The summer has been very busy but I managed to squeeze two brew sessions in so far, a Munich Helles and an ESB. The Helles started at 1.057 and finished at 1.012 for a ABV of 5.9%. It is currently cooling to lager temp where it will rest for the next month and a half or so. The ESB started at 1.057 also and finished at 1.015 for a ABV of 5.5%. Since my fermentation chamber is being used for lagering right now I made a swamp cooler for the carboys in the basement. This seemed to keep the beer in the high 60’s. I may bottle 5 gallons of the ESB and keg the other 5 gallons. I think the malty ESB will age well in bottles. Next up is an IPA because I just ran out!
Monthly Archives: July 2015
A new brewer?
My brother expressed some interest in trying to brew. He has a new son (Hi Ben!) and brewing is something you can do at home with family. This led me to think of how I would start my journey knowing all the information that I know now. Here is the start of my thoughts.
- I would still start with extract. Steeped grains and LME/DME kits with separate hops.
- Use your largest existing pot. He already has a very big pot @ 32qt/8gallons. Partial boils are OK. I think I would still recommend it with an 8 gallon pot to avoid boil overs.
- Ferment in buckets.
- Spend some money on a immersion chiller. I have an old one to pass along.
The starter “kit”
- One 8 gallon bucket fermenter with lid and airlock link
- One 8 gallon bottling bucket with lid and spout link
- 8oz Starsan link
- 28oz spray bottle for starsan link
- 3/8″ Auto Siphon link
- 18″ Plastic Paddle link
- Long stem Thermometer link
- Thermometer Strip for fermenter link
- Hydrometer link
- Hydrometer 14″ Plastic Test Jar link
- Bottle capper link
- Bottle filler link
- Bottle brush link
- Campden tablets link
- Whirlfloc tablets link