Mr Beer - Read all about it and ask questions

[Gerry_P]

I've made a few MrB brews. Only one was the kit straight-up, and it wasn't good. All the others had hops and/or DME added, as well as possibly other specialty grains. They weren't bad.

Since then, I've continued to use the MrB barrels to ferment in, but have gone on to making 2.5G all-grain batches. Beer is awesome.

If you dare venture to the Mr. Beer site's forum, stay away from that one pompous ass that thinks he knows everything (not naming names here, but let's say his name rhymes with Tick Deer). Most of the other guys seemed pretty cool, a few definitely were.

They don't hand out "Mr. Beer Brewer of the Month" awards to just anybody ya know. Frankly I think you're just jealous of the incredible number of "likes" he's received on his posts, which he casually mentions in his frequently updated signature.

 

[slym2none]

 

[Brewdude12]

Hello everybody. I'm just getting into brewing with a goal to become a pro. I don't want to brew the kits that come with Mr. Beer. I want to use the fermenter to make all grain test batches. I just noticed not many people say they use it for that purpose. I'm actually collecting 8 of them to brew a 5 gallon batch per week but divide the batch and ferment 2 different ways. Thought it would be a good way to test different recipes.

Any thoughts on this plan would be appreciated.

 

[Randolf]

Brewdude, A little advice.Take Baby Steps. Read more about brewing than maybe 3 pages on a forum.(not saying you did this)Ask many questions. You sound like you are diving into this addiction really fast. I hope after a batch or 2 that have maybe less than stellar results,you don't become one of the mindless multitude that throws their fermenter into the closet and gives up brewing.Every brewer has made mistakes.Learn from them and don't repeat them.Brewing can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be. I use Mr. Beer and Brew Demon extract products and with the additions of different hops and steeped grains I produce some pretty tasty beers.Anyhow,good luck in your plan.Cheers.

 

[Brewdude12]

Thank you for your response. I absolutely expect to mess up a lot. This is why I intend to brew every week til I become really good. I learned to ride a motorcycle in 10 minutes I think within 2 years I can brew a few world class brews. If not world class, at least something people wouldn't mind spending a few bucks to drink.

 

[ericbw]

Hello everybody. I'm just getting into brewing with a goal to become a pro. I don't want to brew the kits that come with Mr. Beer. I want to use the fermenter to make all grain test batches. I just noticed not many people say they use it for that purpose. I'm actually collecting 8 of them to brew a 5 gallon batch per week but divide the batch and ferment 2 different ways. Thought it would be a good way to test different recipes.

Any thoughts on this plan would be appreciated.

They would work for that, and the size is convenient. I think that would be a tough pace to keep up. But more importantly, you need the time between batches to learn what's good or bad with each test batch. It takes at least 2 weeks in the fermenter to finish, then a couple of weeks to condition. There are people who make beer in 10 days, but I always find that it takes 6-8 weeks to get good.

I would suggest having 2 more LBKs than you have batches fermenting, so you always have an empty set waiting each week. If you did a 3 week cycle, you could do it with 6 LBKs (assuming you package a batch then refill the fermenters) or 8 if you want it to be a little easier.

I am wondering if that is cost effective compared to 2 gallon buckets with airlocks. It might be pretty close in terms of price.

What kind of test batches do you have in mind?

 

[Brewdude12]

Hello sir and thanks. I'm not sure what LBK'S are? But I will start with smash beers to first learn more of the taste of 1 hop and 1 malt with 2 different yeast strains in 2 different fermenters. Maybe dry hop 1 and not the other. I'm taking a year to just experiment before creating solid recipes of my own.

 

[ericbw]

Little Brown Keg. The affectionate term for Mr. Beer.

Start with 1 batch. See the process and results. DO NOT RUSH IT.

 

[Randolf]

Brewdude,how many extract batches have you brewed and how many AG batches are under your belt.You mentioned brewing beer that folks would spend their bucks on. I don't think its legal to sell homebrewed spirits in the USA.Or maybe you live elsewhere.Any way good luck again.

 

[Brewdude12]

I have one extract brew under belt. No all grain yet. I'm not planning to sell beer illegally. I hope to open my own brewort pub or nano brewery in a few years.

 

[Randolf]

WOW Brewdude.Sounds like you have concrete plans.That's a pretty big undertaking.Keep us in the LOOP as to how you are progressing.Good Luck and Brew Strong. Cheers!

 

[joe39]

I'm brewing an ale for the first time. It has been in the fermenter for 3 weeks, the air lock quit bubbling about one week ago, but checking again today I can still see small bubbles coming up in the brew. So, is this a sign that it might be to early to bottle? should I wait until there is no activity? Or just do hydrometer readings?

Thank you for your suggestions

 

[olephart]

Hydrometer readings. When there is no change over a couple of days, it's probably done.
Cheers🍻

 

[martiniw2olives]

I think Brewdude is having fun with this community

 

[ericbw]

I'm brewing an ale for the first time. It has been in the fermenter for 3 weeks, the air lock quit bubbling about one week ago, but checking again today I can still see small bubbles coming up in the brew. So, is this a sign that it might be to early to bottle? should I wait until there is no activity? Or just do hydrometer readings?



Thank you for your suggestions

Hydrometer. Sometimes the bubbles are just gas escaping, not new gas being produced.

3 weeks should get it done, though.

 

[jmcdaniel0]

Hey all!

I am a new brewer. I have been making wine for years now, my wife bought me a Mr. Beer for xmas. If she would have asked, I would have told her to just buy me a couple of carboys, but the money is spent lol.

I put the american ale kit to ferment today. Couple of quick questions The instructional cd that came with the kit was less than helpful. Should I let the the wort set in the fermenter for 14 days? then after that, Bottle it with the carbonation tabs that came with it. Then bottle for how many weeks? How long will this stuff last on the shelf? I doubt it will last too long before I drink it. I have already ordered some more 6.5 gallon fermenters from NB. I have never brewed beer before, but mine wine making gear will be a good fit for it... I mean you can always have more stuff right?

 

[olephart]

Hey all!

I am a new brewer. I have been making wine for years now, my wife bought me a Mr. Beer for xmas. If she would have asked, I would have told her to just buy me a couple of carboys, but the money is spent lol.

I put the american ale kit to ferment today. Couple of quick questions The instructional cd that came with the kit was less than helpful. Should I let the the wort set in the fermenter for 14 days? then after that, Bottle it with the carbonation tabs that came with it. Then bottle for how many weeks? How long will this stuff last on the shelf? I doubt it will last too long before I drink it. I have already ordered some more 6.5 gallon fermenters from NB. I have never brewed beer before, but mine wine making gear will be a good fit for it... I mean you can always have more stuff right?

I let it go for 2 weeks, (although the instructions say 2 to 3 weeks), and then start checking the gravity with a hydrometer, (do you have one for wine making?). If there's no change over a couple of days it's done. Then bottle condition for another two weeks, checking after a few days to see if the bottles are getting hard, i.e. carbing up.

I eventually bought a bottling wand and tubing at my LHBS, less foam when bottling.

I think that sugar cubes have about the same amount of sugar as the carbonation tabs.

Btw, those briess 3.3 lb canisters or 3 lb bags of dried malt, (at your Local HomeBrew Store), are just the right size for the MrBeer kegs, just pick out the hops and yeast you want to use.

Also check out the Biermacht app for your phone, there's a forum here about it. I've learned a lot about making recipes using the app.

Cheers

 

[jmcdaniel0]

I let it go for 2 weeks, (although the instructions say 2 to 3 weeks), and then start checking the gravity with a hydrometer, (do you have one for wine making?). If there's no change over a couple of days it's done. Then bottle condition for another two weeks, checking after a few days to see if the bottles are getting hard, i.e. carbing up.

I eventually bought a bottling wand and tubing at my LHBS, less foam when bottling.

I think that sugar cubes have about the same amount of sugar as the carbonation tabs.

Btw, those briess 3.3 lb canisters or 3 lb bags of dried malt, (at your Local HomeBrew Store), are just the right size for the MrBeer kegs, just pick out the hops and yeast you want to use.

Also check out the Biermacht app for your phone, there's a forum here about it. I've learned a lot about making recipes using the app.

Cheers

I will look up that app. What is the shelf life of the beer after it is bottled? Will it go bad?

 

[even420]

Can I use soda annd yeast to brew

 

[jmcdaniel0]

Can I use soda annd yeast to brew

If you mean Like Carbonated sode like Coca Cola, I dont think so. Its crammed full of preservatives.

However,

I just checked on my first batch of home brew, it is fermenting away, i gave it alittle shake to see if it would tighten up, and sure enough that little keg got tight, and boy could I smell the yeast working. Im getting excited now.

 

[brewshki]

Can I use soda annd yeast to brew

You definitely can. It has sugar in it so the yeast should eat away at it. It probably won't be very good but it could happen.

 

[ronb454]

I started with Mr. Beer several years ago. It was a comfortable way to dip my toe in the lake to see what home brewing was like. I have not done a full start from scratch all grain boil but I did get a couple kits that partial grain and extract kits and they are in the bottles now.

I like the Mr. Beer and I think I even like the results better than what I got with the partial grain kits. Now that Mr Beer has 6 gallon offerings I may buy one of those kits to try. It is all fun for me anyway. I am diabetic so I cannot drink much of what I make. Once in a while I have to count my friends so I put the "free beer" sign out with the requirement "Bring Your Own Pretzels."

 

[jmcdaniel0]

Hey all,

So My Mr. Beer batch was at 14 days on Saturday. I am out of town until atleast Wednesday. Is it going to be ok until then?

 

[ronb454]

Hey all,

So My Mr. Beer batch was at 14 days on Saturday. I am out of town until atleast Wednesday. Is it going to be ok until then?

I would say yes. It will do it's thing until it is all done and then it will be waiting patiently for you to bottle. As long at the temps are steady and no one has messed with it it will be good to go.

 

[jmcdaniel0]

Good Deal! I thought it would be ok, but i wanted double check.

I have a pretty good set up on fermenting. I took a grow tent i bought at a yard sale which is 100% light proof and insulated. I placed a small heater in there and a 6 inch duct fan attached to an ink bird, and it keeps the ambient temp right on 62 degrees +\- a degree. ill eventually be getting a chest freezer so i can do real lager, but im not that far yet.

 

[ronb454]

Good Deal! I thought it would be ok, but i wanted double check.

I have a pretty good set up on fermenting. I took a grow tent i bought at a yard sale which is 100% light proof and insulated. I placed a small heater in there and a 6 inch duct fan attached to an ink bird, and it keeps the ambient temp right on 62 degrees +\- a degree. ill eventually be getting a chest freezer so i can do real lager, but im not that far yet.

I live in an apartment complex that is strict on their safety rules and I have to ask if I want to buy and plug in a small fridge. I had one before I moved here but took an 8 month hiatus to Texas and sold a lot of stuff that I couldn't get in my storage area. My fridge stayed in the storage for over 2 years and when I finally got around to asking this new landlord if it was ok to use, they said they would get back to me. I think they meant, we turn our back to you...

But, I want to get another one and since I pay my utilities myself, I will plug one in and using my Johnson Control Temp regulator I will use less juice than if used as a fridge. That will be my Lager maker and wine cellar and maybe a cheese cave. It may not hold a lot but it will do what I need it to do at very low cost. The control cost almost as much as the little fridge but saved a ton of money.

 

[jmcdaniel0]

I live in an apartment complex that is strict on their safety rules and I have to ask if I want to buy and plug in a small fridge. I had one before I moved here but took an 8 month hiatus to Texas and sold a lot of stuff that I couldn't get in my storage area. My fridge stayed in the storage for over 2 years and when I finally got around to asking this new landlord if it was ok to use, they said they would get back to me. I think they meant, we turn our back to you...

But, I want to get another one and since I pay my utilities myself, I will plug one in and using my Johnson Control Temp regulator I will use less juice than if used as a fridge. That will be my Lager maker and wine cellar and maybe a cheese cave. It may not hold a lot but it will do what I need it to do at very low cost. The control cost almost as much as the little fridge but saved a ton of money.

Absolutley! I was in the same boat. I was renting up until a while ago, we finally decided it was time to buy a house.

Now I have no landlord, but the Commander in Chief is still the final say, So time will tell. I am a big lager fan, and I know the extract kits that say they are lager, typically are lager like, but use ale yeast. I am a avid wine maker, so More wine storage is always a plus!

 

[ronb454]

Absolutley! I was in the same boat. I was renting up until a while ago, we finally decided it was time to buy a house.

Now I have no landlord, but the Commander in Chief is still the final say, So time will tell. I am a big lager fan, and I know the extract kits that say they are lager, typically are lager like, but use ale yeast. I am a avid wine maker, so More wine storage is always a plus!

My SWMBO split in 01 so I be free to do as I do and brew as I brew...with the aforementioned limitations. But I am a sweet talker and the property manager has a sweet tooth and a taste for wine...I think a stick of homemade summer sausage, a pound of homemade cottage cheese, a bottle of Pinot Noir from my own personal whinery and a box of chocolate covered cherries from Dollar General (don't tell I went cheap, ok?) should get me my ok I need for the little fridge. If not, I will have to just show her my smile. BAHAhahaha...as if.

 

[jmcdaniel0]

hahaha charm her!

 

[Soulshine2]

Hello, I'm new in here . I have a knack for finding new/unopened Mr Beer kits at the local Goodwill shop for $5 . After looking up what just the plastic keg costs,or even the cans of LME I'm doing ok (I think) . I have yet to brew but I will be soon. I also bought a kit from a Lakewood Farms that has 2 beer brew kits in it. So right now I have supplies to make a Canadian lager, an American Light , an Amber and a Pilsner . Quite a variety I think.
Are these kits as easy as they read or is there something else I should be doing or buying to make them better. Seems like theyre a sanitize,heat water ,add the stuff , pitch yeast and wait, rack off into bottles , add sugar and yeast and wait some more. Sounds way too easy to make anything drinkable. Any help is appreciated. Thanks and Prost !