Mr. Beer beer

Ian2400 · 08-09-2009, 05:03 PM

Hi everyone, I just got a mr. Beer from my friends and put in my first batch into the keg yesterday. I've been trying to read up (there is a LOT out there) and have been seeing references to certain things Mr. Beer tells you to do that you shouldn't do, or products they have that you shouldn't buy. However, a lot of these tips don't come with suggestions for what you SHOULD do.

So, my questions:
Bottling:
Is it okay to bottle right from the Mr. Beer or is there a better way to do it?

What kind of bottles should I buy? Are the flip-top glass ones alright or should I go with the PET bottles from mr beer?

Sanitizing:
I read that the one-step from Mr. Beer is no good. What is the best thing to use for sanitizing?

Brewing:
I read that the booster is crap. Should I buy the UME from mr beer, or is it best to find recipes online and make everything from scratch, skipping the mr beer ingredients entirely? I'm setting out to make a true hobby out of this so the quickness of the Mr. Beer ingredients isn't necessary. If buying recipes and UME from mr beer is the best way to go for a few batches though, I will do that.

Yeast:
I read (yeah, been doing a lot of reading) that Mr. Beer yeast produces overly fruity beers, which are very much not my thing. What is the best kind of yeast to buy, and where can I find how much yeast I need per batch?

Sorry if these are overly nooby, I tried looking around here for the answers and couldn't find anything really specific (brand names, etc to look for or sites to buy from).

I'm kind of tight on money but I can afford some things. Basically if there is a cheaper but equally good way to do something let me know, and if that cheaper way involves buying all scratch ingredients and spending a lot of time, well I have a lot more time than money

.

And again, sorry if this shouldn't be asked or I should go somewhere else, feel free to just link me somewhere if I missed it.

Joos · 08-09-2009, 06:15 PM

Welcome to HBT Ian.I would just use the mr. beer for now.No sense in putting it to waste.If you are truly interested in the hobby then look either online or for a LHBS(local home brew shop) for a start up kit.If and when you get a start up kit.Throw out the directions and start asking questions here

As for yeasts there are many different strains for many different styles.So again just use the stuff you have for the recipe you have.Good luck and have fun.

P.S. I figured I'd let you know.Your profile says your female

Ian2400 · 08-09-2009, 06:20 PM

I can do that, I'm just out of what I have (the kit only came with one recipe). I figured I would make this batch and then move on to something else for the second. Why waste money on more mr beer stuff if there is a better way to do it?

Also, I'd really like an answer to the bottling questions, as I'll have to do that in a week and have nothing to bottle with.

edit: I fixed my profile, thanks!

**Laughing_Gnome_Invisible** · 08-09-2009, 06:24 PM

I still use the PET Mr Beer bottles that came with the kit my wife bought me over 18 months ago. They are very easy to handle, and hold a litre, which is easier for bottling. I use real bottles as well, the the Mr Beer bottles work well for beer that I am not presenting to others.

Also, the One-step stuff is good enough to carry on using until it's all gone. Then upgrade when it's gone.

Ian2400 · 08-09-2009, 06:34 PM

Well that's the thing. My friends got me the SUPER basic kit, which had one thing of onestep cleaner. That will be gone after I bottle my first batch, so I'm wondering what to get next and how much to use of it for each batch.

Essentially after this first batch I'll be at square one but with the mr beer keg

Hence all the questions. I figure I shouldn't waste more money on expensive mr beer stuff if there is a higher quality and cheaper alternative.

Ian2400 · 08-09-2009, 06:37 PM

Oh, and a list of useful beginner accessories would be nice too. For instance, I'm not sure how useful thermometers or a funnel/strainer would be. I feel like bottling with a funnel/strainer would oxygenate the beer, but I'm not sure.

Joos · 08-09-2009, 06:52 PM

I personally don't order stuff online.But if you "search" I'm sure you'll find a good starter kit.As for sanitizer I usually use star san in a spray bottle.

**MeatyPortion** · 08-09-2009, 06:57 PM

I've used one step for all my beer batches (4, ha ha) and haven't had a problem. Maybe I just got lucky...

**Nurmey** · 08-09-2009, 06:59 PM

Welcome Ian!
A really great place to start is reading http://www.howtobrew.com
Most of the beer making books are based on 5 gallon brews made in pails or carboys. The principle is the same, you are just making smaller batches in Mr. Beer.

You are correct in thinking that you can make better beers by buying ingredients from a local homebrew store or online. You could buy 5 gallon ingredient kits, split all the ingredients (except the yeast-use the whole packet), and brew just about any beer you like.

Might I suggest you look at some of the extract kits from Austin Homebrew Supply

A bottling bucket and bottling wand are the right tools for bottling.

Ian2400 · 08-09-2009, 07:16 PM

I live in Pittsburgh so I have a few homebrew shops nearby. If I get a 5 gallon kit, should I buy one extra yeast packet per kit and basically double the yeast content of each batch?