Hello to all, my name is Richard Keys and I am and am brand new to brewing. Living less than a half mile from the Serra Nevada Brewery in Chico CA has always intrigued me, and I have always wanted to brew my own beer but I have never had anything to push me to doing it until now. I am writing a research paper for my English class and Im finally going to take the leap and do it. So I went down to the Chico Home Brew Shop to buy materials and ingredients and left very excited to get started. After talking to the woman she convinced me as a first time brewer to brew a simple blonde ale, she said I was easy and not as lengthy of a beer. So today Im going to start finally brewing and I would love to hear some stories that I could also possibly put in my paper. A list of examples: things to do, things not to do, common mistakes, what works well for you, your experiences, maybe a simple recipe or anything you want to share I would love to read. I have read some books and many websites and videos on how to brew homemade beer. So I have the basic concept and step by step process. Thank you for your time and if you dont have to buy I would appreciate if you provided your name and state/city you live in, but its not necessary. I would just be including it in my works cited page in my paper.
A General home brewing discussion for beginner
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bobeer
Fermentation Specalist
I used to live in Chico! I loved that place so I'll help you out.
My first batch was a total learning endeavor. I read The Complete Joy of Homebrewing and thought I had a pretty good handle on the process. I was totally wrong. I got a black ale kit from my LBS and my friend and I followed the instructions to a T. Little did we know the instructions were leading us down the wrong path (as I've heard of them doing so often). It wanted us to boil the DME at 212 degrees for 60 minutes! As well as do a partial boil. So the end product tastes quite strange and has zero head and no hop at all to it. The worst part was cooling the wort down. We had no idea how long it would take. We had no ice, no chilled top-off water, and we poured the 212 degree wort right into our fermenter. Not only is this extremely dangerous but also a total pain in a$$. We let it sit in our fementer to cool and it took about 3 hours! So in the end we had a buttery flavored, flat headed, non-hoppy beer that looked like coke when you poured it. We also pitched the yeast at 4:30 am since we didn't start brewing until about 11pm; after all the sanitizing and reading over everything. I still have it bottles and I'm hoping it gets better with time but I doubt it will.
Hope that helps. My name and location is in my avatar area. Good luck and say hi to Lower Bidwell for me!
My first batch was a total learning endeavor. I read The Complete Joy of Homebrewing and thought I had a pretty good handle on the process. I was totally wrong. I got a black ale kit from my LBS and my friend and I followed the instructions to a T. Little did we know the instructions were leading us down the wrong path (as I've heard of them doing so often). It wanted us to boil the DME at 212 degrees for 60 minutes! As well as do a partial boil. So the end product tastes quite strange and has zero head and no hop at all to it. The worst part was cooling the wort down. We had no idea how long it would take. We had no ice, no chilled top-off water, and we poured the 212 degree wort right into our fermenter. Not only is this extremely dangerous but also a total pain in a$$. We let it sit in our fementer to cool and it took about 3 hours! So in the end we had a buttery flavored, flat headed, non-hoppy beer that looked like coke when you poured it. We also pitched the yeast at 4:30 am since we didn't start brewing until about 11pm; after all the sanitizing and reading over everything. I still have it bottles and I'm hoping it gets better with time but I doubt it will.
Hope that helps. My name and location is in my avatar area. Good luck and say hi to Lower Bidwell for me!
BrewinHooligan
Well-Known Member
I'm still pretty new to the "hobsession" but I brew pretty regularly as I have cought the brew bug very badly. Like most new brewers, my first batch was a kit and I did not do much research prior to making it and made the mistake of following the kit directions. I did not have any issues during the boil or cooling down with cold water, but I was unaware of the importance of controlling temperatures during fermentation. I fermented at an ambient temp of around 75 with a fermenter temp most likely 10 degrees higher than that. The end result was some unpleasant flavors that took several months to mellow, but the batch was gone by the time it started to taste Ok. Ever since then I make sure my temps in the fermenter are in the low 60's and the beer has turned out great ever since.
homebrewdad
Well-Known Member
Welcome!
I recetly did an article that covers most of the typical questions we see here posted by newbies... it may be of some use to you. Check out Common Sense for Homebrewers.
Best of luck to you... this is a superb hobby, and the people at this particular forum are great.
I recetly did an article that covers most of the typical questions we see here posted by newbies... it may be of some use to you. Check out Common Sense for Homebrewers.
Best of luck to you... this is a superb hobby, and the people at this particular forum are great.
Getzinator
Well-Known Member
Hey, I'm new myself. I live opposite all you left coasters, but I'm jealous of some of the brews you guys have out there!
To be honest just googling around "How to Make Mead" led me here, and I started reading more and more. Found out my LHBS is less than a 20 minute drive, so I picked up a Brewers Best kit with the ingredients for an American Amber Ale. I think my biggest issue was not following all the advice to a T. Specifically, it's important to relax and enjoy the process. Sanitize thoroughly, and throw everything in the kettle. You'd be hard pressed to not make something that tastes a lot like good beer.
I sat on the floor and stared at my bubbling primary airlock for a good hour after I was finished the first brew.
Hope you find it as fun!
To be honest just googling around "How to Make Mead" led me here, and I started reading more and more. Found out my LHBS is less than a 20 minute drive, so I picked up a Brewers Best kit with the ingredients for an American Amber Ale. I think my biggest issue was not following all the advice to a T. Specifically, it's important to relax and enjoy the process. Sanitize thoroughly, and throw everything in the kettle. You'd be hard pressed to not make something that tastes a lot like good beer.
I sat on the floor and stared at my bubbling primary airlock for a good hour after I was finished the first brew.
Hope you find it as fun!
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
Few bullet items, from my 3 months and 6 batches. Good luck with your paper 
Clean and Sanitize. If unsure, repeat. Use Star-San and white buckets- the black dog hair shows up better then. The white hair, though...
For the first brew- consider just how long it takes to assemble a turkey fryer, especially when you're one bolt short.
Remember the basics. Like a 170 degree mash of flaked maize and flaked barley is great, but just muckling onto the bag to squeeze it is bound to be...well, hot. Really hot (it was about 40 degrees out, at that point).
Have a plan- doesn't have to be War and Peace, but at least a mental plan and a rudimentary checklist can help at the beginning.
Adapt and Improvise, when the plan hits a bump in the road
To parrot Sam Adams- Take pride in your beer!
Clean and Sanitize. If unsure, repeat. Use Star-San and white buckets- the black dog hair shows up better then. The white hair, though...
For the first brew- consider just how long it takes to assemble a turkey fryer, especially when you're one bolt short.
Remember the basics. Like a 170 degree mash of flaked maize and flaked barley is great, but just muckling onto the bag to squeeze it is bound to be...well, hot. Really hot (it was about 40 degrees out, at that point).
Have a plan- doesn't have to be War and Peace, but at least a mental plan and a rudimentary checklist can help at the beginning.
Adapt and Improvise, when the plan hits a bump in the road
To parrot Sam Adams- Take pride in your beer!
I am also new to brewing beer. Being in college I was used to mass consuming beer, but not good stuff. I'm talking about Keystone and Budlight. Last year I bought a kit online (Mr.Beer) and gave it to my brother to make while I was at school. When I eventually got home I was surprised how good it was. This year I randomly searched google for a good recipe to make and came across Popular Mechanics 10 best beers to make at home. For the next two weeks I read and read all about what I needed to do and searched the prices. Extract brewing seemed to be twice as expensive as all grain, yet all grain was a world more complicated. But I am a bio major, have taken chem and organic so I figured I could do it. I borrowed a pot (5 gal), bought the grains and a simple cheap cleanser. I made a 5 gal batch of an amber ale (easy I thought). However, I did not have a mash tun yet, no hydrometer, plastic water cooler for a fermenting container, and no experience ever. I used Nottingham Ale Yeast (dry) and it was violent and I woke up to beer all over my floor. I then learned how make a blow off system.Turns out I missed a step (sparging) and my 5 gallons of beer tasted...well like urine.
Now a few months later I have successfully made two more batches (Belgain Whites), harvested many jars of yeast, re-pitched from my own washed yeast, harvested yeast from bottles, built a mash tun, acquired a few large kettles, and have probably read hundreds of posts and articles. It is a very addicting hobby. Its worth it though, it opens you up to the world of beer. I just ran out of my own Belgian White in my fridge and am drinking a Miller 64. It's amazing how much better my own beer is.
So a few things a beginner needs to look out for: clean everything, let the fermenting do its thing (don't get worried), cool your wort with an ice bath, let it bottle condition for at least two weeks, start with extract recipes or kits, download Beersmith, and most importantly: don't skip steps. Good luck on your paper, I wish I had to write one on beer.
Now a few months later I have successfully made two more batches (Belgain Whites), harvested many jars of yeast, re-pitched from my own washed yeast, harvested yeast from bottles, built a mash tun, acquired a few large kettles, and have probably read hundreds of posts and articles. It is a very addicting hobby. Its worth it though, it opens you up to the world of beer. I just ran out of my own Belgian White in my fridge and am drinking a Miller 64. It's amazing how much better my own beer is.
So a few things a beginner needs to look out for: clean everything, let the fermenting do its thing (don't get worried), cool your wort with an ice bath, let it bottle condition for at least two weeks, start with extract recipes or kits, download Beersmith, and most importantly: don't skip steps. Good luck on your paper, I wish I had to write one on beer.
Hey man.. there is NOTHING like jumping in and giving it a go. A blonde would be a good starter. Ask questions at the store.. I'll bet the Chico HBS is a good one. Go over the list of instructions.. one on one with the person there, assuming they have a good knowledge of brewing.. and ask more questions. Some instruction sheets leave a lot to be desired.
That will provide more good info for your paper than you can imagine.
I'd also continue to ask "specific" questions here about the process before you begin.. but don't let that stop you from jumping in. If something goes wrong there is a lot of help both here and at the Chico store.
Cleanliness and Sanitation are extremely important. Be sure to ask at the LHBS about that or simply do a search using the button at the top of the screen. Reasonably consistent temps are important too. I put my fermenter in one of those large rope handled tubs (walmart, etc) and fill to the brew line with water. If too warm, add a bottle or two of frozen water and exchange as necessary. If too cold, an aquarium heater works well.
Bill in Healdsburg, CA
That will provide more good info for your paper than you can imagine.
I'd also continue to ask "specific" questions here about the process before you begin.. but don't let that stop you from jumping in. If something goes wrong there is a lot of help both here and at the Chico store.
Cleanliness and Sanitation are extremely important. Be sure to ask at the LHBS about that or simply do a search using the button at the top of the screen. Reasonably consistent temps are important too. I put my fermenter in one of those large rope handled tubs (walmart, etc) and fill to the brew line with water. If too warm, add a bottle or two of frozen water and exchange as necessary. If too cold, an aquarium heater works well.
Bill in Healdsburg, CA
Here is most of the information you need, already consolidated in published, public domain form:
www.howtobrew.com
www.howtobrew.com
stevehardt
Well-Known Member
Want to put my two cents in for the value of patience...it's one of the most inportant factors in brewing good beer. Give the yeast the time and space to do their thing and generally you get good beer. Rush it and the beer won't be as good. But patience is hard and most new brewers rush it and drink green beer. By the time the beer gets good its almost gone.
I started brewing with a Mr Beer kit I got from a Christmas gift card. Learned a lot, had fun, and made some very decent beer. Did more and more reding, and gradually added equipment as my budget allowed. Now i do extract full boils, and have done about 13 batches. To me, there is nothing more relaxing than making, drinking and sharing a beer I brewed myself. Its a great hobby!
Steve Hardt
Lakewood Ranch, FL
I started brewing with a Mr Beer kit I got from a Christmas gift card. Learned a lot, had fun, and made some very decent beer. Did more and more reding, and gradually added equipment as my budget allowed. Now i do extract full boils, and have done about 13 batches. To me, there is nothing more relaxing than making, drinking and sharing a beer I brewed myself. Its a great hobby!
Steve Hardt
Lakewood Ranch, FL
DaSocialGuy
Member
I have been brewing for a few months now and I love it. The thing I found out is that you just have to find your pattern. I started off with a simple kit that was pre hopped and everything. The beer was okay. I tried a kit that had steeping grains and your own hop additions and I fell in love. If you do extract thats the way to go. And there are so many different was to ferment and everyone is different. I like to use wyeast compared to dry yeast and when it ferments I leave it in my primary for about 10 to 14 days (depending on the yeast and temp), Then I rack it off into a secondary for about 2 weeks maybe longer for cleaning. At the end it seems like I have a more well rounded brew, with a higher ABV in the end. Right now I bottle my beer and I try it after 2 weeks then every week after that (dont forget to take notes during your whole process) I let it condition for a month and then enjoy. I also use beersmith 2 great program to have. Hope this helps and Cheer! and welcome to homebrewing.
I ain't retyping my introduction post from a few days ago
But I thought this was/is a pretty cool synopsis of my almost-one-year-brewing-knowledge. Kind of a twist on how it came to be that I now brew tandem or solo
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f29/he-tried-get-me-into-r-c-airplanes-but-322891/
But I thought this was/is a pretty cool synopsis of my almost-one-year-brewing-knowledge. Kind of a twist on how it came to be that I now brew tandem or solo
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f29/he-tried-get-me-into-r-c-airplanes-but-322891/
For me...
HBT and Google are your friends. I've spent dozens if not hundreds of hours reading and learning.
Before I started, I read the kit instructions dozens of times, and brewed this kit in my head over and over. The props and walk through at the LHBS helped, but it was still only CLEAR as MUD.
I made some mistakes on my first brew and you may too, but make sure you recognize and adjust on your next brew. Take notes !!
The experience of each brew day is the best lesson you'll get. For example, You'll find out how long it takes to heat your water to temp with your burner and your pot. You'll discover how to use your thermometer. You will better comprehend the basic steps, once you perform them yourself.
Get your feet wet, brew that beer and then do it again.
Have fun !
Iw shouts finished bottling my first batch. While xfereing to the bottling bucket the hose came out of the spigot and splashed a bunch into the bucket. bottled anyway but I'm sure it,s ruined. Learned a lesson, pay attention to what,s happening. I tried finishing up my prep while xfereing and screwed it all up.
