Need a brew teacher in Russellville, AR Area

[Knight03]

I have been reading for a couple of weeks now and have searched for local people. I would like to see how it is done in person some time if someone needs some help. I'm interested in all grain. It seems to be where everyone ends up so I have figured why not start there. Any and all help would be great.This seems to be a very helpful group of people. Thanks

 

[Nateo]

There are some reasons (almost) no one starts out all-grain brewing. Think of all-grain brewing as a marathon, and you're not a runner. You need to train before you run a marathon. I'd do a few kits first to get the basics down. Then do some extract+specialty grain recipes. I wouldn't do all-grain until you can master those other methods.

 

[DeBrewer]

There is a group in NWA and LR but other than that I am not aware of any around you. The best way to get started is to dive in head first and learn as you go. At least for me anyway. Maybe someone form Russvegas will chime in but I am not aware of any on the board. Good luck and keep us posted! Cheers!

 

[tasq]

There are some reasons (almost) no one starts out all-grain brewing. Think of all-grain brewing as a marathon, and you're not a runner. You need to train before you run a marathon. I'd do a few kits first to get the basics down. Then do some extract+specialty grain recipes. I wouldn't do all-grain until you can master those other methods.

I agree 100%!

Crawl before you walk.

 

[DeBrewer]

There is a group in NWA and LR but other than that I am not aware of any around you. The best way to get started is to dive in head first and learn as you go. At least for me anyway. Maybe someone form Russvegas will chime in but I am not aware of any on the board. Good luck and keep us posted! Cheers!

And my "dive in head first" should have included the remark of grabbing a kit or two first. Kits can be done easily within a reasonable amount of time and you can learn a ton even if it is as simple as opening a can and following the directions.

 

[Knight03]

Is this going to be the most complete and cost effective kit?http://www.williamsbrewing.com/COMPLETE_BREWERY_WITH_RED_ALE_P2345C257.cfm
I have not seen much about there beer kits?

 

[Sherpa FE]

There are some reasons (almost) no one starts out all-grain brewing. Think of all-grain brewing as a marathon, and you're not a runner. You need to train before you run a marathon. I'd do a few kits first to get the basics down. Then do some extract+specialty grain recipes. I wouldn't do all-grain until you can master those other methods.

Sorry I totally disagree with this.

The number 1 reason most people do not start off with all grain is because they are scared of it. Then once they buy all the equipment for extract brewing, they spend a bunch more converting over to AG. Then wonder WHY they didn't do that to begin with.

AG brewing can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be, the basic skills needed to brew a first batch are all here on this forum, will it be a prize winning, brew world altering beer, probably not, but it will be beer.

Ultimately, it comes down to each individual, do you want to spend a little and dabble a bit to see if its a hobby that you might be interested?

Are you a dive in head first and get all kinds of stuff, and brew AG, and get all top notch stuff just because you are that way?

Are you in to building a lot of things on your own, a DIY person?

Many different aspects to this hobby, with no right or wrong way, but there is no ladder of knowledge that must be climbed in a specific order.

 

[Sherpa FE]

oops

 

[Sherpa FE]

Is this going to be the most complete and cost effective kit?http://www.williamsbrewing.com/COMPLETE_BREWERY_WITH_RED_ALE_P2345C257.cfm
I have not seen much about there beer kits?

If you want to brew all grain, that is not the one to get, if you want to start with extract, thats what this kit is for.


There are several places to order beer equipment from. Most importantly are the Local brewing supply shops. Also look at Austin Home Brew supply, Brewmaster's warehouse, Northern Brewer, several ones out there to look at.

Shop around and get the biggest bang for your dollar. Also, don't feel that you need to order from one place, check Craig's list, Ebay etc.

Look at some of the posts here on beginner kits, what to buy, and what is really needed in a brewing kit, and what is not. It has all been asked before and I guarantee the answers are here. The most important thing is to really understand what is is you want to do, and what your budget is, off of that we can help tailor a set-up that would best work for you.

Hope this helps,

 

[zanemoseley]

I remember watching some all grain video MW had up on their site when I first stared brewing. It was by a lame guy that seemed to make it seem really tedious and fly sparged to beat it all. I've been brewing for 2 years now and AG (batch sparge all the way) for over a year and realize I could make a MUCH more beginner friendly AG video for newbs.

Going straight to AG is a bit like making a cake from scratch instead of from a kit from the store. It's not brain surgery but easier is better at first.

I can say in retrospect that AG brewing is cheaper, more rewarding and for the most part produces better results and allows you to brew a wider array of brews. Now just get a couple kegs and do away with the true nemesis of home brewing,,,, bottling.

 

[Knight03]

The question I have now is If I buy a kit to do extract brewing first how much of the equipment is going to be dicarded to start AG? I do not wnat to get in to this and in less then a year have to replace all my equipment because I decide to go AG. From what i have seen the only piece replaced is going to be the brew pot. Every thing else is going to be add to. Right? The local water stores sell glass 5 gallon carboys for $18 so i have the carboys covered.

 

[zanemoseley]

You want larger than a 5 gallon carboy. If your batch size is 5 gallons and you put it in a 5 gallon fermenter then you're going to make a mess. You could use it for secondaries though. 5.5 gallons is probably the minimum, 6 is better.

The brew pot is the biggest thing that probably ends up getting replaced. Just start out with a 8 gallon pot. Keep in mind when you go AG that your boil will start out at about 6.5 gallons and reduce down to 5 so you really don't want to underbuy on the pot size.

Many people get the turkey fryer kits that come with a pot, cheap way to get to brewing out side.

 

[DeBrewer]

The brew pot is the biggest thing that probably ends up getting replaced.

I believe this is spot on. Most brew kits come with basically the same items with small variations. I was in the same position as you are now about a month and a half ago and have already done a number of extract brews and now AG. I still use the same racking cane, capper, bottling bucket, etc.... that any of the kits come with. The biggest difference between the type of brewing you do is based on the equipment pre-wort and most kits only include items for post wort. More than likely you have a pot laying around that will suffice for doing most kits. They are usually a partial boil of just a few gallons.

I can imagine you are talking about the Mountain Valley carboys. I have quite a few of the 5 gallon and 2.5 gallon and love them. Like stated above they will puke out a bit depending on what beer you made but I use a blow off tube and it works fine for me. Granted I do lose some beer but not a ton. Make sure you grab some milk crates for them. Makes moving them a lot easier and helps protect them.