Primary Fermenter size

[Verio]

If I want to make a half batch of beer, am I still able to use the 6 gallon carboy? Will the additional oxygen inside the container cause any issues?

I'm just starting out, and I'm afraid if I make 50 bottles of beer, it's going to take me a long time to drink them all, before I make another 50 bottles. I'd rather make 24 bottles of one kind, and 24 bottles of another. Wife isn't so pleased with me purchasing 100 bottles of beer off the bat, if I don't even know if I'll enjoy the hobby.

What is the best advice for someone starting out?

 

[damnyankee]

"...I don't even know if I'll enjoy the hobby..."

Uh huh...sure.

Sounds like me 2 weeks ago before I started my first homebrew (a pale ale from extracts). Now, I'm making a homemade mash tun from a 48Qt cooler I've never used and I ordered grains/yeast/hops last weekend to make Wayne's Blue Moon. :rockin:

Your carboy will be fine. If you're using extracts, you should make a full batch anyway. Christmas is coming so purchase some 6 pack containers and give some 6 packs of your brew away to your family & friends for Christmas gifts.

 

[Cape Brewing]

The additional oxygen isn't going to be an issue because as you ferment, the CO2 will push the oxygen out. As long as you keep opening the fermenter up a few dozzen times, it won't be a problem... and even then, I doubt you're going to have it in the primary long enough for it to be an issue at all.

the short answer is... no, it's not an issue at all.

 

[wyzazz]

No issues in fermenting 2.5 gallons in a larger vessel. No issues in starting small either, but I'd be willing to bet you get sucked in to this hobby like the rest of us!

Welcome to the obsession!

 

[dfc]

What is the best advice for someone starting out?

Get a new wife.

In all seriousness, CO2 is heavier than Oxygen. If you ferment 2.5 gallons in a 6 gallon bucket you should be fine.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Tell your wife you don't like her shoppin if she doesn't like your brewing
My experience is as you should brew two 5 gallon batchs. You can always let the second 5 gallon batch sit in the secondary untill you get open bottles
I typically try to brew when the wife is not around, so it doesnt seem that I brew all the time

 

[Ballistic]

Just drink faster!

 

[Verio]

Well, the wait is killing me. I'm stuck in DC for another week + for work... while my brewing supplies are sitting at home waiting for me. I know I'll enjoy it, because I love cooking, and I love drinking beer. Why not do both?

My wife gave me the stink eye when I told her I wanted to buy 4 cases of empty beer bottles, so we'll see how it goes. She said this is an expensive hobby and I haven't even made any beer yet, haha.

Thanks for the help guys (and gals)

 

[specialkaye]

If I want to make a half batch of beer, am I still able to use the 6 gallon carboy? Will the additional oxygen inside the container cause any issues?

I'm just starting out, and I'm afraid if I make 50 bottles of beer, it's going to take me a long time to drink them all, before I make another 50 bottles. I'd rather make 24 bottles of one kind, and 24 bottles of another. Wife isn't so pleased with me purchasing 100 bottles of beer off the bat, if I don't even know if I'll enjoy the hobby.

What is the best advice for someone starting out?

Read as much of this forum as you can.

Do you like beer? If you'll buy 100 bottles right off the bat, I'm betting you do. As for 50 beers, a group of "sudden" friends you didn't really know you had can down that in one sitting.

As for the wife, I'm thinking you might need to check my thread:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/just-how-cool-swmbo-201226/

I wasn't sure I'd like this hobby, but I knew I liked beer. But, good beer. And, then I smelled my first batch as I pulled the air lock loose. I had to pause and just enjoy that wonderful smell.

It even looked good.

Then I tasted it. OMG! Even flat and warm, it was 100 times better than any store bought stuff. Yup, I got hooked deep at that first sniff. And yup, I kept sticking my nose over the bucket to suck up that heady aroma as I racked to the secondary. And yup, I'm already SCHEDULING primaries and secondaries to get the most efficient time management and usage. Damn, maybe I better get another secondary....

Wonder if SWMBO would notice if I named my carboys after past lovers? "Back in a bit, Honey. I've got a date with Cheryl and her sweet Cream Ale. Oh, and I've got to check on Cindy, she might have an infection. Then, I'm off to fill Sherrie with the nectar of the gods."

 

[Yooper]

Well, the wait is killing me. I'm stuck in DC for another week + for work... while my brewing supplies are sitting at home waiting for me. I know I'll enjoy it, because I love cooking, and I love drinking beer. Why not do both?

My wife gave me the stink eye when I told her I wanted to buy 4 cases of empty beer bottles, so we'll see how it goes. She said this is an expensive hobby and I haven't even made any beer yet, haha.

Thanks for the help guys (and gals)

Heck, don't buy 4 cases of empty bottles! That's silly.

Buy 4 cases of Sam Adams, and have a party! I think the price for empty bottles in homebrew stores is almost the same as buying bottles at the store that already have beer in them. Buy Sam Adams, or Fat Tire, or whatever beer you like with a non-twist off cap, and drink the beer. I even have three cases of Grolsch beer bottles- I don't love the beer but I sure like those swing-tops in a 16 ounce size!

 

[wyzazz]

I'll second the above, don't buy EMPTY bottles!!! Pick them up at the local bottle shop full of beer, or even stop at a local bar to see if they have any empties you can dig through. If you're leaving your beer in the primary for 3-4 weeks (you are doing that right?) then you'll have plenty of time to get the bottles.