Expert Advice Needed

Ningirsu · 08-02-2007, 06:53 AM

Hello beer experts! I'm maybe going to be in a place where beer and malted barley are very expensive and hops is non-indigenous. Now I know **** about making beer, but come on--how hard can it be? So hear me out.. I'm thinking wheat beer, made with only unmalted wheat and some simple grut. Expensive equipment and fancy instruments are not really my style unless they can be salvaged or scavenged in some way. Also I'd want as close to instant gratification as possible, so no interminably lengthy fermentation. I'm only planning to brew enough to supply 10-20 beers a day. How doable is this and what sage advise might you have for me?

**DeathBrewer** · 08-02-2007, 07:28 AM

well, i can say that wheat beers have the shortest fermentation time and are pretty much 4 weeks from start to drinkable, so you're halfway there!

Hemi · 08-02-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ningirsu

Hello beer experts! I'm maybe going to be in a place where beer and malted barley are very expensive and hops is non-indigenous. Now I know **** about making beer, but come on--how hard can it be? So hear me out.. I'm thinking wheat beer, made with only unmalted wheat and some simple grut. Expensive equipment and fancy instruments are not really my style unless they can be salvaged or scavenged in some way. Also I'd want as close to instant gratification as possible, so no interminably lengthy fermentation. I'm only planning to brew enough to supply 10-20 beers a day. How doable is this and what sage advise might you have for me?

Ummm....what? Do you have or plan on purchasing a mash tun or fermenting vessel? Maybe you should stick with the local LQs Miller High Life or PBR? 10-20 beers a days is actually a lot to supply and ferment and is going to require a lot of effort and money. If you are serious about brewing, I would purchase a brew kit (as little as $50) and order the ingredients via internet and pick up a book on brewing while your at it. Do you plan on using store bought yeast or keep an open bucket outside with the hot wort to collect any wild yeast and other microbes that may drop in? I'm honestly confused on what you plan on doing or how you are going to make beer, not trying to be a jerk.

homebrewer_99 · 08-02-2007, 12:41 PM

I can concur with BD about the wheat beers, but I seriously don't think you have the resources to brew for 10-20 beers a day.

Many of us here have spent thousands of dollars on equipment and can't/don't have the time or supplies on-hand to make enough brew to supply that schedule. I have 5 buckets and 4 carboys, 2 beer fridges and a freezer, 20+ empty cases of 1/2 liter bottles, 25 kegs, my own brew kitchen and I buy my supplies in bulk...and you want to use salvagable equipment? Will you have the time to learn how to brew and the time to brew enough?

I'd surely hate to turn you off to the idea, but unless you're brewing a batch everyday for a week or so then have to wait at least 1 month for the first batch to be ready to drink it's just not doable. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

For now I would just recommend you go to John Palmer's "How to Brew" book (1st edition available on-line to read for free) for research first before committing your time and $$$ into this dream we call homebrewing.

I started brewing over 13 years ago and I'm still no expert, but I play one on TV and did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night...

**the_bird** · 08-02-2007, 12:44 PM

That's an awful lot of drinking for an 89 year old man...

homebrewer_99 · 08-02-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_bird

That's an awful lot of drinking for an 89 year old man...

ROTFLMMFAO!!!! I just checked his profile....

I'm not sure he can lift and empty carboy at this point...

**the_bird** · 08-02-2007, 01:13 PM

OK, so please fill us in... what's your REAL story?

Cheesefood · 08-02-2007, 01:43 PM

http://forums.megagames.com/forums/member.php?u=61398

I like how your HBT profile says "Chicks watch out".

10 homebrews a day, and it's "Belt, watch out!!!"

Just stick with leaving the fruit juice in the sun.

zoebisch01 · 08-02-2007, 01:54 PM

Lol, wtf is this thread

Anyhoo, 100% unmalted, will that convert even??

Orpheus · 08-02-2007, 02:27 PM

Yeah, the average batch of homebrew yields approximately 60 12oz. bottles of beer, which means yours would only last for roughly a week, which means you'd have to brew every single week to keep up with your demand.