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Kathy S.PRO
Kathy S. Sendmail

Anyone make their own?

posted over 3 years ago | Report

I've never done it before, but both my brothers swear by making their own microbrew. And their's is actually pretty tasty!

Who knows if I'll ever get that into beer (I hear brewing can be messy...), but it sounds fun.

Any of y'all try it?

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  • Brodie B.
    Brodie B. Sendmail

    HAVE FUN!!! I am serious... it is a blast. But do it because you really want to do it. Don't let anyone tell you it is cheaper. If you don't value your time is no cheaer than buying even the best micro in the store. I also almost pulled my hair out once when someone said it was more natural and healthy.... Stupid $%&#@R! 99.9% of beer is totally natural- malted grain, water, hops, yeast are the 4 main products in beer and any other adjunct product is never really un-natural otherwise yeast wouldn't really stay alive -and good luck saying any beer is more "healthy" than another. Less calories are really the only thing that could be said to be "healthy". That said it is so, so worth it.

    I started homebrewing in 2004 as a way to teach myself about brewing before I started a carreer in the business. Then I got a job at Flying Dog in Denver, moved to the island of Kauai to become the head brewer of Keoki Brewing Company before moving back to Madison, WI to brew for Capital Brewery.

    It is so much fun to make your own, you can make it as simple or complex as you wish. I've seen 3-tier systems with pumps, chillers, automatic burners etc. I've also brewed some very drinkable beer on my stove top in a 3 gallon pot with all extract and pelet hops. It is all about keeping things clean and doing things right.

    Find a local homebrew shop and start asking questions. Don't feel you need to start out with the best equipment doing all-grain and a 4 hour ste mash process. My first batch ever was a 1-gallon jug made with powder extract, pellet hops, and dry packet yeast. I've since brewed on all sorts of home brew systems, with grain, with fresh hops, different adjuncts, spices, coffee, sugars, malts, etc etc etc.

    Pick up a copy of "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" by Charle Papazian. Relax and have a homebrew!

    Sorry there wasn't much of an outline with this one, just sorta rambled. Any questions just shoot me a message.

    posted over 3 years ago | edited over 3 years ago | Report

  • Patrick B.
    Patrick B. Sendmail

    Good to see some action in this group. I started homebrewing back in 2006 and I don't do it nearly as often as I would like, but I do have what I hope is a pretty nice American stout going on in the basement. Homebrewing was me taking the time to use my microbio. degree and do something that was different. I've always been into craft beer and am always searching out new beers. I'll second the recommendation on picking up Papazian's book, and you should check out The Brewing Network, specifically The Jamil Show. It can be a bit mundane, but the way the delve into different styles really shows how different beer can be.

    Brodie...If you are still brewing at Capital let me congratulate you on some fine beers. I enjoyed the heck out of the Oktoberfest this year, keep up the good work.

    posted over 3 years ago | Report

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