Homebrewing

[#UnleashSean]

I've thought about starting to brew beer, anyone know anything about it? Been looking at buying this: https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Brewer-Homebrew-Brewing-Starter/dp/B0179ZH89Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1525919215&sr=8-4&keywords=brewing+kit

[Galway Eagle]

Tried it while really drunk and forgot to add the yeast. I cannot emphasize how important that is

[Spotcheck Billy]

I've been homebrewing for over 25 years. Northern Brewer is a solid supplier and I'm fortunate they have a store in West Allis.

If you are in Milwaukee or the Twin Cities where NB is based they also provide classes on brewing. You can also order directly from their website and they will ship to you, don't know if the prices are any different than on Amazon.

That starter kit looks like all you need to get started, I prefer to use 5 gallon glass carboys for fermenters instead of those pails but it's a start.

[4everwarriors]

Or ya kan just talk ta Gary Ellerson @ WSSP and he will hook ya up wit his good friends at Northern Brewer, hey?

[T-Bone]

Do a couple kits, get your feet wet.  When you're up for it, graduate to all-grain.  It makes a difference in the quality of what you can do.  I'm amazed by how good it can turn out.
Keep it clean.

Bible: How To Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time - Palmer
Get it, best reference book available.

I like Randy Mosher's thinking about brewing.  I have done a couple from his Radical Brewing book. 

[#UnleashSean]

I've been homebrewing for over 25 years. Northern Brewer is a solid supplier and I'm fortunate they have a store in West Allis.

If you are in Milwaukee or the Twin Cities where NB is based they also provide classes on brewing. You can also order directly from their website and they will ship to you, don't know if the prices are any different than on Amazon.

That starter kit looks like all you need to get started, I prefer to use 5 gallon glass carboys for fermenters instead of those pails but it's a start.

They also have a starter kit with the Glass ones. But it runs an extra 70 or so dollars. Is it worth doing? Also might take a run today to West Allis to look in their store.

[Spotcheck Billy]

They also have a starter kit with the Glass ones. But it runs an extra 70 or so dollars. Is it worth doing? Also might take a run today to West Allis to look in their store.

If you end up brewing regularly I would maybe start adding glass carboys later. I think I have 8 now, it's nice to have several for secondary fermenters so your equipment isn't tied up until you bottle/keg a batch.

Most of my carboys were picked up whenever I came across them at rummage sales for just a few $ each, a lot cheaper than the $35 NB gets for them.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Do a couple kits, get your feet wet.  When you're up for it, graduate to all-grain.  It makes a difference in the quality of what you can do.  I'm amazed by how good it can turn out.
Keep it clean.

Bible: How To Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time - Palmer
Get it, best reference book available.

I like Randy Mosher's thinking about brewing.  I have done a couple from his Radical Brewing book.

Nice thing with all grain beer is that 4never won't steal any.  aina.

[4everwarriors]

Ah-huh, that's right, hey?

[patso]

Beer is one of those things like honey and barbecue sauce that it is just so easy to buy at the corner store. I saw Alton Brown sterilizing bottles and taking weeks to make a 12 pack and decided home brewing is not in my cards.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Beer is one of those things like honey and barbecue sauce that it is just so easy to buy at the corner store. I saw Alton Brown sterilizing bottles and taking weeks to make a 12 pack and decided home brewing is not in my cards.

you're right, to a point

but I can brew a bit over 2 cases (5 gallons) of Zombie Dust for a fraction of what I could buy it for IF I would have access to purchasing more than single bottles at the store whenever they happen to come in

[Shaka Shart]

Beer is one of those things like honey and barbecue sauce that it is just so easy to buy at the corner store. I saw Alton Brown sterilizing bottles and taking weeks to make a 12 pack and decided home brewing is not in my cards.

It is a lot of fun but unless you have a lot of friends who will help you out with your supply, prepare to drink a lot of the same style for a while. I have brewed a good number of times but have fallen off because I started getting sick of the same thing over and over. Depending where you live, agree with the above. Not always worth it.

That being said, it is a very good time to crack a few and make an afternoon out of it. Drinking what you have created and enjoying it was a big sense of pride for me.

[Shaka Shart]

you're right, to a point

but I can brew a bit over 2 cases (5 gallons) of Zombie Dust for a fraction of what I could buy it for IF I would have access to purchasing more than single bottles at the store whenever they happen to come in

Good point. There are a ton of recipes online where people have made clones of famous hard to get beers from around the world. Worth checking out if you have a hard to get favorite that doesn't involve barrel aging or wacky brewing processes.

[real chili 83]

Barrel aging manhattans is much easier.

[#UnleashSean]

brewing my first now. Lets see how is goes.

[Goose]

I recommend checking out Spike Brewing. Located in MKE and great products for home brewing. Started and owned by a great young guy.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Good point. There are a ton of recipes online where people have made clones of famous hard to get beers from around the world. Worth checking out if you have a hard to get favorite that doesn't involve barrel aging or wacky brewing processes.

It's pretty simple to make clones of barrel aged beers as well, just soak charred oak spirals in bourbon and add to your batch of stout.

I recommend checking out Spike Brewing. Located in MKE and great products for home brewing. Started and owned by a great young guy.

WOW! No wonder I haven't heard of them, that's commercial equipment starting at $5K for a 10 gallon system. Overkill for almost every homebrewer.

[LAZER]

you're right, to a point

but I can brew a bit over 2 cases (5 gallons) of Zombie Dust for a fraction of what I could buy it for IF I would have access to purchasing more than single bottles at the store whenever they happen to come in

I feel like Zombie Dust over the last 6-12 months has become pretty readily available. Not sure if they increased production or if demand has settled, or maybe both?

[Shaka Shart]

I feel like Zombie Dust over the last 6-12 months has become pretty readily available. Not sure if they increased production or if demand has settled, or maybe both?

Don't live in the midwest anymore, but as of the last time I was there a couple years ago, they were about to go live with a decent expansion.

[Hards Alumni]

Love home brewing, and I think the kit you got is fine.  You can always get out of hand later (like I did).

Next item I want to purchase is a steel conical fermentor.

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

Does anyone here have experience with growing hops? I'm curious to know which strains are hearty enough to thrive in/withstand Milwaukee's climate.

[Hards Alumni]

Does anyone here have experience with growing hops? I'm curious to know which strains are hearty enough to thrive in/withstand Milwaukee's climate.

You can usually find quite a few hop varieties at local greenhouses.  Many grow readily in Milwaukee's climate.  Easiest to find are Cascade, and they are used in quite a few APA's.  Soon you will find yourself with more hops than you know what to do with!

Southern exposure btw

[Chili]

You can usually find quite a few hop varieties at local greenhouses.  Many grow readily in Milwaukee's climate.  Easiest to find are Cascade, and they are used in quite a few APA's.  Soon you will find yourself with more hops than you know what to do with!

Southern exposure btw

Also, they won't be great for brewing until year 3. You can do it the 1st 2 years but the alpha acids are much lower with young plants. Hops plants are best years 3-7 for brewing. And yes, you can grow many types in Wisconsin, just get good rhizomes at your local brew & grow. Also make sure to have your stings in place once your plants start to grow.

[Goose]

Waldo

You must have found a different Spike Brewing. Their product is for home brewing and priced competitively in the marketplace. They are a client of mine and a great company.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Waldo

You must have found a different Spike Brewing. Their product is for home brewing and priced competitively in the marketplace. They are a client of mine and a great company.

Spike makes very high end equipment and not for your average brewer, especially for beginners. I've known many other homebrewers that tried their hand at it when it was a huge fad and now their equipment goes unused. No way I would suggest to a beginner to start with Spike goods unless I get an invite to his rummage sale after the shine wears off his new hobby.