Damn, this hobby is CRAZY!

[rambler]

Damn i can identify with the feeling of this thread, I've been enjoying a good run of some very succesful beers and am really gettin fired up(pun intended) about going pro again. My little town doesnt have a brewpub and these people can knock down some beer.

Its good to see someone else catch the fever. The more homebrewers out there the better. I dream about the day when Anheuser Busch runs out of kegs because all the homebrewers have cut them up for keggles!

 

[remilard]

Started with the deluxe kit from Northern Brewer, and an American Wheat Extract kit.

Decided extract wasn't cool enough, and built a mash tun. Last Saturday was first brew day and did the American Wheat, which I plan to dry hop, and an AG Stone Clone. It was awesome!

I'm now totally hooked and I haven't even tried my own beer yet!

I have already purchased a freezer and all the components to build a keezer, 3 kegs, and all kinds of brewing equipment.

I've spent several hours a night for the last three weeks researching recipes, equipment, and styles.

$1200 dollars later, and I haven't even drank a sip of my brew!

Did this happen to any of you?

I like your style.

Assuming you KC guys aren't in a club and you want to look into one there will be a bunch of KC Bier Meisters members at the AHA Big Brew Day behind Bacchus and Barleycorn Saturday after next (see the B&B website or the KCBM website for the time). If you like us we have our Maifest party the next weekend. I believe you have to join the club to attend or go as someone's date. The club year starts in May so everyone pays that day.

 

[KCBigDog]

What does this represent? pics are way cool...Post them...

I really hope you like this hobby or else some lucky brewer is kcmo is going to end up with 1200 dollars worth of brew equipment for about half that.

Welcome.

I'm pretty sure I love it. My wife is currently designing my brewery logo!

 

[KCBigDog]

I started with a turkey burner and a 4 gallon pot doing extract batches with no fermentation control and topping off with tap water. After 3 extract batches I made the jump to all grain and built my first cart complete with a pump, chiller, and three keggles. Got myself a fermentation fridge and temperature controller. Shortly there after I got into kegging and stopped bottling my beers. I thought it was over..... and then I wanted to automate my system. Six months and lots of moola later I'm happier than a pig in sh!t. Started tweaking water profiles and taking pH readings several times throughout my brew days, getting more into the science behind beer and making my first couple of lagers. Sometimes on brew days I just sit down with a cold beer and admire my rig. I think about all the learning that came with the build and all the hardwork that I put into it (Aside from the welding of the cart). And, of course, I think about how I would do things differently the next time around. I think it's over.......... for now............

I'm speechless, that is totally amazing!!!!

 

[KCBigDog]

I'm in same exact situation as you (even live in KC). I'm waiting on my first stout to be done and I'm itching to get a 7.2 freezer and keg set up. I know SWMBO will freak out though. I got a IPA in the secondary for her and I'm hoping I can use that to convince her I need a upgrade....

Did you go to the Stone release at the Saucer? 14 anniversary, BELGO, Bourbon Barreled Porter, etc., etc....

I wasn't able to make it, but am drinking a Ruination right now!

 

[KCBigDog]

I like your style.

Assuming you KC guys aren't in a club and you want to look into one there will be a bunch of KC Bier Meisters members at the AHA Big Brew Day behind Bacchus and Barleycorn Saturday after next (see the B&B website or the KCBM website for the time). If you like us we have our Maifest party the next weekend. I believe you have to join the club to attend or go as someone's date. The club year starts in May so everyone pays that day.

I'm going to try to make that, but its my wedding anniversary... Cool thing is that she has already requested my next brew. She had a blueberry wheat last year and has been wanting another one ever since.

 

[jstuts2260]

I'm totally jealous. I started brewing back in October. I've managed to brew up 2 batches minimum a month since I switched to All Grain. I just love the process, the tweaking you can always do as well as the limitless options you have. Which can be a problem for my beer ADD. I rent and live with the SWMBO, therefore have not gotten a kegerator. How she hasn't agreed with my "we won't have a ****-ton of bottles everywhere" argument I don't know.

Sooo glad Stone came to Missouri. Had it when I was in Dallas about a year ago, and I'm enjoying the Ruination now as I wait for my double IPA to catch up to my drinking.

 

[mrk00k]

I am just as obsessed, unfortunately much more poor. I keep thinking about all the stuff I want to buy, but I don't have the money. In a few month's I'll have the money for a few more things. The question is what? Probably gonna start with a kegging setup.

 

[DizzyPants]

Good stuff. I have gone from simple extract to full all grain 10 gallon batches in about two years. Gotta move slow when the wife is watching the checkbook.

 

[Redwiggler]

I drank nothing but bush light for 15 years, got a Mr. beer for christmas, brewed 2 beers and was addicted. Went from Mr. beer to all-grain and love it. I've spent just as much money but with the help of a brew partner. Haven't drank a bush light (and will never again) in 5 months. And the best part is, I've lost 20lbs, which I like to contribute to drinking good beer!!

 

[Hagelslag]

I like your style.

Assuming you KC guys aren't in a club and you want to look into one there will be a bunch of KC Bier Meisters members at the AHA Big Brew Day behind Bacchus and Barleycorn Saturday after next (see the B&B website or the KCBM website for the time). If you like us we have our Maifest party the next weekend. I believe you have to join the club to attend or go as someone's date. The club year starts in May so everyone pays that day.

I would be interested in that club. I can't do it this weekend but keep me posted if you guys meet up again or let me know how to join.

There is also the Parkville Microbrew fest going on this weekend.

http://parkvillemicrobrewfest.eventbrite.com/

So much drinking, so little time....

 

[pietro75]

I drank nothing but bush light for 15 years, got a Mr. beer for christmas, brewed 2 beers and was addicted. Went from Mr. beer to all-grain and love it. I've spent just as much money but with the help of a brew partner. Haven't drank a bush light (and will never again) in 5 months. And the best part is, I've lost 20lbs, which I like to contribute to drinking good beer!!

I have a similar story. I Drank Coors lt. and Keystone Lt. for 15 years and pick up a Mr. Beer kit and then had to make the jump to a 5 gallon kit and so on. I brewed a couple good batches of beer and also have lost 27lbs. since I quit swilling da Coors! haha! I also contribute it to drinking my own good beer and a I can't leave out SN Torpedo.

 

[Redwiggler]

I have a similar story. I Drank Coors lt. and Keystone Lt. for 15 years and pick up a Mr. Beer kit and then had to make the jump to a 5 gallon kit and so on. I brewed a couple good batches of beer and also have lost 27lbs. since I quit swilling da Coors! haha! I also contribute it to drinking my own good beer and a I can't leave out SN Torpedo.

Awesome! I thought it was just me. I think we should wright a book.
"Drink Good Beer and Lose Weight" We could retire and brew all the beer we want. HAha. Let me dream!!!!!

 

[pietro75]

Awesome! I thought it was just me. I think we should wright a book.
"Drink Good Beer and Lose Weight" We could retire and brew all the beer we want. HAha. Let me dream!!!!!

That is so funny, My wife, Trista said I should write a book "The beer drinkers diet"

 

[Kyricus]

It can't completely suck. You made it. And, the best part of doing it yourself is you get to get better at it and see the progression of your beer. I am not sure if you are going to bottle at all, but I am now, just to be able to save them and taste them a few years from now.

^^ This.

It's why I think I'm going to stay with bottling. I can try and hide some from myself this way, and have them a long way down the road.

 

[remilard]

I would be interested in that club. I can't do it this weekend but keep me posted if you guys meet up again or let me know how to join.

There is also the Parkville Microbrew fest going on this weekend.

http://parkvillemicrobrewfest.eventbrite.com/

So much drinking, so little time....

Oh yeah Parkville. KCBM will have a tent, the club president (Jim) will be doing a brewing demo. My wife and I are both officers. We'll spend some time at the club booth but we also got roped into pouring for some St. Louis breweries.

 

[Vongo]

Which Parkville ?

 

[KCBigDog]

Parkville, Missouri

 

[lumpher]

it'll be better than any commercial beer. you'll get spoiled on homebrew