With my little guy due in Feb, I've been training myself for late night, weeknight brewing. I usually get everything together the night before. I like Thursday night because I only have to make it through Friday and then I can catch up on the lost sleep. I can always find a hockey game to watch and have a couple beers. It's nice!
Any Midnight brewers?
- Thread starter Bartp
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Most of the time I get off of work at 3am. I have started brewing after work before. It was awesome.
devilbrewer75
Well-Known Member
I usually start around midnight or one am, it's the only time I know I'll not be disturbed.
nukinfuts29
Well-Known Member
Congrats! My little girl is due 3/1
dougdecinces
Well-Known Member
Before they changed my hours at work, I used to brew on weeknights. SWMBO works evenings and prefers to be out of the house when I'm brewing anyway. It worked out well. I'd start at 7:00 and get done around midnight.
Love midnite brewing!! I can just piddle in the basement and get absolutely nothing accomplished. I will bring my 2 kids down there about 8 or 9 and in about an hour they are ready for bed then i can turn on the radio and space out some more. Usually wrap up around 2 or so
In the summer, day time temps here make brewing a sweaty affair. I love to put a pot of coffee on at about 11pm and fire up the burner to get my mash water ready. Summer nights are so relaxing, and by the time I'm finished cleaning up, the sun is starting to break the horizon. Good times...
BrewingRugger
Well-Known Member
I use to brew at night. I work the overnight so I am use to being up at that time. while I was doing extract with steeping, but since switching to all-grain I try to wait until saturday morning.
theveganbrewer
Well-Known Member
I brew at night only because by the time I get everything organized it's 5PM and then it's dark by 6 now. I enjoy doing it most on Monday night because I can bring my laptop outside and watch MNF while I'm boiling. Hoping my starter is ready so I can get one in tomorrow night.
noodledancer77
Well-Known Member
Looks like most of us would trade sleep for brew!! My kids are 3 and 1, so late night during the week is my staple. My 3 year old helped me cap a few bottles the other day, so may with his increasing help I'll move to the weekends. I don't enjoy being up late, but something's gotta give.
I have only brewed where I finish up before 6:00 PM 3 times so far. With 2 kids I almost always have to wait until they are in bed for me to start brewing. This Sat I finished up at 9:30-10:00 and it felt really early for me.
jpoder
Well-Known Member
Given it looks like I will be midnight brewing for years to come (kids activities seem to be becoming more plentiful) I've been strongly considering building an electric brewery...at least then I can have my strike water at the correct temp as soon as I'm ready to go. That alone may shave 30-60 minutes off of an already late night.
On the few times I did late night brewing and had daddy duties, I let my mash in liquid get close to boiling earlier (e.g. around 7:30 or 8:00 pm) with almost the required amount and then just let it sit covered. Then, after bedtime, just go to the stove and add in some cold water (if it is too hot), or heat it up a bit if needed.
starrfish
Well-Known Member
neighbors new dog is being a PIMA I hesitate to be out there after 10 working since she barks & barks. but I may need a late night brew session this week.
meschaefer
Well-Known Member
All of my pilot batches (3 gallons) are done in the evening. Once the kid is asleep I can get started. Though I do tend to brew on Friday nights so that I don't have to worry about work the next morning.
Most of my 10 gallon batches are done in the morning, although I did brew a ten gallon batch last Friday night but that is not the norm.
Most of my 10 gallon batches are done in the morning, although I did brew a ten gallon batch last Friday night but that is not the norm.
CoalCracker
Well-Known Member
Ive done one midnight brew, while it was fun, we finished at like 230am. I was beat. Cleaned up the next morning. I prefer getting up early and starting, while enjoying a coffee. End up enjoying a beer cleaning up around noon. Going to do a double batch saturday. Plan on getting up and starting about 7. Drink my coffee till about 11 then start the beer. Going to be a great day!
Funny, I've done two midnight brews and did not enjoy it one bit. By the time I've cooled and pitched I want nothing but sleep. Cleaning up just seems...dreadful.
I like to start by 9AM, 10AM at the latest, on Sunday morning. That way I'm cleaned up, yeast has been pitched, I've got a nice buzz from the homebrew, and it's still early in the afternoon. Then I can enjoy the rest of my day, meet up with friends, etc, all the while avoiding any type of "rush to finish" feelings.
I like to start by 9AM, 10AM at the latest, on Sunday morning. That way I'm cleaned up, yeast has been pitched, I've got a nice buzz from the homebrew, and it's still early in the afternoon. Then I can enjoy the rest of my day, meet up with friends, etc, all the while avoiding any type of "rush to finish" feelings.
EricCSU
Well-Known Member
I'm at the opposite end. I usually start at 0400. Too hot otherwise.
Eric
Eric
Tizzomes
Well-Known Member
Midnight brewing is the way to go! !
I have a 1 year old son and another due in May. It seems like every weekend we have something planed.So Saturday night my son is in bed, its about 8:30 and my wife could care less what the hell I'm doing at this point. I usually wait till the mash is over till I have my first beer.....usually..
I have a 1 year old son and another due in May. It seems like every weekend we have something planed.So Saturday night my son is in bed, its about 8:30 and my wife could care less what the hell I'm doing at this point. I usually wait till the mash is over till I have my first beer.....usually..
^^ This. i'm a morning brewer, also. going to do a hefe and a bmc (for the neighbors for new years) this weekend. serving up an alt, a hefe, and a bmc for the wimps for a new years eve party
Just as most people with kids stated night time is a great time to fire up the burner as the kids nod off. I only brew once a month so I do two 5 gallon batches to keep myself occupied for the month and to keep my friends hydrated. On the 16th a smash saison with sorachi ace and a wee heavy are scheduled to go down. I usually mash in with 30 min left in the first boil so I can keep the flow going. My wife is kind enough to let me sleep in the next morning and sometimes nap when the kids are. Come to think of it I bottle/keg/rack to secondaries at night too.
SittingDuck
Well-Known Member
Yup. Cooling a batch right now. Kids go to bed, I brew. A few weeks later, the kids go to bed, and I bottle. Then I start again!
I've tried that midnight mashing before, and it's just not for me. I like to start by 0500 and be completely cleaned up well before noon. In the summer, it's a necessity. On a cold winter day I might wait until sunup to get started.
NewbieMan5000
Member
I've been finding my self doing this as of lately. Just brewed up 10 gallons in the past 2 days.
I've been doing under the stars though, over a fire. I'm beginning to like it a lot more.
I've been doing under the stars though, over a fire. I'm beginning to like it a lot more.
My current schedule is begin starter Thursday night, mash in at 730, Friday,.bathe kids, do bedtime, begin vorlauf at 8: 45.
I do 6 gallon ag batches on my kitchen cook top, so heating up water and getting sweet wort up to boil suck up a lot of time. I pitch at about 2am.
Wouldn't change a thing except moving to a big burner in my garage soon.
I do 6 gallon ag batches on my kitchen cook top, so heating up water and getting sweet wort up to boil suck up a lot of time. I pitch at about 2am.
Wouldn't change a thing except moving to a big burner in my garage soon.
