Hello folks
Well I'm new here and looking for some advice. I have 'dabbled' with homebrewing, but never really seriously, and not with excellent results to be honest. Twenty years ago, when I first brewed beer, it was probably how everyone started - with a boots kit and pretty non-exciting results.
At the ripe old age of 43, I'm thinking about starting up again. I've checked out the Easybrew website and they have some pretty good gear for sale, but to be honest I'm confused about the best way to proceed at this stage.
It seems to me that kits are not the way to go for the best results, but are they the best way of starting with a 'newbie' like me? One of my earliest memories of brewing was having to chuck 40 empty beer bottles into a bath full of sterelising power, but it seems to me nowadays that barrels are the thing.
The only problem I can see with making beer in a barrel is keeping it cool. How do you achieve this? No problem in the middle of winter but on a stonking hot summer's day, how do you keep your beer cool?
Sorry, I'm waffling on. I think the overriding question here is what's the best way to get started? I think another factor here is the quality of the beer. I'm a staunch bitter/real ale drinker and am keen to make a beer that rivals the quality that I'd find in a pub.
But at this stage, are kits the best way to get 'back into the groove'?
Many thanks
YC
Hmm! Where to start
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mysterio
Welcome to the forum! You'll find plenty of advice on here.
If you like real ale, barrels are perfect for getting that low level of carbonation. You're right, theres no easy way to keep it cool in the summer. I used a bucket of water with some frozen bottles of ice last year, but I now have a dedicated fridge (salvaged for free).
I would say so. I started out with kits (pretty much ignorant of any other ways of homebrewing) and had some good results. It's a good way to get re-aquainted with the process, the basics of sanitation etc. Plus, the equipment you need can be used if you decide to advance into extract or all-grain brewing. There are some good kits out there these days, too. However, if you want good pub quality (and better), all-grain brewing is the way to go.But at this stage, are kits the best way to get 'back into the groove'?
If you like real ale, barrels are perfect for getting that low level of carbonation. You're right, theres no easy way to keep it cool in the summer. I used a bucket of water with some frozen bottles of ice last year, but I now have a dedicated fridge (salvaged for free).
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BarryNL
Yeah - kits are probably the best way to start out. You won't waste any money doing that either because everything you buy to make a kit you will need for more advanced methods of brewing too.
Most kits seem to be good now but I'd go for one of the better ones anyway, like a Munton's Gold or Premium Gold, or equivalent from the other manufacturers. Certainly you should get better results from one like this where you don't need to add extra sugar.
If you do get one where you need to add extra sugar, DON'T. Use light dry malt extract or, at a pinch, glucose instead.
Most kits seem to be good now but I'd go for one of the better ones anyway, like a Munton's Gold or Premium Gold, or equivalent from the other manufacturers. Certainly you should get better results from one like this where you don't need to add extra sugar.
If you do get one where you need to add extra sugar, DON'T. Use light dry malt extract or, at a pinch, glucose instead.
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yellowcake
Well thanks guys. You've certainly given me plenty to think about so it was certainly worth my original post.
Easybrew have some good starter kits available, but from their range, what would you guys recommend? There's a standard, premium, deluxe. Is there much difference?
Interesting Mysterio that you've now acquired a fridge. How do you use this exactly? Do you keep your barrel in there, or syphon beer off from your barrel and store it in bottles and put them in to keep cool? Just curious!
Thanks again folks
YC
Easybrew have some good starter kits available, but from their range, what would you guys recommend? There's a standard, premium, deluxe. Is there much difference?
Interesting Mysterio that you've now acquired a fridge. How do you use this exactly? Do you keep your barrel in there, or syphon beer off from your barrel and store it in bottles and put them in to keep cool? Just curious!
Thanks again folks
YC
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mysterio
Both are great lager hops, it depends how you're adding them though. I wouldn't dry hop with those particular hops. Saaz adds spicy, peppery, earthy notes while Hallertau seems more fruity and lemony to me.davidson wrote:With lager kits, would you recommend adding saaz hops or hallertau hops?
I keep it outside in the garage, and keep the kegs in the fridge. Fridges are alarmingly easy to come by, try freecycle.org.Interesting Mysterio that you've now acquired a fridge. How do you use this exactly? Do you keep your barrel in there, or syphon beer off from your barrel and store it in bottles and put them in to keep cool? Just curious!
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davidson