Home Brewers

[Dayze]

I'm sure there are home brewers here on CP; if this question/topic has been raised in the past mods fee free to delete and direct me to the thread etc.


I've always wanted to try my hand at home brewing; I like nearly every kind of beers: hoppy pale ales; stouts, draughts, pilsners etc.

I was thinking of getting a very basic 'starter kit'; something that is difficult to screw up for a first timer. My goal would be to eventually evolve into more complex brewing techinques etc.

But for now; can anyone recommend a good starter kit/set up that won't break the bank?

[xbarretx]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

Excellent gentlemen; this is great & exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Great links to your recommdned shops/sites.

I can't wait to get home and check these out.

another chock full of info
http://www.beer-brewing-advice.com/

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

You should be able to come up with an “equipment starter kit” and an extract brew kit to get you going for around, or under $100.
If you live close to KC, I’d recommend going to Bacchus Barley Corn and just talk to the lady that runs the place. She’s very nice and always willing to help brew noobs.

http://www.bacchus-barleycorn.com/

I buy a lot of stuff from Bacchus, they are indeed a nice group. I should have mentioned them. I usually purchase equipment online to save a few $$$, and there are some parts that they just don't carry in the store when it comes to stainless steel.

For my ingredients and other consumables, I go there regularly. Speaking of, I think I have some Bacchus Bucks about to expire!

[Dayze]

just out of curiosity, does anyone ever brew enough to fill a keg?
Not that I'm ready for that by any means...I would just think if someone had a killer set up like Mr. JimNasium, they could brew their keg beer if they were so inclined?

...curious.

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by Chest Rockwell

I did the following for my first batch to do it quick and on the cheap:

$20 enameled stock pot from Wal-Mart
Big stirring spoon I already had
Pyrex measuring cup I already had
$15 Plastic fermenter
$20Bottling bucket (would be optional)
Airlock
Bottles I'd saved from drinking beer (no twist-offs)
$5 Bottle caps from local brew store (brewery overrun)
Bleach for sanitization

I upgraded and added equipment later.

And yes, please support your local brew shop.



[Cartman] NO NEWBIE, THAT'S A BAD NEWBIE!!![/Cartman]



Do that...you can get what you need for a first batch PLUS ingredients for under $100.

I would suggest just a few cheap upgrades from what you suggest..

#1 - Glass carboy versus plastic fermenter. You're talking about $21.99 for a 6.5 gallon carboy versus $14.50 for plastic. Glass will not scratch unless you're doing something crazy to it. I scratched my bucket on the second batch I brewed and it was no good for fermenting after that. Might as well save yourself the frustration out of the gate.

#2 - Get some BTF Iodophor for sanitizer. A 33oz bottle will last damn near a lifetime (1/2 capful treats 2.5 gallons I think) and Iodophor will not pit stainless steel like bleach will. It also requires only 2 minutes of contact time for sterilization versus 20 minutes and unlike bleach you don't need to rinse. 33oz bottle of BTF runs $10.99 online or 4oz for $3.99

Also note that you should be using a plastic or stainless stirring spoon, but most kits come with this already. Using a wood spoon is a no-no because it will absorb and leech off flavors into your wort.

[Skip Towne]

Can you make Keystone Light?

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

just out of curiosity, does anyone ever brew enough to fill a keg?
Not that I'm ready for that by any means...I would just think if someone had a killer set up like Mr. JimNasium, they could brew their keg beer if they were so inclined?

...curious.

I have a 5 gallon Cornelius setup, but I can fill multiple kegs from one batch. Here's a 10 gallon batch I did. My new setup uses 15.5 gallon kegs as the boil kettle, so 10 gallon batches are pretty easy to do.

Here's a pic of what's in the fridge right now:


That's two 5 gallon kegs of home brew an a 5 gallon keg of Boulevard Wheat. The tap is on the door of the fridge.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

just out of curiosity, does anyone ever brew enough to fill a keg?
Not that I'm ready for that by any means...I would just think if someone had a killer set up like Mr. JimNasium, they could brew their keg beer if they were so inclined?

...curious.

Like Skip posted, 5 gallon batches are typical. I’ve looked at keg setups since I’d only have to sanitize one per batch. Sanatizing, drying, filling then capping 50 some bottles per 5 gallon batch gets old pretty quick.

[Chest Rockwell]

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Can you make Keystone Light?

I make Keystone Light at least 3 times a day, depending on how hydrated I'm keeping myself.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Like Skip posted, 5 gallon batches are typical. I’ve looked at keg setups since I’d only have to sanitize one per batch. Sanatizing, drying, filling then capping 50 some bottles per 5 gallon batch gets old pretty quick.

good point.
I failed to realize the PITA factor due to my excitement.

[Chest Rockwell]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

That's two 5 gallon kegs of home brew an a 5 gallon keg of Boulevard Wheat. The tap is on the door of the fridge.

Nice setup. I've got a fridge in the garage I've been thinking of doing that to. How hard was it to put the tap in the door?

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

good point.
I failed to realize the PITA factor due to my excitement.

You might want to start out bottling just because the keg dispensing equipment would add considerably to your beginners expense.
And really, the reward at the end of the road helps dampen the PITA factor.

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Like Skip posted, 5 gallon batches are typical. I’ve looked at keg setups since I’d only have to sanitize one per batch. Sanatizing, drying, filling then capping 50 some bottles per 5 gallon batch gets old pretty quick.

That's exactly why I went with a keg system.. no more scrub, rinse, sanitize (repeat 48 times). The disadvantage of course is when you want to travel with your beer. For this, I bought these 1 liter flip top bottles. They work great for bottling for short periods of time.



Not sure if they would work for bottle conditioning or not. It sure is nice though, and it's almost 1/3 the number of bottles to sanitize.

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by Chest Rockwell

Nice setup. I've got a fridge in the garage I've been thinking of doing that to. How hard was it to put the tap in the door?

It was actually super easy on the fridge I have. I think I used a 7/8" hole saw and it went right through the door. The kit was around $70 if I remember right, but you have to supply the CO2 cannister.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

You might want to start out bottling just because the keg dispensing equipment would add considerably to your beginners expense.
And really, the reward at the end of the road helps dampen the PITA factor.

Good point; after X number of batches etc...if I successful at it etc I could consider such a set up w/ kegs etc. Overeagerness on my part!

[Skip Towne]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

It was actually super easy on the fridge I have. I think I used a 7/8" hole saw and it went right through the door. The kit was around $70 if I remember right, but you have to supply the CO2 cannister.

If you buy a used CO2, make sure it has been tested recently or you get to pay for that too.