Ibnzmonkey Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Do any of you guys or gals dabble in home brewing? I am looking to get into it as a hobby, much like my reef.... but much less expensive! Maybe we could share recipies, pointers, setups, etc Looking foward to hearing from you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Yeah I brew with Chris' (Oozarkawaters) dad. The best thing to do to start the hobby is find used equipment on Craigslist or borrow from a friend who currently isn't using theirs. It's much cheaper than buying the equipment brand new. Next I would suggest you visit the Austin Homebrew store or check out their website. They have tons of recipes for you to look through to find what best fits your taste. When you order a homebrew kit through them, they hook you up with the ingredients and a sheet for brewing instructions. It's pretty simple to follow if you're willing to put in the time and have all the equipment. If you can take care of a reef and have a decent sterile technique, you should do just fine at homebrewing. There are lots of ppl on here, like Jake for example, who are very experienced in homebrewing and will probably be more than happy to give you advice. It's a fun hobby and even more fun drinking the final product! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Grog is another member that's a brewer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrshall1027 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 My husband brews and I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you out. We live in Round Rock, so it'd be easy for you to swing by and see his set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I went into Austin Homebrew to get my CO2 cylinder filled for my calcium reactor and was almost blown away by how much went into the brewing process... they had so many options for everything. I figured my tank keeps me occupied enough so maybe I will start home brewing one day when my tank decides to crash on me or something... or when my APEX decides to take over entirely and just lets me watch from that point on. -Ty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I would be happy to be a tester for your home brewing endeavors however... sign me up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmacc05 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I have always wanted to brew my own! But am way too lazy to wait for the final product. My buddies do a pretty good amber ale. When the tank looses that "brand new, I have to play with this now" feeling, brewing might be a future hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmacc05 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 wow, I just browsed over their website real quick. The kits are not as much as I expected. Might have to rethink this hobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Jake aka photodude brews also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I know some guys in Arkansas that make shine. Unfortunately, the project ended before I got to try any of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 it :ended" and they spent some time in "captivity" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mlaw Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I'm dabbling in homebrew. My wife bought me a Mr. Beer kit for Christmas. It's incredibly simple and makes okay beer but it's a fun way to get your feet wet and you can use most of it as you get more sophisticated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dustin Blevins Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I have always wanted to try homebrew. I helped my parents make homemade wine last year and it ended pretty well. The hardest part was picking the grapes at the vineyard. As Ty said, I will be a willing test subject if needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifuentes31 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 That's what i have a Mr Beer kit and my last beer was a dark lager. It was really good. I'm brewing an Octoberfest Lager tomorrow nite and see how that comes out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10gReef Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I brew as well. you can hunt craigslist for supplies. I found my first brew pot at target for $15 and still use it, a lot. you can check some local bakeries and see if they have a food grade bucket to use as a primary ferment. the only thing I had a hard time finding was an inexpensive car boy. if you think this is a hobby you will keep up I would suggest getting a kit from Austin Home Brew, makes life much easier to have all the right equipment from the beginning. happy brewing. any ARC members interested in doing an ARC brew exchange, I haven't made any in awhile but would be willing to trade some once I do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrshall1027 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 We are big DIY'ers. He cuts off the tops of kegs and uses them to cook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibnzmonkey Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 This is excellent. I will check that site out tonight! I am pretty excited. I may start with the Mr. Beer kit just to see if I like the whole process. I am currently working on a kegerator project so I'd love to fill it with my own brews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 my twin brother brews, he has won a few contests from Cali to Colorado to Chicago. He makes a realy nice honey blonde ale and an IPA that's realy good as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Yep, I have brewed for several years. Kind of how I got this handle. lol I make wine, beer, mead. I can help in many regards advice, gear, recipes etc. Just ask and I'll do my best to answer. The best two bits of advice are "keep it clean", and "be patient". The rest is easy. I prefer strong carbonated meads and a good light lager. Think of a mead made into champagne on tap. Great for New Years! Either way, I'm downsizing. I used to brew legal limits each year (200g each). Maybe 10g a year now. Posting some extra gear in the classifieds in a few days (kegs, bottles, carboys, floor corker, etc.) It can be as complicated or simple as you make it. I like simple and inexpensive solutions, rather than science projects. All the person drinking it cares about is how it tastes. Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibnzmonkey Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 I'm looking over setups now. I don't really want to go too complicated my first time around. I think I can DIY a system based off the RIMS brewing method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I do 10 gallon batch sparge brews in an igloo cooler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibnzmonkey Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 I do 10 gallon batch sparge brews in an igloo cooler. Exactly. I was thinking of using those igloo coolers. I have a basic design in my head, I can engineer the entire system, simulate heat, liquid flow, etc.. That part is easy. However, I'm no chemist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I became lazy, Brew day took too much time. So I began to mash in my grains one day, and just leave it over night. Usually Friday night. Then Sat AM I'd get up and sparge and boil. More manageable to split the process up and I could only notice improvements on the beer. Hardware, I use the Igloo and a PVC manifold connected to the drain with a ball valve. Could never get the braid hose thing to work properly. If you want to play with making your own recipes and water chemistry, download BeerSmith. Great little application, and I use it for all of my recipes. Worth the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaplanm Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Yep, I prefer strong carbonated meads and a good light lager. Think of a mead made into champagne on tap. Great for New Years! Grog Have you brewed your own mead? We've been brewing beer for a while now, but I've shied away from mead due to the long brew time and my inability to maintain constant temps below 76. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Sorry to not respond sooner.... Yes I do brew meads. If temps worry you, do a search for "Joe's Ancient Orange" and the recipe will turn up. An easy first time mead, but very sweet. Hard to mess that one up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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