Howdy from Silver Spring MD

[mattmauriello]

I've been brewing extracts for about a year now, and finally making the jump to all grain. I have a few ales I've made, and lucky for me, there wasn't a one I couldn't drink! (though I am biased).

My setup isn't special, but i just got a real nice 10 gal commercial stockpot for my larger boils, and a run of the mill turkey frier burner (same as the bayou classic stuff I'm sure everyone is familiar with) and probably building by mash/lauter tun this weekend or next week.

I'm also really eager to start some lagers (I REALLY want to make a good pilsner), so once I get one or 2 decent AG ales under my belt, i might be looking at a cheap chest freezer with thermostat override so i can get a really good fermentation and lagering.

lastly, I just got a pair of corny kegs. Really looking forward to cleaning them up and skipping the bottling process for my next round.

 

[jmulligan]

Welcome! We've got a fair number of MD brewers on the site, so you should check out the next MD brew day.

Definitely keep an eye on Craiglist for the chest freezer. I got one that was practically brand new for ~$75.

 

[mattmauriello]

good call on the craigslist. I'll have to keep an eye out there (maybe e-bay too, we'll see). btw, I've been going to MD home brew, and definitely like them, but is there a HB store any closer to silver spring?

 

[claphamsa]

welcome from just down the road!

were the ales all grain?

 

[mattmauriello]

were the ales all grain?

no, everything has been DME or LME so far, but i got my hands on a big brewpot, got a CF chiller on the way (wanted to make one, but after hearing about the hassles of threading the tube, i ponied up the $50) and building my tun soon, so the next batch i make will be my first AG.

I've been reading enough that i have a pretty good idea what I'm going to do, but it will always be a learning process. I keep seeing MD home brew sending out their all-grain class emails, but im always too slow to respond. oh well, the best learning comes when you have to fix things on your own.

 

[claphamsa]

Im brewing sunday..... and Im right next to you!

 

[mattmauriello]

to be more specific, they've been partials (just some grain steeping before adding extracts) but its time to move up.
Sunday's full, in DC playing kickball, but if you're willing to have a visitor to watch and learn, next time, I can definitely be put to work! you in silver spring as well?

 

[claphamsa]

to be more specific, they've been partials (just some grain steeping before adding extracts) but its time to move up.
Sunday's full, in DC playing kickball, but if you're willing to have a visitor to watch and learn, next time, I can definitely be put to work! you in silver spring as well?

ah kickball.... I remember the days in my youth when i did that! Im in hippyville! Takoma park. and its always good to spread the knowledge!

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome