Homebrew

[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.

[chefchris]

We're having a big brew at my place tomorrow. I'll be brewing up an IPA with first wort hop additions as well as employing the "No Chill" method the Australians have been raving about. Got a new ball valve, temp probe and sight glass installed yesterday on my kettle.

Also got two free kegs from work.

It's been a good week.

[FactoredReality]

Nice, a few guys out here are going to try the brew in a bag deal, seems interesting. I landed a refractometer for 22$ and a Bayou Classic burner for 30$. Now if it would only be sunny long enough to dry out my yard.

[chefchris]

Just wanted to share some tap handle labels I threw together.










That's our dog, Oliver, with the Blue Tooth on. And the Elk Sh!t one, well that's a clone of a beer called Moose Drool. I brewed that Irish Red last night, name came to me while I was brewing ... and drinking.

Still brewing like crazy. I start working at our homebrew shop this month. Get great discounts!