Just hops and extract?

Anonymous_Alcoholic · Feb 7, 2017

I'm an absolute new brewer and I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible. Basically, I'm not concerned with the quality or any details yet, I'd just like to get a drinkable product (I mean, I'd at least like the quality to be at an enjoyable level haha). My question is, can I use only hops and extract? I have an ounce of hops, 3 pounds of wheat LME, and a 1 gallon glass fermenter. If anyone has any input on how I can utilize this very simple setup it would be much appreciated.

evan0412 · Feb 7, 2017

Well, you'd need yeast, at least.

flars · Feb 7, 2017

What are the hops you have? Pellets in a sealed bag? Northern Brewer has one gallon extract kits. NB also posts the recipes and fairly good instructions for brewing. Ask questions before you begin.

edit: There is also a "One gallon brewers unite" thread here in HBT.

meatcleaver · Feb 7, 2017

yes!
you will definitely need yeast.
basically you will add 1.5 lbs extract to 1 gallon water, add a few grams of hops & boil 30-60 minutes, chill, add to fermenter & pitch yeast

Anonymous_Alcoholic · Feb 8, 2017

Awesome, thanks for the quick responses! One more newbie question; can I use a baking yeast? The closest brew shop to me is a two hour trip on the bus and two hours back and I have access to hundreds of pounds of free baking yeast. If I have to make the trip I will, but if I can avoid the trip and even skip having to pay for it, I most certainly will. Thanks for the help!

Another quick question, if I can't use baking yeast, is there anything I can substitute for the yeast?

flars · Feb 8, 2017

There isn't a substitute for the strains of yeast developed for fermenting a beer wort. Bakers yeast will work in somewhat of a fashion but the yeast is better at metabolizing simple sugars than the complex sugars of a beer wort. Flavor developed is more like bread than beer. Bakers yeast also may not be free of bacterial contaminants. Bacteria in bakers yeast is not a problem because of the short turn around between the making of the dough and the bread being baked.

Can you get dry yeast by mail?

Anonymous_Alcoholic · Feb 8, 2017

Alright, Ill probably just make the trip back to the brew shop then. Yes, I could just order it via Amazon or any other vendor, but I'm sure I could even save a few bucks just taking the extra couple hours out of the day instead of paying for shipping on top of the retail ticket. Thanks for the tips guys, Ill more than likely start the wort and fermenting tomorrow night with the proper yeast and I'll post the results!