jIMOh
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I got a beer brewing kit for xmas. Anyone out there brew their own?
I got a beer brewing kit for xmas. Anyone out there brew their own?
I got a beer brewing kit for xmas. Anyone out there brew their own?
Home brewing with malt extract instead of all grain is akin to the difference between instant coffee and the real stuff. You can noodle around with the hops and yeast a bit to get some decent ales, but if you want the real deal, you need to go all grain ...
I'm planning to move to Florida in a few months. It is too warm there (unless you run the AC all the time) for the kinds of ales I make.
I have been homebrewing for, uh, 15 years now. Do all-grain in a customized stainless 10 gallon system that is propane fired. Serving fridge, kegging system, lagering fridge, pH meter, the works. Lots of fun and a relatively cheap hobby. Since I have lots of thirsty neighbors, I sometimes hurry t o keep up with local market demand.
how did you design this system, and where did you get the equipment?
How hard is it to make your own wine?
Well, the extract vs all grain debate is the home-brew version of 'should I pay off the mortgage' multiple 20 page threads every six months....
I'll just leave it at: You *can* make excellent (even award winning) beers with extract. You need to get a fresh source, some prefer the dried for it's better shelf life. And you will be more limited as to style. If you like stouts and porters like chinaco (and me), I think you can do great with extract - the roasted 'specialty grains' add so much of the flavor that the underlying base grain/extract is less of a factor.
-ERD50
I agree with your analogy on extract vs grain. The arguments I've read remind me of the pay off the mortgage discussions on this board. The best extract beers I've made have been the darker types that rely on specialty malts for their distinctive flavor. Fresh ingredients are the key.
I had heard about the cooler suggestion in Florida, which is why I'm keeping my brewing equipment and just dumping the books. You never know when you will need a bottle capper.
Easier than beer, as you don't have the boiling step.How hard is it to make your own wine?