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Home Brewing

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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Making a new thread because the others are really old and clogged with stuff i dont want.

First off: lets get this cult going again! https://www.newschoolers.com/cultnews/5001/Craft-Brews

I'm creating this thread to hopefully inspire some of you to go out and start making your own beer. I made my first batch (Belgian White) and it came out great! My buddies who have a fair amount of experience were pretty impressed. If you college guys are going home for break soon, its the perfect time to do the cook for your summer beer!

Questions:
-looking for ideas for my summer beer. thinking either a red beer or a raspberry flavored white beer. thoughts?
-need to get myself my own cornelius keg and stop borrowing my friends. have any of you bought one offline, or should i look locally?


Only have to be 18 to brew! If any of you are interested and wanna know how to get started brewing your own beer, post in here or feel free to PM me.
Feb 14 2013 3:48PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51645 - Karma: 162,278
I still haven't gotten a chance to but at some point I'm going to take a stab at making some berrr.
Jun 1 2014 1:02PM
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FreedGucci
Posts: 454 - Karma: 3,192
Tingayou in high school or college?

but yes that would make alcohol.

High school senior
Jun 1 2014 1:25PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Display_ScreenQuick question from a total noob.. I've never brewed anything myself so I want to do something pretty fail safe. I was thinking about mixing about a quarter table spoon of bakers yeast into a jug of Apple cider, shaking it up, and then putting a balloon with a hole poked in it at the top of the bottle/jug, and then leaving it in my closet until it stops fizzing? Would this work? Also, would it smell strong while it's fermenting?


Yep, it'll make booze.
It will definitely smell some.
Buying a real brewing yeast will make it taste way better and up your alcohol percentage
Jun 1 2014 1:28PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Display_ScreenQuick question from a total noob.. I've never brewed anything myself so I want to do something pretty fail safe. I was thinking about mixing about a quarter table spoon of bakers yeast into a jug of Apple cider, shaking it up, and then putting a balloon with a hole poked in it at the top of the bottle/jug, and then leaving it in my closet until it stops fizzing? Would this work? Also, would it smell strong while it's fermenting?


If you wanna get drunk it'll be way easier to steal a bottle from your parents liqour cabinet. If you wanna make a hard cider that won't make you wince at each swallow, your gonna wanna tell your parents and invest in some equipment.
Jun 1 2014 1:31PM
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FreedGucci
Posts: 454 - Karma: 3,192
SklarYep, it'll make booze.
It will definitely smell some.
Buying a real brewing yeast will make it taste way better and up your alcohol percentage


Would it smell so bad that id get caught by my parents if I tried?
Jun 1 2014 2:11PM
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Phil-X-
Posts: 7205 - Karma: 14,399
Display_ScreenQuick question from a total noob.. I've never brewed anything myself so I want to do something pretty fail safe. I was thinking about mixing about a quarter table spoon of bakers yeast into a jug of Apple cider, shaking it up, and then putting a balloon with a hole poked in it at the top of the bottle/jug, and then leaving it in my closet until it stops fizzing? Would this work? Also, would it smell strong while it's fermenting?


I've made similar (look in to adding sugar as well to allow more fermentation). It wont taste good, but it will get you fucked up for next to nothing. I made a bunch in a 5 gallon office water jug. It was gross to just chill on so my friends and I would play drinking games and just throw back a shot of the stuff rather then a drink of beer or w.e. Honestly I still have 1 or 2 handles downstairs cause I never got around to finishing it cause of its taste

Google basic apple wine
Jun 1 2014 2:23PM
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cheaaaaaa
Posts: 830 - Karma: 630
Phil-X-I've made similar (look in to adding sugar as well to allow more fermentation). It wont taste good, but it will get you fucked up for next to nothing. I made a bunch in a 5 gallon office water jug. It was gross to just chill on so my friends and I would play drinking games and just throw back a shot of the stuff rather then a drink of beer or w.e. Honestly I still have 1 or 2 handles downstairs cause I never got around to finishing it cause of its taste

Google basic apple wine


True that.

-Champagne Yeast is best ("dry"/crisp and will let you get a high alc percent)
-Add 1 lb of corn sugar (to raise the alch content.. you can get it from a grocery or brew store)
-1 lb of raisins (they give it a little more flavor)
-and fill up a little fermenter (aka a plastic jug or whatever ya got)... id recommend going with one of those 2.5 gal water jugs that you can get almost anywhere. 5 gal works too, and will give you almost 50 glasses.
-while at the brew/wine stoke grab an "air lock" too it will run you like $5 and be less hood than using a balloon
Jun 1 2014 5:57PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/794303/Master-of-Brew
Jun 2 2014 12:28AM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
looking for some inspiration for my next brew, not sure what to make. Looking for something different and good for summer drinking that still has lots of flavor. Here's what I've made:
Hefe
IPA
PA
Irish Red
Witbier
Stout

what should I make??
Jun 18 2014 5:22PM
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O.G.Surachai
Posts: 334 - Karma: 84
Summer brew list for me:

Black lager
Session IPA
Pineapple Cider

I planted hops this spring (Tettnagner) and I can't wait to see if they produce anything. Even if it's a small harvest it would be fun to throw in something.
Jun 18 2014 6:58PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
So I got to brew my beer at a local brew pub yesterday. Same grain bill and basic recipe. It will ferment for a week on an english strain but then it will be transferred into a wine barrel with a fresh pitch of roselare (rodenbach blend) where it will condition for about a year. So the brew pub names their sours after employees dogs. So I named mine Meg after my first childhood dog (it'll make my mom happy). However, I also need to name the barrel now. they will be reusing this barrel for many beers to come and the name will stick so this is pretty important. I want something loud and boisterous and maybe french. some names in the running at the moment are gustav, gaston and steve. you guys have any other ideas?

Spark notes: brewed my beer at a local brew pub and I have to name the barrel it will age in. What are some ideas?
Jun 18 2014 11:50PM
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stizzle
Posts: 371 - Karma: 623
TingaSo I got to brew my beer at a local brew pub yesterday. Same grain bill and basic recipe. It will ferment for a week on an english strain but then it will be transferred into a wine barrel with a fresh pitch of roselare (rodenbach blend) where it will condition for about a year. So the brew pub names their sours after employees dogs. So I named mine Meg after my first childhood dog (it'll make my mom happy). However, I also need to name the barrel now. they will be reusing this barrel for many beers to come and the name will stick so this is pretty important. I want something loud and boisterous and maybe french. some names in the running at the moment are gustav, gaston and steve. you guys have any other ideas?

Spark notes: brewed my beer at a local brew pub and I have to name the barrel it will age in. What are some ideas?


Theodore!
Jun 19 2014 8:35AM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
DreddSteveI planted hops this spring (Tettnagner) and I can't wait to see if they produce anything. Even if it's a small harvest it would be fun to throw in something.


I started hops in my garden last year (3 rhizomes each of Nugget and Cascade) around early-mid June. I ended up getting 8-10 vines in the 12-15' range, and harvested a couple ounces off of each. They've already surpassed the growth I had all last year as of a week or so ago, and I won't be surprised to get over a pound off of them this time around.
Jun 25 2014 4:54PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
AenigmaI started hops in my garden last year (3 rhizomes each of Nugget and Cascade) around early-mid June. I ended up getting 8-10 vines in the 12-15' range, and harvested a couple ounces off of each. They've already surpassed the growth I had all last year as of a week or so ago, and I won't be surprised to get over a pound off of them this time around.


I planted some centennial last year and got nine whole cones. this spring has been super cold and late so I doubt I'll get much of anything this year. poop.
Jun 25 2014 8:57PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
anybody made a saison? Inspired by DFH Saison Du BUFF. they used parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. It was a bit too herbal for me but really interesting palate puncher. Looking for a simple recipe that is drinkable but has some character. any suggestions?
Aug 14 2014 6:01PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
found a good-looking one in HBT. thoughts? might throw some other herbs in there from my mom's garden. Check out that attenuation! FG 1.002 holy shit! 7.8% abv

ecipe Type: All Grain
Yeast: Wyeast 3711
Yeast Starter: Always
Batch Size (Gallons): 5.5 Gallon
Original Gravity: 1.062
Final Gravity: 1.002
IBU: 36.3 IBU
Boiling Time (Minutes): 60 Min
Color: 7.5 SRM
Primary Fermentation (# of Days & Temp): 14 Days at 68 Degrees
Additional Fermentation: 14 days at room temp
Tasting Notes: Citrus and fruit phenols up front balance nicely with earthy hops, great mouthfeel

Cottage House Saison

BJCP Style and Style Guidelines:
-------------------------------

16-C Belgian & French Ale, Saison

Min OG: 1.048 Max OG: 1.080
Min IBU: 25 Max IBU: 45
Min Clr: 5 Max Clr: 12 Color in SRM, Lovibond

Recipe Specifics:

Batch Size (Gal): 5.50
Total Grain (Lbs): 12.00
Anticipated OG: 1.062
Anticipated SRM: 7.5
Anticipated IBU: 36.3
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75 %
Wort Boil Time: 60 Minutes


Grain/Sugars:

8.50 lbs. Pilsner Malt(2-row)
1.50 lbs. White Wheat
0.50 lbs. CaraMunich Malt
0.50 lbs. Flaked Oats
1.00 lbs. Orange Blossom Honey (added with 5 minutes left in the boil)

Hops/Spices:

0.50 oz. Sorachi Ace, 10.50%aa @FWH.
0.50 oz. Fuggle, 4.75%aa @FWH.
0.50 oz. Fuggle, 4.75%aa @30 min.
1.00 oz. Fuggle, 4.75%aa @15 min.

1.5 tsp Black pepper, Fresh ground @5 min.

Yeast:

WYeast 3711 PC French Saison
Aug 14 2014 6:10PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
Bmo.anybody made a saison? Inspired by DFH Saison Du BUFF. they used parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. It was a bit too herbal for me but really interesting palate puncher. Looking for a simple recipe that is drinkable but has some character. any suggestions?


saisons are usually all about the fermentation. grain bill should be kept simple if you want a dry one. if you want a sweet one add some munich or aromatic. if you want dry 80% pilsner and 20% sugar. I usually use corn sugar honey works too as well as normal table sugar and mash around 150-152. if you want a sweet saison replace the sugar with munich or aromatic and mash 154ish. that 3711 french saison is a monster and will attenuate like a son of a bitch. hops can be simple too. shoot for about 35 ibus. styrian goldings would be traditional but the best saison I ever had had nelson sauvin. so something fruity goes well too. for fermentation most people start cool like 68* and do about half the fermentation then jack up the temp to like 80s.
Aug 15 2014 12:13AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,751
anybody grow their own barley for beer? we have hops growing that are doing really well, so next summer wanted to grow barley and make some beer completely from scratch (except for buying yeast) and wanted to know if anyone had any tips/recommendations
Aug 15 2014 10:53AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
VinnieFanybody grow their own barley for beer? we have hops growing that are doing really well, so next summer wanted to grow barley and make some beer completely from scratch (except for buying yeast) and wanted to know if anyone had any tips/recommendations


Harvest your own natural yeast!
Aug 15 2014 11:18AM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9790 - Karma: 72,411
This thread is nice. I haven't made beer in about 5 years but today I was thinking bout starting up again. Still got all my supplies.

I've only made a few batches of ales and a cider but nothing fancy. Really wanna start brewing some stouts and porters and maybe some spicy beers (absolutely love spicy beer). Also sours, Belgians, and various ales I wanna make too but will prob start with a stout.

Anyone else do this?

**This post was edited on May 14th 2019 at 1:41:57pm
May 14 2019 1:40PM
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bait
Posts: 1226 - Karma: 3,580
I made some apple cider and put it in a jam jar in around 2014. Tastes like a fine wine today.

I am by far the least knowledgeable in this thread.
May 14 2019 7:32PM
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3652 - Karma: 8,888
Brewing beer is rather complicated and you need a bunch of equipment.

Wine making on the other hand is super simple and super cheap. I brewed a few batches in college. 5 gal of apple cider, 5 pounds of sugar, and yeast. Then you put that thing on top that lets the air out, but not in. Put it in the closet and let it set for a few weeks.
May 16 2019 10:52PM
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everlast
Posts: 1130 - Karma: 1,270
DirtYStylEBrewing beer is rather complicated and you need a bunch of equipment.

Wine making on the other hand is super simple and super cheap. I brewed a few batches in college. 5 gal of apple cider, 5 pounds of sugar, and yeast. Then you put that thing on top that lets the air out, but not in. Put it in the closet and let it set for a few weeks.


how big of an alcoholic and broke do u need to be to make your own shit wine at college?
May 16 2019 11:03PM
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oldmanski
Posts: 3311 - Karma: 23,828
Check out BrewcraftUSA.com, it is a sister company of ours and has a majority of the supplies needed for home brewing. Hops, Malt, kegs, bottles etc.

**This post was edited on May 17th 2019 at 11:17:03am
May 16 2019 11:28PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9790 - Karma: 72,411
DirtYStylEBrewing beer is rather complicated and you need a bunch of equipment.

Wine making on the other hand is super simple and super cheap. I brewed a few batches in college. 5 gal of apple cider, 5 pounds of sugar, and yeast. Then you put that thing on top that lets the air out, but not in. Put it in the closet and let it set for a few weeks.


That be hard cider me lord.


But yeah beer making can be as complicated or easy as you wanna make it.
May 17 2019 1:50AM
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3652 - Karma: 8,888
everlasthow big of an alcoholic and broke do u need to be to make your own shit wine at college?

I brewed beer wine and vodka. For fun
runforlove2018That be hard cider me lord.


But yeah beer making can be as complicated or easy as you wanna make it.


When it comes to cheap store ingredients cider was the best by far. That cheap grape juice does not have a pleasant taste.
May 17 2019 7:41PM
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