Homebrewing Beer

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

We brewed Friday night and had a blast. We got pretty loaded after that as we drank from our first batch, and then almost polished off the rest on Saturday night. I currently have 4 1/2 cases of empty bottles now, and two batches in carboys. Good times are a comin'.

[Nidaros]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

We brewed Friday night and had a blast. We got pretty loaded after that as we drank from our first batch, and then almost polished off the rest on Saturday night. I currently have 4 1/2 cases of empty bottles now, and two batches in carboys. Good times are a comin'.

Don't you have any other interests beside drinking beer, and making it so you can drink some more? Just asking.... Do you golf?

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Don't you have any other interests beside drinking beer, and making it so you can drink some more? Just asking.... Do you golf?

I have twin 5 yr olds, which take up most of my time. But in my free time I play softball, go camping, fishing, make beer, mess with scammers, attempting to get a book published, and tailgate in the fall. I'm fairly busy...

[Nidaros]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I have twin 5 yr olds, which take up most of my time. But in my free time I play softball, go camping, fishing, make beer, mess with scammers, attempting to get a book published, and tailgate in the fall. I'm fairly busy...

Good enough, I guess our board would be as dead as the USD board where it not for the Homebrewing thread. I am just having fun at your expense. Kind trying to be the old grumpy guy by asking., but I did not tell you to get off my grass.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Good enough, I guess our board would be as dead as the USD board where it not for the Homebrewing thread. I am just having fun at your expense. Kind trying to be the old grumpy guy by asking., but I did not tell you to get off my grass.

No worries. I can dish it, and I can take it. I rarely even mention the homebrewing on Bisonville, since there really were no homebrewers to talk to. This board had the most educated on the subject. Plus, once it gets to football season, it is more fun to smack friends than it is strangers.

[NoVaJack]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

No worries. I can dish it, and I can take it. I rarely even mention the homebrewing on Bisonville, since there really were no homebrewers to talk to. This board had the most educated on the subject. Plus, once it gets to football season, it is more fun to smack friends than it is strangers.

TransAm, maybe you can find someone on the board who will do one of those bets on the game, like governors do. Maybe a case of homebrew for somebody else's homebrew, or homemade wine.

[West-River_Jack]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I am most definitely not a beer expert. However, I got a good lesson in what you guys are writing about today. I toured Houston's St. Arnold's craft brewery. Two of their beers, Lawnmower and Weedwhacker, (great beer names) have exactly the same recipes except for different yeast. You would be hard pressed to argue they were from the same continent, let alone the same recipe by tasting them. Even though I am not a great beer lover, it gave me a pretty good glimpse into what drives you guys in this hobby.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I am most definitely not a beer expert. However, I got a good lesson in what you guys are writing about today. I toured Houston's St. Arnold's craft brewery. Two of their beers, Lawnmower and Weedwhacker, (great beer names) have exactly the same recipes except for different yeast. You would be hard pressed to argue they were from the same continent, let alone the same recipe by tasting them. Even though I am not a great beer lover, it gave me a pretty good glimpse into what drives you guys in this hobby.

I'd be willing to bet those were wheat beers. Wheat beers get most of their flavor from the yeast.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I cracked open the Belgian Wit last night. It was a bit on the bitter side, which may be a side effect of putting oranges in the secondary. I'm hoping another week or two will smooth out the flavors. If it does smooth out, it will be an awesome beer. If it does not smooth out, it will be drinkable but that will be about it.

[goon]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I cracked open the Belgian Wit last night. It was a bit on the bitter side, which may be a side effect of putting oranges in the secondary. I'm hoping another week or two will smooth out the flavors. If it does smooth out, it will be an awesome beer. If it does not smooth out, it will be drinkable but that will be about it.

They all can't be winners.

If you could, either here or PM but about how much ballpark figures do you think you have invested into your new hobby? I am tempted to get my wife on board with it who likes beer as much as I do. But also my dad and Brother in law would probably like it. To make a short story long, a cousin of mine, her husband does it, but we dont really see them much for the fact they live in whyoming. Since you just got started your self I figured you would be good to ask about your experience about what you felt you need or what do differently to start if you could. Or if anyone could PM with aproxx costs to start.

Due to a rather strong german family tradition, I always hoped we had an old family german beer reciepe that was lost in the attic for decades that we could brew, realize its amazingness and open our own brewry, but to alas, no dice. Etheir they never had their own reciepe or never wrote it out.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I got all my stuff from Northern Brewer in Mpls/St Paul. Love the place.

I got the deluxe glass starter kit $170 --get it...it has high quality stuff and you will use all of it...almost everything you need.
Large spoon - $5
Turkey Fryer - $45 --pot is thin and not great, but will work...make sure you get an 8 gallong pot or bigger if possible. If you get a better pot you can still use this if you go to all grain.
Premium 8 gallon pot w/ spigot - $150 -- Necessity for all grain, but the heavy duty bottom really transfers heat well and prevents scorching. Don't get one with a thermometer...they are not very accurate.
Second Secondary glass carboy- $35 - so you can brew more!
Oxygen tank, tubing, air stone- $30 or so. Helps to get the brew fermenting cleaner and faster.

I'm very happy with the equipment I've got, and really wouldn't change a thing. I just want to add more, but going all grain gets spendy.

[West-River_Jack]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I'd be willing to bet those were wheat beers. Wheat beers get most of their flavor from the yeast.

Mostly barley, just a dash of wheat. You can read about it at: http://www.saintarnold.com/beers/lawnmower.html

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Mostly barley, just a dash of wheat. You can read about it at: http://www.saintarnold.com/beers/lawnmower.html

What you described is a Wheat beer...wheat is generally not the main ingredient...even when they are called a wheat beer...except when you are talking about an American Wheat beer...which I would just call crap...but that is another subject!

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Pretty excited tonight. I made a Caribou Slobber...which smelled awesome from start to finish...and when I had reached the second round of hops I got my Belgian Wit out of the fridge. I had tried it about 10 days previous and it was very bitter...so I aged it for another week and then put it in the fridge for a few days. I cracked it open along with a Shock Top...and to the delight of my wife and myself...we both liked ours better. The guy at Norther Brewer told us it would be so, but we were lacking in faith. Good times all round. I can't wait to show this beer off.

[SDSUAlum08]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Pretty excited tonight. I made a Caribou Slobber...which smelled awesome from start to finish...and when I had reached the second round of hops I got my Belgian Wit out of the fridge. I had tried it about 10 days previous and it was very bitter...so I aged it for another week and then put it in the fridge for a few days. I cracked it open along with a Shock Top...and to the delight of my wife and myself...we both liked ours better. The guy at Norther Brewer told us it would be so, but we were lacking in faith. Good times all round. I can't wait to show this beer off.

Truly American to be able to brew your own beer and enjoy it with friends and family. Happy 4th everyone and be safe!