Mr. Beer kit- Pale ale

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 01:55 PM

Will do. Right now i have plenty to read up on to figure out everything i need and to aquire / build said things. Reorganize the garage a bit to fit a fridge, give it a new circuit so i can have a temp controlled location for brewing/storing. Question there is, Fridge or Freezer - whats best. all things i must find out. Fixed wood shelving in the garage, so do have a limitation on size. Chest freezers seem to be out. But once i get it all handled I can measure up the available area.

I guess a good question is, any good books on the subjects?

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Will do. Right now i have plenty to read up on to figure out everything i need and to aquire / build said things. Reorganize the garage a bit to fit a fridge, give it a new circuit so i can have a temp controlled location for brewing/storing. Question there is, Fridge or Freezer - whats best. all things i must find out. Fixed wood shelving in the garage, so do have a limitation on size. Chest freezers seem to be out. But once i get it all handled I can measure up the available area.

I guess a good question is, any good books on the subjects?

Best off with a fridge. Even if you do a Lager style......fermentation happens at around 55. I really cant think of anything you would need a freezer for...and if you did need some freezer space, I'm sure the one on the fridge would be plenty big enough.

Are you going to get into kegging? Do you have a local homebrew store?

This is a great book and came with the kit that I bought. It not only explains how to brew......but why you're doing each step and the science behind it.
Amazon.com: How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time (9780937381885): John J. Palmer: Books

Beersmith is a great program for keeping recipes and ingredients in check. Also has great conversion calculators. Also calcs out all the water you'll need for brew day....and can print out a sheet for brew day that breaks down every step.....definitely helps keep the day organized and running smooth. Well worth the 20 bucks IMO

Do you already have a kit that you're looking at?

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 05:10 PM

no kits are high on the list yet.

Midwests Intermediate is one thou.

Fridge or Freezer is due to 100+ the garage faces in the summer.

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

no kits are high on the list yet.

Midwests Intermediate is one thou.

Fridge or Freezer is due to 100+ the garage faces in the summer.

I would definitely recommend getting a kit with two GLASS Carboys for fermentation.....plastic scratches too easy and scratches lead to contamination.

Also that kit doesn't appear to come with bottles. You will also need a floating glass thermometer if you're going to do AG

A Fridge wouldn't be able to keep up with 100* outside temps?

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adragster7104

I would definitely recommend getting a kit with two GLASS Carboys for fermentation.....plastic scratches too easy and scratches lead to contamination.

Also that kit doesn't appear to come with bottles. You will also need a floating glass thermometer if you're going to do AG

A Fridge wouldn't be able to keep up with 100* outside temps?

100 outside. probably 110 inside the garage. Scratching, thats why you don't use a metal scrubber on it.

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

100 outside. probably 110 inside the garage. Scratching, thats why you don't use a metal scrubber on it.

I'm not talking about deep scratches......Besides.....I usually only use the nylon brushes that came with the kit on anything that needs to be sanitzed.

Plastic vs. Glass.....Plastic is much much harder to keep sanitized over glass. Plus with all the build up inside a fermentor......you will be doing some scrubbing!

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 07:44 PM

Bottles arn't a big issue. I've got plenty of Soda bottles around. Enough i think for 5 more gallons than the 5 i have bottled now. plus collecting 750ml beer bottles now.

Soda's arn't the nicest but will work for starting up.

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 07:47 PM

the metal shaft is the real threat rather than the nylon bristles.

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Bottles arn't a big issue. I've got plenty of Soda bottles around. Enough i think for 5 more gallons than the 5 i have bottled now. plus collecting 750ml beer bottles now.

Soda's arn't the nicest but will work for starting up.

Yeah....I save just about all of my 22 oz. bottles......especially if they don't have a paper label.

I probably have enough bottles to bottle about 20 gals. of brew

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

the metal shaft is the real threat rather than the nylon bristles.

Honestly sanitation is your worse enemy in homebrewing.......I just wouldn't mess with plastic. It takes one out of many variables out of the equation

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 08:00 PM

Sanitation isn't as big of a worry as some make it out to be.. just how old is beer? hardly sanitary back then. Thou I do agree there is a line between Acceptable and unacceptable levels.

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Sanitation isn't as big of a worry as some make it out to be.. just how old is beer? hardly sanitary back then.

Actually.....it is a worry.

Beer is very old.....true. But beer back in the day definitely wasn't as complex and held up to a standard like it is today. Different bacterias can add off flavors that wouldn't phase somebody back in the day.....If it had alcohol it was great

But....that is just my opinion

I'd rather spend a few more bucks and a little bit more time to make sure things were sanitized and not have to pour out 5 gallons of beer because it taste bad

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 08:15 PM

Cleaning and Sanitation - Home Brewing Wiki

**adragster7104** · August 28th, 2009, 11:41 AM

Nova, did you buy a kit yet?

**Nova5** · August 28th, 2009, 03:07 PM

Yea. I went the Better Bottle route. Just personal choice after reading everything.

Midwests intermediate. - http://www.midwestsupplies.com/produ...px?ProdID=3316

Extra Parts - http://www.midwestsupplies.com/produ...px?ProdID=5883

Carrying handle for the bottles. a pair of Drylocks for the BB, although I forgot the adapter to make them fit the top opening! Doh! Not a problem, order it with my first beer ingredient purchase. Still have to make a few things MLT, Wort chiller, Prechiller maybe. 50ft of copper for a 30ft chill and 20ft prechill. plenty of reading to do before i really jump off into it.

**adragster7104** · August 28th, 2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Yea. I went the Better Bottle route. Just personal choice after reading everything.

Midwests intermediate. - http://www.midwestsupplies.com/produ...px?ProdID=3316

Extra Parts - http://www.midwestsupplies.com/produ...px?ProdID=5883

Carrying handle for the bottles. a pair of Drylocks for the BB, although I forgot the adapter to make them fit the top opening! Doh! Not a problem, order it with my first beer ingredient purchase. Still have to make a few things MLT, Wort chiller, Prechiller maybe. 50ft of copper for a 30ft chill and 20ft prechill. plenty of reading to do before i really jump off into it.

Right on.....do you already have a boil pot? You'll also need atleast one floating thermometer. Especially if you're jumping in to AG

Wort chillers are definitely nice......I still just use an ice bath though.

I'm guessing you're making an immersion chiller?

**Nova5** · August 28th, 2009, 07:56 PM

Picked up a boil pot and propane fryer at lowes.

**adragster7104** · August 28th, 2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Picked up a boil pot and propane fryer at lowes.

That's what I use as well......I picked mine up off of Craigslist for 30 bucks

**Nova5** · August 28th, 2009, 08:15 PM

I worry what the directions will say not to do with it.

The stir paddle at lowes says to not use to disipline Wives, Husbands, Children, Pets...

I notice it doesn't say Parents....

The Boil pot says "Sober Use Only"

Who do they think buys this stuff?

**adragster7104** · August 28th, 2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

I worry what the directions will say not to do with it.

The stir paddle at lowes says to not use to disipline Wives, Husbands, Children, Pets...

I notice it doesn't say Parents....

The Boil pot says "Sober Use Only"

Who do they think buys this stuff?

What is going to be your first brew in the new system?

**Nova5** · August 29th, 2009, 06:15 AM

Not sure yet, my main beers are darks so something around there.

**adragster7104** · August 29th, 2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Not sure yet, my main beers are darks so something around there.

I just bottled another variation of my chocolate stout.....added vanilla beans this time

**Nova5** · August 29th, 2009, 11:57 AM

How unamusing. Burner says the same as the pot..

**Nova5** · August 29th, 2009, 03:28 PM

Burning in burner and boil pot now to rid them of manf chemicals that must be burned off for safety. smoking well... burn evil stuff burn.

**Ted Sheckler** · August 31st, 2009, 03:27 PM

I've always wanted to try to brew my own beer but just haven't pulled the trigger on it. Just too lazy and its easier to buy the darn bottles. But I would love to brew some wheat beer at home.

**adragster7104** · September 3rd, 2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Sheckler

I've always wanted to try to brew my own beer but just haven't pulled the trigger on it. Just too lazy and its easier to buy the darn bottles. But I would love to brew some wheat beer at home.

:doit:

**Nova5** · September 3rd, 2009, 08:27 PM

Easier yes, cheaper? Hmm... not for awhile if you figure in your equipment costs. Without the equipment costs, what you make will cost what Natty Light does, yet taste like far better.