Hello from PA

[RotorHead6]

He guys just wanted to say hi to my new community members. Just got a brew kit for christmas and have the first batch fermenting. Def. new to the brew stuff. Looking forward to this really cool hobby. My interests in the micro brew started when I met my fiance. She is originally from Mass. which has a lot of great micro brew pubs. I got hooked on the micro brew from visiting beautiful New England. There is not much micro brewing going on here in Western PA. She bought me a Mr. Brew for Christmas so I'm trying it out for the first time. Any tips, advise or good recipes would be greatly appreciated. Hobbies include golf, skiing, and aviation. Catch you all later.

 

[Genghis77]

While the Mr Beer kits will make suitable beer easily, I would recommend a second fermenter and a big boil pot so you can churn out 5 gtallon extract batches. MidwestBrewing.com AustinBrew.com MoreBeer.com all offer some great brew recipies. Most have steeping grains and it is advisable to get the sacks for both the grains and optionally the hops. I would recommend staying away from adding sugar, brown sugar or alcohol booster with the Mr. Beer kits. It adds, tasteless sugar. Better to add more unmalted hops extract or even rice extract. The brew kits offered by MoreBeer are complete except for yeast and over $75 shipping is free. Extract comes in 1 gallon jugs or D(ry)ME in sealed plastic bags. Mr. Beer is pretty expensive with LME in those little 1 pound cans. For a good brew you will probably be looking at 4 cans for a 2-1/2 gallon brew. And the kits from the other three sources will give you much tastier brews with solid, proven recipies. Mr. Beer recipies may be simple, but really weak and unimaginitive.

 

[Toilet Rocker]

My interests in the micro brew started when I met my fiance.

Sounds like a keeper!

 

[trinitone]

Welcome from the other side of the Commonwealth. You'd actually be surprised just how much microbrewing is going on here in PA... even on the west side.

 

[chillHayze]

Welcome to the forums!
I was born and raised in Mercer. Ever heard of it?