnables."

I see Grolsch in standard crowns, but haven't seen the flips in a long time. Thanx for the mammaries, I shall have to make an effort to see if they are still available here. It had the virtue of being an excellent bier to boot.

[NQ6U]

Thanx for the mammaries.

You want mammaries? I got your mammaries right heah:

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/61811/thumbs/s-BIGGEST-BREASTS-large.jpg

[KE7DKN]

Yes, it is. Here is the official definition, for your edification:

Zymurgy. n. That branch of chemistry concerned with fermentation (as in making wine, brewing or distilling).

This from Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary:


zymurgy



The chemistry (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/chemistry) of fermentation with yeasts (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/yeast), especially the science (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/science) involved in beer (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/beer) and wine (http://forums.hamisland.net/wiki/wine) making.


Oooooooo! The dictionary! That's so cute! I especially like the phrase "official definition". Hee hee! It's like you think the dictionary is an authority instead of a tool.


Note the emphasis on "science" in the second definition.

Are those supposed to be links or just underlines in the second example? At the moment, they're linking to 404s.

Anyway, calling something a "science" or referring to the science involved doesn't mean "zymurgy is chemistry." Nice try, though.


Do not argue where you are ill-equipped to do so. Mere opinion counts for nothing in science.

I'm more "equipped" than you seem to think. Not only do I have a degree in Chemistry, I am a home brewer as well.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4492/0195t.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9656/0196q.jpg

I think it would be wise if you started taking your own advice - especially when it comes to picking your battles.

And looking up words in the dictionary isn't "science" either, ya know. :roll:

[WØTKX]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUeedMTlN0k


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUeedMTlN0k

[kc7jty]

I'm not going to pick a side about beer making being chemistry, but it's without a doubt an art (unless you drink BudMillerCoors)

http://www.ratebeer.com/users/gallery.asp

[KE7DKN]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUeedMTlN0k

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/funny-pictures-cat-loled.jpg

[kd8dey]

You want mammaries? I got your mammaries right heah:

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/61811/thumbs/s-BIGGEST-BREASTS-large.jpg

She looks like she went "over seas" to get an economy Boob Job and they used cantaloupes instead of silicone.

[kd8dey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUeedMTlN0k


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUeedMTlN0k

Monty Python "Life of Brian" lol.

[suddenseer]

Oooooooo! The dictionary! That's so cute! I especially like the phrase "official definition". Hee hee! It's like you think the dictionary is an authority instead of a tool.



Are those supposed to be links or just underlines in the second example? At the moment, they're linking to 404s.

Anyway, calling something a "science" or referring to the science involved doesn't mean "zymurgy is chemistry." Nice try, though.



I'm more "equipped" than you seem to think. Not only do I have a degree in Chemistry, I am a home brewer as well.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4492/0195t.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9656/0196q.jpg

I think it would be wise if you started taking your own advice - especially when it comes to picking your battles.

And looking up words in the dictionary isn't "science" either, ya know. :roll:ὅπερ ἔδει δεῖξαι

[n4aud]

I would highly recommend anyone considering homebrewing to buy this paperback:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Homebrewing-Third-Harperresource-Book/dp/0060531053
Mr Beer makes "OK" beer. You can get food grade 5 gallon fermentation vessels with lids and locks pretty cheaply, and buy ingredients online or at a local brew shop if you have one. Going with a kit is how most people start out homebrewing, but once you start experimenting with different types of hops and barley, or barley extracts, you'll not be satisfied by the pre-packaged kits.
You will be pretty much stuck brewing ales unless you invest in some more (expensive) equipment. Lagering beer takes some more equipment since the fermentation takes place at lower temperatures.
Start saving beer bottles with those flip tops or ones that require a bottle opener. The twist top bottles won't hold a good seal. Later, you might move on to kegging your beer as I do when I brew.
Don't follow the instructions that say to put a certain amount of sugar or extract in each bottle for carbonation. This is how a lot of exploding beer bottles are made by homebrewers. Add the sugar to the entire batch of beer just prior to bottling.
Keep everything clean and sanitary! This is the most important thing in brewing! Contamination will ruin your beer.

[W3MIV]

Oooooooo! The dictionary! That's so cute! I especially like the phrase "official definition". Hee hee! It's like you think the dictionary is an authority instead of a tool.



Are those supposed to be links or just underlines in the second example? At the moment, they're linking to 404s.

Anyway, calling something a "science" or referring to the science involved doesn't mean "zymurgy is chemistry." Nice try, though.



I'm more "equipped" than you seem to think. Not only do I have a degree in Chemistry, I am a home brewer as well.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4492/0195t.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9656/0196q.jpg

I think it would be wise if you started taking your own advice - especially when it comes to picking your battles.

And looking up words in the dictionary isn't "science" either, ya know. :roll:

I am very, very, very impressed that you publish your creds for us to applaud.

It is still more chemistry than art, however, no matter how many weak excuses you offer to the contrary.

[kd8dey]

BTW Mr Beer is in stock at my local Bass Pro shop......

[KE7DKN]

I am very, very, very impressed that you publish your creds for us to applaud.

I'm so very, very, very, glad. After all, you you you were the one who brought it up. Perhaps you should retire that little tactic.


It is still more chemistry than art, however, no matter how many weak excuses you offer to the contrary.

That's pretty good coming from the "durr hurr dictionary definition" guy. If anyone knows about using "weak excuses" for arguments, it'd be you.

Nice shift on your claim, by the way. I don't recall saying that zymurgy was "more art than chemistry" or anything similar, so go ahead and kick that strawman's ass, you master debater!

[NA4BH]

The beer is in "EXPLODE MODE" now. Just bottled it up and waiting another week to see the final out come. Tasting it right out of the fermentation container, it wasn't that bad. Time will tell. The appearance is that of a lambic.

[KC9ECI]

So? How was it?

Woot.com had a deluxe Mr Beer kit for $20 the other week (+$5 shipping) so I snagged one. I looked at the website to see what else they had and in the end picked up another fermenter for $10 and a cider mix. Both are currently sitting in a large Coleman cooler in my basement. I'm using a spare remote indoor/outdoor thermometer to keep an eye on the temps. So far less than a full degree of variation.

I used to do the stuff in 5 gallon batches and keg. I still have one keg left as well as a hydrometer, carboy, bottle washer, capper, etc. This just looked like a way to get back in to it with a minimum of fuss. I don't think I'll use the liter PET bottles that came with the keg. I have to run in for a root canal Thursday morning and that takes me right past the homebrew supply store so I think I'll just spring the $14 for a case of 12 oz bottles. I've already got a case of 12oz green bottles. Local store is selling 7Up made with can sugar for $3 a 6 pack. $12 for a case of good cider bottles plus someone gets to drink the 7Up (I don't drink soda much any more and almost always a diet variety when I do).

I'm giving some thought to using the carboy to make a few gallons of wine.

[n2ize]

I brewed up my usual batch of raisin jack (aka prison hooch) for the holiday season. I did everything as I always do. I made 3 buckets of it but 2 buckets came out spoiled and had to be dumped. I was only able to salvage one bucket which came out okay. Didn't taste too great (it rarely does) but it had an awesome kick. This was the first year I ever had any problems. Usually it all comes out good.

[w3bny]

You want mammaries...

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/61811/thumbs/s-BIGGEST-BREASTS-large.jpg

Oh bless you...you made bunneh happy



I brewed up my usual batch of raisin jack (aka prison hooch) for the holiday season. I did everything as I always do. I made 3 buckets of it but 2 buckets came out spoiled and had to be dumped. I was only able to salvage one bucket which came out okay. Didn't taste too great (it rarely does) but it had an awesome kick. This was the first year I ever had any problems. Usually it all comes out good.

How are you with pruno :wtf:

I homebrewed for a while. Best bit of advice... sterility-sterility-STERILITY Be fanatically...no Maniacally clean. Wash you hands then wash them again. your fermentation tanks need to be clean and sanitized. Use Idophor unless you are allergic to iodine. and use vodka in the fermentor airlock. What else...Sam Adams bottles are the best! And sanitize sanitize sanitize. OOOH keep a notebook so if you hit it big, you can re-create otherwise...Meh.

Just some notes.

[KA9MOT]

Dang! I thought this was about homebrewing a new and cool shack accessory! Drink one of those beers for me Bob.

[kb1qkq]

Anybody else brew their own?


Yes, I have been brewing over 20 years. Just made more wine yesterday. Made almost every kind of beer out there. I saw "buy quality ingredients" and that's right. Sanitation is also most important. Eventually get to using half grain mash then on to full mash, that's real beer. I even made a pumpkin beer once, whole pumpkin mashed (no not like potatoes) spices and kegged it. Took it to a Xmas party they drank the whole 5 gallons.

To learn more I worked a Micro Brewery in Poulsbo Wa a year. The brewmiester was awesome and we learned well. He even gave us homework. We did lagers there not ale. Lager is brewed and aged cold. Ale and lager use different yeast, one is top fermenting, one bottom.

Good luck with your brewing, great hobby and product. Now I have to learn shine from some locals :)

[N8YX]

I'm looking into doing this, and have the support of several coworkers who homebrew beer.

That said, does anyone have a good recipe for coffee stout?

[kb1qkq]

I'm looking into doing this, and have the support of several coworkers who homebrew beer.

That said, does anyone have a good recipe for coffee stout?


Charlie Papazians homebrewing book is the bible ("complete book of homebrewing" think it is). Can't remember if he had a coffee stout but many stout recipes. Stout uses darker grains than most beers, one being a very dark roasted barley called "black patent", and to me adds a coffee flavor.

I have used www.williamsbrewing.com all along and more than happy with quality and service. They also sell wine and beer making starter kits that are a far step above box store kits.

Water, yeast and a can of John Bull is not "really beer". You need good extract, malt, flavoring grains, boiling and finish hops, good yeast. Liquid strains best for beer, dry is fine for wine.

[NA4BH]

I laid out the extra bucks to get some Trappist style liquid yeast. It had a packet within the container that needed to be ruptured to activate the yeast. I had it stored very carefully in my little fridge. I went to get something out of it and guess what hit the floor? It couldn't have hit any flatter or harder on the floor. In a day or so, I noticed the container getting bigger. Needless to say, I cussed very loud. All my equipment was in use at the time, so I waved bye bye to it.

[KC9ECI]

Allah save us all, I excavated the carboy from storage last night. I'm bailing out of work at 8 this morning to head in to Onalaska for a root canal. I have to drive right bast the home brew supply store on my way there and back so I think I will stop in and get some things. I'm thinking about mixing up a batch of apfelwein. I figure anything that can generate 8900+ posts in a forum thread has to be worth it. http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f25/man-i-love-apfelwein-14860/

[n2ize]

How are you with pruno :wtf:


Pruno ?? You mean the rotted semi-alcoholic stuff that is often described as being made in plastic trash bags consisting of mashed fruits, bread, sugar, and whatever else one can get their hands on ? No thanks... If it is anything like they describe I am not that much into self-torture.

[KC9ECI]

C'mon, a little pruno never killed anyone. Maybe blurred their vision a little...

[kb1qkq]

I laid out the extra bucks to get some Trappist style liquid yeast. It had a packet within the container that needed to be ruptured to activate the yeast. I had it stored very carefully in my little fridge. I went to get something out of it and guess what hit the floor? It couldn't have hit any flatter or harder on the floor. In a day or so, I noticed the container getting bigger. Needless to say, I cussed very loud. All my equipment was in use at the time, so I waved bye bye to it.

That's just bad! Those darn little capsules inside are usually hard to pop, chase them all over the bag trying to trap them. I usually used wyeast brand.

[kb1qkq]

Here's something most households in Mexico make, I have tried it and like it too. I mix it half and half with a can of "ice" and it's a very refreshing summer drink.

Tepache!!! Take a pineapple and lightly wash it, not a scrub cause you want the natural years in the rind. Cut the green off and discard. (eat the rest) Cut the bottom and rinds off and toss in a pot. Put in 3 liters of water, about 2 cups brown sugar or cone pilar, 3 cloves, stick of cinnamon. Cover it and let it sit at room temp 2-3 days. Strain it and mix with beer, straight or thinned with water. Keep remainder in fridge

One of those cheap stainless stock pots works well.
Don't leave it too long fermenting it will go bad.
It's sweet, maybe cut sugar but you need some for the yeast to convert to alcohol.

[n2ize]

I use Fleishmans double acting bakers yeast for all my fermentation endeavors.

[KC9ECI]

Well so far I've found two cappers, a floating thermometer, about a million caps, and 3 pounds of corn sugar I forgot I had. Still can't turn up the bottle washer or the hydrometer. I'm sure they will both turn up about 5 minutes after I've ordered new ones online. I also found a complete set of replacement gaskets for the keg. Things are fixing to get alcoholic up in here.

[n4aud]

Kegging is the way to go. I've got 4 soda kegs for my homebrew, much much better than dealing with bottles.

[kb1qkq]

I use Fleishmans double acting bakers yeast for all my fermentation endeavors.

Leaves a bready flavor. Dry wine and beer yeast is 90 cents.

[kb1qkq]

Kegging is the way to go. I've got 4 soda kegs for my homebrew, much much better than dealing with bottles.

It sure is. No messing with 54 bottles, caps, siphoning into each bottle. In WA state I had kegs, co2 tank with splitter and fridge that held 2 kegs with taps, a dark and a light. My garage was a popular place!

[KC9ECI]

I'll bottle the 2 gallon batches, but the 5 gallon batch is certainly going to go in the keg. The cider I have going will come out Monday or Tuesday and the beer will come out on Thursday or Friday and then two weeks in the bottle minimum and there shall be drinking!

[kb1qkq]

I'll bottle the 2 gallon batches, but the 5 gallon batch is certainly going to go in the keg. The cider I have going will come out Monday or Tuesday and the beer will come out on Thursday or Friday and then two weeks in the bottle minimum and there shall be drinking!

Have you made honey mead yet? Use a champagne yeast, cote des blanc, lalvin if you do. The potential alcohol will kill beer yeast at about 8.5% but the wine yeast will finish higher. One time I kegged mead, stuff can sneak up on you.

[KC9ECI]

I've never done mead before. I bought a bottle of the stuff once. It was interesting the way it felt like it was almost evaporating on my tongue. Too sweet for me though. I don't mind a sweeter drink, but cripes, I thought I was going to catch the diabetes drinking that stuff.

[HUGH]

You can make dry mead. Mine had some lemon juice added otherwise there isn't sufficient acidity and fermentation stops too soon.
If it all goes horribly wrong, add a little cinnamon and ginger, perhaps some orange, and ensure it's reasonably clear. Label as "Metheglin" and pretend you're a Welsh wizard.

[KC9ECI]

Works for me.

I stopped at the brew shop and got a bottle of idophor and a couple other odds and ends. As I type this, there is 5 gallons of apple juice, 2 pounds of dextrose and 5 grams of yeast in the carboy. I expect to see some fermentation happening shortly.

http://galesvillefiredepartment.org/kc9eci/indajug.jpg

[KC9ECI]

Visible signs of fermentation!

http://galesvillefiredepartment.org/kc9eci/apfelweinfermenting.jpg

[kb1qkq]

I've never done mead before. I bought a bottle of the stuff once. It was interesting the way it felt like it was almost evaporating on my tongue. Too sweet for me though. I don't mind a sweeter drink, but cripes, I thought I was going to catch the diabetes drinking that stuff.

It could have been too much honey or not a potent enough yeast. Too many people and even recipes say "ale yeast" but ale yeast won't convert all the sugar to alcohol leaving it sweet. I hear you on the sweet, don't like it myself. I love stouts but had a Mackesons tripple once, was like condensed sugar syrup. Even some wine yeasts vary in what they will finish to. I was lucky with meads, they never were too sweet but sure could give some whopper headaches if you didn't look out. Mead was the first fermented beverage known to man. They collected honey and stored it outdoors. Rain and wild yeast in the air, fermentation and = "nectar of the gods" :)

[kb1qkq]

You can make dry mead. Mine had some lemon juice added otherwise there isn't sufficient acidity and fermentation stops too soon.
If it all goes horribly wrong, add a little cinnamon and ginger, perhaps some orange, and ensure it's reasonably clear. Label as "Metheglin" and pretend you're a Welsh wizard.

That's interesting, I didn't know about the lemon at all.

[KC9ECI]

The cider is in the bottle!

http://galesvillefiredepartment.org/kc9eci/cider.jpg

I used PrimeTabs and the destructions called for 3 in a 12oz bottle. I was going to put 2/8oz but somewhere along the line had a senior moment and only put 1 in each. Oh well, lightly carbonated is just as tasty. I had a same when I was bottling and it was tasty enough. A pint is still considered just a sample right?

[NA4BH]

Prime tabs? Never heard of them, do some splainin......

[KC9ECI]

PrimeTab is a convenient tablet form of corn sugar. Each tablet contains 500 milligrams of corn sugar. Use 2 PrimeTabs per 12 ounce bottle for a low carbonation level, typical of a true British draught beer. Use 3 PrimeTabs for a more moderate carbonation level. Use 4 PrimeTabs for a typical carbonation level, and 5 PrimeTabs for a higher level. Different bottles of the same batch can have different carbonation levels, customizing for personal preferences. Each package will prime a 5 gallon batch. 250 tablets.

http://www.homebrewing.org/Prime-Tab_p_1986.html

They had a bag of them at the homebrew store for $3 or so. I thought I'd give them a try and see what happened.

[NA4BH]

http://www.homebrewing.org/Prime-Tab_p_1986.html

They had a bag of them at the homebrew store for $3 or so. I thought I'd give them a try and see what happened.

Thanks, I will get some. I have been using granulated sugar.

[KC9ECI]

Granulated sugar is ok in cider as it has a tendency to impart a cidery flavor. Not so good in your beer. Beer you should prime with dextrose, or DME, dried malt extract.

[KC9ECI]

I've heard good things about Coopers carbonation drops from a co-worker. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/cooper-s-carbonation-drops.html When I'm out of the Primetabs I think I'll give the Coopers a shot.

[mw0uzo]

I've got a brew going at the moment. A simple set up here, fermenting bin and pressure barrel. Beer kit can of malt wort, bag of sugar, yeast and hops powder.Plans for next one are three cans of malt wort together and no sugar.

[KC9ECI]

I've got a brew going at the moment. A simple set up here, fermenting bin and pressure barrel. Beer kit can of malt wort, bag of sugar, yeast and hops powder.Plans for next one are three cans of malt wort together and no sugar.

I have in the past gotten some hopped extracts from Boots. I'll have to look next time I'm over to see if they still sell those.

Meanwhile, as I post this, Woot.com is selling a Mr Beer premium kit for $20 and $5 shipping. Not a bad deal considering they go for like $50 before shipping costs on the Mr Beer website.

[kb1qkq]

I have always used either dry malt or corn sugar for priming carbonation (granulated is not consistent either, besides taste) For a 5 gallon batch, 1 cup corn sugar in boiling sugar. Add it to a sterilized racking vessel, transfer wort from carboy into corn sugar to mix well. Bottle it and wait 2 weeks. It's always been a perfect carbonation, never too little, never volcano beer. At the micro brew we carbonated with CO2 thru a stone in the tank. You can also carbonate in a 5 gal Cornelius keg by upping CO2 pressure to 25-30# for a day or 2, a shake inbetween. Also make selzer water the same way.

[kb1qkq]

Thing with using just hopped canned malt is you have no finishing hops for flavor and bouquet.

For a 5 gallon batch beer on average I like 6# malt extract, 2-3# dried malt extract, at least 2 cracked grains like crystal, amber crystal unless stout then some roasted barley and black patent. 2+ oz boiling hops near the beginning of a 1 hr boil, 1+ finishing hops 5 min from the end. Sparge wort into fermenting vessel, add cold water to 5gal, cool to yeast pitching temp and the show begins :)

[KC9ECI]

Cross posting from another forum, so forgive the extra detail.

I'm brewing again, after about an 11 year absence. I stopped about the time our last daughter was born. With my recent renewed interest, I was in the basement looking for the lid to my keg. I had this feeling that it might be under the stairs. Much to my surprise, once I started moving things about, I uncovered a laundry basket covered in dust and filled with brown bottles.

Full brown bottles. I was quite pleased as I have a batch that will need to be bottled around the end of next week. I held one up to the light and was amazed at how clear the liquid inside was. I thought I'd have a little fun and brought it upstairs and rinsed the bottle off. Called my wife over to witness it as I pried the cap off. It let out a 'pssst.' Wow, still carbonated! So I gave it the sniff test...didn't smell bad. Only one thing left to do at this point...taste it. Surprisingly it was quite good. This was an attempt at making apple cider. Pretty much the same approach that EdWorts Apfelwein takes. I don't recall how much or what kind of sugar or yeast I used any more. I went and got a few more bottles out and have cleaned them off and put them in the fridge to cool down. I think I'll set up the camera tomorrow and video record an opening and pouring.

[KC9ECI]

http://galesvillefiredepartment.org/kc9eci/10yrcider.jpg

[KC9ECI]

Score! Located the lid to my keg...sitting on top of the mini fridge that I use to chill the keg. The way I installed it in to the bar 90% of the top isn't readily visible and it had slid to the back. I have a re-ring kit, but its been sitting around for better than 5 years so I think I'll just order a new one as it will only cost $5 or so. Kind of kicking myself for giving a lot of this stuff away a few years ago. I know that the fellow ham/brewer that I gave it to is making great use of it though so no biggie.

Here is an old photo I shot of my home bar area back when I was still brewing:
http://galesvillefiredepartment.org/kc9eci/kc9ecibar.jpg

Looks pretty much the same. The ham shack is behind the wall to the right of the photo where the refrigerator is.

[kf0rt]

Next Island party is at Tom's place. :cheers:

[NA4BH]

I'll bring the chips.

[KG4CGC]

I'll bring the chips.http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/bebop5/drinks/d7fb121b.jpg

[KC9ECI]

Sweet

[NA4BH]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/bebop5/drinks/d7fb121b.jpg

FAAAAAAAJJJJJJJIIIIIIIIITTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[K7SGJ]

I'll bring the chips.


What about the dips? Oh........never mind. They aren't invited

[NQ6U]

What about the dips? Oh........never mind. They aren't invited

Man, left out again...

[K7SGJ]

Sucks, huh?

[KG4CGC]

Fauh
Jie
Tuh

[KC9ECI]

The Mr Beer cider and the Vienna Lager so far are drinkable. The West Coast pale ale...I don't think I'd do that one again. Sampled the Apfelwein the other day and it's delish! Going to let it sit in the carboy until the weekend and then rack it in to a keg, give it a little shot of CO2 and then set it aside to age until May. Within a week I will probably get another 5 gallons brewing. I may give this batch some raspberries to tweak the flavor a bit. Should be ready for Field Day weekend.

[KA9MOT]

The Mr Beer cider and the Vienna Lager so far are drinkable. The West Coast pale ale...I don't think I'd do that one again. Sampled the Apfelwein the other day and it's delish! Going to let it sit in the carboy until the weekend and then rack it in to a keg, give it a little shot of CO2 and then set it aside to age until May. Within a week I will probably get another 5 gallons brewing. I may give this batch some raspberries to tweak the flavor a bit. Should be ready for Field Day weekend.

Damn, I gave up drinking in 1987....Yours sound like something I'd like to try.....So, you live in Wisconsin right? :rofl:

[NA4BH]

The Mr Beer cider and the Vienna Lager so far are drinkable. The West Coast pale ale...I don't think I'd do that one again. Sampled the Apfelwein the other day and it's delish! Going to let it sit in the carboy until the weekend and then rack it in to a keg, give it a little shot of CO2 and then set it aside to age until May. Within a week I will probably get another 5 gallons brewing. I may give this batch some raspberries to tweak the flavor a bit. Should be ready for Field Day weekend.

I did the West Coast pale ale and added mandarin oranges to it, wasn't too bad. I have a batch going right now, two cans of blonde extract and a glurp of cherry juice with one packet of regular yeast and a pack of T-38 yeast.

[KC9ECI]

Damn, I gave up drinking in 1987....Yours sound like something I'd like to try.....So, you live in Wisconsin right? :rofl:

Yep, just North of La Crosse.

[KC9ECI]

I did the West Coast pale ale and added mandarin oranges to it, wasn't too bad. I have a batch going right now, two cans of blonde extract and a glurp of cherry juice with one packet of regular yeast and a pack of T-38 yeast.

I've got the Irish Stout kit and another Vienna Lager kit to do, but I'm going to wait a bit. When we go visit my mother we always take her in to Black River Falls to do her shopping and the home brewing supply store there carries the Mr Beer line. I'll pick up a couple of cans of their unhopped malt extract and do those two kits as all malts.

I ran across this little gem the other day: http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=268 I've ordered one. I used to have a two stage CO2 regulator, but that and the 5lb tank both went down the ebay highway years ago. I've got some 20 ounce CO2 tanks already from paintball and I can get those filled faster and closer than the 5 pounder. I think I will look for one more keg and then put together a filter system and start force carbonating. Might even pick up a beergun before it's all over. One day I will get my B.A.C. levels all the way to 75M.

[NA4BH]

5lb CO2 tank fill around here is about $8.00 give or take.

[KC9ECI]

By closer and faster I mean I have a friend and free. The 5 pounder I'd have to load up and drive in to La Crosse.

[KC9ECI]

https://forums.hamisland.net/showthread.php/15103-Gonna-give-home-brewing-a-shot?p=400879&viewfull=1#post400879

I need to get a batch in the fementer soon myself. The 10 gallons from last winter went down well. Going to stick with the same formula, 5 gallons apple juice, 2 pounds dextrose and a packet of Montrechet yeast. Only difference this time out is I think I'll give it just a hit of ginger.

[KC2UGV]

Past couple of weeks, in addition to a gallon of hard cider (Now bottled), I started another gallon of hard cider (Almost done with primary), orange melomel mead, and cranberry wine.

Used "Joe's Ancient Orange Mead" recipe for the melomel, and winged the cranberry wine. Cranberry juice from the farmer's market, with champagne yeast.

Melomel should be done in a year, and the cranberry wine, maybe in 3 months. New cider should be getting racked in the next week or so.

[NQ6U]

ACORN!

http://www.leeners.com/_img/prod/516x344/hops.jpg

Oh, wait...that's hops...

[KC2UGV]

ACORN!

http://www.leeners.com/_img/prod/516x344/hops.jpg

Oh, wait...that's hops...

I was contemplating growing those :) From what I gather, they shoot up like crazy, and I could sell them at the local market.

[KC2UGV]

Just sampled a bit from the cranberry wine and second batch of cider. Cranberry wine is already delicious, and it's not done yet. The hard cider could use a few more days of fermentation. I think I'll be cold crashing it, and bottling it this weekend.

[KC2UGV]

Couldn't help it, cracked open a growler of the hard cider batch #1. It's been "aging" for about two week in the cellar. It's got a little of the apple taste, a nice little kick, but it's very dry. Wife rates it a 7 out of 10 in dryness (10 being no sweetness taste at all).

It's not clear, still a hint of cloudiness too it. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being able to read newsprint through it), it has a 6.

Flavor? No complexity yet. Bit of apple, no bite, but I didn't get the molasses flavor I was expecting with the brown sugar. Maybe it'll come into age. For flavor, it gets a 5 out of 10. It tastes like alcoholic apple juice. No complex flavor.

Leg. It has decent legs, nothing to write home about. I estimate it's a 9% ABV. Just a guess, as I didn't take a SG.

All in all? I'd rank this as a 4 out of 10. It's pretty simplistic in flavor, not clear,no burn. Wonder how it'll end up in a year or two (If it lasts)?

[KC2UGV]

Pics of the first bottles. Eldest is working up a label for them:
8367

[K7SGJ]

Pics of the first bottles. Eldest is working up a label for them:
8367

I never brewed anything that lasted long enough to label.

[KC2UGV]

I never brewed anything that lasted long enough to label.

I just bottled the last half gallon. I'm going to let the best two age, and see how good they turn out as apfelwein.

[KC9ECI]

Speaking of apfelwein, I'm enjoying a glass of the stuff now.

[W7XF]

Someone needs to find a recipe for a batch of Okanagan cider for Janet...

[KC2UGV]

Damn, well finished a gallon batch of Cranberry Wine. Very young, only 3 weeks old. It was quite good, but I made the mistake of adding too much final sugar to it, made it a little cloying. Wife said it reminded her of Manishewitz fruit wine.

[KC9ECI]

After last evening, I'm swearing booze off for a couple of days.

[kf0rt]

After last evening, I'm swearing booze off for a couple of days.

After this week...

Aw, nevermind.

[KC2UGV]

Ok, so right now, I have 5 gallons of apfelwein brewing, 5 gallons of cranberry wine, 1 gallon of JAOM, and 1 gallon of (I hope to be) peach wine.

The peach wine is interesting. Making it from canned peaches. Really not sure how this will turn out lol.

--- EDIT ---

The JAOM is down to half a gallon now. The first half gallon tasted phenomenal!

[KC2UGV]

Well, polished off the first round of JAOM. Today, started two gallons of it. Should be ready in 60 days or so.

[N8YX]

Late to this brewhahah...

We're looking at doing a good Imperial stout, a Belgian ale of some sort (dubel or trippel) and a perpetual Oktoberfest. A buddy of mine came up with a killer honey brown ale, and suddenseer has experienced it first-hand. We both think it bears repeating in my kitchen. :yes:

[X-Rated]

Late to this brewhahah...

We're looking at doing a good Imperial stout, a Belgian ale of some sort (dubel or trippel) and a perpetual Oktoberfest. A buddy of mine came up with a killer honey brown ale, and suddenseer has experienced it first-hand. We both think it bears repeating in my kitchen. :yes:

I'll be right over. ;)

[KC2UGV]

Late to this brewhahah...

We're looking at doing a good Imperial stout, a Belgian ale of some sort (dubel or trippel) and a perpetual Oktoberfest. A buddy of mine came up with a killer honey brown ale, and suddenseer has experienced it first-hand. We both think it bears repeating in my kitchen. :yes:

I'm thinking about doing beers as well. With beer, you can get a drinkable product in 3 weeks for a light bodied ale. Of course, longer is better. Wine, seems like 2 months minimum for a drinkable wine.

Figure, if I do both, I'll have enough to keep moving along without having to have 12 6 gallon car boys constantly going with wine :lol:

[kb2vxa]

Car boys shouldn't drink, they'll wreck the cars. Methinks you put a space where it shouldn't be, but that's understandable when the keyboard won't sit still.

[KC2UGV]

Car boys shouldn't drink, they'll wreck the cars. Methinks you put a space where it shouldn't be, but that's understandable when the keyboard won't sit still.

Yeah, put a space where it shouldn't have been :)

But, I took the plunge on beer, with an extract. Figured can't be harder than wine. Warm the can, dump in the extract, top off with water, and add yeast. Wait 7 days, and then bottle.

Went with a dark extract. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[KC2UGV]

Popped first bottle of cranberry wine. This stuff is nice, sneaks up on ya though. It kind of has a raisin hint, even though I didn't use any raisins in this recipe.

But, I'm going for the gusto now: Grape wine, from frozen concentrate; along with Cherry Grape wine from Welch's bottled juice. Only going for a gallon of each right now. Still waiting on the JAOM to finish. It's starting to clear already, waiting on the fruit to drop.

My first beer was "not so great". Very bitter. I asked about, and it seems I needed some DME, since I only used hopped LME.

[KG4CGC]

http://www.periodicbeer.com/

[KC2UGV]

http://www.periodicbeer.com/

That's pretty funny :)

[al2n]

Been debating if I should brew again or not since the move. Found a local home brew supply shop and it turns out that the owner is a former Alaskan too. All kinds of fun toys in that shop. Everything from brewing supplies to cheese making to home coffee roasting.

[KG4CGC]

That's pretty funny :)

It was handed down to me.

[KG4CGC]

Been debating if I should brew again or not since the move. Found a local home brew supply shop and it turns out that the owner is a former Alaskan too. All kinds of fun toys in that shop. Everything from brewing supplies to cheese making to home coffee roasting.

We had a local brew supply shop that also carried over 125 different kind of craft brewed beers. All was well until the Charlotte brew shop people and the Atlanta brew shop people started ragging on him in the regional brew trade mag.
This is why Greenville can't have nice things. OK, there more to why we can't have nice things but that would involve a 12 page political rant about how we are willing to eat our own for a dollar.