another hello from IL

[Panther1911]

I'm very new to HB. I am still gathering equipment I am hoping to brew my first batch early next week (July 6th or 7th).

I plan on staring with canned malt extract brews such as coopers and over a year or so work my way up to all grain.

I am from the north west burbs (Carol Stream, near wheaton).

Does any one here ever go to the HBS in Warrenville or St. Chalres? Anyone happen to know if they have pre-hopped canned coopers?

 

[sethful]

welcome to Illinois Brewing!
Unfortunately, I am down south (of I-80) and haven't been to any of the places up there. When I order supplies, I typically go through Midwest Supplies (Home wine making supply and home brew supply available on-line at Midwest Homebrewing Supplies. Search for wine recipes and beer recipes) out of Minnesota. They are efficient and reasonably priced. I typically get my stores about 3 days later, so I can't complain.

Also, I've had a buddy buy kits off of the northern brewer (northernbrewer.com) and he liked their service / kit as well.

G'luck on the first brew!

 

[rarjr]

welcome to the forum!
good luck on your first brew!

 

[arturo7]

Hey Panther, welcome to HBT.

Stay away from those pre-hopped extracts if you can. Adding your own hops allows you another variable with which to work.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

I agree don’t bother with the pre-hopped if you are going to do that then just buy a Mr. Beer kit online. I have never been to the Home Brew Shop in St. Charles but I have heard of it and I am sure they will have everything you will need.

But I would suggest if you don’t mind the drive to try Fox Valley Home Brew in Aurora. They have a great selection and they have two beer guys that know a butt load about brewing. I’m out in Elmhurst and I take the drive every other month just to pick their brains. They also have a brew club and have monthly tastings and trading so you can connect with others.

Also you can try Brew And Grow in Roselle. The have a large selection and lots of knowledge but some days they have beer guys other they have growers on hand so for both locations I would call first and see when the beer guys are in so you can ask some questions.

I started out using extract and steeping grains and never had any problems and am very happy with every beer that I brewed besides the Mr. Beer kit my friend got. I am definitely glad I started out using extract and grains or I may have just given up! Then I went to partial mash and now I just ordered my all grain kit. So it took 6 months for me to go from extract to grain. Once you start you will see how easy it really is and you will just take off!

Best of luck!


PS, If you do work you way up to keg’s and take the trip out to Aurora bring your empty keg to Walter Payton’s Roundhouse they will fill a 5gal keg for $35! They have a great Chocolate Beer that I get every few months.

 

[Panther1911]

I know there is alot of hate for pre-hopped kits, but for my first batch i want to take as many variables out as possible.

 

[mklawz]

I work at the St. Charles shop. Yes, we have some Coopers cans.

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome

 

[Panther1911]

I work at the St. Charles shop. Yes, we have some Coopers cans.

You guys have any of the coopers lager (ore-hopped can) in-stock? Is it true that you guys are closed this week?

 

[mklawz]

Im almost positive we have the lager kit, but its always a good idea to call first.

Yes, the shop is closed until next Tuesday. July is typically a slow month, so the shop owner makes the week of July 4th his annual vacation. Stop in on Tuesday and we will be glad to get you up and running. I personally will be there in the late afternoon / evening.

Cheers!

 

[Panther1911]

thanks everyone for the help so far and all the welcomes.

Today I went to the store in Aurora, Warrenville, and Roselle.

I live in Carol Stream, go to college in Aurora, and had an errand in Roselle.

The one in Aurora (Fox Valley Home Brew) was ok, it had alot of stuff and the lady was really nice but didnt know much about brewing.

The one in Warrenville(brewers coop inside two brothers) was pretty tiny and had a very limited selection of stuff. I had to go into the pub/eatery to get help in there.

The one in Roselle (Brew and Grow) was pretty cool. Prices seemed pretty good, and selection was pretty good, and the one guy I was talking to seemed like her knew alot about brewing.

 

[mklawz]

yep, that is my only problem with the Aurora shop. Its a decent enough store, but there is never a beer-person there when I go. They seem to be all wine makers.

The shop at Two Bros seems to be like a red-headed step-child over there. They arent sure what to do with it. I was told recenctly, however, that they are going to start keeping it better stocked.

check out the St. Charles shop next week. We are straight down Rte 64 from you. I guarantee that you will think its the best shop of all of them.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

yep, that is my only problem with the Aurora shop. Its a decent enough store, but there is never a beer-person there when I go. They seem to be all wine makers.

Yea I think the beer guys are only in on Fridays and Sundays or something thats why I always call now since the wine people really cant help.

 

[rarjr]

thanks everyone for the help so far and all the welcomes.

Today I went to the store in Aurora, Warrenville, and Roselle.

I live in Carol Stream, go to college in Aurora, and had an errand in Roselle.

The one in Aurora (Fox Valley Home Brew) was ok, it had alot of stuff and the lady was really nice but didnt know much about brewing.

The one in Warrenville(brewers coop inside two brothers) was pretty tiny and had a very limited selection of stuff. I had to go into the pub/eatery to get help in there.

The one in Roselle (Brew and Grow) was pretty cool. Prices seemed pretty good, and selection was pretty good, and the one guy I was talking to seemed like her knew alot about brewing.

I usually buy all my items in bulk, but when I need something quick I go to roselle.

Great staff and fair prices

 

[Panther1911]

yep, that is my only problem with the Aurora shop. Its a decent enough store, but there is never a beer-person there when I go. They seem to be all wine makers.

The shop at Two Bros seems to be like a red-headed step-child over there. They arent sure what to do with it. I was told recenctly, however, that they are going to start keeping it better stocked.

check out the St. Charles shop next week. We are straight down Rte 64 from you. I guarantee that you will think its the best shop of all of them.

I would have been there yesterday if you guys were open. I have been hearing good things about it. I can't wait to check it out. The only thing I need to start the first batch is a can of coopers with the pre-hopped malt extract and yeast.

How are the prices in the St. Charles store?

 

[mklawz]

I think you will find the prices very comparable to the other shops. Ive only been to the Aurora and Warrenville shops, cant speak for the Brew n Whatevers. I can tell you one thing for sure - you wont find a better selection of hops and yeast anywhere else. The stock of yeast at Aurora is poor and the stock of hops at Warrenville is non-existent. At least it was the last time I went.

As for the prices of the Coopers cans, I honestly could not tell you off the top of my head, and dont want to guess.

 

[Panther1911]

I think you will find the prices very comparable to the other shops. Ive only been to the Aurora and Warrenville shops, cant speak for the Brew n Whatevers. I can tell you one thing for sure - you wont find a better selection of hops and yeast anywhere else. The stock of yeast at Aurora is poor and the stock of hops at Warrenville is non-existent. At least it was the last time I went.

As for the prices of the Coopers cans, I honestly could not tell you off the top of my head, and dont want to guess.

Yep, thats all true what you say about the places above. And for my question about prices I ment in the store over all not necessarily for the coopers cans. Thanks for all your info. I will have to come and see you on Tuesday afternoon. What time do you start?

 

[mklawz]

Yep, thats all true what you say about the places above. And for my question about prices I ment in the store over all not necessarily for the coopers cans. Thanks for all your info. I will have to come and see you on Tuesday afternoon. What time do you start?

I will be there Tue and Wed from about 4-7pm. But there are always very knowledgeable brewers there all the time.

Have a good weekend!

 

[Panther1911]

Thanks, You too. Hope to see you on Tuesday!

 

[Panther1911]

mklawz, I had a break in my day so I went around noon. I'll see you the next time I stop in. The store seemed well stocked and prices were pretty good. I did end up getting a can of Coopers Lager.

I hope to start brewing tonight!

 

[mklawz]

Thats cool, thanks for letting me know. Drop me a line the next time you are in.

Let me know how the beers turns out. The others are right though, start thinking about a 5g system and using non-hopped extracts and adding your own hops. The results will be more impressive. You will do fine though.

 

[Panther1911]

started the first batch last evening around dinner time. I used the coopers lager kit and abouot 2.5lbs of corn sugar, made about 5gal. This morning when I woke up I went to check on it and the airlock was bubbling nicely.

 

[Panther1911]

Thats cool, thanks for letting me know. Drop me a line the next time you are in.

When are you going to be in this weekend or early next week?

I'd like to come in and ask a few questions and possibly get a better bottle.

ETA: Do you guys carry the safale dry yeasts?

 

[mklawz]

I actually wont be back in there until next Tuesday and Wednesday. Im taking Saturday off for the Cubs/Cards game Everyone working over the weekend knows their stuff though.

We carry just about all of the Safale, Saflager, and Safbrew yeasts. I use them all the time and will this weekend too.

 

[Panther1911]

mklawz,

what hours are you working tuesday and wednesday?

 

[Sagan]

+1 for the Saint Charles shop. I grew up in Geneva IL. One of the best shops I've been to by far.

Good luck on future brews.

 

[Panther1911]

I bottled my first batch last night!!! Can't wait to drink!