What I've learned in my first year of brewing

voltron6 · Feb 17, 2015

A year ago, my wife bought me a Mr. Beer kit for my birthday. After having trying my dad's Mr. Beer batches, I was eager to get started. The results were terrible. I tried 4 different batches, all of which ended in failure. My friend, who is an extract, recommended that I bailed on the pre hopped, no boil kits, and stepped up to higher quality batches.I started by doing 1 gallon BIAB, jumping right over extract. I met a lot of criticism, both on forums and at the LHBS. I constantly got the "if youre gonna spend the time brewing, you may as well brew 5 gallons" speech. This simply isnt a valid argument. I live in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment and dont have room for a full 5 gallon setup, especially all-grain. I now do 3.3 gallon BIAB in an aluminum kettle and ferment in a 5 gallon carboy. I still bottle, but will eventually keg. Ive learned that the best way to upgrade your system is to evaluate what is necessary vs what is convenient. Would a SS ball valve be a great addition to my setup? Of course! Is it more important than controlling my fermentation temps? No! Evaluate whats going to improve your beer vs what is gonna make your friends go "ooh" and "aah". Also, before yiu buy it, see if you can build it. My immersioN chiller cost $17 to build, but would have cost $60 to buy.

ChelisHubby · Feb 17, 2015

Congrats on your successes!

pricelessbrewing · Feb 17, 2015

Dang, $17 to build an immersion chiller? Sign me up! I think mine cost around 30-35 with copper, hoses, fittings, and faucet adapters included.

voltron6 · Feb 17, 2015

I think i caught the copper on sale. 20 feet of 3/8 copper tubing for $11. The hoses are recycled from my transfer tube, which i replace every couple batches.

voltron6 · Feb 17, 2015

Thank you! Anytime i brew a decent beer its a success. Especially after my mr beet "mocktoberfest"

grevengrevs · Feb 17, 2015

I totally agree on the "see if you can build it first" train of thought. I built my mash tun much cheaper than I could have bought it and my immersion chiller.
My only true regret is not buying the largest boil kettle I could find. I have upgraded once from 5 gallon to 7 gallon and am now looking for something bigger 8(.