Former Home Brewer...On the fence about coming back.

[Sacdan]

If you are looking for some free homebrew stuff, look at This Thread starting November 1st.

 

[limulus]

webstaurantstore.com has decent prices on aluminum stock pots. Alot of people cut the top out of a 15.5 gallon keg and boil in that... it is great!

I have some of each. Get that and a propane burner and rock it outside.

Or if you are a little DIY savvy, go electric in one of those coolers for an HLT and maybe an electric boil kettle...

My old system that I sold had two kegs. I just remembered I also had a really nice filtering system and a lot of yeast culturing stuff. Since that is gone, I'll just get a 40qt brew pot and use those two coolers. I think I will buy a 2200w submersible heater.

 

[Homercidal]

That's the spirit!

Some of them on here have some pretty nice brewing systems, but most of us are turkey fryers and plastic buckets. (unless you are brewing on your stove...)

Some of that stuff will help your beer, but mostly it's the ingredients and process that will make the biggest difference. And practice!

It's time to get back on that horse and go for a wild ride!

 

[limulus]

Well Lads, I did it. I ordered the equipment needed to start this hobby again. I just need to decide what to brew for the return. I had the Sammy Seasonal tonight and somehthing like that would be a good return. A good pale ale would also be just fine wiht me.

 

[kryznic]

so you can clean and boil with old kegs? I have access to some used kegs for free, that could cut costs.

 

[Homercidal]

so you can clean and boil with old kegs? I have access to some used kegs for free, that could cut costs.

Many people here cut the tops off of old kegs and use them for brewing; Boiling, mashing, etc.

I found an old beat up one that I *might* end up using if I can clean it up and get it to sit flat.

There is a warning about the bottom ring blowing up if you have one and it doesn't have a way for the expanding air to escape. Check the top of the equipment page for the link for better explanation. I'm not handy enough yet to figure out how to link that thread.

 

[kryznic]

cool thank you!

 

[limulus]

Things just got even better: I discovered that I still have a brand new pump and speed control that I purchased from Grainger probably 15yrs ago. I also still have the Johnson Controls thermostat that I used in a chest freezer.

My first two brews are scheduled for next week...if all the equipment gets here. Most arrives today and tomorrow. The new chiller arrives next Wed. I am going to brew an extract/mash batch first using DeathBrewer's bag method and then his all grain banana bread beer will be second. I sold all my kegging stuff years ago, but will have 6 Tap-A-Draft bottles for these two batches.

 

[limulus]

My new brew 40 Qt aluminum pot came today ($39.99)

This is a AAA battery on the rim to show the thickness:

 

[DrinksWellWithOthers]

See now you've got some shiny stuff to show off!

Most of our stuff is ugly, though the more we drink the prettier it gets.

 

[Yankeehillbrewer]

My new brew 40 Qt aluminum pot came today ($39.99)

This is a AAA battery on the rim to show the thickness:

You probably know this already, but just in case. Don't forget to boil some water in that new pot before you use it brew. That will get it conditioned with a nice, black oxide layer.

And welcome back!!

 

[ReeseAllen]

EdWort's Haus Pale Ale is a favorite. Easy to brew and enjoyable by all.

 

[jmlabeck]

Just for the record. I've been brewing for over twenty years (all extract) using a 5-gal pasta pot and a plastic water bottle from K-Mart. I've made a coffee stout, a blueberry porter, a really nice IPA, countless others, and I'm planning my next beer to be a vanilla oatmeal blond ale.

That's what I love about this hobby. It can be as simple or insanely complex as you want.