Members d4rk0 Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 Several of my friends and I have been meeting up every other week to brew a batch o' beer and it has been so much fun. I didn't realize what an art form it really was. There is just something so cool about a recipe that has been around for a thousand years. Anyway, we've got three batches bottled thus far - an Amber Ale, a Stout, and an IPA. We've got our second Amber in the Carboy right now. It has definitely been a learning process, and it is certainly trial and error to some extent, but seeing what works and what doesn't, and getting to create something completely new and unique is why we do it. The first Amber turned out a little too sweet, the first Stout was really good, but more like a Porter than a Stout, and we think we might have not let the IPA ferment long enough since we use priming sugar to carbonate during the bottling process. They are really really foamy, but they taste good! Anyway, just wondering if anyone else was into brewing. Thought maybe we could share ideas, tips, and pics, maybe even arrange a local taste testing???? Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members junior4 Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 yeah i tried it once. we tried to make an IPA, but came out more like a porter, tasted ok. i'll leave the microbrewing to people who know what they are doing, hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Beef Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 I've done some brewing with my friends, it's a good time. I think it's more about the process then the finished product though. To be fair, I have had some real good homebrews (and some absolutely horrid ones). A big thing people sometimes overlook is how much cleanliness matters. If your stuff is not properly sterilized it can really mess with the beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d4rk0 Posted December 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 I've done some brewing with my friends, it's a good time. I think it's more about the process then the finished product though. To be fair, I have had some real good homebrews (and some absolutely horrid ones). A big thing people sometimes overlook is how much cleanliness matters. If your stuff is not properly sterilized it can really mess with the beer. yeah man, we are pretty OCD about sanitation. We've got a whole system setup - this tub is designated cleaner for tools/equipment, this tub is designated for cleaner for bottles, this is sanitizer for bottles, etc... and the process is for sure the best part. of course, we haven't really had any real successes yet, so that might be the best part when we get there someday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Beef Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 Well good luck, I hope you get one soon. Also check out any of the local places that sell supplies for homebrewing and chat up the guys there the one's I've met and talked to have always been mucho helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BAXANDALL Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 Nice picsI grow my own hops too although it's time to get a new variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheCardiacKid Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 I would love to give it a spin someday...i definitely have space but no time Hope you stumble on a great recipe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jenesis Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 Several of my friends and I have been meeting up every other week to brew a batch o' beer and it has been so much fun. I didn't realize what an art form it really was. There is just something so cool about a recipe that has been around for a thousand years. Anyway, we've got three batches bottled thus far - an Amber Ale, a Stout, and an IPA. We've got our second Amber in the Carboy right now. It has definitely been a learning process, and it is certainly trial and error to some extent, but seeing what works and what doesn't, and getting to create something completely new and unique is why we do it. The first Amber turned out a little too sweet, the first Stout was really good, but more like a Porter than a Stout, and we think we might have not let the IPA ferment long enough since we use priming sugar to carbonate during the bottling process. They are really really foamy, but they taste good! Anyway, just wondering if anyone else was into brewing. Thought maybe we could share ideas, tips, and pics, maybe even arrange a local taste testing???? Nah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d4rk0 Posted December 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 I would love to give it a spin someday...i definitely have space but no time Hope you stumble on a great recipe Bro. Come to my house and we will drink them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Harry_Manback1 Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 I brewed up a few batches several years ago, the easy pre mix kind. Recently picked up the ingrediants for an IPA. Scurred I'm gonna {censored} it up, but it's fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zappa74 Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 Can't top perfection So I don't even try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BAXANDALL Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 Thats awesome! How much space do you need to grow hops? Are they delicate, or could we grow them in Ohio? You need some trellising or a fence you can train the vines along. It's easy and they grown like weeds. I'm in N.E. Ohio and I harvest about 8 ounces a year out of what started as 5 rhysomes (sp). If you're into ales look for a variety like cascade or read the label on your favorite ale and see if they list the hops they use. I think I'll look to replace mine with cascade next February. Apparently you are supposed to plant new rhysomes in Feb however up here the ground is completely frozen solid in Feb... so I'll wait until late March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members arcarsenal72 Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 We've been on brewing hiatus lately with some of my buds trying to finish up schooling this semester, but we've done probably close to 15 beers -- Foster's clone, Wheat, Guinness clone, Troegs Dreamweaver clone, Oaked Porter, a centennial blonde ale (our best), a super bitter IPA... the list goes on. It's a hell of a lot of fun, and totally worth it imho. Two crucial resources that I've found are:http://howtobrew.com/intro.html - gives you the full tutorial, a must readhttp://www.homebrewtalk.com/ - great source for recipe ideas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stratedge09 Posted December 7, 2011 Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 My brother and my uncle brew, they even grew their own hops over the summer. I think the beer is fantastic They've had some messups though like putting too much yeast in a batch etc, and after some mistakes everything has been running smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d4rk0 Posted December 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted December 7, 2011 My brother and my uncle brew, they even grew their own hops over the summer. I think the beer is fantastic They've had some messups though like putting too much yeast in a batch etc, and after some mistakes everything has been running smoothly. Yeah I'm really optimistic. The guys I am brewing with are pretty experienced, and they really want to nail down a few recipes, and then at some point in the near future (if we come up with a few good ones we can consistently reproduce), applying for a liquor license so we can distribute it to a few local pubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BAXANDALL Posted December 8, 2011 Members Share Posted December 8, 2011 A good home brew supplier should be able to order the rhysomes for you. They look like a bare root with a couple little green nubs on them usually. Most hops plants suppliers won't ship until February so keep that in mind when you order. I have seen suppliers on the internet too. Check out those links Arcarsenal72 gave you. I'm willing to bet that there will be supplier lists or forum threads about where to get the plants. Oh yeah, and keep a journal of everything you do for every batch. I took some time off from it and came back years later and really benefited from my old journal. There is no such thing as too much description to your process and end results. Good luck and have fun! That's what it's all about. Don't forget you are supposed to drink some of your own homebrew while brewing your next batch (except the first time...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CicadaSilence Posted December 8, 2011 Members Share Posted December 8, 2011 Nah, don't have the room for it these days. I used to grow shrooms, but in post Patriot Act USA I'm too afraid of the Feds breaking into my home and shooting my dog and wife and a couple of my neighbors while I'm at work. My bassist brews one hell of a lager, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mlabbee Posted December 8, 2011 Members Share Posted December 8, 2011 I did it for a while, but when I started researching the chemistry of the local water supply and buying additives to make my water more like the water in England, I realized I was getting a little too carried away . . . I did make a hell of an IPA, though . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d4rk0 Posted December 9, 2011 Author Members Share Posted December 9, 2011 I did it for a while, but when I started researching the chemistry of the local water supply and buying additives to make my water more like the water in England, I realized I was getting a little too carried away . . . I did make a hell of an IPA, though . . . Now that is awesome. {censored}, I should look into that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sad Darwin Posted December 9, 2011 Members Share Posted December 9, 2011 Not yet, but I think it's an inevitability Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MadMax808 Posted December 9, 2011 Members Share Posted December 9, 2011 I don't brew my own, but god DAMN do I love some Great Lakes brews. I've considered getting into the brewing game, but I don't have the space in my apartment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d4rk0 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Members Share Posted December 15, 2011 I don't brew my own, but god DAMN do I love some Great Lakes brews. I've considered getting into the brewing game, but I don't have the space in my apartment... Great Lakes is absolutely one of my favorite American Brewers. A lot of Great Lakes Commodore Perry, Elliot Ness, and Lake Erie Monster were consumed in the making of our latest Stout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WildBilly Posted December 15, 2011 Members Share Posted December 15, 2011 Great Lakes is absolutely one of my favorite American Brewers. A lot of Great Lakes Commodore Perry, Elliot Ness, and Lake Erie Monster were consumed in the making of our latest Stout. Good stuff! I also saw Columbus Pale Ale on your shelf, I have been digging on that for a while now. So good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Veekder Posted December 15, 2011 Members Share Posted December 15, 2011 Just moonshine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d4rk0 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Members Share Posted December 15, 2011 Good stuff! I also saw Columbus Pale Ale on your shelf, I have been digging on that for a while now. So good. I didn't get any of the CPA... my buddies killed it before I got one. We did have some Dopplerock and Nosferatu too. Great lakes is the {censored}. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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