Hey there seasoned HomeBrewTalk member!
I have had a curiosity about making beer for several years. Every so often I would have a great beer that I never heard of and though about that being my beer, what I would try to brew myself if I ever seriously decided to make, our beloved, beer. I could taste the those flavors I wanted to chase which so many beers neglect or muddle in cheep ingredients...
Well my mom always said I had champagne taste but beer money. But to tell you the truth, I just like beer. Take that mom! But it also turns out I have about enough money right now for a glass of water. So I have been slowly studying over the past several weeks, reading the wealth of great info here on Home Brew Talk, some of John Palmers "How To Brew" and a few YouTube walk throughs.
I haven't purchased any components or books. I have yet to find a home brew store in the city of Chicago to vist. I have found several around the suburbs, but as I do not have a car, I do not have access to them. So if anyone has any suggestions there I would appreciate it. i would really like to go check one out, ask a billion questions, and maybe find a local community. Also, as luck would have it, my girlfriend had a roommate that made beer but left his 5 gallon stock pot when he moved out. So score for me! I figure I will try to slowly pick up the other gear, ya know, fermentation bucket, bottles, thermo/hydro meters, and eventually carboys, wort chiller(though I know I could build this component), ect... So if any of you friendly Chicagoland brewers have any old equipment they are willing to hand down to a new brewer don't hesitate to pm me
I want to read as much as I can on the forums here and elsewhere before I start asking a bunch of random questions. But I was wondering if anyone could point me to some reference of styles of beers compared to those we can buy at a store, or something that will help me decide which extract kit I want to start with. I know the flavor and I know a good amount of beer styles but as I look at what some of you all are brewing I see so many styles I have not even heard of.
Thanks all and I can't wait to make my first batch!
I have had a curiosity about making beer for several years. Every so often I would have a great beer that I never heard of and though about that being my beer, what I would try to brew myself if I ever seriously decided to make, our beloved, beer. I could taste the those flavors I wanted to chase which so many beers neglect or muddle in cheep ingredients...
Well my mom always said I had champagne taste but beer money. But to tell you the truth, I just like beer. Take that mom! But it also turns out I have about enough money right now for a glass of water. So I have been slowly studying over the past several weeks, reading the wealth of great info here on Home Brew Talk, some of John Palmers "How To Brew" and a few YouTube walk throughs.
I haven't purchased any components or books. I have yet to find a home brew store in the city of Chicago to vist. I have found several around the suburbs, but as I do not have a car, I do not have access to them. So if anyone has any suggestions there I would appreciate it. i would really like to go check one out, ask a billion questions, and maybe find a local community. Also, as luck would have it, my girlfriend had a roommate that made beer but left his 5 gallon stock pot when he moved out. So score for me! I figure I will try to slowly pick up the other gear, ya know, fermentation bucket, bottles, thermo/hydro meters, and eventually carboys, wort chiller(though I know I could build this component), ect... So if any of you friendly Chicagoland brewers have any old equipment they are willing to hand down to a new brewer don't hesitate to pm me
I want to read as much as I can on the forums here and elsewhere before I start asking a bunch of random questions. But I was wondering if anyone could point me to some reference of styles of beers compared to those we can buy at a store, or something that will help me decide which extract kit I want to start with. I know the flavor and I know a good amount of beer styles but as I look at what some of you all are brewing I see so many styles I have not even heard of.
Thanks all and I can't wait to make my first batch!