24 hours in and the yeast is loving its new home. The airlock is bubbling, the cake is rising and the bathroom is filled with perhaps the best aroma I have ever smelled. I’m not going to make this a daily thing, but I just wanted to share my excitement that my first beer seems to be thriving.
On a related note, I found myself talking to it last night when I got home and pulled back the blanket to check its progress. Not like a baby, but definitely like a new puppy. I might actually love my beer. That would have sounded ridiculous to me a week ago, but right now it makes a lot of sense. I had no idea that brewing had this nurturing component to it. Of course maybe I’m just a sap. 🙂
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Glad to hear that things are going well. If you don’t mind me asking, how much did all of the equipment cost you? Not that I would ever consider brewing my own beer but the thought has crept into my mind recently reading your posts.
For some reason my response didn’t land here, Rob. please see below. I think you absolutely need to start brewing – it’s really not that expense (unless you make it so like I did).
Rob, Jim went whole hog into this thing, and all tolled he is probably into it about $600 at this point. I’m sure he could tell you down to the penny. But What I’m finding is that you can get deals on used equipment on Craigs list, and where Jim spent $238 on a ten gallon brewing pot with ball spigot and thermometer built in, I found an 8 gallon pot at Walmart that I will use for mine for $24. So there is much cheaper ways to get into it if you are interested. Heck you might even know someone at work or whatever that has equipment he will let you borrow just like my friend is letting me borrow his stuff. Ask around!
I figured there are a few items that there are alternatives for. I’ve been reading the How to Brew book online and Mr. Palmer makes it sound so easy. Hmmm…like you said, Jim, beer has been around for centuries, what’s a few months of waiting gonna do? Plus, I still have all of the tasty beers that the big boys brew for me that I can enjoy while I contemplate whether I want to take that big step into brewingdom (is there such a word?)
Brewingdom is absolutely a word. It’s the opposite of boredom. 🙂
And brewing (so far) has been easy, and lots of fun, too.
Don’s right, I overdid it on a monumental scale. The killer was the MegaPot, which was waaaaay to much pot for me. I think it’ll wind up being a good call because I’ll need it in the future, but it’s not necessary for getting started. Actually, it’s a heavy pain in the ass!
I will say one thing about the WalMart pot – make sure if you buy one that is stainless steel and get one with the thickest bottom you can find. One great thing about the MegaPot is that the bottom is super hefty and I had zero problems with scorching or sticking, even with the Bayou Burner set to “afterburn.” I was really pleased with that aspect of it, as hotspots can be a problem.
But if you already have a 5 gallon pot, you’re set – no need to look any further. Use what you have and only upgrade if you need to. And by then you’ll probably know a lot more about brewing, and can buy off Craigslist with confidence.
Why Stainless Steel? Marvin, who comments here periodically uses an aluminum pot and has had no problems at all.
Aluminum pots (it is said) can produce off flavors when you brew with them. I recall Marvin acknowledged this, then went on to say he hasn’t tasted a difference. I also imagine that aluminum kettles are more prone to hotspots (probably the source of the off flavors – overcooked malt) because they conduct heat differently than stainless steel.
Anyway, the “experts” say go stainless, and I’m repeating it here. Marvin has used aluminum with good results, but he might have an awesome aluminum pot – I dunno. YMMV.
Way to go Jim! You’re making beer. Is’t it a wonderful feeling!
I had no idea the fermentation part of it would be exciting. I figured it’d be fun to cook (it was) and interesting to bottle (we’ll see) and delicious to drink (fingers crossed on that one). But watching the beer “come to life” has sparked something inside of me, which has taken me by surprise.
I thought I’d be impatiently waiting for the fermentation to end, but the first few days have been bizarrely exhilarating. You’re right – it’s a wonderful feeling.
You can probably brew your first beer for well under $200.
I started with a Deluxe starter kit from NorthernBrewer.com for $156, which came with an additional fermenter, which I needed because my Bourbon Barrel Porter requires secondary fermentation. Their Better Basic kit is a good way to go, too, and that’s $109. It has a single fermentor and the capper is less sturdy, but who cares. I have been really impressed with the quality of the stuff in my kit and the fact that it contained stuff that I didn’t know I needed, but was very glad to have.
Then pick a beer from their extract ale kits, which run between $25 – $50 depending on the style you choose.
Other than that, you’ll need a pot that can boil 2.5 gallons with room for foam. I blew it here, and bought a 10 gallon MegaPot that was totally overkill for starting out. Many people like canning pots for this or stainless steel kettles. The thicker the bottom, the better.
You’ll probably also want to cook it outside, as the smell is intense and sticks around. I had to pick up a Bayou Burner, which I got on Amazon for $30. If you have a grill with a side burner or a window near your stove in the house, you’ll probably be okay.
Also, if you’re a craigslist kinda guy, you can probably find gear on the cheap there as well. I didn’t go that route because I really didn’t know exactly what I needed and wasn’t sure I could tell quality from crap, so I went with a trusted retailer instead.
As you can see, I’m having an amazing time with my first brew. I’m excited about it ways I didn’t expect to be. I am already addicted, and will be absolutely obsessed if my brew turns out to be tasty. I encourage you to take the plunge.
You make it sound so tempting. I checked out Northern Brewing website and it looks simple enough but I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. I may have to wait a bit before I would think about making the plunge as money is a bit tight at the moment. I’ve bookmarked their website so I won’t forget. Keep posting updates – ya never know, I may just jump in head first like you did.
Cool, Rob. It only took a little bit of reading to get ready to brew. So far, I’ve used the book How to Brew by Palmer to keep me on track. It’s laid out just right for a noob.
Even better, check out the stuff that Mike has written on http://www.thankheavenforbeer.com as he lays out the steps in a wonderfully simple and accessible way that provides a terrific overview of the process. I’d start there, but be warned – it’ll give you the itch to brew! And it’s free, which is always good.
Well, you have certainly put the idea in my head. I would have to do some major convincing to get Angela to agree to that. She’s a good sport and always supports my silly endeavors. Thanks for the info.
Sure thing, and no hurry, right? Beer has been brewed for thousands of years – you can wait a bit.
Don’t worry, we all talk to our beer. Honestly (and I’m being serious) i see the activity in the carboy and yeast seem so alive…in an animalistic, not botanical sense. I encourage them to eat up.
That being said…I know they belong to the fungi kingdom, but I understand why there has been past debate over beer yeast product (like marmite) being vegan approved or not.
Never thought about it like that Nate, but I will indeed eat my darlings!!
Very strange bunch here! Jim – great work on the updates! Love it!
Thanks, Scott. We are a bunch or weirdos, huh?
Love your beer. That’s what I meant on your last post. I could just watch my beer ferment for hours and hours.
The cake was even thicker last night – the yeast are going crazy. And the smell is amazing, but not to my wife, who complained a bit. I waved it off and told her she was nuts, it’s the best smell on earth. There’s no better place than the master bathtub for the carboy, as we never use it, it’s a steady 70 degrees and is generally out of the way. Besides, i can hear it gurgle as I sleep – what’s better than that?
Jim, you said weirdos, not me! Jim, there is nothing better than listening to organic matter decay. Hey, why not put a pillow in there and snuggle it @ night to keep it warm? (I’m cracking myself up here)
It’s starting to slow down a bit. My babies are growing up! Better snuggle while I can…