New Brewer in PA

[iamtommyboy]

Hello all,

Well, I have been trolling around here for a few weeks now, gathering information and learning a lot. I have wanted to brew my own beer for a long time now, but finally bought some equipment this summer. I bought a standard starer kit from a LHBS and it sat around for a couple months before I finally got to it. So today, I bottled my very first batch (a Belgian White) and can't wait to see how it turns out in a few weeks. Thanks to all of those here who have already posted a ton of info, it has taught me a lot. I look forward to learning more from those with more experience than me (which, obviously, doesn't require much experience.)

I have to say, I think the most important thing I have learned here is how to deal with the impatience of wanting to drink your beer too soon...just brew more so you won't ever have to wait again! So, after today's bottling session, I have everything cleaned and ready for a new brew tomorrow...I am gonna try an Oatmeal Stout for my second. Cheers!

 

[Skyforger]

Ha! I worked with a bunch of new people this autumn, and got five people into cider making. Try to keep them away from it for a month! They kept trying to drink it far before it was ready.

I had the same thing. Impatience drove my first brews and fermentations more than steady common sense. If you can avoid this pitfall, kudos.

BTW, I've found it handy to make a circular timeline of the year, annotated with what sorts of beer it's good to have when. Then you can easily figure out when to brew them, given the amount of time they need to be ready. Before, I tended to brew the sorts of beer I wanted to drink as I brewed them, and so had Belgian dark strongs in the summer and pale ales in the winter. Wish I had thought of this earlier; it turns the 'but I want to drink it now' emotional response into a rational evaluation.

 

[Jaysus]

What's the LHBS in KOP?

I know of Keystone, Home sweet Hombrew, and the new-ish one in downingtown.

 

[shanecb]

Welcome aboard!

 

[iamtommyboy]

Keystone in montgomeryville...unfortunately we do not have one in KoP. I also have checked out a store in Feasterville called Wine and Barley Hops. I bought my equipment and first kit from KHB and the second kit at WBH. Prices at both seem pretty similar, and the people at both are very helpful.

 

[krisagon]

Hey tommy.
Yeah, I agree, both stores are cool.
WBH is 10 minutes from my house, so I go there more.

Welcome to the hobby, the waiting is the hardest part!

 

[annasdadhockey]

Welcome from the Northeast part of the state