First homebrew was a cider but first beer I think was a wit. It turned out pretty good. Recipe I think was from a book and ingredients were LHBS. Friends liked it but I improved the recipe the next go around.
Mine was a can simply labelled "Dogbolter." It had the hops already mixed in, and came with a dry yeast pack. This was around 1989.
Back in the late 80's Papazian's book was about all I had, and my first beer was a simple extract pale ale attempt. I don't even remember the yeast or any details. I do remember that when I went to stick the airlock in the top of the bucket, I tried to force it and the grommet fell in the wort. I panicked and stuck my arm in there and grabbed it. I was sure it was ruined. Anyway, it being my first beer I designed a label and called it "Arm Sweat Ale", bottled it up and served it. My memory was it was pretty good, and my friends all laughed and drank it. No infection! Must have had a pretty clean arm. B-Brite was all I had to clean or sanitize anything in those days.
I only primary fermented for 10 days and then bottled. I also fermented too warm but the beer came out good for a first attempt! All 50 bottles were gone in 2 weeks!
wailingguitar said:Nice! You know, I think there is something lost from those days. The internet is both a blessing and a curse... if you had had HBT at the time you would have been all over the forum, "Did my nasty arm ruin my beer?! HELP ME NOW!" (Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but we have all seen those posts). We had Papazian, our LHBS and maybe a few friends in local clubs... we shared ideas in a very outlaw/underground community kind of way. In some ways the beer now may be better, but I still get nostalgic...
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