[Mortal Kombat voice] It has begun! [Mortal Kombat voice]

**426HEMI** · February 25th, 2008, 10:24 AM

I should be bottling the first batch on Saturday.

I made the basic recipe that came with the Mr. Beer kit, an American Lager, just modified it a little to boost the alcohol content. It's smelling very nice.

I think my dad is going to get back into it as well, he did it all from scratch before (no kits) and use to have about 15 gallons of beer brewing at any one time.

**Anthony** · February 25th, 2008, 11:40 AM

I would love to try brewing some of my own stuff. Perhaps I'll give it a try this summer.

**426HEMI** · February 25th, 2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony

I would love to try brewing some of my own stuff. Perhaps I'll give it a try this summer.

Do the Mr. Beer kit. It literally could not be any easier. My dad was jealous after seeing how easy it was with the kit.

**Nick** · February 25th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Homebrewing is definitely a hobby that I plan on getting in to.

**426HEMI** · February 25th, 2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

Homebrewing is definitely a hobby that I plan on getting in to.

Walking by the keg as it ferments, and catching a whiff.

It is so damn nice.

**Trendkiller Z28** · February 25th, 2008, 07:41 PM

Very cool! Let us know how it turns out. I've decided that I am going to do a milk stout for my next batch. I just need to get to my supply store.

**Jackal** · February 25th, 2008, 08:08 PM

I need to stop being lazy and do up my next batch. I can't wait to put this turkey fryer to use.

**Merp** · February 26th, 2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackal

I need to stop being lazy and do up my next batch.

I bought all my s*** back to school with me but havent even ordered my grains and s***. Hell, even if I did have it I havent had time to brew it up really :/

Hopefully I'll get some ordered soon.

**426HEMI** · February 29th, 2008, 08:49 AM

Had my first taste of the batch yesterday and it's not bad at all. I can smell and taste the little extra alcohol that I added to the recipe, and it's pretty good for an American lager type beer. I'll bottle tomorrow and let it carbonate, then a week or so lagering. I'll probably order my next ingredients today.

**426HEMI** · March 3rd, 2008, 11:25 AM

Bottled it up on Sat. Had another taste and it matured quite a bit since the last taste. It tastes more like a Belgian brew than an American lager. Very tasty. Should open one up this weekend.

**Trendkiller Z28** · March 3rd, 2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 426HEMI

Bottled it up on Sat. Had another taste and it matured quite a bit since the last taste. It tastes more like a Belgian brew than an American lager. Very tasty. Should open one up this weekend.

I don't touch that s*** until it's done

It doesn't taste odd before it's done?

**426HEMI** · March 5th, 2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trendkiller Z28

I don't touch that s*** until it's done

It doesn't taste odd before it's done?

It doesn't taste bad at all. It's a good way to get an idea of the final flavor and nuances of the brew.

**Trendkiller Z28** · March 5th, 2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 426HEMI

It doesn't taste bad at all. It's a good way to get an idea of the final flavor and nuances of the brew.

I just assumed it would be terrible so I never tried it. I will now though. I always went by smell.

**426HEMI** · March 6th, 2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trendkiller Z28

I just assumed it would be terrible so I never tried it. I will now though. I always went by smell.

Well, it's flat of course since it hasn't had time to build the carbonation, but it still tastes pretty decent.

**Trendkiller Z28** · March 6th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 426HEMI

Well, it's flat of course since it hasn't had time to build the carbonation, but it still tastes pretty decent.

I guess I'll give it a try next time.

**426HEMI** · March 10th, 2008, 09:11 AM

Well I had my first one this weekend. I either put in a little too much starter sugar, or didn't let it condition long enough. It was a touch on the sweet side. Not bad tasting at all, but I generally don't like sweet beers. My second batch, Witty Monk Beer, should be in soon so I'll start it this weekend.

**426HEMI** · March 21st, 2008, 08:06 AM

Started the second batch. Witty Monk Witbeer. Smelled amazing.

**Jackal** · March 21st, 2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 426HEMI

Well I had my first one this weekend. I either put in a little too much starter sugar, or didn't let it condition long enough. It was a touch on the sweet side. Not bad tasting at all, but I generally don't like sweet beers. My second batch, Witty Monk Beer, should be in soon so I'll start it this weekend.

How much hops did you use?

I'm assuming extract brewing? From what I understand (and have seen in my own), when it's brewed that way they tend to be sweeter, and there's really no way around it unless you move up to partial mash/all grain brewing.

**426HEMI** · March 24th, 2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackal

How much hops did you use?

I'm assuming extract brewing? From what I understand (and have seen in my own), when it's brewed that way they tend to be sweeter, and there's really no way around it unless you move up to partial mash/all grain brewing.

Yes, extract brewing. Tried another this weekend and most of the sweetness has gone. Just needs extra lagering time I suppose.

**agaden** · March 31st, 2008, 10:38 PM

Working on my first Irish Stout ATM, almost got the wort complete, just wish I had started a few weeks sooner, soooo thirsty

Started mine from an old kit I brought from CA. so far so good!!!

**426HEMI** · April 1st, 2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agaden

Working on my first Irish Stout ATM, almost got the wort complete, just wish I had started a few weeks sooner, soooo thirsty

Started mine from an old kit I brought from CA. so far so good!!!

Keep us updated.

My next batch will be a Pilsner of some sort so my dad will stop b****ing about my only brewing Belgian style ales.

**agaden** · April 1st, 2008, 09:34 AM

I think my first batch was a pilsner, not my fav. But what the heck, its still beer!! (as long as it's not attached to the budweiser name its still beer, LOL)

**426HEMI** · April 1st, 2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agaden

I think my first batch was a pilsner, not my fav. But what the heck, its still beer!! (as long as it's not attached to the budweiser name its still beer, LOL)

True. My hops are starting to sprout up so hopefully I will have a good harvest this year.

**Jackal** · April 1st, 2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agaden

Working on my first Irish Stout ATM, almost got the wort complete, just wish I had started a few weeks sooner, soooo thirsty

Started mine from an old kit I brought from CA. so far so good!!!

Welcome to the forum btw.

**agaden** · April 3rd, 2008, 02:23 PM

Thanks, a certain Z28 person directed me here. I'm thinking I need to up the ante on my beer making so that I have a 6 pack just finnishing up each monday, ahhhh now that is a dream come true.

Did I hear someone say they are growing hops? You must have a much bigger operation to go that far. I have 6 tamato plants in my garden, no room for hops, barley etc, so sad. . . .

**agaden** · April 8th, 2008, 10:53 PM

Just moved from wort to 2nd stage brew. 5 days and then I'm at 3rd. . . .