Homebrewing Beer

[ICB]

Hey all,

I've been brewing my own beer for several years, and I was thinking about blogging my next batch here on NF. Over the years I've discovered that people (even non-drinking people) are fascinated by the actual process of brewing, as they imagine that it is a sort of alchemy that transforms water, yeast, and hops into their favorite pint of beer. Such people usually like to see what I'm doing, and the really nerdy people like to know about the organic chemistry going on behind the scenes.

So I have two questions: Is anyone actually interested in this? This is a fitness forum, so blogging about beer would be a little like blogging about porn on a sex addiction support forum.

Second question: Any other rebels out there who brew their own?

Cheers,

ICB

[SeanOfKelley]

I do not brew my own beer, but I am fascinated by the brewing process, and would love to read about your beer brewing experiences.

[Horsedog]

Currently drinking:

The Dirty Blonde - a crystal-clear subtly hoppy blonde ale (so sad that the blondes are out of style). This little lady took me a while to figure out - hops were either not enough or too much for a while. Now, though...just gorgeous.

Farmer's Daughter - an unfiltered saison-style with honey and lemon. First batch didn't turn out as expected on account of the piss-poorly zested lemon - way too much pith has given it a monsterously deep bitterness while I wanted a light lemony freshness. The honey is evident in the aroma, but not the taste, although it could be overpowered by the lemon bitterness. Next time, more zest, less pith

Next batch:

The Spicy Ginger - currently searching/planning a recipe for an amber ale on the lighter side of the colour spectrum, but with lots of aromatic hops (not sure what kind, yet), a bit of citrusy fruitiness, and juuuust enough bitterness to balance the sweetness.

[Horsedog]

Oh, I guess to answer your question - YES, do blog the brew

[TheOtherScott]

Huge beer nerd here. Post away!

[ICB]

Horsedog, now you're speaking my language.

I just finished drinking/giving away a sweet Belgian Trappist-style Ale. Herby, spicy Hallertauer hops and just a touch of brown sugar for sweetness. It came out really well. I called it Citadel, after the home of the Maestres in Game of Thrones.

I'm thinking the next one is going to be a golden wheat hefeweizen for summer. Name: Lannister Gold.

[Horsedog]

I just finished drinking/giving away a sweet Belgian Trappist-style Ale. Herby, spicy Hallertauer hops and just a touch of brown sugar for sweetness. It came out really well. I called it Citadel, after the home of the Maestres in Game of Thrones.

That's so awesome I need to change my pants. Trappists are, hands down, my favourite style. They're just so...BIG

[TheOtherScott]

I'm more of an IPA guy. Horsedog, have you tried anything from Railway City or Black Oak?

[sumdawgtwigg]

It would be cool to read about. I personally don't do it because beer and I have a history. lol

[Horsedog]

I tend to favour the malty over the bitter, so while I can appreciate a nicely crafted IPA based on merit...I don't really dig drinking them. I've tried Dead Elephant, which I didn't mind (although the IBUs are WAY up there - like 45 or something? Damn.), but I've never tried anything from Black Oak. Worthwhile?

You're in the Hammer? Next time I'm at the Judge, I'll let you know

[ICB]

I tend to favour the malty over the bitter, so while I can appreciate a nicely crafted IPA based on merit...I don't really dig drinking them. I've tried Dead Elephant, which I didn't mind (although the IBUs are WAY up there - like 45 or something? Damn.), but I've never tried anything from Black Oak. Worthwhile?

You're in the Hammer? Next time I'm at the Judge, I'll let you know

I'm the same way with the hoppy bitterness in IPA. A good IPA is an interesting experience, after which I head back to my Trappists and Hefes and Ales.

Do you guys have any local breweries near you? Franconia Brewing is in the next town over, and they do tours of the brewery that includes a $5 all-you-can-drink sampling of their most recent brews. It's awesome.

[fire.eagle]

Yes!

Currently have a raspberry amber and a potato pale ale on tap. The potato is interesting; it gives a different kind of flavor and bitterness.

[ICB]

Potato?! Wow. The part of me who enjoys traditional beer and German Purity Laws (not the racist kind, the tasty kind) recoils in horror from the suggestion. And yet....I think I would probably like to try a potato pale ale.

You crazy kids and your beer full of fruit and vegetables.

[This is Seth]

I have a big IPA on it's second week of bottle aging at the moment and a kolsch that's about ready to move into its secondary fermenter.

And two new carboys in the mail... squeeeeeeeee.

I love brewing, it's so much fun. And I get to feel like a mad scientist.

[ICB]

I love brewing, it's so much fun. And I get to feel like a mad scientist.

I know exactly what you mean. I spent a weekend a few months ago building a homemade lauter-tun out of a 5-gallon drink cooler and a collection of plumbing parts from the hardware store. When I filled it up and it didn't leak, I was yelling "It works! IT WORRRRRRRRRRKS!" like Doc Brown from Back to the Future.

[fire.eagle]

I love brewing, it's so much fun. And I get to feel like a mad scientist.

Haha, yep. I taught my roommate (who is a food science major) how to brew. I demanded he let me use his lab coat so I could feel sciency as I taught.

[This is Seth]

I know exactly what you mean. I spent a weekend a few months ago building a homemade lauter-tun out of a 5-gallon drink cooler and a collection of plumbing parts from the hardware store. When I filled it up and it didn't leak, I was yelling "It works! IT WORRRRRRRRRRKS!" like Doc Brown from Back to the Future.

Hah! My next project is going to be to make a carboy cooler... aka, buy a cheap cooler and then frankenstein it so I don't have to rely on a wet towel to maintain the temperature around my fermenters on hot days.

[KAllen]

My CO brews his own Klingon Bloodwine, not beer, but very very very good!!! Here is a link to one of our fellow Klingon ship's brew method.

http://www.janissaries.net/ikvmelota/bloodwine.htm

[Horsedog]

I'm the same way with the hoppy bitterness in IPA. A good IPA is an interesting experience, after which I head back to my Trappists and Hefes and Ales.

Do you guys have any local breweries near you? Franconia Brewing is in the next town over, and they do tours of the brewery that includes a $5 all-you-can-drink sampling of their most recent brews. It's awesome.

I'm actually smack-dab in the middle of wine country and would have to drive for at least...I guess 30 minutes or so (minimum) to hit a microbrewery. My favourites at the moment are Mill Street Brewery (in Toronto - 45 minute drive) and Flying Monkey Craft Brewery (in Barrie - 1.5 hours away from me). Craft breweries aren't experiencing the same rennaissance here as in the States. For one, there's just less demand on account of the much lower population. For another (at least in Ontario), the provincial government has a more-or-less complete monopoly on alcohol sales. Unless you go to the brewery directly, you have to buy from a government-run beer store (called simply...you guessed it, The Beer Store). It is, in my opinion, an affront to the integrity of the free market and paying consumers across the province

[TheOtherScott]

You're in the Hammer? Next time I'm at the Judge, I'll let you know

Sounds good to me!

[erawka]

I've brewed in the past, although grad school + moldy basement (where I keep my brew gear) = no brewing for a couple of years and some brewing kit I'd rather not look at. I'd be stoked to get back at it, especially since it's something my brother and I seriously bond over. I taught him, and he's SO much better than me now. Punk. But a punk with tasty beers he shares with his sister sometimes. I'll keep y'all posted! I've wanted to do a cider for a good long while.

[SusieBlu]

Please share. I would like to love and start making my own beers, meads, and wines.

[Rooks]

The wife is actually the brewer between us. I just more or less lift some heavy stuff and build things that she needs (need is very loose in this phrase) and of course I enjoy the spoils of having a wife that likes brewing. Currently, we've got an Oaked Blonde Ale, and a 90 Schilling that's aging. Both should be ready in a month or so. We are little worried about the Oaked Blonde as it was a complete experiment, but here's hoping we don't have 5 gallons of junk! Soon we are going to pick up a Mash Ton and try out first all grain recipe.

Blog away my friend. I'm sure both me and the wife will read it.

[erawka]

Rooks, how is your wife doing the oaking? Do you have big barrels hanging out in your kitchen/basement/closet? If so, seriously good on her!

[TheOtherScott]

For another (at least in Ontario), the provincial government has a more-or-less complete monopoly on alcohol sales. Unless you go to the brewery directly, you have to buy from a government-run beer store (called simply...you guessed it, The Beer Store). It is, in my opinion, an affront to the integrity of the free market and paying consumers across the province

The Beer Store is more insidious than that. They're owned in part by Labbat's, Molson and Sleeman (the three largest megabreweries in the country), who obviously have a lot to lose if craft breweries become popular.

The LCBO is a little better at supporting local producers, but the hoops an upstart microbrewery needs to go through in Ontario are still ridiculous.