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How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time?
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how to brew is also another good book. Though it does tend to focus more on beer, brewing as a whole is very similar across the board.
Sounds like a swell guy. Buying a book for him to do a bit of research is never a bad idea, plus he'll be able to figure out what scale he wants to start out on! I recommend John Palmer's How to Brew: https://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888
I recommend you pick up this book, it's quintessential for learning the ins and outs of brewing. https://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484145106&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+brew+john+palmer
I'd also recommend doing a pre-made beer kit or two first to get the processes and ideas down before jumping into custom recipes.
I've got some experience making wine at home, but have never forayed into brewing and I'm eager to get started.
I have a CO2 tank and regulator from an aquarium. Does that help me as a beginner? It seems like some beginners should brew and bottle and utilize a secondary fermentation in the bottles for carbonation. Am I correct that beer isn't carbonated at pouring time (like a soda dispenser), but is carbonated while it's being added to a keg? Tl;dr: is CO2 pointless if I don't have a keg?
Can any experienced homebrewers recommend good references to get a solid understanding of brewing? Sadly, the wiki seems to have a lot of empty pages. I've ordered How to Brew but haven't received it yet.
My apartment is hellishly warm right now - days 28/84 during the day and rarely below 25/77 at night. If I don't have a place to store the beer under that temperature, should I wait until the fall before brewing?
How To Brew by John J. Palmer.
While I found Complete Joy to be a good book, Palmer's book is better.
I also recommend buying the book, it has all the latest updates and a really really great reference. And the first couple chapters are all about just getting started with everything you need to know. You can keep reading deeper as you want to get more advanced and also WHY things should be done a certain way.
it has nothing to do with snobbary. you are on a homebrewing forum. i get that you have to start somewhere. but really. that's an absurd question. they come dried.
try doing ANY amount of research into the craft before you start asking people for answers to questions like that.
The first thing you should do is buy this book and read it. It will give you a good idea of what you are getting yourself into. Then when you are ready, it's an excellent resource for the basics of brewing and it's a lot easier than trying to track down good info online. It doesn't have everything though, that's where /r/homebrewing and www.homebrewtalk.com come in. You can find an answer to almost any question by searching homebrewtalk.
Yes, buy and read How to Brew. The first chapter is focused on just getting you brewing right, just the "how" - no "why". The later chapters delve deeper into the "why" and more advanced techniques as you are grow and are ready to learn more.
Also, /u/wzl46 's suggestion is a great one, go brew with someone. I had/still have my teacher as a good friend. He was a great resource when I was starting out and really taught me a lot of practical things.
Edit, "How to Brew" is available free online, but I recommend just buying the book.
Like I mentioned earlier, I haven't brewed with it yet, but it's everything you'll need. You might want to pick up How to Brew. It's the golden book when it comes to brewing. Teaches you the hows as well as the whys.
Oh, you will need bottles. Don't get the screw off caps, only pop off caps will work.
Edit: You'll also need a sizable brew pot. You'll want to get one min. 7 gallons to prevent boil overs, which are a bitch to mess with. Just join the sub and do some research and you'll figure it out. Brewing has been happening for thousands of years. No reason you can't figure it out!
Thanks! Well, it would be easier to answer specific questions (and I am no means a master), but making beer is pretty easy and not terribly expensive (but more expensive than just buying beer, sadly). The most important thing to remember if you do decide to head down this path is to properly sanitize your equipment to prevent stray bacteria or yeast from ruining your brew.
This book is amazing but also goes into a lot of detail, so be prepared: http://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310938085&sr=8-1
I highly recommend the book version. It's great to have around and its much more user-friendly than the website, and its nice to have a physical book. I don't ordinarily like books, but I like this one.
I started out with Cooper's kits, and they worked well. They're Australian, but if they import to the US, they'll probably import to the UK.
Also, you need this book.
First thing I did was read http://howtobrew.com/ - that's an older version but still good info. you can also get an updated version on amazon (https://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888)
For literature, check out How to Brew by John Palmer and Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher; both great reads and cheap on Amazon.
As everyone else has said, explore your local options. Someone else mentioned /r/beertrade/ which is an awesome community. I'd recommend subscribing and reading around the sub to learn the ropes and see what people are looking for. Since you said you're in OK, you should be able to get Prairie Bomb! pretty easily and that can get you all kinds of stuff from around the states.
You mentioned you've been finding new stuff on Untappd? What feature are you using that you're finding things that aren't close by? That's a great app, I use the "nearby beers" feature all the time to see what's available around me. I've gotten to try some amazing beers thanks to this app.
As for homebrewing, do it. Keep an eye on Northern Brewer and Midwest Supplies. They always have starter kits on sale on Black Friday. The best way to learn to brew is by doing it. If you can boil water, you can brew beer. Just make sure to sanitize all of your equipment properly. Also, avoid Mr. Beer.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424904316&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+brew Same thing as the link above, but in book form.
Dude. Step back, read this book and then start brewing. It's rough advice, but you will thank me later. How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time https://www.amazon.com/dp/0937381888/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_D-xByb8KA8EWN
It sounds like you're familiar with the process, so I would recommend learning more about the mechanics of brewing. John palmer's book (see below) is a great source of information in this regard. Also, there's a whole section dedicated to styles and recipes that you could experiment with.
My top three resources:
- HowToBrew.com (I recommend the book, though)
- BeerSmith podcasts - I learned quite a bit from just listening to experienced people talk about the craft. At first the jargon was overwhelming, but I just kept listening to several a week and suddenly everything started falling into place. I use the Pocket Casts app to listen in the car.
- /r/Homebrewing :)
Keep the 1 gallon kit and use it for exbeeriments...
Sell the gift card and buy something like this:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/beer-equipment-starter-kits/essential-brewing-starter-kit
Buy this book:
Buy these cleaning supplies:
Then, when you are ready, you can add the below to do all-grain BIAB 5-gallon batches.
10-gal pot w/ lid - $60 (16-gal pot with steamer basket is better but is $110)
BIAB bag - $30
Immersion cooler - ~$50 (25ft)
20" wire whisk - $10
Racking Cane- ~$15 (get the 1/2inch size... not an auto siphon)
Hose for racking - ~$10
Annual membership to BrewersFriend website (it is awesome, trust me) - $10
Propane burner (Bayou Classic SP-10) - $50
Propane Tank - $30
Ok, so someone who was in your situation 5 years ago...here goes. Others will probably chime in with better advice.
Pick up a couple of books. How to Brew, which is an excellent source for general knowledge on brewing. The one I started with was The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, and have owned 2 different editions and several copies. Pick them both up and read them, and know them.
As far as equipment goes, are you planning on doing all-grain, or extract brewing? If you're going to go extract, you won't need quite as much stuff as you will with all-grain. If you're going to go all-grain, check out Brulosopher's equipment list. While you don't have to have the exact same stuff, it gives you a good idea of a checklist to use. For extract, you can get away with a kettle, burner, sanitizer, ingredients, fermenting and bottling equipment and be on the road to making beer.
Get an idea of what the temperatures are like in your 1BR apartment. What I did in our new place was get a couple fermomters and set them around to get an idea of what temps are like in different places in our ohana (what we call a studio or 1BR detached on Maui) so I know where I want to set my carboys to get the right temps for fermenting my beers. You mentioned both ales and lagers/pilsners so having the right temp is going to be key for you depending on the style you're going for.
And here's the thing, you're going to screw up at some point. It may not be on your first beer, but it could be the second or third. Whatever happens, don't worry, learn from the experience and do things differently on the next batch, and NEVER be afraid to be creative with what you make.
Sorry for the long response. Hope it helps somewhat.
Sweet. This one here? http://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888
I think you'd do better with Palmer's How to Brew. I'd also recommend listening to the podcasts on The Brewing Network, esp BrewStrong. Also, find and join a local homebrew club. There's a lot of info you can get by reading or advice from forums, but nothing compares to having other beer nerds tasting your brew and giving good feedback.
First off, in the words of Charlie Papazian, "relax, don't worry, have a homebrew". Keep detailed (or simple) notes for each brew. I basically kept a log of what I fucked up on/forgot each time, and made sure to fix it the next time. As long as you are willing to be diligent and improve your process each time, you'll be OK. Trust me - this is a never ending hobby and you will likely NEVER stop learning. Read a lot, get involved with forums/homebrewing folks, and take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt.
Edit: Suggested reading if you seriously want to get in depth.
Must read: How to Brew - http://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888
Water - http://www.amazon.com/Water-Comprehensive-Brewers-Brewing-Elements/dp/0937381993
Hops - http://www.amazon.com/For-The-Love-Hops-Bitterness/dp/1938469011/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y
- He doesn't need a bucket, he already has a carboy. Also, who's your bucket guy? $27 is way high. I can order a 6.5 gallon bucket with airlock for <$15.
- Auto siphon is nice. I use one, love it. You can make do with just the tubing for far less.
- Nope. This book is a significantly better choice for a first timer. Or, for free he could just read the older version of the same information @ howtobrew.com.
- You can use a smaller than 5 gallon kettle & save some more $ here as well.
- Not needed at all. This sounds like a convenience for your specific process, not something generally needed.
- That's way too high for hose. $0.50 a foot at most.
- Yep.
- Yep again.
- You can get a small bottle of iodophor or Star San for $5-$10. $10 worth of Star San would last quite a few batches.
- You need some way of bottling the beer. My choice would be a capper & bottling wand. You have many options for bottling method.
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