Hello I've wanted to brew my own beer for quite some time now so a week ago i went to a bookstore and bought John j Palmer's How to brew. Now i have a question about drinking home brewed beer. The book talks about the yeast layer at the bottom of the bottle and not to drink it. Does this layer always happen? I really wanted to just drink it and serve it at football party's and not have to educate people on how to drink my beer or you'll get sick.
Thinking about becoming a Homebrewer
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GrizlyGarou
Well-Known Member
It's entirely possible to drink homebrews from the bottle without getting sick. After about 6 or 8, you might get some nasty beer farts, and maybe regret it the next day, and not from the headache either.
If you get them nice and cold, then pour the beer into a glass you'll leave most of the sediment in the bottom. If you warn everybody drinking them that the junk in the bottom will leave them haitng homebrew while they sit on the john the next day, I'm sure they can handle it with just a simple warning and showing them the 'lugey' they want to leave in the bottle when they pour it.
Or, you could go all-out and get the whole kegging shebang. The tap-a-draft systems seem decent, but I've never heard from anyone that has actually used one. They're less than 70 bucks, with 3 6-liter bottles, too.
If you get them nice and cold, then pour the beer into a glass you'll leave most of the sediment in the bottom. If you warn everybody drinking them that the junk in the bottom will leave them haitng homebrew while they sit on the john the next day, I'm sure they can handle it with just a simple warning and showing them the 'lugey' they want to leave in the bottle when they pour it.
Or, you could go all-out and get the whole kegging shebang. The tap-a-draft systems seem decent, but I've never heard from anyone that has actually used one. They're less than 70 bucks, with 3 6-liter bottles, too.
KopyKat
Well-Known Member
First of all you won't get sick. Bottled home brewed beer has yeast sediment in the bottom from carbonating the beer and then settling. Some even like to pour the yeast sediment into their beer and drink it like that.
The way around this is to keg your beer and bottle from the keg after the beer has cleared in the keg. Of course this involved purchasing a keg setup to do this. Many people starting to homebrew buy a starter kit for brewing and a starter kit for kegging at the same time. You would need to have a spare fridge or kegerator to serve the kegged beer out of as well.
The way around this is to keg your beer and bottle from the keg after the beer has cleared in the keg. Of course this involved purchasing a keg setup to do this. Many people starting to homebrew buy a starter kit for brewing and a starter kit for kegging at the same time. You would need to have a spare fridge or kegerator to serve the kegged beer out of as well.
dutch-brew
Well-Known Member
Yes, if you carbonate your beer in the bottle you will always have some yeast in the bottom of the bottle. It will not make you sick or anything, jsut not as tasty as the rest of the beer.
To drink most beers, they are better when poured in a glass. You get the aroma and everything to enhance the flavor. But then again, you're not talking about a regular Bud or anything.
And there's nothing like drinking your own first homebrew. If nothing else, go to a good beer store and try some different kinds of beers. Alot of imports also have yeast in the bottom. Most belgians are bottle conditioned.
And on the jump to homebrewing... Less thinking, more doing
To drink most beers, they are better when poured in a glass. You get the aroma and everything to enhance the flavor. But then again, you're not talking about a regular Bud or anything.
And there's nothing like drinking your own first homebrew. If nothing else, go to a good beer store and try some different kinds of beers. Alot of imports also have yeast in the bottom. Most belgians are bottle conditioned.
And on the jump to homebrewing... Less thinking, more doing
bmckee56
Well-Known Member
I haven't bottled but a few samples in all the beer I have home brewed. I use a keg set-up so when I do bottle, the beer is already cleared and there is no yeast sediment to deal with.
My son came home on leave last Christmas and we consumed a large quantity of my home brew one evening. He enjoyed it a whole lot that night, but the next morning and throughout the day, he had some nasty stomach activity. He just was not used to drinking (in Irag for many months) and drinking fresh beer with live yeasties in it did not help. After his next attempt at my home brew, he faired a bit better.
Do not worry about how others may take sediment in the bottle. Just let them know that the beer is fresh and made by you and it will no doubt taste wonderful to all.
Salute!
My son came home on leave last Christmas and we consumed a large quantity of my home brew one evening. He enjoyed it a whole lot that night, but the next morning and throughout the day, he had some nasty stomach activity. He just was not used to drinking (in Irag for many months) and drinking fresh beer with live yeasties in it did not help. After his next attempt at my home brew, he faired a bit better.
Do not worry about how others may take sediment in the bottle. Just let them know that the beer is fresh and made by you and it will no doubt taste wonderful to all.
Salute!
jbambuti
Well-Known Member
If you bottle, then you have to prime your beer with a small amount of fermentable sugar (i.e. dextrose). Without this, the yeast will have nothing to chew on, so they won't produce the CO2 that creates carbonation. You'll just have flat beer. You'll always get some sediment layer at the bottom of the bottles, but depending on the yeast you use, it might be a more compact or looser layer (higher flocculating vs. lower flocculating). This will be stated with a yeast's profile.
I wouldn't worry about people not wanting your beer if you have to give them a pouring tip. I've never seemed to have a problem with people not wanting my beers. Once they taste a good home brewed beer, they won't worry about a little yeast at the bottom of the bottle. Just store the bottles upright and pour slowly when you serve, leaving the last little bit in the bottles. With practice, I can get almost all of the beer out without getting very much yeast. A little yeast is actually good for you. In fact, some hangover remedies have brewer's yeast as a primary ingredient.
With some beers, like wheat beers, you actually want to get the yeast into the beer. That's why they roll wheat beers on their sides when you order them in a bar; to get as much yeast out of the bottle as possible.
I say take the plunge. You and your friends will appreciate it. If they don't, then more for you.
I wouldn't worry about people not wanting your beer if you have to give them a pouring tip. I've never seemed to have a problem with people not wanting my beers. Once they taste a good home brewed beer, they won't worry about a little yeast at the bottom of the bottle. Just store the bottles upright and pour slowly when you serve, leaving the last little bit in the bottles. With practice, I can get almost all of the beer out without getting very much yeast. A little yeast is actually good for you. In fact, some hangover remedies have brewer's yeast as a primary ingredient.
With some beers, like wheat beers, you actually want to get the yeast into the beer. That's why they roll wheat beers on their sides when you order them in a bar; to get as much yeast out of the bottle as possible.
I say take the plunge. You and your friends will appreciate it. If they don't, then more for you.
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
cvstrat
Well-Known Member
I agree w/jbambuti.
The truth is that most people are quite intrigued by the fact that you have created beer. It's been my experience that when I present a 6er of homebrew, the questions start coming in pretty fast. "You made this? What style of beer is it? Is it strong?, How did you make this?, etc". Prepare to sum up the process of making beer to just about everyone you show it to. Something like.. you get some grain, soak it in water, drain off the sugar water, boil it w/hops, toss in some yeast, yeast eat sugar poop out alcohol and voila! Point being you'll probably have to talk about it whether you want to or not, so why not mention that the beer is fresh and alive and as a result there is a thin layer of yeast sediment at the bottom that can be avoided w/a proper pour.
Also a good time to educate them how to pour anyway since most people try to avoid any head whatsoever.
Oh and if they have a problem w/it I'll drink w/you.
The truth is that most people are quite intrigued by the fact that you have created beer. It's been my experience that when I present a 6er of homebrew, the questions start coming in pretty fast. "You made this? What style of beer is it? Is it strong?, How did you make this?, etc". Prepare to sum up the process of making beer to just about everyone you show it to. Something like.. you get some grain, soak it in water, drain off the sugar water, boil it w/hops, toss in some yeast, yeast eat sugar poop out alcohol and voila! Point being you'll probably have to talk about it whether you want to or not, so why not mention that the beer is fresh and alive and as a result there is a thin layer of yeast sediment at the bottom that can be avoided w/a proper pour.
Also a good time to educate them how to pour anyway since most people try to avoid any head whatsoever.
Oh and if they have a problem w/it I'll drink w/you.
You wont get sick, bottle yeast is actually very healthy. But you should really NEVER drink any good beer, including homebrew out of the bottle, you lose so much character from aroma from the bottle.
I take beer to every football party I go to, and it's no big deal to pour the beer into a glass, even a cheesy plastic one, leaving the yeast behind. All my friends understand this, and after seeing the little bit of yeast left behind in a proper pour the get the idea.
One of my buddies usually has a nice set of U of M glasses ready when I come over with some.
Read this mini rant of mine...it has some good info....YOU might actually learn somtething about the beer you are making, since obviously YOU have some misconceptions about the yeast in the beer. Maybe that way you'll come to appreciate the beer you are making and the yeast in their, and you'll find it's no big deal to "educate" others about what you made. There's even a video on the proper pouring...https://www.homebrewtalk.com/1379528-post2.html
cvstrat hast it right, when people realize you crafted something, they get intrigued and want to learn more about it, and tend to respect it (unless they're a bunch of druken fratboys.)
I take beer to every football party I go to, and it's no big deal to pour the beer into a glass, even a cheesy plastic one, leaving the yeast behind. All my friends understand this, and after seeing the little bit of yeast left behind in a proper pour the get the idea.
One of my buddies usually has a nice set of U of M glasses ready when I come over with some.
Read this mini rant of mine...it has some good info....YOU might actually learn somtething about the beer you are making, since obviously YOU have some misconceptions about the yeast in the beer. Maybe that way you'll come to appreciate the beer you are making and the yeast in their, and you'll find it's no big deal to "educate" others about what you made. There's even a video on the proper pouring...https://www.homebrewtalk.com/1379528-post2.html
cvstrat hast it right, when people realize you crafted something, they get intrigued and want to learn more about it, and tend to respect it (unless they're a bunch of druken fratboys.)
HillbillyDeluxe
Well-Known Member
Yeah! What REVVY said!
Hopheader
Well-Known Member
You've got a good number of replies on this; all good information. Yes, always use a drinking vessel of some sort (glass is of course preferred---most homebrews pour better in order of: glass/ceramic, metal, plastic, styrofoam--if you like 'head' on your beer, try pouring homebrew into styrofoam, chuckle.........NOT!). Eventually, when you get into it, you'll perhaps even stock different glassware for different styles of beer. But that's pretty 'into it' hahaha.
Yeast sediment, yes: remainder of the chemistry process of the carbonation. Yeast cells and such. Some brews are better with the sediment swirled and tossed into your glass after pouring about 1/2 or 3/4 of your beer---see: Hoegaarden/hefeweizen/etc.
I rarely drink it on purpose unless I'm looking for the cloudiness or extra taste/texture. And I'm still here to type about it.
But, yes, as a first-timer (and even as a long-timer) pour till you get to the bottom and then RINSE YOUR BOTTLES RIGHT AWAY, store them upside down, and you're on your way to your next batch.
May you find a first batch that tantalizes your tastebuds. Welcome to the club.
Yeast sediment, yes: remainder of the chemistry process of the carbonation. Yeast cells and such. Some brews are better with the sediment swirled and tossed into your glass after pouring about 1/2 or 3/4 of your beer---see: Hoegaarden/hefeweizen/etc.
I rarely drink it on purpose unless I'm looking for the cloudiness or extra taste/texture. And I'm still here to type about it.
But, yes, as a first-timer (and even as a long-timer) pour till you get to the bottom and then RINSE YOUR BOTTLES RIGHT AWAY, store them upside down, and you're on your way to your next batch.
May you find a first batch that tantalizes your tastebuds. Welcome to the club.
Hopheader
Well-Known Member
oh, and p.s.:
http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html
http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html
He already read it...it's in his first post. He bought the actual book.
Hopheader
Well-Known Member
Yeah, Roger that. Just figured perhaps there was more info there that wasn't in the book.
-J
-J
rico567
Well-Known Member
Nope. I read the web version pretty much through before I bought the book. The book is a later edition and there's more in there.
Hopheader
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the tip!
Kauai_Kahuna
Well-Known Member
For me eating at some fast food joints will mess up my stomach a lot more than live yeast will.
I don't like yogurt, so homebrew helps keep my floral bouquet in my digestive tract balanced. (At least that's what I told my doctor).
Personally I would recommend going with a kegging system / keggerator if you can afford it. Bigger the better.
If you want to make sure your like homebrewing prior to sinking that much money, I would recommend re-using 2 litre soda bottles. Just wash them out very well to get rid of any residue smells and taste and they work great, and are cheap. Free if you have friends like I do who are addicted to that sugar poison.
You can chill those suckers down, then pour them off into a pitcher at a party, or just pour glass by glass and just be careful of the yeast in the bottom.
As was pointed out, if they are chilled on ice, that yeast really compacts and sticks to the bottom also.
Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy homebrewing as much as we do.
I don't like yogurt, so homebrew helps keep my floral bouquet in my digestive tract balanced. (At least that's what I told my doctor).
Personally I would recommend going with a kegging system / keggerator if you can afford it. Bigger the better.
If you want to make sure your like homebrewing prior to sinking that much money, I would recommend re-using 2 litre soda bottles. Just wash them out very well to get rid of any residue smells and taste and they work great, and are cheap. Free if you have friends like I do who are addicted to that sugar poison.
You can chill those suckers down, then pour them off into a pitcher at a party, or just pour glass by glass and just be careful of the yeast in the bottom.
As was pointed out, if they are chilled on ice, that yeast really compacts and sticks to the bottom also.
Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy homebrewing as much as we do.
WenValley
Well-Known Member
Brewing and drinking Homebrew isn't for sissys. It's currently being considered for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Brewing requires skill, judgment, and experience. Drinking Homebrew also requires a lengthy training regime. You have to dedicate yourself to sampling your product at critical points, drinking alone and with others, and sharing your brews and knowledge.
This is no Sissy hobby! So, good luck.
FWIW many members of this forum will volunteer to assist you with drinking lessons. Some will even help you drink your brews if you ship them samples. No kidding!
Carry on....
Brewing requires skill, judgment, and experience. Drinking Homebrew also requires a lengthy training regime. You have to dedicate yourself to sampling your product at critical points, drinking alone and with others, and sharing your brews and knowledge.
This is no Sissy hobby! So,
good luck. FWIW many members of this forum will volunteer to assist you with drinking lessons. Some will even help you drink your brews if you ship them samples. No kidding!
Carry on....
GrizlyGarou
Well-Known Member
This is no Sissy hobby! So,
It's true. The risks are great, but the rewards are greater.
What other hobby will you hear of someone telling someone else to play '40 oz. hands' and be entirely serious about it?
chuggs
Well-Known Member
I don't know how many people you get together with at Kickoff... but if you're consuming at least 5 gallons every Saturday...you figure 50 gallons of Beer at least. That's almost 7 pony kegs. That's about $370 if you drink Bud Light, $640 if you drink Guinness... You'll sink somewhere between $130 - $200 into ingredients for homebrew if you make 50 gallons. So look at the money you saved...that can offset the price of the equipment.
Well...maybe I'm not being completely truthful. If you don't have a cellar that keeps the temperature around 65 degrees...then you're going to need some type of device to regulate your fermentation temps... In Florida...that's a spare fridge or freezer.
I can't recommend strongly enough that you go with a keg outfit. I started with bottles. What a PIA to go around after a party collecting your empties. Sanitizing them. And on and on... When I got out of bottling...I couldn't give the darn things away. Kegs, on the other hand (If you decide that homebrewing isn't for you) ---they retain their value. I think of it as a deposit. I've got 5 of them (after giving my son 3) and wish I had more... They're easy to clean. Easy to carry to a party and ice down. And a complete imbecile can pour a good beer from it...after you set it up. You don't have to worry about "Light struck" beer. Quick to break down and take home after the game.
Another savings when you brew for game days... chain brewing! Yep...figure out a timeline when you want your brew in the pipeline. And brew a batch every ten days or so. After I rack (transfer) beer from my secondary fermenter to the keg...I use the yeast in the bottom to pitch my next batch. This saves you time and money because you're not buying new yeast packs for every batch...and you're not wasting effort with culturing or making starters. Boom...a great batch of yeast...going from batch to batch.
I'm partial to Wyeast #1098 British Ale. It's great for Bitters, Stouts, IPA's...which are some of my favorites anyway. Ferments out clean... I love using the stuff. But you'll find a favorite of your own, I'm sure.
There's never been a better time to learn homebrewing. The quality of the ingredients, recipe's, and techniques have gotten better and better over the years. If you do your homework...you'll turn out fantastic beer right from the word go.
Good luck!
Well...maybe I'm not being completely truthful. If you don't have a cellar that keeps the temperature around 65 degrees...then you're going to need some type of device to regulate your fermentation temps... In Florida...that's a spare fridge or freezer.
I can't recommend strongly enough that you go with a keg outfit. I started with bottles. What a PIA to go around after a party collecting your empties. Sanitizing them. And on and on... When I got out of bottling...I couldn't give the darn things away. Kegs, on the other hand (If you decide that homebrewing isn't for you) ---they retain their value. I think of it as a deposit. I've got 5 of them (after giving my son 3) and wish I had more... They're easy to clean. Easy to carry to a party and ice down. And a complete imbecile can pour a good beer from it...after you set it up. You don't have to worry about "Light struck" beer. Quick to break down and take home after the game.
Another savings when you brew for game days... chain brewing! Yep...figure out a timeline when you want your brew in the pipeline. And brew a batch every ten days or so. After I rack (transfer) beer from my secondary fermenter to the keg...I use the yeast in the bottom to pitch my next batch. This saves you time and money because you're not buying new yeast packs for every batch...and you're not wasting effort with culturing or making starters. Boom...a great batch of yeast...going from batch to batch.
I'm partial to Wyeast #1098 British Ale. It's great for Bitters, Stouts, IPA's...which are some of my favorites anyway. Ferments out clean... I love using the stuff. But you'll find a favorite of your own, I'm sure.
There's never been a better time to learn homebrewing. The quality of the ingredients, recipe's, and techniques have gotten better and better over the years. If you do your homework...you'll turn out fantastic beer right from the word go.
Good luck!
FWIW, we had a party recently where I had some homebrews ready for anyone who wanted to be brave and I was shocked at the response. I was also concerned about the "education" of how to pour but that part went over really well. I think people were so interested in the process that they didn't mind the training.
I knew one day that training for Beerfest 2018 would pay off! Time to dust off that glass boot. "We're not that drunk"
WenValley
Well-Known Member
I knew one day that training for Beerfest 2018 would pay off! Time to dust off that glass boot. "We're not that drunk"
:rockin:
Revvy and YooperBrew would be the team Captains.
Revvy would also be the spiritual leader.
We could hold tryouts next summer, I've never been to Michigan..
We have to come up with uniforms, team colors, and sponsors to start.
Can you picture Revvy and Yooper's on a box of Wheaties?
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I just pour it all the glass and drink it. I don't like to waste anything. I don't every get butt sick at all from it. Though I do eat a lot of ****ty, greasy fatty foods, so my stomach is trained for it.
Looks like you are from Baltimore.
If you want to learn more or ask questions, there is a homebrew demonstration as part of Baltimore Beer Week this Sunday.
http://www.baltimorebeerweek.com/events.php?eventsponsor=140&btn_Submit=Find+Events
Should be a few people brewing on site and some samples.
If you want to learn more or ask questions, there is a homebrew demonstration as part of Baltimore Beer Week this Sunday.
http://www.baltimorebeerweek.com/events.php?eventsponsor=140&btn_Submit=Find+Events
Should be a few people brewing on site and some samples.
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