Enthusiastic neophyte

[SayWhat]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to brewing ethanol beverages, but have practiced lactic acid (and a bit of wild) fermentation for beverages and foods for the past few years. I've not familiarized myself with most of the specific terminology used in this field, but I should adapt pretty quickly. So, please cut me some slack on abbreviations and the like!

I've never drank alcohol recreationally, but for the past few months, I've been obsessed with beer. I read about and research beer constantly. I get enchanted by staring into beers, but I've never drank them -- had a few sips as a kid and hated it! I have always loved fermented products of all sorts, though! So, I plan on brewing my own! I have a specific experience designed in my head that I want, but I have no idea on how to attain it, so I'm beginning my quest for my dream brew experience. My membership here will provide a platform for both chronicling that journey and fellowship with likeminded people.

I hope to both reap and sow wisdom here! Thanks!

 

[ChefRex]

If you don't enjoy beer I'm not sure where the specific experience designed in your head that you want is destined for with out you explaining more, there are quite a few more fermented beverages being made on here as are there a lot of fermented foods.
Take a stroll around, ask questions and have fun!

 

[kmcrae]

Welcome to the forums!!! Check out the WIKI if you haven't done so already! https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/ There's gold in them thar hills!

I am a bit confused by what you are trying to achieve if you don't like the taste of beer, and yet want to brew it... What is your vision for a brew?

 

[SayWhat]

If you don't enjoy beer I'm not sure where the specific experience designed in your head that you want is destined for with out you explaining more, there are quite a few more fermented beverages being made on here as are there a lot of fermented foods.
Take a stroll around, ask questions and have fun!

Well, I haven't ever had beer! Maybe... 19 or 20 years ago was the last time that I had a sip of gramps' "beera" on the porch! But I do have a specific vision which I will share. Thanks! I'm going to stroll around the forum and learn the territory!

Welcome to the forums!!! Check out the WIKI if you haven't done so already! https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/ There's gold in them thar hills!

I am a bit confused by what you are trying to achieve if you don't like the taste of beer, and yet want to brew it... What is your vision for a brew?

Thanks! I hadn't checked the wiki before. Lots of bookmarking and article-clipping to ensue. I'm not sure if I don't like the taste. I just remember thinking that it tasted nasty when I would sip on family members' beers when I was about 3! Sittin' on the porch with Gramps! That's how most get started, right?

Here's a bit of background on how I have recently grown obsessed. I've always loved malted milk and other products made with malt, which lead to researching barley, its history, and its uses. Such an awesome little plant and how it's so engrained (Hey! Good one, huh?) in our culture. Everywhere! We, as a species, are so obsessed with grasses that we actually farm them in our yards. Logically, my interest quickly turned from bagels to beer! I've always loved bitter and sour flavors, ferments, and now I'm all barleyed-up, so I pay attention to beer commercial, notice all of the beer-related things that I've grown up seeing every day of my life -- right now I'm looking at 4 steins and 9 pilsners on the mantle and shelf. When I visit my grandmother, I see my departed grandfather's old beer mugs that he collected over the course of his 60 years of life, and see his old beer hats hanging up, retrospectively realizing that I had probably almost never seen either of my grandfathers without a beer in hand! Those old, rough, beer-stained moustaches will never be forgotten. My 2nd generation Irish-American grandfather lived a life of almost... "beer nationalism." My uncle drinks beer from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep. My favorite wrestler, Andre the Giant, was probably just as famous for his brew appetite as he was for his career. It's just a huge aspect of life that I've completely overlooked until now, and now I'm enamored.

There's a particular aroma, mouth-feel, taste, temperature, atmosphere, acoustic, belly-feel, and time in my life that I dream about every day. I think that a barley brew will provide it. I feel it coming every day

 

[northcal]

You may want to go to a bottle shop and pick up a mixed 6'er to see if there are any styles you like.

 

[b-boy]

Welcome.

I agree with northcal. Spend a little time trying different beers to make sure you really like beer. You should go to a beer store and pick up some different beers to try. Find something you like that you can try to make.

For someone new to beer I'd recommend something like a Saison, or maybe a Hefenweizen. They have interesting flavor profiles. I've found that people who don't enjoy beer that much tend to like these.

Since you like wild fermentations, you might want to try some sour beers. Usually, I wouldn't recommend them to a newbie, but you mentioned you like wild fermentation in foods.

From there you can branch out and try some other styles. There's a lot to choose from.

 

[northcal]

If you like malted stuff, maybe check out the German master's take on lagers? Spaten optimator, and the like.

Good stuff!

 

[Cyclman]

I enjoy fermenting as well, not just beer, but sourdough, kimchi, sauerkraut.

I would recommend you start with some delicious but lighter flavored craft beers- styles I would recommend include cream ale, blondes, wheats, witbier. If you enjoy those, try pilsner, kolsch, saison, maybe a pale ale. Great "starter" darker beers are Mild, dunkel, or dunkelwizen. At that point, you'll probably have adventured into hoppier, darker, or bigger beers.

Welcome to the group, and best luck in developing your beer appreciation!