Howdy from Wisconsin!

Amadameus · Apr 8, 2010

Hey there everybody, Gabriel here.

I'm just an average joe from Wisconsin area, and if you happen to live here then you'll know Wisconsin has some of the lowest alcohol taxes around. Drinking seems to be the national hobby.

So I've been meeting with a friend who's brewing his own beer and I take a pretty keen interest in this myself. However, I don't want to get a whole bunch of money and resources put into something only to find out that it's not my thing... so I'm starting slow.

I like hearty beers and hard liquor, I like to go muddin' in my Jeep Wrangler (when I can find the land and the weather to do it, grumble grumble) and I'm a high school Chemistry/Physics teacher.

Um... I think that's about it! You guys have a great forum here, and I'm already looking through older posts and finding a whole wealth of information. I really appreciate it!

Justibone · Apr 8, 2010

A little bit of lab experience can go a long way, I've found. :rockin:

If you are worried about money, I recommend that you consider starting your own yeast bank. Heck, as a teacher, you could probably figure a way to get the school to foot the bill. Having some yeast frozen away when you want to brew sure beats paying $1-$5 every time...

A little bit of scrounging combined with some elbow grease can save a lot of money in this hobby. Even without that, though, the barrier for entry is pretty low. You just need a food grade bucket, some food grade hose, a big ole chili pot, bleach, some clean beer or champagne bottles, a capper and some caps... and that's pretty much the bare necessities for making your own beer! (Ingredients not included.)

As for ingredients, well, the cheapest stuff is rarely the best, but as a for'instance: http://www.tastybrew.com/newrcp/detail/581

Bernie Brewer · Apr 8, 2010

Justibone said:
A little bit of lab experience can go a long way, I've found. :rockin:

If you are worried about money, I recommend that you consider starting your own yeast bank. Heck, as a teacher, you could probably figure a way to get the school to foot the bill.

Uh, no. Our alcohol taxes may be low, but our property taxes are astronomical. And I am not paying for anyone's hobby except my own. But, that aside, welcome amademeus!!