Hello from Omaha, NE!

[dawn_kiebawls]

Hey guys, and gals! I am new to brewing but am already obsessed! I'm even contemplating giving up my labor job to go back to school for Food Science and learn as much as I can about those funny little ethanol secreting friends of ours.

I got my first exposure to brewing about a year ago when I visited a brother of mine in Arizona and helped him brew an IPA and a sour blackberry saison. One week ago I bought my startup kit and an extract recipe box for a Honey Brown Ale and that is currently in primary doin' its thing! I found this wonderful online community when I was CERTAIN I messed up and infected my first batch (which I did not) and came across a reassuring thread about all the 'mistakes' people have made which led to a great batch of beer.

I plan to get to all grain brewing by my 5th batch and begin harvesting and understanding the differences in yeast varieties. I have always been a hop head, though I don't know the differences between the strains, I just know I love the taste and aromas. IPAs, funky farmhouse/Brett ales and saisons are so far my favorites and I love trying anything new!

 

[Dcpcooks]

I just left Omaha at noon today! My daughter is at the medical center working on here degree.
It's a very cool city. I was at the beer fest at the race track Saturday. The best beer I had was a Berliner with a little house made syrup. It was from one of the Omaha breweries, upstream? Im a little fuzzy after the drive and it was hot yesterday.

Before you quit your gig I'd suggest you knock on a few brewery doors or a local homebrew store and offer your labor cheap i.e. Free for experience.

Brewery jobs don't pay much so sleep on it. That said you should brew up a storm and learn all you can and sample a lot of different beers. Beertopia has a really nice selection of beers. I just grabbed two cases of crooked stave, Avery and prairie artisan stuff I can't get easily in Chicago!


Read some good books. I'd suggest you start with "how to brew" from Palmer. Then "Yeast" from Brewers association. Your local water didn't taste good for brewing so you should look at the book "Water" from the Brewers association as well.

Best of luck to you! Feel free to message me with any questions.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Welcome to the forum, and the hobby from Long Island NY. You might be surprised at how many transplanted Huskers there are around here.

 

[BrueDude]

I grew up in Omaha. Great town, just too cold in the winter. The beer scene has really picked up there lately. What part are you from? I lived in Benson for 25 years.

 

[tmendick]

Welcome from Omaha!