Hello

[Irishpaddy]

Hello all
Mick is the name. A relative if mine was into brewing his own beer, which tasted great. Used to look forward to get togethers at his house. Any way he passed away a couple of years ago and he left me his equipment. Reading here I'm not sure what type if brewer he was, as I know nothing about the process. Well I've decided to take the plunge and try my hand at this hobby, ive been told that "there's nothing like drinking you're own creation" and going by what he used to brew I can believe it.
What I have is : a big SS pot, a large copper coil attached to hoses, 2 beer kegs (1insulated) with no tops and ball valve taps at the bottom, a rather large gas ring. And a log book. I'm sure there's more. From what I've been reading it looks like here it appears he started from scratch. My question's are
1. What stuff is for what process
2. Am I mad jumping in instead of gettin a starter kit and learning from there
Yes I have been researching here and elsewhere and reading the stickies

Thanks for any advice
Sorry for the long post
Happy brewing

Mick

 

[frazier]

Welcome Mick!

First of all, hang on to that log book. Someday you'll want to brew a memorial beer, and raise a pint in his memory. But until then...

The big SS pot is definitely handy, that's what you'll boil the brew in. The copper coil is a wort chiller, to get the brew down to room temperature before pitching yeast. It sounds like you have no fermentation vessels - no 6 gallon jugs, or buckets? Unless that's what you mean by "kegs without tops".

My recommendation would be to pick up a copy of How To Brew by Palmer. You will read it over and over, if you're anything like me, referring to various parts as needed. Yes it's available free online, but buy the book so you have it handy.

Cheers!

 

[DoubleAught]

Hello all
Mick is the name. A relative if mine was into brewing his own beer, which tasted great. Used to look forward to get togethers at his house. Any way he passed away a couple of years ago and he left me his equipment. Reading here I'm not sure what type if brewer he was, as I know nothing about the process. Well I've decided to take the plunge and try my hand at this hobby, ive been told that "there's nothing like drinking you're own creation" and going by what he used to brew I can believe it.
What I have is : a big SS pot, a large copper coil attached to hoses, 2 beer kegs (1insulated) with no tops and ball valve taps at the bottom, a rather large gas ring. And a log book. I'm sure there's more. From what I've been reading it looks like here it appears he started from scratch. My question's are
1. What stuff is for what process
2. Am I mad jumping in instead of gettin a starter kit and learning from there
Yes I have been researching here and elsewhere and reading the stickies

Thanks for any advice
Sorry for the long post
Happy brewing

Mick

Sounds like he was an AG brewer. The SS pot is your boil pot, the two topless kegs are the hot liquor tank and the mash tank. Sounds like you have a nice set up there. I'd recommend getting a bucket or carboy to ferment in. I'd also read up an and learn the processes.

Good luck, it's an amazing hobby.

 

[Irishpaddy]

Right
The kegs I was talking about are 2 beer kegs that you get in the pub except the top cut out, one says 50L the other has foil insulating covering it do u can't see what it says but i assume it's the same, one is a Heineken the other a Murphy's
I've ordered how to brew and am of to the nearest home brew shop to pick up fermenter, is a 33L plastic one ok? He tells me (on the phone) that I need a few smaller things like tubes etc. he also said to try an extract(?) recipe first, bring in the book and he'll see which ones are which. Sounds like an alright bloke! Here's to a new hobby
Cheers for the answers

 

[frazier]

Yes you will definitely need a bunch of little doo-dads like stoppers, airlock, hose, hydrometer, etc.

An extract batch is great for starters. But if you have the skills to make tea, you can step up to "Extract with steeping grains", which will allow you not only to make a better and more interesting beer, but move you along the path toward all-grain brewing (should you choose to go that route). But almost any all-grain recipe can be made with the "extract plus steeping grains" method. Choices are yours.

Cheers!

 

[Kingfish]

The keg (keggle) with the insulation will eventually be your "mash tun". The one without the insulation will be your "boil kettle". The pot will be your "hot liquor tank". Each of these will be described in "how to brew". You will use these when you step up to all grain brewing. For now just the pot is all you will need...And the copper coil ("immersion wort chiller") in addition to the fermentor and the other bits mentioned earlier.

 

[rodwha]

Sorry for your loss. Awesome that it was passed on to you. Awesome that you have his beer log.

 

[OhCrap]

What else did you find? I mean that with the greatest respect. That brew log is a good insight into history, what he brewed back in the day etc!
I'm in the same boat as in I've gathered equipment and am wondering how to proceed ....
You seem to have inherited a nice set up. Let us know what you do AND give us some if the old recipies

 

[rifraf]

First of all welcome, and secondly sorry about the loss of your friend.

The fact that he gave you his log book is really neat; as said above treasure and safe that as soon enough you'll be able to brew one of his brews which I have no doubt will be a great experience.

Check out www.howtobrew.com and read the section on "all grain" brewing while you wait for the print copy. If it seems like more than you want to deal with at first, go with an extract batch. If not, go straight to all grain! Reading ahead of time will also help you get familiar with the process before you go buy things. Lastly, if your shop sells you a kit, pitch the instructions in the trash (except hop schedule etc) and just use the book.

Welcome to HBT and keep us posted!

 

[bighorn_brew]

Thanks for any advice
Sorry for the long post
Happy brewing

Mick

Really awesome that your putting his equipment to use, he wouldn't want it any other way,,,,,I am already thinking bout my offspring using my equipment and she is 2 and my son is due in 9 days......brew on!

 

[Irishpaddy]

Thanks for the warm welcome

I've been putting this off for awhile and started drinking new beers, as in NOT miler, as an excuse to do research, but enough research!!! It's time to brew

 

[Ranman481]

Welcome to your new passion. I am sorry for the circumstances though. I have been brewing for only 1 year and am totally hooked on this hobby! Trying different brews and finding the flavor profiles you like best is exactly what my wife and I did. Never be afraid to ask questions...whether on this site or especially of the people at your local brew supply shop. We home brewers share a common love for the process and the final product and want others to succeed so we can talk about our common successes and learn from our failures. I have found this site to be invaluable as well as the knowledge gained from the people at my supply shop. Happy brewing!