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Home Brewing

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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Making a new thread because the others are really old and clogged with stuff i dont want.

First off: lets get this cult going again! https://www.newschoolers.com/cultnews/5001/Craft-Brews

I'm creating this thread to hopefully inspire some of you to go out and start making your own beer. I made my first batch (Belgian White) and it came out great! My buddies who have a fair amount of experience were pretty impressed. If you college guys are going home for break soon, its the perfect time to do the cook for your summer beer!

Questions:
-looking for ideas for my summer beer. thinking either a red beer or a raspberry flavored white beer. thoughts?
-need to get myself my own cornelius keg and stop borrowing my friends. have any of you bought one offline, or should i look locally?


Only have to be 18 to brew! If any of you are interested and wanna know how to get started brewing your own beer, post in here or feel free to PM me.
Feb 14 2013 3:48PM
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stizzle
Posts: 371 - Karma: 623
I just finished my keezer build and got it done as cheap as I could. I spent a good amount of time looking for all the equipment and I still got the list of where it was cheapest. If you're going for a whole kegerator setup or just need components or kegs PM me and I'll let you know what I found.
Feb 14 2013 3:52PM
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s_a_m
Posts: 916 - Karma: 58
I've made hard cider and apple wine before just for the hell of it. I think theyre the easiest beverages to make you need almost no equipment and only apple juice, sugar and wine yeast. I'd recommend trying either of them for anyone who wants to try brewing for the first time without investing a lot if money or time like me. Im looking to try something more complicated and expensive, like beer once im back in the US. Ill definitely hit up the cult for some help.
Feb 14 2013 4:02PM
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Rialb
Posts: 565 - Karma: 154
Threads for not living in a dorm next year. Good beer is fucking expensive in Canada, and this seems like an amazing alternative.
Feb 14 2013 4:04PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
I've been considering trying my hand at brewing either a porter or stout for quite some time. Has anyone had any success with these?
Feb 14 2013 4:58PM
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.Jacob
Posts: 1838 - Karma: 1,160
I fucked up my last 5 gallons, I did my first fermentation in too warm of a place (24 degrees Celsius I think) and it came out tasting not how I wanted it to be. The ABV is good at about 5% but the carbonation is also not optimal :(

That was with Bock beer, and next I'll be doing a nice refreshing wheat beer. Hopefully it turns out better.
Feb 14 2013 5:00PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
just got my shipment of hops in for this year.
Click for larger image
I also bought a sack of grain. I'm ready to crank out some batches. I'm brewing a bacon porter right now but I see a ton of pales and IPAs in the future with all these hops I haven't tried out yet.

Look for brewing equipment on craigslist. lots of people find cornies for around $30. also see if you have a local bottling or distributing plant for coke or pepsi. they might have some old kegs kicking around.

I want to build a keezer and fridges and freezers can be found cheap on craigslist but I don't have any more room in my apartment.
Feb 14 2013 5:20PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
porters and stouts have strong flavors that mask off flavors that happen your first few times. however if you want to make a big stout or porter, especially if you are doing extract, it can get quite spendy.
Feb 14 2013 5:24PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
sorry for trip post but what about this cult?
https://www.newschoolers.com/cultnews/4749/Homebrew
Feb 14 2013 5:25PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
I'm brewing a batch of blond right now. First time brewing so in two weeks we will see how it goes.

Click for larger image

This is what I am using. I'm sure people who know what they are talking about would call this a cheater method, but if I get into this I might invest more.
Feb 14 2013 5:26PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
i love brewing beer. my last batch was a nice heavy stout. 'twas pretty time consuming to make, but turned out really well.
Feb 14 2013 5:58PM
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stizzle
Posts: 371 - Karma: 623
If any one needs ball lock corny O-rings PM me. I ordered from mcmaster carr but they all came in 100 packs. A lot cheaper than the $8 kits you can buy from shops.
Feb 14 2013 6:15PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
Threads.

My room mate and I have been taking a beer brewing class (at uvm) this semester and are pretty stoked on it. Last week made the purchase on a brew kit and brewed up our first batch of some Belgian Pale Ale. Cant wait to see what happens
Feb 14 2013 6:23PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
You saying you want Irish Red?

Im curious. where did you get the recipe from for your last one? We are lucky enough to have a brew store in my town, so it is cool that you can go through binders of different suggested recipes. Anywhere else good to go to?
Feb 14 2013 6:27PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f82/

but seriously homebrewtalk in general is the newschoolers of homebrewing. obviously the demographics skew to the middle aged man though.
Feb 14 2013 6:30PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
^^ thanks man.

think i found my summer brew on there... Orange Pale Ale

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f66/cascades-orange-pale-ale-84558/
Feb 14 2013 7:02PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Thats so sick man! Every fucking day i wish i would've gone to UVM.

I haven't picked a recipe yet, been looking on a couple brew forums for a simple one with good feedback.

Stoked on response from this thread! I'll post pictures when I'm cooking the wort next week if any noobs are interested
Feb 14 2013 7:11PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
Man I've wanted to do this for a while, i cant get into another hobby because before you know it ill want to spend 1000's. Started maple syruling last year, a month later i was 1000 in the hole
Feb 14 2013 7:35PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
hahah, beer really isnt that expensive, you can get all the equipment you need second-hand for less than 200 if you do it right, and then 5 gallons of beer will only cost you about $20 to make. saves money in the long run. you can also take it to parties and ask people to chip in and make some of it back
Feb 14 2013 7:49PM
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rasta_tom
Posts: 117 - Karma: 163
yeah so i make cider and used to distill moonshine until the 'rents found out and i got fucked!!
Feb 14 2013 8:25PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
it depends on your personality. Lots of people don;t make it even close to breaking even. I mean I buy bulk. 50 lbs of grain 35 bucks. 3 pounds of hops 30 bucks. but I've built my own electric temperature controlled brewing system, I have a temperature controlled fermentation chamber, I built my own stir plate and lots of fermentation vessels. it gets expensive if you get into it but if you stay with the same system you may be able to break even eventually.
Feb 14 2013 8:48PM
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accualyisdolan
Posts: 3295 - Karma: -192
Ill have a Sam Adams instead
Feb 14 2013 8:54PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
oh shit thats awesome man. post some pictures! do you buy everything locoally? when i move out of my parents house after graduating i plan on putting some money into a setup once i have a new home
Feb 14 2013 8:59PM
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 917
in terms of price I buy kits for like $40 and get 50 beers out of it. not bad for delicious home brews I prefer over other bottled beers. but I'm not at the level of completely crafting my own, so I'm not sure how that prices out...

anyways, I've had a 5g batch of I think a porter sitting in my basement capped for about a year now. this was supposed to be a 2 month fermentation, but I forgot about it. if I add some priming sugar and bottle these, would it be worth it? or is the batch just ruined?
Feb 14 2013 9:24PM
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315jibber94
Posts: 880 - Karma: -39
screw beer... making moonshine is where its at!
Feb 14 2013 9:34PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
should be fine unless it was kept in the fermenter. if it was it may be gross, depending on if the yeast stopped reacting and if germs got into it
Feb 14 2013 9:52PM
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stizzle
Posts: 371 - Karma: 623

This seems like the right thread for a shameless plug...

If anyone is in the Corvallis, Oregon area you should go get drunk at my uncle's soon to be opening brewery.

Mazama Brewing

Feb 15 2013 11:00AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
Minnesota isn't exactly a state know for it's hop production and it really doesn't have any big yeast labs either. What we do have though is a big malster, Rhar Malting. Wisconsin, right next to us, as well is home to Breiss malting which may be the biggest maltster in the US. So most of my malt is pretty local. Here is a pretty poorly narrated and filmed video of my brewing system. it gets the concept across as long as showing you how it all works.
Feb 15 2013 12:33PM
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skiinian
Posts: 762 - Karma: 187
anyone know if you can rent a keg from a liquor store and just keep it? that's what the deposit is for right?
Feb 15 2013 1:45PM
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stizzle
Posts: 371 - Karma: 623
You can. Just don't expect that store to ever sell you a keg again.
Feb 15 2013 1:51PM
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 917
still in the same fermenter...haha.

don't think germs got into it though, I haven't removed the plug
Feb 15 2013 2:09PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
well put it through a filter, give it a try, and if its shit then sell it to highschoolers and tell em its super potent haha
Feb 15 2013 2:11PM
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 917
at this point I'm assuming all the sugars have been fermented so the alcohol content should be pretty up there. even if it's shit, as long as it's not gonna cause me to shit my pants, I'd drink it hah

but good looks on the filter, I wouldn't have thought of that
Feb 15 2013 2:14PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
ya go to a hardware store an pick up a home water filter with a couple filters, costs like $10. you're also gonna need some hosing which will only cost a buck or 2
Feb 15 2013 2:25PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
if it is still on the original yeast the yeast have probably started dying and have released some nasty off flavors. the alcohol and hops in the beer will have preserved it though so it's probably not infected. I would try though.
Feb 15 2013 5:50PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
threads.
Feb 15 2013 5:59PM
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GEORGEzimmerman
Posts: 1473 - Karma: 439
im 18 and super interested in this idea. can someone post like a dummie starter guide to brewing like what i should get and all that jazz, i just wanna get a few bottles going and see if its something I'm gonna enjoy and if so ill invest more.
Feb 15 2013 6:11PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
as for a dummy guide buy what I posted above. It's called a MR Beer brewing kit. It costs about 100 bucks, and comes with 2 batches of beer. Every additional batch costs 15 bucks or so, and it's super easy to make. Plus, it's not illegal to sell the products to you since they aren't alcoholic yet.

Makes 2 gallons of beer.
although I can't fully vouch for it since my first batch wont be ready for 2 more weeks.
Feb 15 2013 11:34PM
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vincentlee223
Posts: 1571 - Karma: 382
I'm looking to home brew next year when I have my own place with my 4 buddies. I was looking at this starting setup: http://www.torontobrewing.ca/servlet/the-750/1-Gallon-Brewer%27s-Best/Detail but it looks kinda small, seeing that we have five people in the house. The reason why we want to do it is because for one it is much cheaper then buying beer (in Canada) and it will be a good time with the friends.

Whats your thought on this starting kit?
Feb 15 2013 11:52PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
^ it's a good kit but you can do better, ill post later exactly what you'll want to get started
Feb 15 2013 11:56PM
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gnarles.
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 130
threads because i want to get started
Feb 16 2013 3:18AM
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 917
Check out northernbrewer.com. I got my kit for $90 shipped with a how to DVD, add 20 for an ingredients kit. Makes 5gallon batches (48 beers or so), 1gallon seems way too little
Feb 16 2013 8:08AM
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homebrewer
Posts: 21 - Karma: 12
Didn't know so many NS'ers homebrewed! Anyone have any wu tang themed beers, haha. I'm brewing up a golden strong ale today. In march I am throwing in my batch into a barrell my homebrew club got from Russian River and pitching bugs into it. Should make for a tasty brew.

What are some favorite styles of everybody. I love brewing up belgian blondes and IPA's.
Feb 16 2013 11:50AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
Nice! I want some of Vinnie's dime bags. Probably will never get any out here in MN.
Feb 16 2013 11:56AM
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 917
it seems like a lot of you dudes are making your own unique brew. not using kits and such. I've only bought kits from companies for, say, basic brown ale, or Dead Ringer's IPA. how exactly can you get into your own stuff? I don't really know where to start or even the right questions to ask. hops? malt? etc.

the last few times we've been trying to take like a porter and add more hops than they suggest (like an oz or so) and see if it tastes a bit more bitter. or we've though of adding more sugar to boost the alcohol content, but so far they're either just suggestions or small additions
Feb 16 2013 3:08PM
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AT-AT
Posts: 3281 - Karma: 3,256
Ive been making wine for about 2 years now, and will be opening my first attempt of a beer, an american pale ale, tonight.

Feb 16 2013 4:22PM
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Dirty_Bit
Posts: 389 - Karma: 38
BMO, did you go to the Roc City Brew Fest today at the Main Street Armory?
Feb 16 2013 4:42PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Na man I'm at school and I'm only 20 :/. Next year ill definitely make the drive
Feb 16 2013 4:47PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,656
just helped my dad finish bottling his "grand crew" brew. He's super stoked on it
Feb 16 2013 5:08PM
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homebrewer
Posts: 21 - Karma: 12
Yeah I do too! I heard he gave a bunch out during the Great American Beer Fesitival a few years ago. A guy in my club got some white oak rods and sticks them in his beer. He pitches some bugs and gets good results. i love sour and wild ales and have just started making them. will know the results of my attempts in the fall.

I would say email Vinny and see if he will send you some chips. I bet if you send him an email saying something like you can't get good barrell aged beer around you and you are interested in brewing your own he will send you some.
Feb 16 2013 11:25PM
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