Jump to content

First Time Brewing


Recommended Posts

I'm doing some research on brewing my own beer. My father used to do it years ago and with the completion of my bar I think it's about time I stock it with my own beer.

My eventual goal is to make my own rum but I figured I'd start with something smaller, in this case beer. Try my hand at that and then move onto the liqueurs.

So what advice do you have for a first time brewer? Any tips or tricks I should try to make the process smoother and the product better?

Thanks for your help

Capn Antonio Malasses

It's been said "Never Trust a Skinny Chef" I say "Never Trust a Sober Pirate"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

first... find a good local homebrew shop. They will be able to help you with any questions that may arise during the process.

second... get a copy of John Palmer's How To Brew

For equipment you will need the following:

At least one fermenter (two would be better, but not really necessary.)

A bottling bucket (can double as a fermenter- that is how I use mine)

A four gallon stock pot

Two cases of bottles, or a keg system

A hydrometer to calculate ABV

A thermometer

A Racking cane and tubing

And a bottle filling wand

Most of this is all available in kit form - except for the stock pot and thermometer

A banjo burner/turkey fryer if you don’t want to brew in your kitchen

For your first brew I would suggest an extract kit, they are easy to brew, don’t take a whole lot of time, and produce fairly good beers. The important thing to know is not to go overboard – The process is as complicated as you want to make it.

Have fun!

"Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth [...] pausing before coffin warehouses [...] I feel the need to go to sea. [...] But never as a passanger, just a simple sailor before the mast." (Melville. Moby Dick. 1-3)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

I second the recommendation of How to Brew. It contains a lot of information, ranging from very basic to much more advanced, so it will "grow" with you as you become more experienced. I'm also a fan of Northern Brewers. Their extract kits come with some nice basic directions and produce very solid beers. Do look around and see if you have a local shop to support as the staff will most likely be a good resource for your questions. I know I hound the poor folks at Northern Brewer every time I'm in the shop. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

If you want to go really basic, and really start off simply and easily, go with Mr. Beer -- available at Amazon, if nowhere locally. I've been using it for a year or so now, and have just about talked myself into moving on into "real" brewing, instead of the pre-prepared ingredient kits and simplified process.

The Englishman's Nut Brown Ale and the St. Patrick's Irish Stout are both downright awesome (though I do suggest using an extra "booster pack" or just adding some extra sugar to the kits to up the alcohol content a bit -- it's pretty weak without it).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...