Food and Drink CP Home Brewing - Page 2

Strongside · 12-29-2015, 08:40 PM

Anyone here into this? I recently caught the bug, and it's addicting as hell. I'd been toying with mostly 1 gallon batches, and racking via siphon, but I recently upgraded to a larger setup with a FastFerment conical. I'm totally pumped as tomorrow is brew day and I'm whipping up a 5 gallon batch of Cascade double IPA to try this thing out. I'm in a loft downtown now, and am limited on space so I really only have room for extract brewing, but we're buying a house soon and my main requirement is a garage or basement big enough for a fermentation chamber and an all-grain system.

Here's my new setup with the room I have.

If anyone here is into the hobby, share your setup, favorite recipes, etc. it'd be great to have a CP home brew tasting at some point. I know some of you ****ers HAVE to be doing this stuff...

**Bearcat** · 12-30-2015, 04:43 PM

I've done it for a couple of years, but haven't jumped to all grain yet. It's fun to experiment.... I make 5 gallon batches and will sometimes split them in half after fermentation, so if I screw up by throwing stuff in, it's not to the whole thing. Don't drink all that much, so it gets me by for months along with the beer I buy.

Radar Chief · 12-30-2015, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

I've found beers YEARS old that were fine, stored in dark bottles , no light....no extremely warm temps. I've actually had beers that tasted better after a year than after a month....that's why the hobby is so fun....experimenting is a blast...or just finding a 6er after a couple years you thought was another pack of empties

Pretty much.
Keep your bottles in a dry, cool place out of direct sunlight and your beer should last quite a while.

**Bearcat** · 12-30-2015, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I just threw out all my home brewing stuff. Been doing it since the early '90's. ****ing stupid, pain in the ass shit.

Amazing how you can go to the liquor store these days and find a beer that is exactly what you wanted to make and tastes a shit ton better, is cheaper and is already there not having to waste all that time and money and effort to make.

I assume you're once again trolling, which is getting annoying, but I chuckled on the part about how it's cheaper to buy something at the liquor store... if you've ever home brewed once, much less for 20+ years, and you're not saving a ton of money, you're doing it wrong.

**Ming the Merciless** · 12-30-2015, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I just threw out all my home brewing stuff. Been doing it since the early '90's. ****ing stupid, pain in the ass shit.

Amazing how you can go to the liquor store these days and find a beer that is exactly what you wanted to make and tastes a shit ton better, is cheaper and is already there not having to waste all that time and money and effort to make.

I don't think cheaper, but the rest I agree with. You should be able to make real good beers for about 50-60 cents each, IIRC. I don't think you're gonna be able to match that in the store. It's like cooking...you either enjoy it or not.

KCUnited · 12-30-2015, 04:48 PM

I had a similar dilemma when considering moving to all grain but living in a condo. Fortunately up here, I'm not alone and joined a homebrew club where a membership fee gets me access to their brew house, all their equipment, and a temp controlled fermentation area. Not sure if KC has something like that, but it's a really smart idea and a good way to network and learn from others.

I have a Kern River citra clone fermenting atm.

**Ming the Merciless** · 12-30-2015, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

If you're brewing for a cheap buzz you're better off just going to the liquor store cause home brewing isn't much, if any, cheaper.

I think it depends on what you drink. Alot of even regular quality microbrews can be 10 bucks a 6 pack or 4-5 bucks for a 22. You can make beer that good and for less with just a little effort.

If you're drinking coirs light...then yah its tough to compete against corn syrup bought by the million gallon.

KCUnited · 12-30-2015, 04:53 PM

Also, hoppier stuff is going to fall off faster as far as shelf life.

**Bearcat** · 12-30-2015, 04:57 PM

I've made some pretty decent stuff... coffee/chocolage stouts, a black IPA... but, I also think my taste for really good beer has kind of surpassed what I can make at home, mostly in body/mouthfeel/smoothness... granted, it's only been a handful of batches which will continue to be improved on.

Lonewolf Ed · 12-30-2015, 05:00 PM

I used to be an intermediate brewer about 20 years ago. The best batch I ever made was an Octoberfest made with 5 gallons of water I brought back from Montana. I made a very nice milk stout once, as well. These days, the equipment has changed, so to get back in it, I'd pretty much have to buy all new stuff.

KCUnited · 12-30-2015, 05:06 PM

My problem is that I'm still buying just as much beer as I did before I was brewing it.

Wilson8 · 12-30-2015, 05:08 PM

Grains & Taps in downtown Lee's Summit has supplies and help in making what you are trying to brew.

**Bearcat** · 12-30-2015, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

My problem is that I'm still buying just as much beer as I did before I was brewing it.

Same here, at least in the winter... I should have started 5+ years ago and I wouldn't have to worry about not seeing stouts in the summer, but these days there are plenty available all year. That's the one reason I don't make more... there's so much good stuff out there that I'm willing to pay for, so I don't care so much about making 50 cent beer, even if it's pretty decent.

KCUnited · 12-30-2015, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Same here, at least in the winter... I should have started 5+ years ago and I wouldn't have to worry about not seeing stouts in the summer, but these days there are plenty available all year. That's the one reason I don't make more... there's so much good stuff out there that I'm willing to pay for, so I don't care so much about making 50 cent beer, even if it's pretty decent.

It's a lot like BBQ when I lived in KC. I liked to BBQ in the backyard because I like to cook and I like to eat BBQ. I didn't BBQ so I could replace or save money on Joes. I understand why some people do brew to save $$$, but I can't brew most of the many beers I love.

Sorce · 12-30-2015, 05:27 PM

I started this red ale on Monday.

I haven't done all grain, this started with grains and added LME. I've also made wine before, I waited until I got a kegerator to start doing beer, I didn't want to bottle it all.

Marcellus · 12-30-2015, 09:00 PM

Wow where to start?

Yes you can make beer cheaper than you can buy it unless your goal is to make Keystone or Coors.

I do 10gal all grain batches regularly and cost varies from $25 - $60 per batch which is less than $1 a beer and you cant buy good beer for that at the liquor store.

You definitely have some equipment investment that gets paid down the more you brew.

Brewing is for people who enjoy it kind of like cooking. Its not simple but if its your passion then its always fun.

I have been brewing mostly my own recipes for several years and have made some really good stuff. You can make beer that is as good or better than most commercial beers with a little practice and education.

My first suggestion is to read John Palmers "How to Brew".

Then buy and use a brewing software like Beersmith.

http://beersmith.com/

And to get a subscription to BYO. http://byo.com/

I have brewed around 150gal per year the last few years and actually plan to up that this year.

Right now I have 5 beers either on tap or in the bottle from Pilsners to Stouts to Brett Beers.

I am not an expert but have brewed a lot the last 4 years and if you have questions I am willing to help if I can.

Extract
Mini Mash
Brew In a Bag
All Grain Multi Vessel

They all make good beer if you do it right.

12-29-2015, 08:40 PM
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $4314282	CP Home Brewing Anyone here into this? I recently caught the bug, and it's addicting as hell. I'd been toying with mostly 1 gallon batches, and racking via siphon, but I recently upgraded to a larger setup with a FastFerment conical. I'm totally pumped as tomorrow is brew day and I'm whipping up a 5 gallon batch of Cascade double IPA to try this thing out. I'm in a loft downtown now, and am limited on space so I really only have room for extract brewing, but we're buying a house soon and my main requirement is a garage or basement big enough for a fermentation chamber and an all-grain system. Here's my new setup with the room I have. If anyone here is into the hobby, share your setup, favorite recipes, etc. it'd be great to have a CP home brew tasting at some point. I know some of you ****ers HAVE to be doing this stuff...
Posts: 13,237

12-30-2015, 04:43 PM	#16
Bearcat Would an idiot do that? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arizona Casino cash: $-1125069	I've done it for a couple of years, but haven't jumped to all grain yet. It's fun to experiment.... I make 5 gallon batches and will sometimes split them in half after fermentation, so if I screw up by throwing stuff in, it's not to the whole thing. Don't drink all that much, so it gets me by for months along with the beer I buy. __________________
Posts: 59,641

12-30-2015, 04:48 PM	#20
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1671756	I had a similar dilemma when considering moving to all grain but living in a condo. Fortunately up here, I'm not alone and joined a homebrew club where a membership fee gets me access to their brew house, all their equipment, and a temp controlled fermentation area. Not sure if KC has something like that, but it's a really smart idea and a good way to network and learn from others. I have a Kern River citra clone fermenting atm.
Posts: 37,036

12-30-2015, 04:53 PM	#22
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1671756	Also, hoppier stuff is going to fall off faster as far as shelf life.
Posts: 37,036

12-30-2015, 04:57 PM	#23
Bearcat Would an idiot do that? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arizona Casino cash: $-1125069	I've made some pretty decent stuff... coffee/chocolage stouts, a black IPA... but, I also think my taste for really good beer has kind of surpassed what I can make at home, mostly in body/mouthfeel/smoothness... granted, it's only been a handful of batches which will continue to be improved on. __________________
Posts: 59,641

12-30-2015, 05:00 PM	#24
Lonewolf Ed Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Olathe, KS Casino cash: $10606233	I used to be an intermediate brewer about 20 years ago. The best batch I ever made was an Octoberfest made with 5 gallons of water I brought back from Montana. I made a very nice milk stout once, as well. These days, the equipment has changed, so to get back in it, I'd pretty much have to buy all new stuff.
Posts: 3,774

12-30-2015, 05:06 PM	#25
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1671756	My problem is that I'm still buying just as much beer as I did before I was brewing it.
Posts: 37,036

12-30-2015, 05:08 PM	#26
Wilson8 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $2817557	Grains & Taps in downtown Lee's Summit has supplies and help in making what you are trying to brew.
Posts: 3,932

12-30-2015, 05:27 PM	#29
Sorce Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $6208777	I started this red ale on Monday. I haven't done all grain, this started with grains and added LME. I've also made wine before, I waited until I got a kegerator to start doing beer, I didn't want to bottle it all. Attached Thumbnails
Posts: 2,447

12-30-2015, 09:00 PM	#30
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $-547338	Wow where to start? Yes you can make beer cheaper than you can buy it unless your goal is to make Keystone or Coors. I do 10gal all grain batches regularly and cost varies from $25 - $60 per batch which is less than $1 a beer and you cant buy good beer for that at the liquor store. You definitely have some equipment investment that gets paid down the more you brew. Brewing is for people who enjoy it kind of like cooking. Its not simple but if its your passion then its always fun. I have been brewing mostly my own recipes for several years and have made some really good stuff. You can make beer that is as good or better than most commercial beers with a little practice and education. My first suggestion is to read John Palmers "How to Brew". Then buy and use a brewing software like Beersmith. http://beersmith.com/ And to get a subscription to BYO. http://byo.com/ I have brewed around 150gal per year the last few years and actually plan to up that this year. Right now I have 5 beers either on tap or in the bottle from Pilsners to Stouts to Brett Beers. I am not an expert but have brewed a lot the last 4 years and if you have questions I am willing to help if I can. Extract Mini Mash Brew In a Bag All Grain Multi Vessel They all make good beer if you do it right.
Posts: 74,412