Home Brew

[Gunslinger]

I thought this deserved it's own thread.  What goes into home brewing, I'd really like to get into it.  What's the start up cost?  What kind of space requirements?  Is it more economical (not counting start up costs) to brew vrs buy?

[Jackal1]

GS check out this site http://www.homebrew.com/.
There are many, many sites such as this one with some great info.
A simple setup takes up very little space and is inexpensive.
I`d suggest starting out with malt extracts to begin with just out see how you like it.
From there the sky is the limit.
You can keep it simple or go full grain, etc. and from there go as big as you would like.
You can save some money on most beers, but the best thing about brewing your own is you can get exactly what you want and if done right will be much better beer than you can buy commercially. Another good thing is that you don`t have all the additives that give you the dreaded hangover.
WARNING: This hobby is as addictive as AH.

[boxboy28]

HB is great fun and its easy.

only think is keep the number one lesson in your head at all times.

KEEP EVERY thing clean and sanitized.

[TheBug]

A great site to learn the hobby and get great tips and ideas.  http://www.homebrewtalk.com/   

[VonMessa]

WARNING: This hobby is as addictive as AH.

The man is 100% correct!!  I started out with one batch/month.  It's up to 2-3 brews per week now.  Now I am running out of room to keep all of the carboy's full of fermenting beer.   




(I know, I know.  I need new pics, but I am at work and this is the only one I have access to)

I have graduated from extract to all-grain.  From 5-gallon batches on the kitchen stove to 10-15 gallons at a time in a set of kegs that I converted into brew kettles.

Don't do it unless you are prepared for the addiction   

[VonMessa]

I thought this deserved it's own thread.  What goes into home brewing, I'd really like to get into it.  What's the start up cost?  What kind of space requirements?  Is it more economical (not counting start up costs) to brew vrs buy?

You can get started on your first batch of home brew (kit and ingredients) for + or - $100.

I would have to say that it is more economical in the mid to long run.  bout $30-40 per 5 gallons (about 2 cases of 12 oz. bottles) 

If you figure that any "premium" or micro brew beer that you may purchase is almost that much for ONE case, and the beer you brew at home will be ten times better, I will never buy beer again.

[DYNAMITE]

There is a place near where I live called Shenandoah Brewing... its a micro brewery that makes its own stuff... OR you can make yours using their equipment!  It's great!

They have all the grains, some serious industrial cookers, and 10 gallon barrels to ferment your beer in.   When it's done, you can use their bottling equipment.  Great fun, and even better beer!

http://www.shenandoahbrewing.com/

[Gunslinger]

How hard is it to get it in a keg?  I have a 16 and an 8 gallon with a kegorator and CO2 tank.  Just wondering cause I heard a buddy mention this one time?

[Ripsnort]

How many times are you going to use that photo Von?























j/k!

[VonMessa]

How hard is it to get it in a keg?  I have a 16 and an 8 gallon with a kegorator and CO2 tank.  Just wondering cause I heard a buddy mention this one time?

Oh hell, you are halfway there   

You can pick up 5-gallon Cornelius (Pepsi/Coke style) kegs for about $30-$40.  Since you already have a tank and regulator, you can force carbonate your beer and chop about 2-weeks off of conditioning time(beer getting bubbly).

Again, just a warning.  Once you go the keg route, you will never go back to bottles.  You can even get a portable (food grade) Co2 cartridge dispenser for easy transport.

The only time I bottle anymore, is at Christmas when I give out seasonal beer as gifts, upon request(making a batch for a friend), or for super-special brew that I want to get opinions on.  Washing one keg is a lot easier than 60 bottles 

[VonMessa]

How many times are you going to use that photo Von?























j/k!

Piss off, I'm very proud of my beer.     

 I even play music for it, sometimes.  The yeast IS a living creature, ya know. 

I'll take some more, tonight, along with some pics of the hops in the garden. 

[Ripsnort]

Piss off, I'm very proud of my beer.     

 I even play music for it, sometimes.  The yeast IS a living creature, ya know. 

I'll take some more, tonight, along with some pics of the hops in the garden. 

Damn, if only we weren't 2500 miles apart...we could sample yours and you could teach me Obi-beer-wanobi! 

[Fulmar]

eh?

[Cthulhu]

You guys ever try your hand at making mead? Takes forever to ferment and the alcohol bite can be fierce if you don't let it sit and mellow for a while, but great stuff.  Only downside... worst hangover ever.

[VonMessa]

You guys ever try your hand at making mead? Takes forever to ferment and the alcohol bite can be fierce if you don't let it sit and mellow for a while, but great stuff.  Only downside... worst hangover ever.

I've been wanting to make mead for a long time.  I just don't have the patience, but I might make a batch soon.  I have a recipe for mead with salamanderly pear cactus(the fruit, of course)  in it that I'm dying to try.  It does take forever plus the price of honey is almost as bad as gas right now.