Greetings from Kansas

[KSMICT]

I have been interested in this hobby for years, but there never seems to be the right combonation of Time/Money/Space, I almost always have one, sometimes two, but to have all three at once! wow.

I would really like to keg, bottling seems like a big PITA and I prefer draft anyway. My biggest interest is actually in hard lemonades and cider, but I kind of feel like I should learn to brew before diving off into these side projects. (Not a big deal as a frosty Pale Ale sounds tasty any time).

 

[RichBrewer]

Welcome to HBT.
You will find this place informative and entertaining.

 

[loopmd]

Welcome to HBT.
You will find this place informative and entertaining.

And sometimes more entertaining then informative!


loop

 

[BierMuncher]

Welcome. Nothing beats a fresh drawn beer and hard cider off the tap is absolutely awesome.

You'll find a bunch of brewers here who have some bottles or a keg or two of cider on hand.

 

[KSMICT]

Have a local Micro Brew (http://www.littleapplebrewery.com/) which has an unbelievable pale ale that I would love to duplicate (or surpass in my wildest fantasies)

I think the brewmasters would be helpful with general info, maybe even more.

anyway, I ended up here looking for a Hard lemonade recipie, The corn based refreshment we have been drinking is not well recieved by SWMBO. So I am loooking for something which would satisfy her, but while looking I started thinking about the wonderful brews I enjoy @ Little Apple Brewery (Not a fan of store bought beer, gives me gas and makes me feel bloated) and realized that beer isn't what I dislike, it's B.S. beer I hate. anyway, if she will permit me to spend the $$$ I will be happy to play with different recipies and see if I can come close to replicating the mikes hard she wants, mayby come close to that pale ale I love so much, and delve into hard cider and raspberry wine.

I know, High and mighty goals for a newbie, but I really don't plan on tackling this all at once, or even in a short period of time, consider this my long term goal list.

Any help would be appreciated....

 

[NYeric]

Boy never really thouht about it.....BUt if I could come close to Mikey's cranberry lemonaid...I would be in good graces for a long time,,,,

 

[cweston]

KSMICT,

Are you in Manhattan? If so, we are neighbors.

Welcome to the board and to the world's greatest hobby.

 

[KSMICT]

Not Manhattan but close, I live in Wamego.

I knew there had to be someone close who was into this. As far as local shops go, do you have any experience with Ale 'n Vino in Topeka? Also, think there is any chance that Little Apple Brewery would be of any use (ingredients ect?)

 

[cweston]

Not Manhattan but close, I live in Wamego.

I knew there had to be someone close who was into this. As far as local shops go, do you have any experience with Ale 'n Vino in Topeka? Also, think there is any chance that Little Apple Brewery would be of any use (ingredients ect?)

I very rarely visit that store in Topeka. Mostly if I happen to be in town and there's something I need. I'll look at their yeast selection (since mail ordering yeast in the summer heat can be dicey.) I order all my supplies from Austin Homebrew Supply, Northern Brewer, or Morebeer.com. The cleaniliness of that store is questionable--it has reeked of cat pee a couple times I've been in there. (Yes, a cat lives in the store.)

I've never enquired at Little Apple but keep meaning to. There is a club in Manhattan (little apple brew crew)--I've never been to any of their meetings because they meet on Monday nights and I teach a class on Monday nights.

 

[KSMICT]

Thanks for the info on the shop in topeka, I'll be careful and re-think some things.

This is the frst I have heard of a group in Manhattan, I'll have to look more into that, Thanks

 

[KSMICT]

Ok, I went to the LHBS yesterday, and picked up the last few supplies I need.

And I decided on a 'Brewer's Best' partial mash IPA

As you mentioned, it was not an impressive shop, but everything looked clean, and the kit is in a sealed box...

Anyway I hope to get all of my equipment organized today and make sure I have what I need, and will start this batch this afternoon or Sun after work.

Thanks for all the support.