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Date: 28 Sep 2006 09:33:51
From: phaeton
Subject: So what's the best way to get started?
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I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
from a local supermarket.
You *could*.
Probably better to start with a kit though, presume. So what's a good
beginner kit? What should I look for in kits? Should I choose glass
over plastic whenever possible? Plastic over glass?
Is there anything you need to know from me before you can answer this?
I'm obviously not going to start just yet- I've still got lots of
reading and studying to do before I take a stab at it. But with
seasons fast approaching, people will be asking me "so what do you want
for christmas" before I know it, and my knee-jerk answer of "A Passive
Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass" is a bit too lofty. I presume.
;-)
thx
-phaeton
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Date: 28 Sep 2006 09:46:37
From: Denny Conn
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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phaeton wrote:
>
> I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
> probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
> pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
> from a local supermarket.
>
> You *could*.
>
> Probably better to start with a kit though, presume. So what's a good
> beginner kit? What should I look for in kits? Should I choose glass
> over plastic whenever possible? Plastic over glass?
>
> Is there anything you need to know from me before you can answer this?
>
> I'm obviously not going to start just yet- I've still got lots of
> reading and studying to do before I take a stab at it. But with
> seasons fast approaching, people will be asking me "so what do you want
> for christmas" before I know it, and my knee-jerk answer of "A Passive
> Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass" is a bit too lofty. I presume.
>
> ;-)
> thx
>
> -phaeton
Start by going to www.howtobrew.com and do some reading. It's a great
resourece and will give you an idea of the kind of stuff to look for to
get started.
----------- >Denny
--
Life begins at 60...1.060, that is.
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Date: 28 Sep 2006 17:51:08
From: Gerard Eberlein
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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"phaeton" <blahbleh666@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:1159461231.094261.76890@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
> probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
> pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
> from a local supermarket.
>
> You *could*.
>
> Probably better to start with a kit though, presume. So what's a good
> beginner kit? What should I look for in kits? Should I choose glass
> over plastic whenever possible? Plastic over glass?
>
> Is there anything you need to know from me before you can answer this?
>
> I'm obviously not going to start just yet- I've still got lots of
> reading and studying to do before I take a stab at it. But with
> seasons fast approaching, people will be asking me "so what do you want
> for christmas" before I know it, and my knee-jerk answer of "A Passive
> Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass" is a bit too lofty. I presume.
>
> ;-)
> thx
>
> -phaeton
>
If you plan on doing wheat beers or high gravity beers I would suggest at
least one 6.5 carboy and a blowoff hose to fit. I tried in plastic for a
while and ended up fighting airlocks clogging and almost had the lid blow
off on occasion.
Gerard
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Date: 29 Sep 2006 00:15:40
From: Steve/Aus
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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"Gerard Eberlein" <dormouse@charter.net > wrote in message
news:jtXSg.29$pn7.7@newsfe05.lga...
>
> "phaeton" <blahbleh666@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1159461231.094261.76890@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> If you plan on doing wheat beers or high gravity beers I would suggest at
> least one 6.5 carboy and a blowoff hose to fit. I tried in plastic for a
> while and ended up fighting airlocks clogging and almost had the lid blow
> off on occasion.
>
> Gerard
>
You can easily fit a blow off tube to a plastic fermenter if you use a two
piece airlock. Remove the airlock lid to fit the plastic tube.
Steve W (in Aus)
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Date: 29 Sep 2006 13:38:55
From: Gerard Eberlein
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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"Steve/Aus" <adlab@bigponddotnetdotau.trashthisbit > wrote in message
news:MAZSg.37926$rP1.33052@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> >
> You can easily fit a blow off tube to a plastic fermenter if you use a two
> piece airlock. Remove the airlock lid to fit the plastic tube.
> Steve W (in Aus)
Hmmmmm...I have a 3 piece airlock, looks kinda like a funnel in a way has a
"cap" of sorts then you snap a lid on it...never tried to see if I could fit
a 1' hose in it....I know the standard bucket hole can fit about a 3/8ths OD
hose in it...tried that once and it clogged. I have had someone sugeest
drilling the bucket lid before but I didn't try it.
Gerard
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Date: 29 Sep 2006 13:55:05
From: Eric Scantlebury
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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I recently did a porter that I had to put a blowoff tube on
"Gerard Eberlein" <dormouse@charter.net > wrote in message
news:YScTg.112$K15.69@newsfe04.lga...
>
> "Steve/Aus" <adlab@bigponddotnetdotau.trashthisbit> wrote in message
> news:MAZSg.37926$rP1.33052@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
>> >
>> You can easily fit a blow off tube to a plastic fermenter if you use a
>> two
>> piece airlock. Remove the airlock lid to fit the plastic tube.
>> Steve W (in Aus)
>
>
> Hmmmmm...I have a 3 piece airlock, looks kinda like a funnel in a way has
> a
> "cap" of sorts then you snap a lid on it...never tried to see if I could
> fit
> a 1' hose in it....I know the standard bucket hole can fit about a 3/8ths
> OD
> hose in it...tried that once and it clogged. I have had someone sugeest
> drilling the bucket lid before but I didn't try it.
I recently did a porter that I had to put a blowoff tube on.
Thing is, this was only my second batch and we brewed it on a Saturday. By
Sunday morning it was fermenting away. I checked again in the early
afternoon and the Krousen was almost up to the neck. By 4 the airlock was
completely filled. Thing is, it was a Sunday and all the local hardware
stores were closed and I had no blowoff tube. I took apart the airlock and
just stuck my 3/8 inch autosyphon hose on the end of the airlock (the piece
under the cap) and that seemed to work charms.
I also modified the bottom of that airlock. I cut off the plastic bottom
part so that it was a straight "tube" right to the blowoff bucket.
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Date: 28 Sep 2006 17:51:56
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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On 28 Sep 2006 09:33:51 -0700, <blahbleh666@hotmail.com > wrote:
> I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
> probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
> pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
> from a local supermarket.
>
> You *could*.
>
> Probably better to start with a kit though, presume. So what's a good
> beginner kit? What should I look for in kits? Should I choose glass
> over plastic whenever possible? Plastic over glass?
Most homebrew stores will have really good beginner quipment kits. Either
plastic or glass will work fine. Plastic is a lot cheaper. Some people
prefer one over the other, but they both do the same job.
What area are you in, maybe someone can recommend a good local store.
> I'm obviously not going to start just yet- I've still got lots of
> reading and studying to do before I take a stab at it. But with
> seasons fast approaching, people will be asking me "so what do you want
> for christmas" before I know it, and my knee-jerk answer of "A Passive
> Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass" is a bit too lofty. I presume.
If you haven't yet, I would highly recommend reading http://www.howtobrew.com
or buying the book. IMO, probably the best guide you can get.
John.
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Date: 28 Sep 2006 18:40:10
From: Joel
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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John 'Shaggy' Kolesar <spam@shagg.net > wrote:
>Most homebrew stores will have really good beginner quipment kits. Either
>plastic or glass will work fine. Plastic is a lot cheaper. Some people
>prefer one over the other, but they both do the same job.
Good advice in general. I'd quibble over the "a lot
cheaper" comment. The difference between a glass and
plastic fermenter is on the order of $10. E.g., Northern
Brewer sells a 6.5-gallon plastic fermenter and lid for
$12.50, and a 6.5-gallon carboy for $23.
--
Joel Plutchak
"Things just fall apart." - Now They'll Sleep (Belly)
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Date: 28 Sep 2006 19:18:46
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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On Thu, 28 Sep 2006 18:40:10 +0000 (UTC), <plutchak@see.headers > wrote:
> John 'Shaggy' Kolesar <spam@shagg.net> wrote:
>>Most homebrew stores will have really good beginner quipment kits. Either
>>plastic or glass will work fine. Plastic is a lot cheaper. Some people
>>prefer one over the other, but they both do the same job.
>
> Good advice in general. I'd quibble over the "a lot
> cheaper" comment. The difference between a glass and
> plastic fermenter is on the order of $10. E.g., Northern
> Brewer sells a 6.5-gallon plastic fermenter and lid for
> $12.50, and a 6.5-gallon carboy for $23.
By "cheaper" I meant percentage wise. IE, plastic is generally about 1/2
the price of glass. Whether that's significant or not depends on your budget.
John.
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Date: 28 Sep 2006 17:57:29
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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On 28 Sep 2006 17:51:56 GMT, <spam@shagg.net > wrote:
> Most homebrew stores will have really good beginner quipment kits. Either
"equipment" kits.
Sorry about that,
John.
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Date: 29 Sep 2006 19:17:25
From: Lefty Skywalker
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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phaeton wrote:
> I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
> probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
> pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
> from a local supermarket.
>
> You *could*.
>
> Probably better to start with a kit though, presume. So what's a good
> beginner kit? What should I look for in kits? Should I choose glass
> over plastic whenever possible? Plastic over glass?
>
> Is there anything you need to know from me before you can answer this?
>
> I'm obviously not going to start just yet- I've still got lots of
> reading and studying to do before I take a stab at it. But with
> seasons fast approaching, people will be asking me "so what do you want
> for christmas" before I know it, and my knee-jerk answer of "A Passive
> Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass" is a bit too lofty. I presume.
>
> ;-)
> thx
>
> -phaeton
Buy an equipment kit from any number of places, like
http://www.morebeer.com or http://www.midwestsupplies.com. It should
come with at least a bucket, a carboy, an airlock, a siphon, a capper,
and assorted plumbing. Buy an ingredient kit or two from the same
place. Get a nice mild ale to start off with. The $110 kit from
Midwest is what I got, and has enough stuff to have one batch in primary
and two in secondary.
Go to the local stores and buy a big (20 qt or so) stock pot if you
don't already have one, and four 12-packs of beer in dark bottles with
non-twist caps. All the same kind if you want the bottles to match.
From here on out all you need to do is follow the directions. In 5
weeks you'll have drinkable beer.
After about three or four batches made this way you'll start looking for
kegging equipment. But by then you'll have read enough to know what to
do, right?
--
Daniel O. Miller
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the
fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true
science. Whosoever does not know it and can no longer marvel, is as good
as dead, and his eyes are dimmed." - Albert Einstein
WWYD? (-o-) <* > Genesis 49:17
Real email address: darth dot lefty at golf mike able india lima.
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Date: 30 Sep 2006 15:13:01
From: Scott L
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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Joel wrote:
> Good advice in general. I'd quibble over the "a lot
> cheaper" comment. The difference between a glass and
> plastic fermenter is on the order of $10. E.g., Northern
> Brewer sells a 6.5-gallon plastic fermenter and lid for
> $12.50, and a 6.5-gallon carboy for $23.
A glass fermenter is a bit more fragile, though. If you drop a bucket
you lose all your beer at the most. Drop a carboy, and you lose your
beer, your carboy, and possibly your toe.
Scott
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Date: 01 Oct 2006 14:30:05
From: Joel
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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Scott L <scott-sp02@neuralnw.com > wrote:
>Joel wrote:
>> Good advice in general. I'd quibble over the "a lot
>> cheaper" comment. The difference between a glass and
>> plastic fermenter is on the order of $10. E.g., Northern
>> Brewer sells a 6.5-gallon plastic fermenter and lid for
>> $12.50, and a 6.5-gallon carboy for $23.
>
>A glass fermenter is a bit more fragile, though. If you drop a bucket
>you lose all your beer at the most. Drop a carboy, and you lose your
>beer, your carboy, and possibly your toe.
True enough.
I've managed for ~20 years without a breakage, though.
--
Joel Plutchak
"Things just fall apart." - Now They'll Sleep (Belly)
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Date: 02 Oct 2006 15:34:43
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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On 30 Sep 2006 15:13:01 -0700, <scott-sp02@neuralnw.com > wrote:
> Joel wrote:
>> Good advice in general. I'd quibble over the "a lot
>> cheaper" comment. The difference between a glass and
>> plastic fermenter is on the order of $10. E.g., Northern
>> Brewer sells a 6.5-gallon plastic fermenter and lid for
>> $12.50, and a 6.5-gallon carboy for $23.
>
> A glass fermenter is a bit more fragile, though. If you drop a bucket
> you lose all your beer at the most. Drop a carboy, and you lose your
> beer, your carboy, and possibly your toe.
I imagine you could do a lot of damage if you dropped the bucket *on* your
toe. ;)
It is something to consider. I've been brewing with glass for over 10 years
and have never broken one. As long as you're careful with them, they're
really not dangerous. If you're the kind of person that drops stuff alot then
you might be better off with buckets.
I like carboys because you can watch what is happening. It doesn't make
your beer any better, but it's more fun.
John.
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Date: 01 Oct 2006 15:54:56
From: Adam Preble
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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phaeton wrote:
> I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
> probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
> pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
> from a local supermarket.
I was thinking about this awhile ago. A lot of people don't want to pay
the upfront costs of a kit in case they decide they hate the process and
the results, and can't be bothered to keep trying. Anything that's more
convenient has to be good enough not to turn everybody off that tries
it, but cheap enough that people would be willing to try it.
To that end, I was thinking a basic Hefeweizen made from a pound of
wheat dried malt extract in a gallon jug with a paper towel over it to
block out the nasties might work. Better yet to get a cheap bung and
airlock, and then a dried yeast. I imagine the process could be done
without a siphon, although it'd be better with one. Serve the beer all
at once to skip bottling and decide if it was worth it.
I chose a Hefeweizen since:
It can ferment kind of warm and be perfectly fine.
A few homebrewers and I think it's the "gateway beer" for casual
Bud/Miller/Coors drinkers.
It's perfectly ok to be cloudy.
It can be served fine young.
I imagine all the new items needed for this couldn't set somebody back
less than $15. If they liked it, they can get a kit.
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Date: 01 Oct 2006 16:27:44
From: Lefty Skywalker
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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Adam Preble wrote:
> phaeton wrote:
>> I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
>> probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
>> pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
>> from a local supermarket.
>
> I was thinking about this awhile ago. A lot of people don't want to pay
> the upfront costs of a kit in case they decide they hate the process and
> the results, and can't be bothered to keep trying. Anything that's more
> convenient has to be good enough not to turn everybody off that tries
> it, but cheap enough that people would be willing to try it.
>
> To that end, I was thinking a basic Hefeweizen made from a pound of
> wheat dried malt extract in a gallon jug with a paper towel over it to
> block out the nasties might work. Better yet to get a cheap bung and
> airlock, and then a dried yeast. I imagine the process could be done
> without a siphon, although it'd be better with one. Serve the beer all
> at once to skip bottling and decide if it was worth it.
>
> I chose a Hefeweizen since:
> It can ferment kind of warm and be perfectly fine.
> A few homebrewers and I think it's the "gateway beer" for casual
> Bud/Miller/Coors drinkers.
> It's perfectly ok to be cloudy.
> It can be served fine young.
>
> I imagine all the new items needed for this couldn't set somebody back
> less than $15. If they liked it, they can get a kit.
Hefe makes a lot of krausen. Better take than into account - use a 1.5
gallon jug for a gallon of beer.
A balloon with a few pinholes in it makes a decent airlock.
The main problem is lack of fizz, which you can fix by bottling in four
big Budweiser screw-tops. Just don't let anyone see you buy them. Add
about 1-1/2 tsp of sugar to each.
--
Daniel O. Miller
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the
fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true
science. Whosoever does not know it and can no longer marvel, is as good
as dead, and his eyes are dimmed." - Albert Einstein
WWYD? (-o-) <* > Genesis 49:17
Real email address: darth dot lefty at golf mike able india lima.
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Date: 02 Oct 2006 13:46:11
From: Adam Preble
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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Lefty Skywalker wrote:
> Hefe makes a lot of krausen. Better take than into account - use a 1.5
> gallon jug for a gallon of beer.
That's true, but I don't see a casual first-timer having that kind of
thing laying around. I imagine two jugs would do with an even split
between.
> A balloon with a few pinholes in it makes a decent airlock.
I see a horrible joke coming out of the tutorial from that: "Use one
balloon with holes pricked in it, or one of the codoms your wife has
been hiding away for when her matronly instincts set in"
>
> The main problem is lack of fizz, which you can fix by bottling in four
> big Budweiser screw-tops. Just don't let anyone see you buy them. Add
> about 1-1/2 tsp of sugar to each.
I don't see why they couldn't use the jugs if they were jugs with a good
screwtop lid. They should only get about 3 psi anyways, which wouldn't
be enough to shatter, say, a cider jug.
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Date: 01 Oct 2006 13:44:14
From:
Subject: Re: So what's the best way to get started?
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Might consider looking for someone who is getting out of the
homebrewing hobby. I picked up a second fermenter and several glass
carboys this way, the only price was a few bottles of a stout I made
<G >. You might also consider getting Grolsch flipper bottles; they
require no capping (although eventually gasket replacement) and with
about 36 or so you will have enough for a 5 gallon batch.
Adam Preble wrote:
> phaeton wrote:
> > I realize that any of you folks who are skilled at brewing could
> > probably (and maybe do) brew beer successfully with just a few pots and
> > pans, a bucket or two and some ingredients that you could mostly buy
> > from a local supermarket.
>
> I was thinking about this awhile ago. A lot of people don't want to pay
> the upfront costs of a kit in case they decide they hate the process and
> the results, and can't be bothered to keep trying. Anything that's more
> convenient has to be good enough not to turn everybody off that tries
> it, but cheap enough that people would be willing to try it.
>
> To that end, I was thinking a basic Hefeweizen made from a pound of
> wheat dried malt extract in a gallon jug with a paper towel over it to
> block out the nasties might work. Better yet to get a cheap bung and
> airlock, and then a dried yeast. I imagine the process could be done
> without a siphon, although it'd be better with one. Serve the beer all
> at once to skip bottling and decide if it was worth it.
>
> I chose a Hefeweizen since:
> It can ferment kind of warm and be perfectly fine.
> A few homebrewers and I think it's the "gateway beer" for casual
> Bud/Miller/Coors drinkers.
> It's perfectly ok to be cloudy.
> It can be served fine young.
>
> I imagine all the new items needed for this couldn't set somebody back
> less than $15. If they liked it, they can get a kit.
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