Just finished my first batch!!!...and I think I nailed it!

[divrack]

Once you get things all night down tight and you know your recipes you can go grain to glass in two weeks easy.

 

[DudeThatBrews]

I'm not sure that qualifies as slowly. I've done a no-chill batch that took 24 hours.

Hops added later than 30 minutes will be affected by slow chilling but not a 60 minute addition as all of the possible hop oils have pretty much isomerized by then. It's the 15 minute to flameout hops I would worry about. Read the recipes well before you try the no-chill.

I’m just backing the point of not needing a wort chiller... although I do find them intriguing. I’m new to all of this, so don’t crucify me...lol

 

[seatazzz]

Anyone else think about homebrewing like multi-level marketing....and when you see a post like this, your first thought is "whoopee!!! we hooked another one!!!" I do but that just might be me....more homebrewers=more LHBS=more competition for our business=lower prices for ingredients=WIN.

 

[seatazzz]

And also congratulations! You'll see mentions in posts here about "pipelines" and keeping them full...which means starting another batch as soon as you can so you can keep enjoying the fruits of your labors. And it's fun!!

As others have mentioned above, there are ways to keep costs down. All grain is definitely cheaper in terms of ingredient prices (kits were $35-50 last time I checked) but your initial equipment outlay can be pricey. If you can, find an all-grain homebrewer in your area who is willing to let you "ghost" a brewday with them, and learn. Or, better yet, find a brewclub and join.

 

[jcav]

Congrats on your first batch! Now you have started your journey in this great hobby and thanks for your service to all of us!

John

 

[VirginiaHops1]

I’m just backing the point of not needing a wort chiller... although I do find them intriguing. I’m new to all of this, so don’t crucify me...lol

You definitely don't need a wort chiller for 5 gallon extract partial boil batches or 2.5 gallon grain batches(which I do), where you're only trying to chill 2-3 gallons of wort. Where it gets tricky is bigger batches where you have 5+ gallons of wort to chill. Seems like an ice bath wouldn't cut it but RM-MN's method is interesting.

 

[Druman07]

Awesome! Have fun and you're making beer...

 

[Ludesbrews]

Congrats. I had the Irish red ale from NB as my first kit. They are the best. Text them when you have a problem and they are there to help.

Thank you for your service, it means more than you can imagine!