Homebrewers - Whats Fermenting?

[smokinghole]

Smokinghole, do you have any tips for new homebrewers? I have now brewed two different brews (both pre bottled liquid malts) and both have tasted roughly the same. I personally like the flavor but my wife and buddies dont have as refined a palate as I do (or it sucks and I like it because I brewed it)! I was wondering what ways I could alter the recipes to change the brews. I'm not to a point where I want to use grains. Also, where do you buy your ingredients? Also, do you have a steps? Ok lots of questions in here...the jist is, what knowledge can you pass on?

One of my favorite books is Radical Brewing by Randy Mosher. Then there's Palmer's book "how to brew". You can check out braukaiser.com for some good knowledge.

I never purchased boxed kits when I started. I started with dried extract powder and specialty grains that you just steep in the pot. Then I quickly moved on.

Also look at homebrewtalk.com there's a lot of good information there.

There's not much you can change about kits if you're not ready to start playing with grains. What you get with extract is what you get basically. The best knowledge I can pass on is use the proper amount of yeast (www.mrmalty.com) and utilize good temperature control. I had a batch of IPA taste like nail polish because it got too hot.

 

[Mmalone999]

One of my favorite books is Radical Brewing by Randy Mosher. Then there's Palmer's book "how to brew". You can check out braukaiser.com for some good knowledge.

I never purchased boxed kits when I started. I started with dried extract powder and specialty grains that you just steep in the pot. Then I quickly moved on.

Also look at homebrewtalk.com there's a lot of good information there.

There's not much you can change about kits if you're not ready to start playing with grains. What you get with extract is what you get basically. The best knowledge I can pass on is use the proper amount of yeast (www.mrmalty.com) and utilize good temperature control. I had a batch of IPA taste like nail polish because it got too hot.

Thanks! I'll check out this sites and may even buy the books if I can find time to read. Appreciate it


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I am here: [ame="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.707297,-100.273796"]Google Maps[/ame]

 

[SergeantStogie]

Just tasted and checked FG for my Imperial Witbier. Both were spot on.

 

[JRL]

Going to do a milk stout this weekend. Looking forward to this one.

I also entered six beers into a local competition, raspberry wheat, Belgium pale ale, American pale ale, Black IPA, Rye IPA and a Red. Find out Sunday how I did.

 

[Kenman25]

Going to do a milk stout this weekend. Looking forward to this one.

I also entered six beers into a local competition, raspberry wheat, Belgium pale ale, American pale ale, Black IPA, Rye IPA and a Red. Find out Sunday how I did.

Do you buy kits or are you more advanced? sounds like it if your are hitting up some competitions...i like the sound of that Raspberry wheat...

I have helped Malone a couple times with his brews..they have turned out well. I have been saying for months i need to get a kit, its about time i put the money where the mouth is...My coke machine is about empty and needs some more longnecks in her...

 

[smokinghole]

I actually entered in a comp on saturday too. I have to work the B&M but my wife is going because the entry fee includes a lunch.

I'm on brewing hiatus until I can finish tearing down and rebuilding my patio. It's killing me! My wife couldn't let it be till next summer when I wouldn't be as busy.

 

[smokinghole]

Well the results are in from the homebrew comp. It was not a BJCP sanctioned event however there were two pro brewers judging so that makes me feel better. I took first place in three categories IPA, Belgian Strong Ale, and Belgian/French Ale. The beers that won are a recipe influeced by Pliny the Elder for IPA, my Belgian Dark Strong, and my Witbier.

Overall my Witbier took first, and then I came in second as well with my Belgian Dark Strong. I nabbed $75 in cash and $75 in gift card to the establishment. I'm pretty happy with the results.

 

[mthhurley]

Congrats Adam!

 

[mu_brian]

That's awesome! Well done, Adam!

 

[cvm4]

Pretty awesome Adam! I was sad I missed the local homebrewers competition a couple weeks ago here in MS.

 

[Mmalone999]

Congrats.

 

[Kenman25]

Well done!

 

[smokinghole]

Next up a Belgian only comp in Philly. It's still easy for me to enter I can drop the bottles off at a store where I sometimes buy supplies. I might not be able to enter my Strong ale that took second due to a bottle issue. However my witbier and my rye saison will go most likely.

Thanks for all the congrats!

 

[JRL]

Do you buy kits or are you more advanced? sounds like it if your are hitting up some competitions...i like the sound of that Raspberry wheat...

I have helped Malone a couple times with his brews..they have turned out well. I have been saying for months i need to get a kit, its about time i put the money where the mouth is...My coke machine is about empty and needs some more longnecks in her...

I am doing all grain now and usually find recipes online and tweak them a bit. I have done one of my own recipes and it actually scored me the most points in the last competition.

No awards in the competition but some feed back from the judges is always good. Highest score was 32 out of 50.

Time to brew some more and not let the well dry up.

 

[JRL]

Congrats on the winning brews Adam. That is sweet and not an easy task.

 

[JRL]

Did a milk stout that is going to kick ass. Pulled a sample tonight to test it and I could drink it without carbonation.

Going to do a saison this weekend with my brother. I am stoked about this one.

 

[smokinghole]

I am on brewing hiatus until my damn patio is finished. Hopefully that's monday. I built a retaining wall yesterday so hopefully I can be brewing on friday.

 

[smokinghole]

Bottled up my peat smoked barley wine redux. I think the recipe tweaks I made did wonders for the flavor. It's clocking in at 11.5%abv beautiful copper brown color with hints of cinnamon and vanilla from the long aging with the 2.5oz of Laphoraig soaked oak cubes. I have over two cases that I hope to last me a while! Can't wait to bust one of these out with a cigar it should be a beautiful pairing. The first batch I made of this was good but not this good. I have one 22oz bottle and one 12oz bottle of the original recipe left to do a comparison. Sure it's not a true fair comparison but it will give me a gist of the two different recipes.

Tomorrow I think I'm bottling up my rye saison with a Brettanomyces strain.

 

[cvm4]

Dude... I'm drooling over here!

 

[vivalanation734]

Dang, if anyone wants to ship me some of their homebrews, I'm down for cigar trades lol