Homebrew

[FactoredReality]

Well, the IPA that I was talking about in my last post took 2nd place out of 51 beers in the category. Not too shabby.

Congratz! I'm studying for the BJCP exam now. Last batch didn't come out too good. Breakfast stout is going into secondary tomorrow and after the boil tasted amazing. Anything else brewing?

[chefchris]

Congratz! I'm studying for the BJCP exam now. Last batch didn't come out too good. Breakfast stout is going into secondary tomorrow and after the boil tasted amazing. Anything else brewing?

Are you doing the Founder's Breakfast Stout from BYO? I've been wanting to do that for quiet some time. I just entered 4 beers into our local competition - Moose Drool Brown Ale Clone, Dry Stout, Christmas Ale and a Coffee Stout. None of the beers are just flat out amazing but I figured what the hell. I've already started preparing myself to be let down with the results.

We also did a Double Chocolate Sweet Stout that tasted amazing in the primary, was for sure the best beer I had brewed, but it got infected in the secondary from the cocoa nibs that we added. If you ever use cocoa nibs put them in vodka first, then toss them in. I noticed the infection immediately and racked underneath the layer into a keg and threw it in the fridge. Everyone says they can't taste the infection but I can. I poured a glass the other night and couldn't finish it. I need to bottle it up and give it to them since they like it so much.

That exam is pretty tough. I've had a friend studying for it for the last 8 months. I think it's a 3 hour essay exam. Does it cost anything to take it?

[FactoredReality]

Wow it sounds like you've been busy. Its similar to the founders breakfast stout (we just got distribution of founders in VA so its awesome! Can't wait for their Kentucky breakfast seasonal.) but I think my recipie calls for more lactose than the founders.

Yeah the stuff you have to know for the test is crazy. And you are correct in it being a 3 hr essay test, but 1 hr into it you have to judge 4 beers (you are graded on your judging) so you write for 1hr then drink 4+ beers to do a proper judging then write for another 2 hrs. I think it will be a test of my bladder more than anything else.

I'm a huge fan of xmas ales, sometime we should work a trade of some brew and sticks if your interested. We also have some homebrew comps around here if you want info on them let me know.

[Irish79]

Well, you guys have inspired me. I just registered the wife & I for a free homebrewing class on June 6th. I am probably not going to buy any equipment just yet, but in a month or two when my job becomes more secure and we look to buy a house, then it is game on! Er, brew on?

[FactoredReality]

I hope you enjoy the class, they will probably start you with extract brewing. For that style brewing you can get the basic equipment for about $100 + cost of your first batch ingrediants (~$20). Its even cheaper if you already own a giant stainless steel pot.

I bottled half my breakfast stout (came in at a whopping 2.9% abv) and added 2lbs of honey to the remainder, so that is fermenting now.

Sunday I'm planning on brewing a Heffeweisen and maybe a Nut Brown if I feel up to it.

[Irish79]

You are correct that the beginner class is extract brewing. They do offer an additional free class on all-grain brewing, as well as a winemakers workshop. The initial cost is not that great, but that's not what would hold me back. First, the water is hard. Currently we have a Brita filter pitcher, but that would be a pain to pour gallon after gallon through. Second, the apartment gets so hot anyway (it is well insulated with a store underneath and they must keep the heat up high) that we never need to really turn the heat on in the winter, but the summer it is so hot inside anyway, that using the stove would make it that much more unbearable. Besides, I like the idea of cooking outside and having a smoke while I patiently wait for the brew

At 2.9%, your breakfast stout can really be a morning drink to start your day off right

[FactoredReality]

I have crappy city water as well. I've found its simpler to just hit up the grocery store for 1$ gallon jugs, Lowe's now carries 5gal water cooler style containers for 6 and change. I can respect the heat issue, nicer to brew inside in the winter. Being stuck outside with a rainy brew day can be a downer too though. I'd like to have a brew shed one day with a fermenter / storage cellar in the back yard.

[Bama]

well i didnt feel like reading 13 pages. although what i read i probly could and will when i get the time. im in kuwait and from what i read i want to start doing this when i get home. but my question is how long does it take from time you start to the time you enjoy a fresh home brew?

[chefchris]

well i didnt feel like reading 13 pages. although what i read i probly could and will when i get the time. im in kuwait and from what i read i want to start doing this when i get home. but my question is how long does it take from time you start to the time you enjoy a fresh home brew?

All depends on style. You can drink an English Mild in 2 weeks grain to glass. But other styles like Barley Wine or Russian Imperial Stout need at least a year. I'm in the middle. I usually brew around 5% or so beers. I usually try to leave it in the primary for 3 weeks, then straight to a keg where it waits about another week. Most people don't start off kegging, though in my opinion they should. I think bottling turns people off real quick to the hobby. I know I would put it off for weeks. You can carb a beer in a keg the same day you put it in there where bottles take 3 weeks to carb up.

Some styles are perferred fresh; Pale Ales and IPAs (hops lose their bitterness over time), while others might take a couple weeks to come together. For instance, I've had Elk Sh!t kegged for a week, it's carbonated just right but it's not quite ready to drink. The keg will be gone by next month though.

Beer is a living, breathing thing. It will change on you on a day to day basis.

So the simple answer is with an average alcohol, nothing over the top beer you're looking at 6-7 weeks start to finish.