Hey all,
I've been interested in brewing for a few years, but just recently got the final impetus. Moved close to my in-laws and bro-in-law invited me to brew on his gear.
It was a great intro. I cooked up two Brewer's Best kits then moved on to two extract + specialty grain recipes. I'm glad to have had the intro on his gear with his coaching. Brew days were a fun get together, but getting our schedules together for bottling was a chore. Both of us have small kids. My last batch sat in primary for six weeks before we had a chance to bottle.
So, with four batches under my belt it was time to pick up my own equipment and get some control post-pitch.
With a mind toward using what I've got and a realization that I can't, nor want to, drink enough to make 5g batches worthwhile, I'm setting myself up to do 2-3g batches on the kitchen stove. I've already got a couple big ol' stock pots. One's big enough for <1.050 BIAB, adding a sparge in a second will allow for big beers. An unused freezer is now temp controlled for fermentation with a new 3g PET carboy. A Corona knock-off with DIY improvements found on this forum will take care of the grist.
I had the makings of another 5g batch of extract in the fridge that I had planned on brewing at BIL's. I split the ingredients and have the first 2.5 gallons bubbling away right now. Once these last two extract batches are complete, it's on to BIAB.
I'm a lifelong home cook and really enjoy traditional methods and scratch cooking. I grill on charcoal 2-3 times a week in all weather including Boston winters and Phoenix summers. The smoker gets fired up 1-2 times a month for ribs, beef clod, pork shoulder, etc. The freezer is packed with my own bacon and poultry stock. The back of the fridge is full of lacto-fermented sauerkraut, hot sauce, garlic, etc. Every two weeks I'm baking another batch of a sourdough. Beer's just my next adventure.
HBT has been an excellent source of information as I've begun my brewing education, thank you. Looking forward to enjoying your company as I venture forth.
I've been interested in brewing for a few years, but just recently got the final impetus. Moved close to my in-laws and bro-in-law invited me to brew on his gear.
It was a great intro. I cooked up two Brewer's Best kits then moved on to two extract + specialty grain recipes. I'm glad to have had the intro on his gear with his coaching. Brew days were a fun get together, but getting our schedules together for bottling was a chore. Both of us have small kids. My last batch sat in primary for six weeks before we had a chance to bottle.
So, with four batches under my belt it was time to pick up my own equipment and get some control post-pitch.
With a mind toward using what I've got and a realization that I can't, nor want to, drink enough to make 5g batches worthwhile, I'm setting myself up to do 2-3g batches on the kitchen stove. I've already got a couple big ol' stock pots. One's big enough for <1.050 BIAB, adding a sparge in a second will allow for big beers. An unused freezer is now temp controlled for fermentation with a new 3g PET carboy. A Corona knock-off with DIY improvements found on this forum will take care of the grist.
I had the makings of another 5g batch of extract in the fridge that I had planned on brewing at BIL's. I split the ingredients and have the first 2.5 gallons bubbling away right now. Once these last two extract batches are complete, it's on to BIAB.
I'm a lifelong home cook and really enjoy traditional methods and scratch cooking. I grill on charcoal 2-3 times a week in all weather including Boston winters and Phoenix summers. The smoker gets fired up 1-2 times a month for ribs, beef clod, pork shoulder, etc. The freezer is packed with my own bacon and poultry stock. The back of the fridge is full of lacto-fermented sauerkraut, hot sauce, garlic, etc. Every two weeks I'm baking another batch of a sourdough. Beer's just my next adventure.
HBT has been an excellent source of information as I've begun my brewing education, thank you. Looking forward to enjoying your company as I venture forth.
