Whats Up With the Brewz! Official Homebrewing Thread

[RaoulDuke]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

Do a little research.

You calling me lazy??

I found 2 other sites in the UK. I'll try and place an order tonight.

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by RaoulDuke

You calling me lazy??

I found 2 other sites in the UK. I'll try and place an order tonight.

Not at all. But by now I'd have already ordered a kit and it would be on its way by now.

Yeah I guess I am calling you lazy!

By the way, since you're in France, have you ever tried a Biere De Garde? It's a little-known French style that's similar to a Belgian Saison. They're fantastic.

[OrangeJet]

Installed my new taps weekend...Still have some trim work to do...but getting them flowing was priority number one

[CanadaSteve]

Guys:
Great thread...

I have never made any homebrew, but has wanted to do it for years. What would some of the experts here suggest: making an initial batch at a local business to get the idea, and then buy the supplies to do it at home, or just jump right into the deep end?

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by OrangeJet

Installed my new taps weekend...Still have some trim work to do...but getting them flowing was priority number one

That's beautiful.

I installed my new dual-tap tower this weekend as well. I also kegged my English bitter ale and began force carbonation. You were right it's so much easier than bottling.

Here's my kegerator. I need to change what's on my chalkboard. I haven't had a keg in there in a while.

http://www.sourceworx.com/kegerator.jpg

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by CanadaSteve

Guys:
Great thread...

I have never made any homebrew, but has wanted to do it for years. What would some of the experts here suggest: making an initial batch at a local business to get the idea, and then buy the supplies to do it at home, or just jump right into the deep end?

There's no businesses in my area where you can try brewing at. However I think the concept is cool.

My friend tried one of those Mr. Beer setups. His first brew tasted like crap, and he dumped the next two batches before giving up altogether. The setup looked like a toy.

If you don't try one of the local businesses, get a real home brewing kit. Try using a recipe kit at least the first time. It really does make starting out easier. Eventually you can move on to your own recipes.

[OrangeJet]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

That's beautiful.

I installed my new dual-tap tower this weekend as well. I also kegged my English bitter ale and began force carbonation. You were right it's so much easier than bottling.

Here's my kegerator. I need to change what's on my chalkboard. I haven't had a keg in there in a while.

http://www.sourceworx.com/kegerator.jpg

Nice...I have chalk boards for above each tap, but I haven't put them up yet. Another great thing about kegging is crystal clear beer...

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by OrangeJet

Nice...I have chalk boards for above each tap, but I haven't put them up yet. Another great thing about kegging is crystal clear beer...

So I've heard. I guess I'll find out this weekend.

I need to buy some tap handles where I can put my custom labels into.

[OrangeJet]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

So I've heard. I guess I'll find out this weekend.

I need to buy some tap handles where I can put my custom labels into.

My wife picked me up an old Schlitz handle...nice woodwork, and can easily be converted to display my label.

[CanadaSteve]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

There's no businesses in my area where you can try brewing at. However I think the concept is cool.

My friend tried one of those Mr. Beer setups. His first brew tasted like crap, and he dumped the next two batches before giving up altogether. The setup looked like a toy.

If you don't try one of the local businesses, get a real home brewing kit. Try using a recipe kit at least the first time. It really does make starting out easier. Eventually you can move on to your own recipes.

We have a few places in the area, so maybe I will try that first, and then go from there...thanks source....haven't talked you you much since the Political forum closed down.

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by OrangeJet

My wife picked me up an old Schlitz handle...nice woodwork, and can easily be converted to display my label.

Here's my label for a Weizenbock that I brewed around Christmas time. I have two cats, one with a crooked tail that was a birth defect. When he holds it up it looks like a question mark. My other cat is named Balthazar. His nickname is Balz (pronounced "balls"). He's a fatso and bites a lot, hence the "full bodied with a big bite."


Here's the label for the beer that's in the keg now. Since it's an English style I figured I'd poke fun at the Brits.

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by CanadaSteve

We have a few places in the area, so maybe I will try that first, and then go from there...thanks source....haven't talked you you much since the Political forum closed down.

I know. You were one of the few even-keeled people on there.

Are you still studying at the Seminary? You know you're like the perfect type to get into brewing. The clergy perfected beer.

[CanadaSteve]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

I know. You were one of the few even-keeled people on there.

Are you still studying at the Seminary? You know you're like the perfect type to get into brewing. The clergy perfected beer.

Hah.....yes, Monks have been making some fine beers around the world (mainly in Europe obviously) for about a milennia now...perhaps I can draw on that.

Yeh, still in seminary. After this term finishes (April), I will have a thesis to write next year and then my Masters will be completed. Afterwards, I will be getting a certification in Thanatology (Grief and Bereavement), coaching certification from Adler, and CAPE (Counselling Association of Pastoral Education). I can start work in counselling, but will have to be certified by a counselling Association to be "official." All this training will take about three years. Works well because our youngest will then be in school full-time, so I can go back to work, and the woman who lives a block away has started a non-profit organization that will go nation-wide in offering all Canadians (and Americans for that matter) access to counselling services when dealing with loss. Quite serendipitous, don't you think?

Thanks for the heads up on the beer making....I think I will go with one of the companies to start, until I see what I need to buy, then I will start making it myself.

[OrangeJet]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

Here's my label for a Weizenbock that I brewed around Christmas time. I have two cats, one with a crooked tail that was a birth defect. When he holds it up it looks like a question mark. My other cat is named Balthazar. His nickname is Balz (pronounced "balls"). He's a fatso and bites a lot, hence the "full bodied with a big bite."


Here's the label for the beer that's in the keg now. Since it's an English style I figured I'd poke fun at the Brits.

Very nice. I need to put my brother to work for some labels...I have no artistic ability whatsoever. My brother painted a mural on the basement wall for my brewery. I'll post a pic when I get home.

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by CanadaSteve

Hah.....yes, Monks have been making some fine beers around the world (mainly in Europe obviously) for about a milennia now...perhaps I can draw on that.

Indeed they have. In fact the Trappist breweries in Belgium are still run by monks. All the profits made from beer sales go towards funding the monasteries. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Originally Posted by CanadaSteve

Yeh, still in seminary. After this term finishes (April), I will have a thesis to write next year and then my Masters will be completed. Afterwards, I will be getting a certification in Thanatology (Grief and Bereavement), coaching certification from Adler, and CAPE (Counselling Association of Pastoral Education). I can start work in counselling, but will have to be certified by a counselling Association to be "official." All this training will take about three years. Works well because our youngest will then be in school full-time, so I can go back to work, and the woman who lives a block away has started a non-profit organization that will go nation-wide in offering all Canadians (and Americans for that matter) access to counselling services when dealing with loss. Quite serendipitous, don't you think?

Universal Grief Counseling. Sounds like Socialism to me.

One of my closest friends is a funeral director. I wonder if he's aware of the non-profit organization that you're talking about.

[Sourceworx]

OrangeJet, I just tasted my bitter today, and it wasn't great. Way too bitter (not a hoppy bitter either). Could it just be that it needs more time to condition, or is it just a dud?

[OrangeJet]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

OrangeJet, I just tasted my bitter today, and it wasn't great. Way too bitter (not a hoppy bitter either). Could it just be that it needs more time to condition, or is it just a dud?

Good chance that will mellow with time. I've had some awful beers at 1-2 weeks that turned it to beauties at 2 months...

How long was primary and did you secondary?

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by OrangeJet

Good chance that will mellow with time. I've had some awful beers at 1-2 weeks that turned it to beauties at 2 months...

How long was primary and did you secondary?

3 weeks in the carboy, then I kegged it. No secondary. It's still a young beer.

[Sourceworx]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

3 weeks in the carboy, then I kegged it. No secondary. It's still a young beer.

Just a quick update: I tried it again last night after letting it sit for two days, and it mellowed out big time. In a few more days I think this brew is going to be a winner.

[OrangeJet]

Originally Posted by sourceworx

Just a quick update: I tried it again last night after letting it sit for two days, and it mellowed out big time. In a few more days I think this brew is going to be a winner.

...and just when it hits its peak....pffffffft...the sound of air from your tap

Glad to hear it's mellowing.