Brewing is easy. All grain is easy. Figure out how much strike water you need, heat it up. Grind your grain(if it isn't preground at the LHBS). mash the grain. Drain the wort, Sparge to boil volume. Boil, adding hops at the right times. Cool wort to pitching temp. Pour wort into fermenter, Top off if needed, pitch yeast. sit for 2-3 weeks, then bottle(adding sugar) or keg.
Why does everyone make their brewday so stressfull and expensive
- Thread starter dmashl
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AkTom
Well-Known Member
Easy peasy. Don't forget... Drink them up. Do it again.
True if one is just a little organized. It isn't likely to be stressful.. With that said, reading the forum and the goof ups, can cause some(not everybody) to needlessly worry. Who is sanitizing and cleaning up? I do not have a helper, but I don't complain about cost, or time and the cleaning is part of it.
MeanLowerLow
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Shhhh don't tell people... When you tell someone you brew your own beer they look at you as though you have magical powers!
Yep! I totally agree. K.I.S.S (Keep it SPOOOOOPID simple)
Heat, mash, sparge, boil, chill, pitch and wait!
It doesn't get any easier than that.
Cheers
Jay
Heat, mash, sparge, boil, chill, pitch and wait!
It doesn't get any easier than that.
Cheers
Jay
The back of our home brew club shirts read "I brew beer, What's your "SUPER POWER"
Cheers
Jay
MeanLowerLow
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Ha! That's amazing!
I agree, I think people worry to much about non significant issues. Most of the stuff people worry about aren't an issue at a homebrewer scale (like hot side aeration, mash and boil length, sparging, efficiency (who cares?).. etc)
However, there are a few important steps to follow to make GREAT beer. For me sanitization and temperature control are the only rules to follow.
JONNYROTTEN
Well-Known Member
When I did AG for the first time I said to myself "that's it?" Anyone worried about leaving Extract shouldn't worry. I probably watch more TV on brew day than actual brewing.
Expensive is another story.I definitely dropped some coin on my entire system.From Electric brewing to ferm chamber to keg system and everything else it adds up.
Expensive is another story.I definitely dropped some coin on my entire system.From Electric brewing to ferm chamber to keg system and everything else it adds up.
FVillatoro
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After having done my fair number of batches I feel very comfortable with all the basic steps (heating water, mashing, sparging, boiling, hopping, chilling, fermenting, etc...)
However, now I use RO water and started creating water profiles before hand and testing their accuracy with a calibrated meter at 25 minutes into the mash.
I have added additional steps and stress (and lengthened my brewing day), but the end result is that I am now making the best beer that I ever have, and IMO it's worth the additional time/cleaning/prepping/stress/expense.
As much as I enjoy brewing, there are additional steps that can increase the overall quality of the beer, and at the end of that day that's what I really enjoy.
However, now I use RO water and started creating water profiles before hand and testing their accuracy with a calibrated meter at 25 minutes into the mash.
I have added additional steps and stress (and lengthened my brewing day), but the end result is that I am now making the best beer that I ever have, and IMO it's worth the additional time/cleaning/prepping/stress/expense.
As much as I enjoy brewing, there are additional steps that can increase the overall quality of the beer, and at the end of that day that's what I really enjoy.
I'm sure you make beer. Among others to make it better
+
- grow starter
- Adjust water chemistry for the mash
- Measure and adjust water acidity for the sparge water
- Adjust water chemistry before the boil
- Measure and adjust acidity if needed
- measure gravity, make adjustments if needed if off efficiency
- decant and warm starter
- get 'a sanitizing'
- measure OG
- measure final ph
- oxygenate
- adjust fermentation temp on schedule if needed
- measure FG until stable
- dump yeast
- dry hop
- gelatin if needed
- dump hops
- CO2 push transfer to brite
- CO2 push transfer to serving
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Using the process in the OP will probably make beer. Making beer with an all-grain process is easy, sure, but making good to great beer isn't *quite* that straightforward.
On the other hand, the post is kind of refreshing to see, to balance the scales a bit. I'm finding it hard to make a fuss about some of the finer details of all-grain brewing being trivialized when I'll gladly spend so much time reading in such intimate detail about all kinds of factors that probably don't mean jack **** in the end product.
On the other hand, the post is kind of refreshing to see, to balance the scales a bit. I'm finding it hard to make a fuss about some of the finer details of all-grain brewing being trivialized when I'll gladly spend so much time reading in such intimate detail about all kinds of factors that probably don't mean jack **** in the end product.
kombat
Well-Known Member
I've tasted a lot of very bad homebrew in my experience.
Making beer is incredibly simple. Making *good* beer takes much more attention to detail. Making *great* beer takes a very meticulous approach at every step of the process.
Making beer is incredibly simple. Making *good* beer takes much more attention to detail. Making *great* beer takes a very meticulous approach at every step of the process.
I had a homebrew from an acquaintance last week, it was the first time ive had the the chance to sample another homebrewers beer.
Needless to say I believe im doing something right because his beer was awful. Really bad, he knew it to after tasting mine.
Temperature control was not his strong suit.
dmashl
Well-Known Member
I have had shared my beer with friends and the LHBS, and have been told it is excellent, and they are wanting more. Thats all I need for knowing I am doing brewing the right way. I don't stress over rehydrating my yeast( I used to). The strainer thing seems to do the trick with the aeration. Always pitch in the low 60's, keep the vessels in the basement(cooler down there). Bottles are kept upstairs, where the ambient temp is approx 70. Makes great beer
NatureOfTheYeast
Well-Known Member
That's odd, I've always found brewing to be a relaxing and cathartic experience. I mean, at first, there was a bit of frustration from having to learn how to adjust for things like missed gravity and missed volumes, but after doing it a bunch of times, it becomes almost automatic. Once you learn your system and get into a rhythm, you almost can't mess up even if you try!
I love brew day. I get to hang out at home, relax, listen to some good music or podcasts. I don't have to be anywhere, and I couldn't be anywhere even if I wanted to. I get to focus on one thing all day. It's quite liberating. Even the cleaning isn't so bad for me. I put in the earbuds and listen to some Brewing Network or something and before I know it, I'm done and having a beer.
I dunno, I'm weird. :fro:
I love brew day. I get to hang out at home, relax, listen to some good music or podcasts. I don't have to be anywhere, and I couldn't be anywhere even if I wanted to. I get to focus on one thing all day. It's quite liberating. Even the cleaning isn't so bad for me. I put in the earbuds and listen to some Brewing Network or something and before I know it, I'm done and having a beer.
I dunno, I'm weird. :fro:
MaryB
Well-Known Member
I will settle for good beer my friends and myself can enjoy without paying through the nose... case of Fat Tire cost me $35 out the door today...
Not to disagree or be argumentative, but I would say to make great beer consistently takes a meticulous approach... Anyone can create a masterful brew almost by accident, the true measure of a brewer is if they can replicate their creation over and over again. In most cases that means documenting and controlling as many aspects as you can
Not a requirement, but to repeat success, you often need to know exactly what you did, and how.
Everyone?
Gary Oak hasth returned, but has he reached the required age. Did you perchance garner this knowledge from the readings of the sacred texts? We are not worthy!
wilcode190
Well-Known Member
They were making great beer before they even new what yeast was. With the quality of ingredients today and the smallest amount of research making good beer is easy. Anyone making sub par beer isn't trying.
d3track
Are you sure about that?
That would be a cool sticker for the kegerator
BrewinBromanite
Well-Known Member
^ Mobile like. This is brewing for me, too! I add or improve processes as I learn, but home brewing for me is as much about enjoying the whole process as drinking the final product. Brew day is drinking good brew, listening to good music, and serenity - for the most part. Granted, better beer in the final product is always a plus, but if you find yourself constantly being stressed or ending up with less than good beer, something's not right. Love this hobby! I think OP is making a great point about simplicity, but I didn't take it as necessarily skipping out on other important minutia. It's also all about personal taste. If your process is simple and you love your beer, then more power to ya!
I'm thinking smug, considering the thread title. He seems to think he's got it down pat, and "everyone else" still needs to figure out the process he has mastered. Brew day for me is a very relaxing time, so I guess I'm not "everyone else", by Gary's standards.
HA Ha Ha! They are actually on order as of yesterday. I think I got ripped on price but I had to start somewhere. I am having some 3" round ones made. Remind me if you make an order and I'll send you one when they hit my door.
Cheers
Jay
Conan
Well-Known Member
That's true, but the trick is in knowing how to operate your system and deal with problems when they arise...like how to manage a crusher that's not feeding, or a pump that won't prime, or a suddenly leaking chiller/ valve/ hose, adjusting boil strength for weather conditions, managing water usage for chilling, among other problems. Brewing isn't hard when it goes as expected.
Kyle
Making beer is very easy. Making great beer is much harder. Note, when I say much harder I'm not saying it is hard to do. I'm saying making great beer is harder than just making beer. To make consistently great beer you need to take good notes on all volumes and gravity throughout the process. You need to know what is in your beer and what adjustments you need to make. Some times this means you need to take mash pH and adjust on the fly. If for some reason the mash didn't convert all the sugars you now have to calculate how much DME you need to add to get to your pre-boil gravity. Taking good notes throughout this process will help you determine mash and brewhouse efficiency. Then you get into yeast starters and rinsing and reusing a yeast cake.
Heating water, mashing, sparging, boiling, transferring will make beer and can make great beer but it can also make bad beer. Brewing can also be as easy or hard as you want. If you don't care about making consistent beer then just going through the process is fine and will make a brew day easy and quick. If you like taking notes and getting everything perfect so you can make great beer, then it takes a little more time and effort.
Heating water, mashing, sparging, boiling, transferring will make beer and can make great beer but it can also make bad beer. Brewing can also be as easy or hard as you want. If you don't care about making consistent beer then just going through the process is fine and will make a brew day easy and quick. If you like taking notes and getting everything perfect so you can make great beer, then it takes a little more time and effort.
The beauty of homebrewing is that you can make it as simple/complicated and cheap/expensive as you want. If I was truly interested in cheap/simple, I would forego brewing my own and buy a 6 pack of malt liquor. Part of what I like about homebrewing is the project aspects of it and striving for consistency through innovation. Then again, I am a Senior Engineer and have a brain wired differently than most....
Howhownow
Well-Known Member
I had, over the years, built up a kind of rube-goldberg device brewery. 3-vessel RIMS, propane boil, all mobile to be dragged outside every brew day. I was making great beer, but it was an all-day endeavor and there were so many 'moving parts'.
I recently bought a new house with a basement and it inspired me to embark on the extremely cathartic experience of selling off basically all of my old gear and building a new brewery. It is both larger in capacity, yet exponentially simpler and (will be, finishing soon) quicker to use. I took the time up front to plan my system and build out the space to work most efficiently.
I am grateful for the experience with all the systems and processes that I've used, but much isn't necessary for good, even great, beer. Many times there's just a simpler way to get the same results.
In summation, I agree with the sentiment of the original post, but not necessarily the tone. End the end, it's a hobby like any other. You can fish with a string off a bank or spend thousands on a boat and gear. Heck, you may even catch the same fish in the end.
I recently bought a new house with a basement and it inspired me to embark on the extremely cathartic experience of selling off basically all of my old gear and building a new brewery. It is both larger in capacity, yet exponentially simpler and (will be, finishing soon) quicker to use. I took the time up front to plan my system and build out the space to work most efficiently.
I am grateful for the experience with all the systems and processes that I've used, but much isn't necessary for good, even great, beer. Many times there's just a simpler way to get the same results.
In summation, I agree with the sentiment of the original post, but not necessarily the tone. End the end, it's a hobby like any other. You can fish with a string off a bank or spend thousands on a boat and gear. Heck, you may even catch the same fish in the end.
MaryB
Well-Known Member
I find it relaxing, I read a book as I work, listen to music, enjoy being away from the TV and computer for awhile! It isn't complicated, thinking your way through a problem isn't hard with the wealth of information available online now...
Well, beer is like a magic potion: It makes you dance better, makes your jokes funnier, helps you enunciate louder, makes ugly people better looking, etc.
AkBrew907
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Really though. Brewing can be as complicated and time consuming or as simple as you want it to be. Just like any hobby.
For those who think the OP is being arrogant or smug. Relax. He is just stating that most extract brewers fret too much about how much more goes into making all grain.
There are more steps involved and you have to pay a bit more attention to what you are doing.
But, it is not something that needs to introduce any stress. I actually enjoy the process of all grain more than I do with extract.
Once you have brewed enough to pay off the investment in equipment, it is far less costly to brew all grain. Extract is really expensive.
There are more steps involved and you have to pay a bit more attention to what you are doing.
But, it is not something that needs to introduce any stress. I actually enjoy the process of all grain more than I do with extract.
Once you have brewed enough to pay off the investment in equipment, it is far less costly to brew all grain. Extract is really expensive.
brandonnys
Well-Known Member
I think my company made some stickers for you recently. If not, someone else is using that exact same line on their stickers. I got one from my tech guy Andy and I put it on my monitor.
Man oh man, I STRESSED about AG. I put so much time into so many things before I heated up a drop of water, then about 12 hours before my first AG Brew day, I read some stuff here, asked a few questions and got some good advice and just said "Screw it, lets see how it goes".
I missed numbers, I broke a hydrometer (Since have switched to refractometer) but kept things clean and relatively orderly. I'm about 1\2 way through the batch and I can honestly say I made a damn good beer.
My second AG Brew day went smoother than the first (broke a racking cane I didn't even use) and am bottling that batch this weekend. I'm sure I made a solid beer, though again missed a little on numbers.
My advice-and I can give it only from the POV of a new brewer is to take the OP to heart-its an easy process that can be made as simple or as complicated as one would like. I'm keeping the "Screw it, lets see how it goes" mantra about everything else but sanitation. I'd like to think with that approach you can't go wrong and will make beer.
I missed numbers, I broke a hydrometer (Since have switched to refractometer) but kept things clean and relatively orderly. I'm about 1\2 way through the batch and I can honestly say I made a damn good beer.
My second AG Brew day went smoother than the first (broke a racking cane I didn't even use) and am bottling that batch this weekend. I'm sure I made a solid beer, though again missed a little on numbers.
My advice-and I can give it only from the POV of a new brewer is to take the OP to heart-its an easy process that can be made as simple or as complicated as one would like. I'm keeping the "Screw it, lets see how it goes" mantra about everything else but sanitation. I'd like to think with that approach you can't go wrong and will make beer.
I just put my order in a few days ago so I doubt those are mine. Mine will have my company logo and web address on them also.
It has been on the back of our shirts for a couple of years now and it is a KILLER saying so I don't doubt there are some people printing it by now.
What company do you work for? I still need my bumper stickers done. AND I have a couple other stickers I want made....
Cheers
Jay
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