Uh oh, what have I done... hello from Tampa!

[Taylormade]

Hi there, first time, long time. I've been pseudo lurking here for several months trying to nail down the design of my keezer. Thanks to Jester and Jeebas for the design and the awesome compilation of all the wonderful keezers here on HBT, I was able to come up with my own creation.

Here's the problem... after lurking so long here, now I'm ready to start home brewin! While in my local HB store here in Tampa looking for air hose and odds and ends for the keeezr, I took a stroll around and got dizzy. The possibilities!! And I already have the keezer! I got home and broke the good news to the wife, ha. I think somehow she already knew... they often do.

Anyway, I'm here to learn, just wanted to stop in and announce myself. Here's my new toy

It goes in this room, but right now, said room is a disaster with other stuff cluttering it up. Soon, I'll be building a cabinet humidor to the left of the keezer and a wine fridge/rack cabinet to the right and this room will be complete.

Anyway, cheers!

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

VERY NICE!!

What material is that splashguard?

 

[Taylormade]

VERY NICE!!

What material is that splashguard?

Thanks! I've been "enjoying it" a little too much lately, ha! They come in peel and stick stainless steel looking 12x12 squares. It's more like a very thin aluminum coating over plastic, but that's good because it's easily cut on the band or table saw.

 

[scutly]

thats a work of art! well done

 

[Hello]

That is really quite pretty.

 

[Taylormade]

Thanks fellas. I'm rather pleased with it myself, ha. It's an 11CF commercial freezer that is a monster. I only have four taps because I was planning on using two half kegs and two sixers. I may have to build a new coffin if I get into brewing!

When it cycles on, it's LOUD, although it only does so for about 3 minutes every 3 hours or so. I'm working on a muffler type system where the cabinet nearest the compressor would be empty on the bottom and essentially foam to quiet the noise (hopefully).

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

Thanks fellas. I'm rather pleased with it myself, ha. It's an 11CF commercial freezer that is a monster. I only have four taps because I was planning on using two half kegs and two sixers. I may have to build a new coffin if I get into brewing!

When it cycles on, it's LOUD, although it only does so for about 3 minutes every 3 hours or so. I'm working on a muffler type system where the cabinet nearest the compressor would be empty on the bottom and essentially foam to quiet the noise (hopefully).

Be careful with full enclosures like that. I know the pump/compressor need space/breeze for cooling.

 

[Taylormade]

Be careful with full enclosures like that. I know the pump/compressor need space/breeze for cooling.

Thanks, yeah, the compressor will have at least 6" outside the vent to breathe.

 

[passedpawn]

Very nice! I assume you were looking around Southern Brewing. They have very knowledgeable people there, and it's a great store.

Welcome to the fourm!

 

[pumpkinman2012]

Very nice! Impressive!!

 

[Taylormade]

Very nice! I assume you were looking around Southern Brewing. They have very knowledgeable people there, and it's a great store.

Welcome to the fourm!

Indeed I was. I got the help I needed and a new hobby, ha! I need to spend time reading the sticky and wikis and whatever is here that helps a fella get started with what he needs.

 

[passedpawn]

Indeed I was. I got the help I needed and a new hobby, ha! I need to spend time reading the sticky and wikis and whatever is here that helps a fella get started with what he needs.

I suggest picking up two books, and then reading this entire forum.

For all the info you will need for learning to brew, John Palmers How To Brew.
For guaranteed winner recipes, Jamil Zainescheff's Brewing Classic Styles.

Even with the books, it's hard to grasp the processes until you've done it once. Southern has brewing classes and sessions, so get in on one of those. Or, buddy up with a brewer and watch them. Also, there are lots of tutorial videos on youtube that help a lot. And, feel free to ask as many questions as you can think of right here on this forum. We have a beginner's section where no question is dumb.

 

[Taylormade]

Thanks much! I'll definitely read up before asking ANY questions, so no noob worries there.

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks much! I'll definitely read up before asking ANY questions, so no noob worries there.

noob questions are great. Drop those in the Beginner's Brewing section.

 

[Almfamily]

That is one gorgeous keezer mate - well done!

 

[beaksnbeer]

Welcome aboard

 

[Taylormade]

noob questions are great. Drop those in the Beginner's Brewing section.

oh I'm sure I'll have SOME, but until then, I'm reading the forums and reading How to Brew, that you recommended, and watching countless youtube videos. I think I'll be ok my first couple of batches. I suppose I should start simple

 

[Taylormade]

Well, wanted to check back in here and tell you fine folks that I brewed my first two batches this weekend. Both clones, one Fat Tire and the other Newcastle. They're both fairly simple without a lot of complicated measures. I used dry yeast and extract in both cases and so far they're doing well!

 

[Taylormade]

Very nice! I assume you were looking around Southern Brewing. They have very knowledgeable people there, and it's a great store.

Welcome to the fourm!

Just as a follow up to this, while the folks at Southern Brewing are indeed friendly, they're not quite as helpful as I'd have liked. I asked which brew I should start with as a beginner and they pointed me to a unabridged encyclopedia sized recipe book and said "pick one and we'll print out the recipe". I asked if there were any that were easier and they said "nah, not really, just pick out one you like." They seemed to be content being a bar that also sells home brewing supplies. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact it may be necessity to keep the doors open, I get it... just not a place I'd recommend for a noob.

Then I found Booth's brewing, in Brandon, which is a lot closer to me. They also sell beer but they're bread and butter is HB supplies and kits. They had everything I needed and then some. The kicker, for me, is that they're really really helpful. I had some nooby questions that they were all too happy to answer for me. Even told me to call them if I had any questions during the brewing process, which I took advantage of. They're extremely helpful and their prices are in line with what I've seen from other LHBS. Just wanted to pass on the stoke for anyone else who happens to read this, looking for some local assistance.

 

[passedpawn]

Yep, I'd say that sums things up pretty well there, and it's too bad. Such a great looking store. When you get more comfortable with brewing, you might find yourself going back there (SB) because of the inventory.

Just as a follow up to this, while the folks at Southern Brewing are indeed friendly, they're not quite as helpful as I'd have liked. I asked which brew I should start with as a beginner and they pointed me to a unabridged encyclopedia sized recipe book and said "pick one and we'll print out the recipe". I asked if there were any that were easier and they said "nah, not really, just pick out one you like." They seemed to be content being a bar that also sells home brewing supplies. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact it may be necessity to keep the doors open, I get it... just not a place I'd recommend for a noob.

Then I found Booth's brewing, in Brandon, which is a lot closer to me. They also sell beer but they're bread and butter is HB supplies and kits. They had everything I needed and then some. The kicker, for me, is that they're really really helpful. I had some nooby questions that they were all too happy to answer for me. Even told me to call them if I had any questions during the brewing process, which I took advantage of. They're extremely helpful and their prices are in line with what I've seen from other LHBS. Just wanted to pass on the stoke for anyone else who happens to read this, looking for some local assistance.

 

[Taylormade]

Yep, I'd say that sums things up pretty well there, and it's too bad. Such a great looking store. When you get more comfortable with brewing, you might find yourself going back there (SB) because of the inventory.

Yeah, I agree for sure.

 

[pfredop]

I suggest picking up two books, and then reading this entire forum.

For all the info you will need for learning to brew, John Palmers How To Brew.
For guaranteed winner recipes, Jamil Zainescheff's Brewing Classic Styles.

Even with the books, it's hard to grasp the processes until you've done it once. Southern has brewing classes and sessions, so get in on one of those. Or, buddy up with a brewer and watch them. Also, there are lots of tutorial videos on youtube that help a lot. And, feel free to ask as many questions as you can think of right here on this forum. We have a beginner's section where no question is dumb.

...i would add Charlie Papazian's "The complete joy of homebrewing". ...invaluable resource from back in the day. Welcome!