First Time Brewer In AK

[ddaronco]

First time home brewer. I am originally from Michigan but I am up in AK for work.

I received a home brew kit for Christmas and brewed my first batch of beer last night. I used a Brewcraft Rogue Dead Guy Ale kit with Wyeast 1338 and Wyeast nutrient. My LHBS was out of Pacman and won't get it until next week. I was too impatient to wait.

I have it fermenting in my basement at around 62 degrees. Already starting to see bubbles in the airlock. I also have my next beer picked out DogfishHead 60 Minute IPA, recipe courtesy of Yooper.

Already learned valuable lessons:

Don't start brewing your first batch at 9pm.

I don't think I need 5 gallons of sanitation solution 2.5 will work.

Have a plan to bring down the wort temp. Good thing I live in AK and have limitless amounts of snow to throw into my sink at 2 AM.

Wyeast smack pack inside pack does not go into the fermenter.

Hopefully it turns out well.

 

[smileyak87]

Which labs do you use? I'm in Palmer and always open to new brew stores

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[smileyak87]

Oops meant to say lhbs

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[ddaronco]

I'm in Fairbanks and I used Gavora's Fine Wine. It's a liquor store and it has a pretty good home brew section. There is also Gold Hill Liquor Store up here as well.

 

[dakine85]

Wow ak brewers on here if you guys have any questions just ask I'm one of the 2 breweries at the last frontier brewing co in wasilla

 

[dakine85]

Brewers*

 

[ddaronco]

dakine85,

Thanks. I am sure I will have a ton of questions. Just trying to stay simple at first and brew some great beer.

In your opinion what is the most important part of the brewing process?

 

[smileyak87]

Wow ak brewers on here if you guys have any questions just ask I'm one of the 2 breweries at the last frontier brewing co in wasilla

I love that place.

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[dakine85]

Clean if you think it hasn't been cleaned good enough clean it again

 

[dakine85]

Smileyak87,


I have some of the yeast we used for the hefe we made and when was the last time you were in

 

[snowblind5150]

You're off to a great start. My first batch wound up finishing about 2 AM as well, and that was just because I needed some sleep.

Have fun!

 

[smileyak87]

Smileyak87,


I have some of the yeast we used for the hefe we made and when was the last time you were in

Been a few weeks since I have been in there. May need to head over this weekend and eat some good food and have a beer.

My uncle Paul is in there at least 2-3 times a week though

 

[Cyclman]

Welcome to the hobby and the group, from CO.

 

[MindenMan]

So is the thing in some parts of AK, you can't buy alcohol but you can openly make your own? I am curious.

 

[ddaronco]

State law allows each village to decide on restrictions, and some boroughs may prohibit it altogether
Three terms describing Alaskan Villages:

A "Dry Village" bans both the sale and possession of alcohol.
A "Wet Village" permits both the sale and possession of alcohol.
A "Damp Village" permits possession of alcohol but bans the sale of it.
There is wide variation of restrictions placed on the possession and movement of alcohol in the "damp" villages, some villages permit residents to order alcohol from stores outside the ban area and have it shipped in, while other villages require the person owning the alcohol to personally bring the alcohol into their jurisdiction.

In 2007 a law also banned in possession of the ingredients to make alcohol. Mostly the combination of yeast and sugar in large amounts. This applies to the dry villages.

 

[dakine85]

We have a really nice RIS on tap