Soulshine2
Well-Known Member
I've been a contributing member for a little over 2 yrs now. I have 7 successful brews behind me. I don't claim to know everything there is about brewing but I've read some posts in the past that indicate that an OP hasnt in fact read "everything they can" before jumping in feet first and deep empty pockets end up in a jam on brew day or halfway into fermentation because they didn't plan ahead enough or understand the process enough. I understand sometimes a search on a subject or troubleshoot doesnt always yield the answer to the question you are asking.
I get it, we've all been a beginner at one point and questions do need to be addressed to gather information and improve ones brewing skills. Which is why this ,like any other forum exists.
I'm gong to generalize that almost everyone who is here has started with either a brewing buddy ,some sort of shelf available ,online purchase or gifted some sort of beer kit (Mr Beer) which got your interest.
Please, use those ,read the instructions thoroughly BEFORE you brew to get the idea . Ask the questions on that level before you have to post the inevitable " Help , Im brewing now and I'm in trouble "
You have to crawl before you walk before you run .
Keep it simple. Go extract. Make a simple beer. Use the dry yeast packet . Do a small batch . Learn how to calibrate and use a hydrometer , a thermometer. Learn how to sanitize properly, that cant be advised enough. Use a few food grade buckets. Bottle by hand.
Did it turn out ? Yes? Now you can move on .
or
Was there a problem? Find out why , try again.
Do yourself (and your bank account)a favor and not be the "never have I ever" brewer that posts "I've never brewed before but I just bought $5000 worth of stainless steel and electronic gadgets ,pumps and kegging equipment. I've made my own Imperial Dubbel coffee trappist IPA recipe as my first brew and its not working out... Now what do I do? "
Google is a wonderful tool for educating oneself on any subject.
Read.
Watch YouTube videos.
Go visit a HBS and ask the staff how to do things. Take a class if they offer them.
Read about the history of the beer youre making. The water profiles for THAT beer made in that region. read the characteristics of the malts youre using, the hops historically used , hop qualities, was it an ale or a lager? know what working range your yeast has. Read about what style malts, hops and yeasts your beer needs to be in the ballpark of a certain style.
PLEASE, dont let my words discourage anyone from home brewing. I'm just noticing recurring noobie problems and trying to slow that person down to get the crucial basics and make them into solid good habits first before jumping into instant pro level and wondering why their gravities didn't come out exact,or fight infections in a complex dry hopping process . It can be very discouraging to spend hard earned money on equipment and material alone to have an enjoyable hobby and end up out an entire day or week of fermentation because you missed something simple you should have done early on. Especially if you're married and your hobby comes out of the family budget expenses. Some spouses ,I'm sure, look at the equipment bill and see they could have had a nice week long vacation to the Caribbean.
RDWAHAHB
I get it, we've all been a beginner at one point and questions do need to be addressed to gather information and improve ones brewing skills. Which is why this ,like any other forum exists.
I'm gong to generalize that almost everyone who is here has started with either a brewing buddy ,some sort of shelf available ,online purchase or gifted some sort of beer kit (Mr Beer) which got your interest.
Please, use those ,read the instructions thoroughly BEFORE you brew to get the idea . Ask the questions on that level before you have to post the inevitable " Help , Im brewing now and I'm in trouble "
You have to crawl before you walk before you run .
Keep it simple. Go extract. Make a simple beer. Use the dry yeast packet . Do a small batch . Learn how to calibrate and use a hydrometer , a thermometer. Learn how to sanitize properly, that cant be advised enough. Use a few food grade buckets. Bottle by hand.
Did it turn out ? Yes? Now you can move on .
or
Was there a problem? Find out why , try again.
Do yourself (and your bank account)a favor and not be the "never have I ever" brewer that posts "I've never brewed before but I just bought $5000 worth of stainless steel and electronic gadgets ,pumps and kegging equipment. I've made my own Imperial Dubbel coffee trappist IPA recipe as my first brew and its not working out... Now what do I do? "
Google is a wonderful tool for educating oneself on any subject.
Read.
Watch YouTube videos.
Go visit a HBS and ask the staff how to do things. Take a class if they offer them.
Read about the history of the beer youre making. The water profiles for THAT beer made in that region. read the characteristics of the malts youre using, the hops historically used , hop qualities, was it an ale or a lager? know what working range your yeast has. Read about what style malts, hops and yeasts your beer needs to be in the ballpark of a certain style.
PLEASE, dont let my words discourage anyone from home brewing. I'm just noticing recurring noobie problems and trying to slow that person down to get the crucial basics and make them into solid good habits first before jumping into instant pro level and wondering why their gravities didn't come out exact,or fight infections in a complex dry hopping process . It can be very discouraging to spend hard earned money on equipment and material alone to have an enjoyable hobby and end up out an entire day or week of fermentation because you missed something simple you should have done early on. Especially if you're married and your hobby comes out of the family budget expenses. Some spouses ,I'm sure, look at the equipment bill and see they could have had a nice week long vacation to the Caribbean.
RDWAHAHB
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