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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jack from Arkansas on October 10, 2009, 05:34:57 PM

Title: beer brewing thread
Post by: Jack from Arkansas on October 10, 2009, 05:34:57 PM

Having spent the afternoon making a British pale ale, I was wondering if any f.o.t.'s like to or have any desire to make their own beer. 

Title: Re: beer brewing thread
Post by: Jack from Arkansas on October 10, 2009, 06:17:26 PM

My favorite beers have lots of hop smell and flavor like Sierra Nevada's Harvest for example.  Next spring I'd like to grow my own hops and enlarge the operation with a bigger brewpot to accomodate five gallon grain brews so I don't have to use extracts.

Title: Re: beer brewing thread
Post by: masterofsparks on October 10, 2009, 07:43:56 PM

I've thought about home-brewing but haven't taken the plunge yet.

Title: Re: beer brewing thread
Post by: Andy on October 11, 2009, 12:22:55 AM

it's a pain in the ass.  I'm sure it's fun if you're into it, but even with the extracts I only made a couple of batches.  If you get beyone using extracts, it appears to be rocket science.

Title: Re: beer brewing thread
Post by: yesno on October 11, 2009, 12:36:15 AM

I bet making meth is easier.

Title: Re: beer brewing thread
Post by: chrisfoll577 on October 11, 2009, 01:45:44 AM

I've been homebrewing for about a year.  It's a great hobby that's surprisingly easy to start and as complex as you want it to be.  I currently have my 'Kicker of Elves' (I name some of my beers after Guided By Voices songs... appropriate, no?) Christmas Ale fermenting away, and I just bottled a Three Floyds Alpha King clone.

If you haven't already heard of them, I highly recommend the Basic Brewing Radio and Video podcasts (http://www.basicbrewing.com/).

Title: Re: beer brewing thread
Post by: Bryan on October 11, 2009, 08:59:44 AM

Quote from: masterofsparks on October 10, 2009, 07:43:56 PM

I've thought about home-brewing but haven't taken the plunge yet.

Me too. I'd like to try it, or at the very least read about others' exploits.

Title: Re: beer brewing thread
Post by: Jack from Arkansas on October 11, 2009, 12:43:15 PM

My biggest expense so far was buying the 20 quart pot.  I already wish I'd purchased a larger one that could hold the whole five gallons.  It essentially seems like I'm making tea with yeast added after it cools down.  I think I took too long to chill the wort down and I'm worried because the airlock on my tank isn't seeing any action yet.  Me and yeast have a tentative relationship.  Every time I bake bread I have trouble getting it to rise properly.  So we'll see.  Also, I forgot to take a before reading with my hygrometer so I won't know the alcohol content of this batch.
   I'd recommend Papazian's Joy of Home Brewing.