(Soon to be) Noob - Excited about brewing

[JoeMama]

Well, I guess Tom Petty was right in that 'The waiting is the hardest part'. I seem to have stumbled across my next attempt at another hobby, and I am getting rather excited about what I have to look forward to. The only issue (now) is I am having to be patient before I am patient. (In other words) I want to go out right now and get this process started, but with Xmas around the corner, the wife is excited cause now I have something that I can get. (I am difficult to shop for)

I dont foresee myself having any issues as far as some 'common noob mistakes' as I have a fungi thumb and the practices in growing fungi are strikingly similar to brewing as far as sterility and PATIENCE go. (except fungi is a little more demanding with sterility)

At any rate, I dont doubt that I will enjoy the process and of course the fruits of my labor (patience) that brewing will provide. But what I DO in fact fear is that this will end up being one of those things that may not 'stick' as a hobby. Sure, Ill make several brews and possibly a couple of wines but Im not a big drinker per se. I will say that I have more optimism with this endeavor as I am more of a 'beer snob' in the fact that I will not drink any domestic 'redneck' beers. (I like FLAVOR with my brew) But at the same time, I drink maybe 1 - 2 times a month. I dont want to put myself in a position where I have a buttload of (good) homebrew that just sits for months on end - but then again this may be good as it will give my brew time to season itself. (Or will it make it go to poo as has been stated by friends of the 'aged' Bud Selects that have been in my fridge for too long)

Meh, sorry about the long post... So many things on my brain right now regarding brewing. I guess Ill just start with a basic kit that can accomodate both beer AND wine as the in-laws LOOOOVE good wine. Not to mention, I dont want to blow my load and go all out on a monster brewing/kegging/drinking kit that will only pass as a 'wow, been there done that it was a challenge but one that I have accomplished... Oh wow a shiny object!!' (Yeah, I am sorta ADHD)

So long post summarized - Im thinking that a basic kit with 2 buckets and a better bottle (with all of the fixins kit) would be suffice to get me rolling initially, but would also leave room for expansion. Is there anything that people would recommend as a 'If I could do it over as a noob I would have had this' items that a basic kit might not include?
*End Read* LOL
Thanks
-Me

 

[shertz]

Wow, I read that whole post:cross:. Anyways, welcome to the obsession. I was kind of in the same boat as you as I jump from hobby to hobby and didn't want to buy lots of stuff and then lose interest. I got the basic kit from Northern Brewer with the glass carboy and have built my brewery from there. I also joined a local homebrew club and that has helped keep up interest when I start wandering. I started entering competition's and that has helped also. I would say that if you have a club or a friend that brewers that I would brew with them and learn the basics. I also read this. It will give you everything you need to start. Stay on the board and ask away, always after checking the search. And welcome.

 

[Grinder12000]

Welcome to the obsession. One thing you will learn is that once you are done with with brew day #1 - you want brew day #2 right away. I have 2 six gallon carboys for fermenting and one 5 gallon for a secondary and the timing is working out perfect.

Make beer YOU like and make the first few batches NON-extreme.

The BIG thing I learned was to not give all my beer away LOL. People LOVE it but my first few batches disappeared REAL fast and there was a lag period between the initial 15 gallons (3 batches) and the next bunch.

 

[Saccharomyces]

Hmmm. Equipment doesn't need to be fancy. A starter kit will be good enough. If yours doesn't have an autosiphon, get one. It really makes life easier.

When I started brewing I started with crappy water. My suggestion would be if you don't like the taste of your tap water or it's really hard, use bottled water or learn how to treat your water (HowToBrew has a section on water treatment, it's rather complex). Water really does make a big difference, believe me! And be sure to control fermentation temps. Ales fermented too warm are the most common "off" flavor I encounter when I sample others' homebrews (not to mention the horrible hangover the next day from the fusels).

Other than that.. +1 on finding a homebrew club. Not only will you learn a lot and get feedback that will improve your beers, you will make a lot of new friends.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

This is the best hobby ever, because you get to drink it and fall over a lot. Welcome!!

 

[Nurmey]

Welcome to HBT! As the guys have said, a good kit will get you started, will last for years, and it will work for both beer and wine.

No worries if you're not a big drinker. Aging homebrew makes it better and most will last a good year without losing flavor. The difference between Bud/Miller/Coors is that they are dead beer and you need to drink them fast. Homebrew is has live yeast that just makes them better as they age.

It is a great hobby if you just want to do it occasionally or (as with many of us) you became obsessed and brew all the time.

 

[xbabyboy4021x]

i am in the exact same boat as you, i am really excited to get into this hobby too and want to go out and buy the stuff i need and get my first batch brewin' but im also hard to shop for and my wife also wants to get me a brew kit for xmas so i will have to wait untill then too lol, and i also have a decent amount of experience growing fungi so i also and used to being very clean and sanitary with my hobbies.

 

[WBC]

I have been brewing since 1972 and have enjoyed every bit of it. I get tired now as I am older but it is a passion because the beer is so good. Once you master the process, every brew is good because you know what not to do that would ruin it. You can make good beer the first time if you ferment at the recommended temperature for the yeast used and use sanitary practices.

If you have not brewed then read all you can here and get very good at remembering the important points and you will have success.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Dammit!! So THAT was what 1972 was for!! I wasted that entire year concentrating on being a fifteen year old!......Oh, If I only knew then what I know now.

 

[Dennis1979]

I like the title of your post “Soon To Be Noob” That’s means your even noobier than a noob.

Hey, I know how hard it is to wait after you have decided you are ready to do something new. I thought about brewing beer for a long time and then when it finally hit me, I went out and bought everything the next day.

I am still very much a big time NOOB myself (only 3 batches) but I have learned a lot. Saccharomyces gave you great advice which I will strongly second, because water quality and fermentation temps are really, really important. If you use bottled water, get spring water from the grocery store and get several more gallons than you need for the batch. Also, don’t get fancy with your first brew. What you said about sticking to a recipe kit is a good idea to start. Wait until later to get creative. No matter what the recipe says or what anyone tells you, let the beer ferment for a least 3 weeks in the primary. On my last two batches (basic ales) I did 3 weeks in primary and 2 in secondary then bottled. One of my many mistakes on first batch was I didn't ferment long enough. I was following HBS directions but the fermentation should have been longer. Sanitation is a big deal but not as difficult as you might think once you get the hang of it.

It’s not bad that you are not a big drinker. I’m not either really. I have been drinking a little more since I started this hobby but have lately gotten back to a more reasonable routine of a few beers a week. I have been putting mine in 16oz bottles and I’ll have one after work for instance. I like the 16oz because I feel like it gives me just enough. 12oz isn’t enough if your going to have only one beer. I pour it up in a glass and enjoy it slowly. If you find you have too much, invite a friend or two over and share some.

I also agree with keeping the equipment simple. You can brew a lot of good beer with a basic kit. The fancy stuff is for those that really, really, get into the hobby side of it.

Dennis

 

[histo320]

Sure, Ill make several brews and possibly a couple of wines but Im not a big drinker per se. I will say that I have more optimism with this endeavor as I am more of a 'beer snob' in the fact that I will not drink any domestic 'redneck' beers. (I like FLAVOR with my brew) But at the same time, I drink maybe 1 - 2 times a month. I dont want to put myself in a position where I have a buttload of (good) homebrew that just sits for months on end - but then again this may be good as it will give my brew time to season itself.

Your brewed beer makes a great gift to family and friends. Also, for dinner parties, small gatherings, etc., it is great. You can also brew small batches (2.5 gal) and get a little more than a 12 pack out of it. T

 

[AlTheGud1sRtaken]

man, all these people with lots of fungi growing experience...

do you all take a lot of magic mushrooms, or do you just like to grow things in your closet?

 

[JoeMama]

Thanks for all of the replies! It makes me feel better knowing that I can actually keep a beer (unopened) for extended periods and not have to worry about it. Not to mention, I have always liked the 'better' of the brews. (Its about taste first - then the buzz that acompanies it)

Really excited about this hobby! And its kind of falling into place with 2 of my other fun activities.
MMA - I ALWAYS have a UFC on when I can (occasionally another org if its a STACKED card) In fact I am so much of a junkie I commentate for an org here...
Poker - Wife let me get away with having a tourney (small) every couple of weeks. I ended up building 2 custom tables (and buying retired casino chips) for this venture alone.

Dude, having brew (GOOD BREW) readily available for special events like this will make me that much closer to my 'Man Zen'.

Oh and as far as the fungus question - I figured that I was plenty proficient at growing common household mold on loaves of bread and shower crevices, so why not try my hand at something nature intended too. :cross:
Thanks again all!
-Me

 

[xbabyboy4021x]

i grew shiitake and portabellas, not like they are expensive or anything but just because i like mushrooms and it was a fun hobby to get into, and because im sure you will all agree, things taste much better with the sense of accomplishment and knowing that you produced the product yourself

 

[WBC]

i grew shiitake and portabellas, not like they are expensive or anything but just because i like mushrooms and it was a fun hobby to get into, and because im sure you will all agree, things taste much better with the sense of accomplishment and knowing that you produced the product yourself

Just remember to separate the two totally as i'm sure anything mushrooms related is pure bacteria.

 

[JoeMama]

Just remember to separate the two totally as i'm sure anything mushrooms related is pure bacteria.

Actually, fungi is much more stringent on sterilization techniques. EVERYTHING has to be sterilized. (And I mean, pressure cooked sterilized, and flamed) I had to spray Lysol on all surfaces and Oust to kill any airborne nasties even when opening a cover to mist etc. I think I will have a little more leniency when it comes to brewing.

Unless I decide to take up an outdoor bed... Those are the shizzle and much easier... Damn it! Now Im fungi minded again.

Ahhh, I think I am going to grab another beer now to prepare my palette for what real beer (doesnt) taste like!
Happy Brewing All!
-Me