Cost

[crowdent]

Have any of you seen "beer wars" on netflixs? Really neat movie

 

[PAjwPhilly]

The two books I would recommend are: How to Brew by John Palmer and The Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian.

Is there really any difference between the two? I was lead to believe one was simplified (joy) and both are introductory books for beginning.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Is there really any difference between the two? I was lead to believe one was simplified (joy) and both are introductory books for beginning.

No major differences. I liked How to Brew more myself, but both are good reads and both miss some small things.

 

[rklinck]

Is there really any difference between the two? I was lead to believe one was simplified (joy) and both are introductory books for beginning.

I don't have them in front of me so it is hard to answer completely. They are both geared to beginners and they have different tones. I read them both and enjoyed them both. I tend to like repetition to learn but can't bring myself to read a book more than once, so it may have just been that reading them both was my version of repetition here (in law school I tended to buy and read multiple study guides for precisely this reason). I do feel that one of the real values of Papazian is that he stresses: relax, don't worry, have a homebrew. I think that helped me to stay calm and not freak out about every little oddity that came up (e.g., all the "help I think my beer is infected" posts).

 

[helibrewer]

One thing to consider is "How am I going to heat/boil 3-7 gallons of liquid?" If you are limited to stove top is it gas or electric? Are the burners close enough to use 2 burners under a single pot?

If you are able to boil outside using propane on a "turkey fryer" or similar large burner then that is a potential additional cost.

In your reading you will come across "full boil" and "partial boil" processes. Partial boil allows you to boil smaller volumes and add the remaining water after the boil process. Full boils need to accomodate 7+ gallons of liquid and are easiest with a 10+ gallon pot...full boils generally require large burners, outside, using propane/natural gas.

Consider your process, it's limitations with regard to your living arrangement (house, condo, small apt.) before gathering too much hardware.

Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions here if you are unsure about choices in equipment, just be sure to provide a lot of detail

 

[PAjwPhilly]

I freaked out on my first 5 gallons (I did 2 5gallon batches for repetition) and the 2nd 5 gallons I was fine....

so I completely understand about freaking out

 

[unionrdr]

Hey,it doesn't stop there. I was the same way with my 1st partial mash ale. Midwest's pm cascade pale ale kit. With premium dry yeast it was only $25! But I was freaking inside like a noob. Nordeastbrewer77 had to talk mr down like I just took the controls of a 767. Kinda like Megadeath's "sweating bullets". "yeah yeah,just keep on thinkin it's my fault...& stay an inch or two outta kicking distance". Dang mash temps...

 

[sok454]

I would say Palmer's book helped me w the basic concepts. The 4 batches I have done have either been ones I've created or ones I have modified from this Forum. I have yet to do a full boil, but that is my next step and then probably a partial mash.
As everyone has said you can spend as much as you want... or as little (within reason). My biggest fail was the fact my cousin (R.I.P.) brewed for 10 years and had all sorts of stuff for AG brewing and after he died his family got rid of it about 6 months before I started brewing! In fact my first beer was in his honor!

 

[crowdent]

I have seen AG brewing all over. What does AG mean "all Grain" ?

 

[sok454]

Yes

 

[masterfool101]

I have seen AG brewing all over. What does AG mean "all Grain" ?

All Grain means you are getting your malt by mashing your own grains, as opposed to using a malt extract (either Liquid - LME or Dry - DME)

 

[twalte]

One thing to consider is "How am I going to heat/boil 3-7 gallons of liquid?" If you are limited to stove top is it gas or electric? Are the burners close enough to use 2 burners under a single pot?

Great point. It's much cheaper to start in the kitchen, and you can get a 22 quart stainless stock pot at WalMart for $59. Play with the starter kits and add water to your finished wort to get your volume up to 5 gallons in your fermenter.

You will likely find a use for that 22 quart pot if you decide to step up to a large brew kettle and burner (just for heating additional water if you go all grain, or using it to sterilize mason jars if you start culturing yeast, or use it indoors to experiment with 1-2 gallon batches which I think is a lot of fun).

You can start very affordably before you decide to jump in and buy the bigger equipment as long as you can heat 3 gallons of water on your stove.

 

[Catfish1320]

If your asking could you buy cheaper then you can brew, you have to compare apples to apples. You can go buy Budweiser cheaper then you can brew a like for, but I can brew good Nut Brow Ale cheaper then say a case of Sammy Smith. However if the primary goal is to save $$, you might be disappointed.

 

[Pommy]

If your asking could you buy cheaper then you can brew, you have to compare apples to apples. You can go buy Budweiser cheaper then you can brew a like for, but I can brew good Nut Brow Ale cheaper then say a case of Sammy Smith. However if the primary goal is to save $$, you might be disappointed.

This. It's a hell of a lot cheaper if you want to drink good beer and you enjoy making it yourself, it's not worth the time or effort if you are just looking for a cheap buzz.

 

[masterfool101]

If your asking could you buy cheaper then you can brew, you have to compare apples to apples. You can go buy Budweiser cheaper then you can brew a like for, but I can brew good Nut Brow Ale cheaper then say a case of Sammy Smith. However if the primary goal is to save $$, you might be disappointed.

LOL. I read a quote on here somewhere that said "Getting into brewing to save money on beer is like buying a boat to save money on fish"

 

[twalte]

LOL. I read a quote on here somewhere that said "Getting into brewing to save money on beer is like buying a boat to save money on fish"

Very true...but some people try. I enjoyed the post from the guy who brewed 5 gallons for $7.00

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/7-brew-368716/

This hobby reminds me of my friends who golf and have to purchase the latest and greatest clubs. Can they golf a great game with a basic set of clubs, yes? Do the latest gadgets really improve their game??? Not really. But it makes them happy....so I say go for it.

 

[sok454]

LOL. I read a quote on here somewhere that said "Getting into brewing to save money on beer is like buying a boat to save money on fish"

Love that quote... man that is almost female-ish logic... Oh its on sale so I'll by more... and go broke saving money!

 

[crowdent]

I don't care much for cost of buzz, I was looking for a cost of doing this hobby that is all. Of course I could go buy a 6 pack of "water" beer and be happy but I really want to make my own.

 

[unionrdr]

Well,the boat can save you money on fish in the long run. Here on Lake Erie anyway. The American side is grossly overfished,so you have to go out to this string of old tire reefs we paid to have made out our old tires. The army core of engineers gets a real workout inn these parts. Schools of yellow & white pearch,& white bass are generally out on those reefs,about a mile. cheaper to catch a crap ton than by at,like walleye,$16/lb.
And that 20-22QT kettle can easilly do partial boil,partial mash biab,which I do in my 20 QT (5G). The 16QT (4G) is great for a HLT. And my aftermarket elec burners heat up way faster to boot.