Homebrew Report #260012

[HomeBrewerDude]

Wow guys... its been 3 years since I've brewed any beer. I'm happy to report that I'm back in action!

I took the kegs and carboys down to the carwash to spray off the dust and grime, then ran PBW through everything (this stuff works great!) and also sanitized with one-step. Anyways, everything is sparkly clean again and so I've started a batch.

I got to say... I was a bit rusty.... it took me an extra 60-90 minutes to get this batch into the fermentation buckets just b/c I had to think about what the hell i was supposed to be doing. I think my efficiency on the mash was a bit low so I added in the extract to boost the gravity.

No-Name IPA:
10 gallon batch
13.5 lbs pale malt
1.5 lbs Crystal 20L
.25 lbs Special B
.25 lbs Carapils
7.1 # malt extract
1 ounce Magnum (14.1 alpha %) @ 60 minutes (6 gallon boil)
2 ounce Fuggles (5.0 alpha %) @ 5 minutes
1 ounce Fuggles at flame out

OG 1.06

Yeast Wyeast 1056 American Ale

Exp. abv estimated at .065%

I'll be getting an APA going this weekend so more reports to come. I'll post some pictars when i can. Also thanks again to my Secret Santa (eits) for the BBQ/Brew belt. I wore it and it functioned admirably.

Cheers and beers

 

[SlitheryDee]

So when this is done you'll have 10 gallons of booze to drink?

How hard is beer brewing for a first timer? I'm not talking about making anything fancy, just drinkable.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

My buddy and I just racked 5gals of Scottish ale and 5gals of a Belgian ale. We only took a specific gravity reading of the Scottish ale, but it ended up at 8.7%ABV.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

So when this is done you'll have 10 gallons of booze to drink?

How hard is beer brewing for a first timer? I'm not talking about making anything fancy, just drinkable.

I think it's pretty easy if you have all the necessary hardware and you keg it instead of bottling.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

So when this is done you'll have 10 gallons of booze to drink?

How hard is beer brewing for a first timer? I'm not talking about making anything fancy, just drinkable.

Brewing beer is pretty easy. Takes a bit of time, and a little bit of equipment but the basic process is pretty idiot proof (which is why i'm fairly successful).

If you live in decent sized city there will be a homebrew supply store. They can get you set up, or ask around and see if you buds have any experience. Best way to learn is by doing a batch either by yourself or with a friend.

My one suggestion is to start with an extract / steep kit. Most of the sugars will come from the malt extract (think molasses) and some extra flavor will come from the 1-1.5 pounds of grain that you steep for a little bit. Also use a decent liquid yeast for best flavor. The dry yeast packets are OK, but the liquid yeast is healthier and is only a few dollars more.

On starting out, expect to spend about 30$-40$ per batch (not counting EQ) for about 2 cases of beer. You can quickly learn to drive the price down to 20-30$ if you like it.

All-grain brewing is even cheaper, but a little more complicated and equires a bit more equipment.

see here for soup-to-nuts info: http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

 

[vi edit]

Hey HBD...have you ever done or considered an India Brown Ale? I'm not a huge IPA fan, but I've had a some "IBA's" that were quite tasty. Just a little more malty sweetness to them and a bit less bitter than a typical IPA.

 

[lokiju]

You taking gravity readings?

Wonder what that'll come out as...

I haven't made any since before Christmas of last year.

Still have a ton of it left. Just haven't been drinking all that much lately.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Hey HBD...have you ever done or considered an India Brown Ale? I'm not a huge IPA fan, but I've had a some "IBA's" that were quite tasty. Just a little more malty sweetness to them and a bit less bitter than a typical IPA.

Never have had a IBA. However, my brews tend to be a bit maltier than production IPAs b/c I don't do those little things that improve mash efficiency and yeast conversion (e.g., O2 shots, large starter batches, lower mash temps). I don't go overboard with the bittering hops either. So I'm guessing that my house IPA is rpobably pretty close to a IBA. Good malty hoppy goodness!

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

You taking gravity readings?

Wonder what that'll come out as...

I haven't made any since before Christmas of last year.

Still have a ton of it left. Just haven't been drinking all that much lately.

I took a sloppy OG... I think it was about 1.06 or so. I was in a big hurry by the time I was wrapping up and didn't write down any notes!

 

[xSauronx]

awesome!

i got equipment from my cousin early this year and opened my 3rd batch last week. a kit-made irish stout, but it was pretty tasty. the first two attempts were horrible, and meh. *Shrug*

i really want to do a honey meade

 

[Fenixgoon]

awesome. how's the cat doing?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Thanks for starting the brewing process for my wedding!

Obligatory picture

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Thanks for starting the brewing process for my wedding!

Obligatory picture

Great pic and you are most welcome.

 

[Born2bwire]

Thanks for starting the brewing process for my wedding!

Obligatory picture

Wow. The only thing I ever get from the forumites are restraining orders. :hmm: