Hello from the Chicagoland!

[StrangeHaze]

Big beer fan here and ready for a new hobby/addiction!

I've been doing a bunch of reading, signed up two months ago to continue my research and finally gifted myself a brew kit. After more research, I added a bottle tree, vinator, and a small scale to my order of 22oz bottles today. I have off next Friday and plan on brewing my first kit. I'm so stoked to get started and also continue to learn.

I figured since I will officially be starting my first brew soon, I should go ahead and create my first thread. 35 year old checking in from the west burbs of Chicago. Happy to be here.

 

[COMiamiFan]

Welcome from CO

 

[mchicke]

Southwest burbs here! Welcome!

 

[Kent88]

Welcome!

 

[downzero]

I'm a native of where you live! Google the words "Brew in a Bag" before you buy any more equipment!

 

[StrangeHaze]

Thanks for the welcome, all!

I've run across BIAB but didn't dig deep as I was already overwhelmed let alone adding all grain to the list, definitely will take a look. Thanks!

 

[downzero]

Thanks for the welcome, all!

I've run across BIAB but didn't dig deep as I was already overwhelmed let alone adding all grain to the list, definitely will take a look. Thanks!

By all means, make a kit or an extract brew if you must, but if you're going to buy a kettle, get a big enough one for BIAB (mine is 15 gallons and I may go bigger if I get another one). Having been there/done that, I would start out with BIAB from my very first batch if I could. I've even been watching youtube videos and large breweries are doing 5-7 barrel batches with large stainless steel baskets. It seems like even craft brewers are seeing the value in a one vessel system. I am not saying it's the end-all, be-all, but all grain brewing doesn't have to be expensive or inaccessible. BIAB is your door to any recipe you want to make right out of the gate. I do it right on my kitchen stove.

 

[glenn514]

Greetings to you and a warm welcome from the FAR northwestern burbs!

glenn514

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Welcome to the forum and the hobby from Long Island, NY.

 

[HB_ATL73]

Welcome! What are you going to brew for your first batch?

 

[wallyLOZ]

Welcome from Missouri, neighbor. Enjoy the obsession. Cheers.

 

[Cyclman]

Welcome to the hobby, and the group, from Colorado

 

[Pappers_]

Hi @StrangeHaze, welcome to HBT and the hobby. I'm in the city - don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

 

[StrangeHaze]

My first batch is going to be the American Pale Ale that came with my brew kit (the MoreBeer one), second, I haven't decided yet. I suspect one of the hardest parts of brewing is decided what to do next

@Pappers_ Thanks! I will likely take you up on the offer sometime in the future. For now it's just read, read, read.

By all means, make a kit or an extract brew if you must, but if you're going to buy a kettle, get a big enough one for BIAB (mine is 15 gallons and I may go bigger if I get another one). Having been there/done that, I would start out with BIAB from my very first batch if I could. I've even been watching youtube videos and large breweries are doing 5-7 barrel batches with large stainless steel baskets. It seems like even craft brewers are seeing the value in a one vessel system. I am not saying it's the end-all, be-all, but all grain brewing doesn't have to be expensive or inaccessible. BIAB is your door to any recipe you want to make right out of the gate. I do it right on my kitchen stove.

Since you posted this, I've been doing a lot more reading and watching YT videos and you're right. I'll be measure my kettle when I get home to determine what size mesh bag I need, but that should be it. I have an 8 gallon kettle which will perfect for smaller batches, and that's actually what I want to do (for now at least). I love variety in my beers and I want the same when brewing, so brewing smaller batches now will give me a chance to see what I like to brew. Thanks for this!

 

[downzero]

My first batch is going to be the American Pale Ale that came with my brew kit (the MoreBeer one), second, I haven't decided yet. I suspect one of the hardest parts of brewing is decided what to do next

@Pappers_ Thanks! I will likely take you up on the offer sometime in the future. For now it's just read, read, read.

Since you posted this, I've been doing a lot more reading and watching YT videos and you're right. I'll be measure my kettle when I get home to determine what size mesh bag I need, but that should be it. I have an 8 gallon kettle which will perfect for smaller batches, and that's actually what I want to do (for now at least). I love variety in my beers and I want the same when brewing, so brewing smaller batches now will give me a chance to see what I like to brew. Thanks for this!

Great! Start with Distilled water and read the first post here:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/a-brewing-water-chemistry-primer.198460/page-26

Keep everything clean and all should be fine.

 

[ITV]

Welcome to a great and rewarding hobby! I'm also from the Western Suburbs.

My biggest steps was to go all-grain and kegging. My latest "improvement" is my RO water system.

 

[Jayjay1976]

Welcome neighbor!