Anyone homebrew?

[RogHodge]

Does anyone brew their own beer?
I do a bit of home brewing- 5 gal at a time mostly extract w/grains. Also some mead in small batches, oh cider as well.
I thought about a kegerator in the back of a tear- I think that would make me cool- and popular.

[Oasis Maker]

I brew my own kombucha tea, does that count? I brew/ferment 5 gallons at a time as well but by using a kombucha mushroom or SCOBY. I bottle it, store it safely, and hit the road with a healthy drink - and save some serious bucks as compared to what it costs in WholeFoods!

Scott G.

[dovaka]

I brew a ton of beer and soda right now ive got irish stout, hard apple cider, american cream ale, old fashion root beer and birch root beer

I also thought about having a keg tap in the tear but im not sure where i would put all the equipment. for now I just leave the keg on the ground when we go camping and try to keep it on ice all the time which is a never ending battle

[BILLYL]

Yes - I homebrew but also brew at a PUB in town.

At home will develop receipes for the PUB and others. Generally brew at home at a half barrel size (15.5gallons) and use soda kegs for serving.

Currently have a Belgium, Holiday Ale and a Kolisch on tap.

Bill

[RogHodge]

Looks like I’m a neophyte brewer and novice teardropper- so sad
Any of you guys use a “party pig” could be a good compromise to a 5 gal corny- or a 3 gal corny might fit in the galley

[dmb90260]

I used to brew a good bit but had to stop. I used the 3 gal corny in the frig and rarely had more than a half pint at a time. But with the corny it became too easy to go and "top it off"once in while and a while later and then a bit more. I was brewing in a half keg and my friends were not helping me to reduce the supply.

I donated all the equip to my nephew who uses when he is not busy at work, as Brewmeister for North Coast Brewing in Ft Bragg, CA. He delivers a case of his own beer or NC product for all birthdays and Christmas..

My all time favorite is a Raspberry Imperial Stout. A wonderful high alc after dinner drink and after 3-4 years the flavor hops drop out and it makes an outstanding topping for adult-only ice cream..

[dmb90260]

IMPERIAL RASPBERRY STOUT
(adapted from a Charlie Papazian reicpe)
Makes 6-7 gallons

8# dark malt extract syrup (Montmellick)
6# Light dry malt extract
3/4 # roasted barley
3/4 # chocolate malt
3/4 # black patent malt
1.25 # crystal malt.
2 oz Chinook leaf hops
1 oz Olympic hop pellets
2 oz Cascade for finiahing
4 tsp gypsum
10# or a couple flats of red raspberries (crushed and unsweetened ina trash bag)
European liquid ale yeast
1tsp Irish Moss
1 cup corn sugar for priming.

OG 1.076 - 1.080
FG 1.022 -1.028

Add crushed malts to 1.5 gal of 160 deg water
Hold for 30 minutes and strain grains into brewpot
Ad gypsum, malt extracts, bittering hops and one gal of added water.
Boil for one hour and strain the leaf hops.
Put crushed berries into fermenter.
Pour hot wort over berries... this will sterilize them.,, and steep for 30 minutes.
Add 4 more gallons of water, you may need to split the batch into two fermenters at this point. Add finishing hops and top off so you have about 8 gal water total. Cool to 75 deg and add yeast.
Raspberries will float in time, do not distrurb them until you are ready to rack, about 7 days. With the raspberry sediments you will need to rack at least one time and ferment for 2-3 weeks.
You will have 7.5% alc or higher.

Slainte

[RogHodge]

Thanks for the recipe- the imperial is a fav of mine- I'll give it a try
My wifes grandfater used to live in manhattan beach- it is, as they say, a small world.
and for the curious or conserned- moderation- in all things moderation

[prohandyman]

I don't but my boys do. 15 gallons at a time. I have 3 corny's in my kegerator. I think they have several lagers working, as well as an octoberfest and several stouts. I designed and built their brew stand for them. I can't figure out why I can't lose weight!!??!!

[dmb90260]

I can't figure out why I can't lose weight!!??!!

My arms could not reach the fridge handle unless I turned sideways. That is when I quit.

[zelix]

I got a brewing equip. and kit last year. I brewed up a batch of American Ale. It was really good. I have to get another kit and make a new batch.

I mainly make wine as it is easier and cheeper. heh. Speaking of wine I need to get a gallon going this weekend. The wifey and her pals hammered my last 1/2 gallon bottle sat. nite.

[dovaka]

it certainly isnt what i call hard at least for extract brewing
I literally bought a ingredients kit read the 1 page thing that came with it had at it and it came out great

[RogHodge]

Brewing is easy- very easy. For about $20-$50 you can brew 2 cases of beer. There is a initial outlay of <$100 for equipment. Costco sells a case around $20 so if you do the math it saves in the long run.
But brewing takes TIME- 2 hours or so to brew- 3 weeks minimum to ferment and condition. An hour or two to bottle.
On the up side you can make a beer that you like relatively cheap. I like a Russian Imperial Stout- Good luck finding that. You can make all variety of interesting brews and impress your friends in the process.
Go buy Homebrewing for idiots and give it a shot, or better yet do a simple google search for homebrewing and start reading. I think I bought my initial gear from midwestbrewing supply or something similar. PM if you care to discuss this further.

[Juneaudave]

I do extract with grains...about two or three 5 gallon batches per year...usually I do one in the spring for the Juneau brewfest competition (never win) and one in the fall for sure to lager in the autumn. Great hobby!!!!

[dovaka]

p.s. I HATE bottling so i spent about $200 and got everything i needed to keg and i am much happier now