Was Alton Brown Right? Good Eats

cpulley1 · 05-13-2009, 03:23 PM

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2852527078421700337&ei=8t4KSpmZHqayrQLyu4nBDQ&q=good+eats+beer&hl=en
Hello! I am doing research to make my first attempt at brewing beer. I came across this episode of Good Eats (link above) and was hoping to get some feedback from other brewers. His equipment looks brand new, so I doubt he's a well seasoned brewer.

Anything he might have done wrong? Any idea how he could have improved? Most importantly, how would his beer taste?

The video is about 20 min long, if anyone could watch it and comment I'd appreciate it.

**jezter6** · 05-13-2009, 03:31 PM

Dude did LOTS wrong. Do some searches around here about it.

I'm sure he made "beer" - but how that beer would really taste is beyond what I'd be willing to try.

At least he got someone into it. Do some searching for Alton Brown and you should find a nice big thread where we discussed that show and it's methods.

**JPicasso** · 05-13-2009, 03:31 PM

There are lots of threads on this already. Not to be rude, but try the search feature here. It's been discussed.

Short answer, Buy a copy of "How To Brew" by John Palmer. You will be better off, long run.

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 05-13-2009, 03:33 PM

Or take a look at the bottom of the page here and see a snippet of the AB related threads.

By the way, welcome to HBT.

cpulley1 · 05-13-2009, 03:36 PM

Alright, Thanks!

Brewmando · 05-13-2009, 03:45 PM

I really wish they would re-make that episode and trash the original! It's actually too painful for me to watch anymore.

Trubadour · 05-13-2009, 03:53 PM

To keep it simple though, yes, what he made is beer and you could do it the same way and be fine. You will progress and get better as you brew, and will come to realize the things that he did wrong, and the terms that he grossly misused.

Welcome to HBT!

**conpewter** · 05-13-2009, 03:56 PM

Welcome!

His episode does get people interested in brewing which is great! He unfortunately uses some outdated techniques and some downright wrong ones. If you'll take some time to read through How to Brew - By John Palmer (or buy the book, I just read the whole thing online). You'll get a much better idea of how to do things. I've also learned a ton from this site, more than I could get from hundreds of books.

mkorpal · 05-13-2009, 04:05 PM

And just to list some mistakes he made.

First, he was not mashing, he was steeping grains. He was using specialty grains that could not be mashed.

second, he doesn't take the grain out before he boils. Doing it his way will leave a very astringent flavor.

Third, adding hops at the end of the boil is not "dry hopping." Dry hopping is adding hops after fermentation.

Forth, his info on the different hop additions is wrong. The first addition is for bitterness, the last is for flavor and aroma (depending on how late it is)

Fifth, it is not recommended to use store bought ice for cooling your wort. you can't be certain it is sterile.

sixth, he didn't oxygenate his beer or make a starter for his yeast. They way he did it, he probably ended up never fully fermenting his beer.

Also, use a hydrometer.

He did do a good job on the bottling info. However, your beer probably won't be ready to drink for at least 21 days.

Trubadour · 05-13-2009, 04:11 PM

Another thing, take the yeast out of the fridge when you first start brewing at the very least (if you aren't going to make a starter), and get your wort down below 80* before pitching. Cold yeast in hot (87*) wort will freak those yeasties out.

And give it more time in the fermenter than one week - more like 2-4 depending on the style.