Taking the Next (baby) Step

[GABrewer1426]

Second post, so be gentle...

I got a Mr. Beer and read through 90% of the Mr. Beer thread. So I might be jumping the gun, but so far I haven't found an answer that is suitable.

I'd like to take a Baby step up from ordering Mr. Beer kits. However, I don't have the $$ resources to go full hog. Nor do I have the experience. But I'd like to know what is a good, baby step forward?

I really like the 2.5 gallon size for home brewing. So if we can keep the recipe,solution with that in mind.

I'm going to the LHBS tomorrow (10/15) and I am looking at picking up home bottling equipment. It's cheap and gets me away from plastic bottles. This will be used on my first batch, which has been sitting since 10/12 and I plan to bottle around 10/24-10/26 (when time dictates). I'm also going to inquire about the sugar situation (I've read about per bottle vs per batch and leaning toward per batch, but I'll talk with the LHBS owner).

Thanks to everyone and I look forward to many posts and problems in the future.

 

[SenorWanderer]

disclaimer- i know almost nothing about mr. beer. never used it.

it's my understanding that the mr. beer kit provides a fermentation vessel, plastic bottles and an extract kit for making beer. you've already mentioned upgrading the bottles, which is great. i'm guessing you can use the fermentation vessel again with bulk extract and hops and follow recipes for other extract beers. if the mr. beer makes 2.5 gallons then you could halve a 5g recipe. i'm sure your LHBS would help you make sure you get all the portions correct.

as for the sugar situation, you definitely want to go with bulk priming if you're using actual sugar. that way the sugar gets more evenly distributed in the beer. the only time you'd prime individual bottles is if you were using a product (cant remember the name) that is designed as small sugar tabs that you use a few per bottle. i don't think anything would recommend using those.

 

[GABrewer1426]

Thanks for a quick reply.

Well, Mr. beer is what I call the "fisher price" of home brewing. Cheap plastic thingy and you follow directions.

It didn't come with the bottles but I have no problem emptying the Becks in my fridge (I know, green bottles vs brown bottles).

I'm a little nervous about the bulk priming. But I guess that and the bottling is enough for any N00B. I'll have to go to K-Mart or someplace and pick up a 3 gal cooler and some toobing from Lowes.

From what I've read;
you calculate the amount of TOTAL sugar you will need, boil it in X amount of water. Let it cool. Add it to the K-mart Cooler. Then tube feed the (technical term for stuff from Mr. Beer keg) into the cooler. Then, tube feed that into each bottle.

So basically, i'll have to pick up two tubes and a cooler. Sterilize everything. Then do the above process. Do I not let any of this sit? Can I add the sugar mixture directly to the Mr.Beer keg? What is the water-to-sugar ratio? (I know not to use table sugar).

--too many questions.

 

[McKBrew]

If you are interested in taking the next step, start here. Also this. These links will explain the brewing process and get you going in the right direction.

 

[Yooper]

One thing- I've NOT been able to cap Beck's bottles. The bell size isn't right for my wing capper- you might want to check that before you plan to bottle a batch in them.

I like to prime the whole batch. I siphon to a bottling bucket, into which I've poured the mixed up priming sugar and cup of water. If you're not using a bottling bucket, though, it'd be easier to just prime each bottle, I think. You don't want to add the sugar to the Mr Beer keg- you'd just stir up all the sediment on the bottom, and you don't want to do that. You want to siphon off the clear beer from above the sediment.

 

[GABrewer1426]

Thanks and thanks.

Okay. Ex-nay the ecks-Bay. Are there any other brands that will work better? I just picked them because I have them and didn't want to waste the bottles.

Alright; so YES to picking up a secondary cooler thingy, toobing, and all that? (Should funds be available; *prays to the almighty purse strings*)

From what I've read it always seems to be "add your total sugar" to 1 cup of water. 1 cup seems to be the standard, but why? Wouldn't it depend on how much sugar? If I mix 1 tsp of sugar vs 3 cups of sugar, it seems like the ratio will be way off. I guess I was trying to determine the ratio; water/sugar.

But that's a good "baby" step forward from what I can tell. I've been reading the Palmer online Bible. Thank you!

 

[GABrewer1426]

Yooperbrew - one last thing; what brand of bottle capper do you have? If I see it at the LHBS tomorrow, I will be sure to be aware of that dilemma.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks and thanks.

Okay. Ex-nay the ecks-Bay. Are there any other brands that will work better? I just picked them because I have them and didn't want to waste the bottles.

Alright; so YES to picking up a secondary cooler thingy, toobing, and all that? (Should funds be available; *prays to the almighty purse strings*)

From what I've read it always seems to be "add your total sugar" to 1 cup of water. 1 cup seems to be the standard, but why? Wouldn't it depend on how much sugar? If I mix 1 tsp of sugar vs 3 cups of sugar, it seems like the ratio will be way off. I guess I was trying to determine the ratio; water/sugar.

But that's a good "baby" step forward from what I can tell. I've been reading the Palmer online Bible. Thank you!

I don't know about the cooler thingy- do you have something personal against a bottling bucket? That would work, and would work if/when you go to 5 gallon batches as a fermenter, with a lid and airlock.
There isn't really a sugar/water ratio. I mean, you're just using the water to dissolve the sugar, ya know? So, if you're using, say 2 ounces of sugar, 1/2 cup of water would work. You're not wanting to dilute your beer- just dissolving the sugar.

 

[GABrewer1426]

I aplgze for my ignorance. I have nothing against a "bottling bucket" and thought they were the same thing. I will do more research.

From what I gather; I take the sugar solution (I can easily calculate that) and dilute it into boiling water. Then pour that into a BBucket. I then have to be careful about getting the keg mixture into that. Then the BBucket solution into the bottles.

Please excuse my naivete.

 

[Yooper]

I aplgze for my ignorance. I have nothing against a "bottling bucket" and thought they were the same thing. I will do more research.

From what I gather; I take the sugar solution (I can easily calculate that) and dilute it into boiling water. Then pour that into a BBucket. I then have to be careful about getting the keg mixture into that. Then the BBucket solution into the bottles.

Please excuse my naivete.

Yep, that's about it. You add the dissolved sugar/water mix to the bottom of the bottling bucket, and then rack (siphon) the beer into it- very gently so that it doesn't splash or aerate the beer. I put the tip of the tubing in a circle around the bottom of the receiving vessel, so that it swirls around to mix, without splashing. Here's a great link to show what I'm talking about: How to Brew - By John Palmer - Priming Solutions
It's not hard- just be sanitary by sanitizing everything that touches your beer, and don't splash.
Then, fill the bottles: http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter11-6.html

 

[GABrewer1426]

Yep, that's about it. You add the dissolved sugar/water mix to the bottom of the bottling bucket, and then rack (siphon) the beer into it- very gently so that it doesn't splash or aerate the beer. I put the tip of the tubing in a circle around the bottom of the receiving vessel, so that it swirls around to mix, without splashing. Here's a great link to show what I'm talking about: How to Brew - By John Palmer - Priming Solutions
It's not hard- just be sanitary by sanitizing everything that touches your beer, and don't splash.
Then, fill the bottles: How to Brew - By John Palmer - Bottle Filling

Okay. Thank you very much. This is what I was looking for!! That "baby step forward". It's something that gets me closer to full fledged brewing.

One last question; for my next batch I want to do a Stout (Guiness fan). Do you think that is too advanced for a Level 1 Padawan?

 

[Yooper]

Okay. Thank you very much. This is what I was looking for!! That "baby step forward". It's something that gets me closer to full fledged brewing.

One last question; for my next batch I want to do a Stout (Guiness fan). Do you think that is too advanced for a Level 1 Padawan?

No, you can do a stout! Actually, you can do just about any style you'd like. The key would be to find a recipe with a few steeping grains, and use fresh extract (I prefer dry). Either a dependable LHBS, or from here on the forum, should get you an easy and good drinking stout.

A stout is also a good choice for beginners, because the dark beer covers up a few mistakes- the dark color covers lack of clarity, for example. The roast flavor might cover up some astringency. If you like stouts, I think it's a great idea!

 

[GABrewer1426]

Awesome! Thank you very much. You've been more than extremely helpful and I appreciate that.

After everything I've read (so far) it looks like I plan on going with the Dry Extracts because it appears that they last longer if you have to store them.

 

[ajf]

If you're going to the LHBS, then pick up a bottling bucket and a bottle filler. The bottling bucket is a 6 - 6.5g Ale Pail with a spigot (and a lid drilled for an air-lock). The bottle filler is a piece of plastic tubing with a spring loaded valve on one end.
Pick up a few feet of plastic tubing that will fit the bottle filler from either Home Depot, Lowes, or the LHBS, and you're all set. You'll probable get the bucket and the bottle filler cheaper than the cooler
For priming a 2.5g batch, you will need about 3/8 cup of corn sugar, or 1/4 cup of table sugar boiled in 1/2 - 1 pt water. Table sugar is fine for priming, but takes a few days longer to ferment.
When the sugar solution is cooled, pour it into the bucket, then rack (or tube feed) the beer (stuff from Mr. Beer) on top of it.
Plug the sanitized bottle filler into one end of the sanitized tube, and plug the bottling bucket spigot into the other end. (You did sanitize the bucket and spigot first didn't you.)
Now for the magic. Press the bottle filler onto the bottom of a bottle, and beer flows (assuming you have opened the spigot). Lift it, and beer stops flowing. With this little device, you will make bottling much easier, and spill a lot less beer.

Good luck.

-a.

Edit. You guys are quick. I had to answer the phone in the middle of posting, but 9 posters got in before I finished with the phone call.

 

[GABrewer1426]

Wow! Thank you AJF. Step-by-step. I can follow that!

I will be printing all this out before heading to the LHBS. Lots of great info!

 

[Yooper]

Good luck! Let us know how it works out for you.

Welcome to the obsession!

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

I know you said you want to stay with 2.5 gallons, but in all honesty you will be buying one of these soon. It's the next realistic baby step.....Honestly!

 

[PaulStat]

Apart from money (for extra equipment) and time constraints associated with going to all grain, I don't understand why people feel the need to go from kits->extract->all grain instead of going straight to all grain.

I jumped in head first to all grain never having brewed anything in my life, and I'm loving it!

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Apart from money (for extra equipment) and time constraints associated with going to all grain, I don't understand why people feel the need to go from kits->extract->all grain instead of going straight to all grain.

I jumped in head first to all grain never having brewed anything in my life, and I'm loving it!

No argument there. We are all different though in how we approach stuff. Doing small extracts suits some people, and is an important training in good sanitation and method control IMO

 

[IrregularPulse]

Apart from money (for extra equipment) and time constraints associated with going to all grain, I don't understand why people feel the need to go from kits->extract->all grain instead of going straight to all grain.

I jumped in head first to all grain never having brewed anything in my life, and I'm loving it!

I liked the simplifying of learning one step at a time. Not to mention, it's easier to spend 50 bucks ona kti and do extracts and find out Brewing is not for you then it is to spend hundreds on AG equipment to also find after one batch that you don't like it. I did 2 extracts, a PM and then went AG. But I am a Hobby/Equipment whore. This is not a good hobby for me. But it's a great obsession. Careful It will suck you in, especially if you're a DIY'er, or think you are like me.

To the OP, Everything has really been said, take your time, sanitize everything, don't forget those bottles, and you'll be fine. The first time I was spazzing but now bottling is a no thinking process. That's why I just kegged my first brew yesterday. To heck with bottling now. Took a 1-2 hour process (for me) and turned it into 20 minutes.

 

[Revvy]

Second post, so be gentle...

I got a Mr. Beer and read through 90% of the Mr. Beer thread. So I might be jumping the gun, but so far I haven't found an answer that is suitable.

I'd like to take a Baby step up from ordering Mr. Beer kits. However, I don't have the $$ resources to go full hog. Nor do I have the experience. But I'd like to know what is a good, baby step forward?

I really like the 2.5 gallon size for home brewing. So if we can keep the recipe,solution with that in mind.

I'm going to the LHBS tomorrow (10/15) and I am looking at picking up home bottling equipment. It's cheap and gets me away from plastic bottles. This will be used on my first batch, which has been sitting since 10/12 and I plan to bottle around 10/24-10/26 (when time dictates). I'm also going to inquire about the sugar situation (I've read about per bottle vs per batch and leaning toward per batch, but I'll talk with the LHBS owner).

Thanks to everyone and I look forward to many posts and problems in the future.

You obviously haven't read ALL the thread; in the last few pages there is plenty of 2.5 gallon recipes for extract w/grains AND several posts on brewing all grain, on a stovetop with an unmodified 2 gallon cooler (using a folding steamer and a grain bag)

All you will need is about 20 bucks in extra equiptment (the cooler, grainback, folding steamer, hydrometer)

I know, I posted most of the info

Some of it. with recipes are here;

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/784127-post692.html

ANd more here.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/785533-post702.html

It's much cheaper to go that route...using 5 gallon recipes cut in half than buying the mr beer ingredient kits...you can even do all grain fo rless than 10 bucks a batch (which I cover pretty extensively on the page I linked, as well as stuff about bottling bucket alternatives, and other resources to improve Mr Beer brewing.)

 

[GABrewer1426]

Yeah I noticed that shortly later. Like I had posted; I read about 90% (starting from the beginning and going forward). So, by the time I had posted, I wasn't to some of that part.

I am taking baby steps, because that is how I learn this stuff. I try not to get too far ahead before plunging right in. I'm a "get this step down, go to the next". It's how I learned to play guitar. It's just my method.

When I used to put models together as a kid, I started with the snap tights. Then went to the plastic ones with the glue. Then when I was comfortable, I added paint and decals.

I do want to go to the 5galon eventually. But time, money, and space are all variables that I must contend with. As well as my limited experience.

One I get comfortable with all the processes involved, I'll make it more complex. So thanks to everyone!

 

[Revvy]

There's also quite a few other threads on small batch brewing Search Results for Small Batch

THere's also one on that topic going on right now. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/small-batches-84249/

 

[GABrewer1426]

Thank you. Search button must be better utilized.

Yeah, I'll probably cut the 5gal recipes in half. That way any leftover, I can make again if I like. Plus if I can get them to come out in similar tastes, I'll know that I'm being consistent (albeit if they both come out bad, I'll know that I'm consistently making bad beer).

 

[rowespencer]

If you want to upgrade, keep an eye on craigslist.com for brewing equipment. I got a full setup for $25. Ale Pail, Bottling Bucket, siphon hose, racking cane, capper, etc.

 

[ifishsum]

I did 3 Mr. Beer batches before I upgraded to a food grade bucket for fermenting, and using the Mr. Beer keg for mixing priming sugar and bottling. I did 3 more kits that way then got another bucket and started doing 5 gallon extract batches. I drink enough beer that 2.5 gallons every 5 weeks just isn't enough

Now I'm doing 5 gallon partial mash recipes, mashing up to 5 lbs of grain in my $10 round drink cooler. Deathbrewer has a great partial mash tutorial that emboldened me, and my beer has improved 200% from the kits. I don't have room for a big all grain setup, but I plan to start making some 2.5g AG batches for the Mr. Beer, once I bottle the Apfelwein that's sitting in there right now.

The next logical step for you would be a scaled down extract recipe where you're adding your own hops, maybe steeping some grains. They will cost less than the Mr. Beer kits and will taste better. Then you'll be really hooked!

 

[GABrewer1426]

I'll look into Craigslist. Although it's not particularly popular 'round these parts!

Well I'm back from my trip. The gentleman at the LHBS tried selling me everything under the sun (including a wine kit for my wife). But he definately had a TON of equipment/ingredients and enough of it that I didn't feel like he would run out anytime soon.

I stuck to my guns about how much money I was going to spend and what step I was planning on taking. I wound up buying an external thermometer, a red bottling contraption (two handed jobby), some caps, and little white pills.

Using the thermometer, I see that my plastic keg is sitting around 74. This is a bit on the warm side I take it?

I wanted to test out my bottling skills. I did one empty Becks bottle and one with water in it (to see how it would work with beer in it). I did alright and it takes a bit of elbow mustard, but I'm comfortable with it. I prefer glass to plastic because I'm that kind f snob!

Thanks to everyone. Maybe this post can be linked to that Mr. Beer thread for those that have that knowledge to do so.

 

[lapaglia]

You might be able to get a hose connected to the spigot of the Mr Beer and drain the beer from the Mr Beer to the bottling bucket. If you cant then you need a racking cane and about 5 feet of tubing. Your LHBS can get you the right size.

 

[ifishsum]

My racking hose fits tightly inside the Mr. Beer spigot and has never fallen out while draining...