Another Lockdown New-brewer

[NormanHurst]

Given the number of recent recruits, I sometimes wonder if the regulars on here look on us lockdown newbies the way seasoned marathon runners do at overweight joggers in January dragging their New Year's Resolutions round the local park - knowing that we will disappear as soon as the pubs reopen!

Anyway, I am one of those New Year joggers in every sense. Driven to brewing by lockdown boredom but so far having a lot of fun. I plan to stick around.

I've worked in drinks marketing and sales - mainly wine - for nearly 20 years but making my own was limited to sloe gin and cassis. Delicious but very simple.

Decided (foolishly?) that AG was the only way to start brewing. The intellectual challenge of doing it from scratch to see how it all worked was a big driver.

Found the forum by googling 5L batch recipes as I realised the stock pot wouldnt manage much more. I am now 2 brew days in and have already upgraded the stock pot.

Brew #1 - 5L Citra SMASH yielded a mighty 6.5 x 500ml bottles. Should be ready in a week or so. Fingers crossed.

Brew #2 - similar but 11.5L and Cascade. It's burbling away nicely in a water bath.

I look forward to learning and perhaps even contributing in the future.

To your very good health!
Norm.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Welcome Norm,

I rarely see any of that kind of behaviour on this site so you’ve come to the right place for a friendly supportive group.

Maybe just avoid the competition threads and the odd grumpy discussion in the snug

All the best.

 

[Session]

Given the number of recent recruits, I sometimes wonder if the regulars on here look on us lockdown newbies the way seasoned marathon runners do at overweight joggers in January dragging their New Year's Resolutions round the local park - knowing that we will disappear as soon as the pubs reopen!

Anyway, I am one of those New Year joggers in every sense. Driven to brewing by lockdown boredom but so far having a lot of fun. I plan to stick around.

I've worked in drinks marketing and sales - mainly wine - for nearly 20 years but making my own was limited to sloe gin and cassis. Delicious but very simple.

Decided (foolishly?) that AG was the only way to start brewing. The intellectual challenge of doing it from scratch to see how it all worked was a big driver.

Found the forum by googling 5L batch recipes as I realised the stock pot wouldnt manage much more. I am now 2 brew days in and have already upgraded the stock pot.

Brew #1 - 5L Citra SMASH yielded a mighty 6.5 x 500ml bottles. Should be ready in a week or so. Fingers crossed.

Brew #2 - similar but 11.5L and Cascade. It's burbling away nicely in a water bath.

I look forward to learning and perhaps even contributing in the future.

To your very good health!
Norm.

Hey Norm!
Welcome aboard - it sounds like you’re doing great already. I started by jumping into AG too and don’t regret it at all. I like having the ability to control everything. Maybe that says more about me than about my beer!

 

[Banbeer]

Welcome to the forum Norm, nice to see so much activity on the site and newbies.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Welcome to the forum Norm, all new joggers and brewers are welcome here

 

[Viamphie]

As one of the ‘fat joggers’, what’s AG? I can find discussions about it but not it’s definition.

 

[Alex.mc]

As one of the ‘fat joggers’, what’s AG? I can find discussions about it but not it’s definition.

"All Grain"
As in all of the wort collected is derived from steeping grain only, and not using Extract either fully or partially.

 

[Alex.mc]

I'm hoping that of the many people currently who are giving "homebrewing" a go, a percentage will stay and carry on.
It can only be good for beer and brewing in the future!

 

[Keruso]

Hi

As one of the ‘fat joggers’, what’s AG? I can find discussions about it but not it’s definition.

There are loads of abbreviations here, I think there's a list somewhere, someone will provide a link. AG - means "All Grain” As opposed to brewing with malt extract, syrups and sugar, this method starts with actual grains such as malted barley. Essentially brewing using the same techniques that commercial/craft breweries use.

 

[Fuzzy Growler]

Given the number of recent recruits, I sometimes wonder if the regulars on here look on us lockdown newbies the way seasoned marathon runners do at overweight joggers in January dragging their New Year's Resolutions round the local park - knowing that we will disappear as soon as the pubs reopen!

Anyway, I am one of those New Year joggers in every sense. Driven to brewing by lockdown boredom but so far having a lot of fun. I plan to stick around.

I've worked in drinks marketing and sales - mainly wine - for nearly 20 years but making my own was limited to sloe gin and cassis. Delicious but very simple.

Decided (foolishly?) that AG was the only way to start brewing. The intellectual challenge of doing it from scratch to see how it all worked was a big driver.

Found the forum by googling 5L batch recipes as I realised the stock pot wouldnt manage much more. I am now 2 brew days in and have already upgraded the stock pot.

Brew #1 - 5L Citra SMASH yielded a mighty 6.5 x 500ml bottles. Should be ready in a week or so. Fingers crossed.

Brew #2 - similar but 11.5L and Cascade. It's burbling away nicely in a water bath.

I look forward to learning and perhaps even contributing in the future.

To your very good health!
Norm.

Hey Norm welcome aboard, I'm a newbie myself and the welcoming has been great, had plenty of help and banter.

 

[nixhaz]

I only ever did one kit brew, hated it, went AG. Never looked back.
Welcome in.

 

[Fuzzy Growler]

I only ever did one kit brew, hated it, went AG. Never looked back.
Welcome in.

Hey nix what did you hate about the kit brew? I've just done my first and it was plain sailing, easy to do and looking really good. I'm going to be AG brewing soon so I may find out the answer for myself in the near future

 

[nixhaz]

Hey nix what did you hate about the kit brew?

Well, it was about 25 years ago! Back then you just poured the malt in a bucket and added yeast (no internet to learn about how to improve them back then), and I think you drank it within about a week. It was truly foul!
Don't worry, kits these days are much better!!
Edit: (Oh god, I just counted and it was actually over 30 years ago )

 

[Fuzzy Growler]

Well, it was about 25 years ago! Back then you just poured the malt in a bucket and added yeast (no internet to learn about how to improve them back then), and I think you drank it within about a week. It was truly foul!
Don't worry, kits these days are much better!!
Edit: (Oh god, I just counted and it was actually over 30 years ago )

Oh wow maybe you should try one of the modern ones now to see how times have changed.... I was only 7 years old 30 years ago but I do remember seeing the can kits in the local chemist

 

[MyQul]

Rather than joggers in january, I see our new forumite intake more as neophite's joining a cult - Like the hotel California, you can check out anytime you want but you can never leave.

Welcome!

 

[stevey]

Welcome, as an AG brewer myself I still do the odd kit when I don't have all day to brew. Some of the premium kits are quite good and you need minimal kit to produce 23 litres. Give them a go, you may be pleasantly surprised. Bulldog, Youngs and Festival are the one I choose.

 

[NormanHurst]

Thanks all for the welcome. Certainly seems very friendly and supportive around here. Look forward to spending more time here.

 

[AnimatedGIF]

Given the number of recent recruits, I sometimes wonder if the regulars on here look on us lockdown newbies the way seasoned marathon runners do at overweight joggers in January dragging their New Year's Resolutions round the local park - knowing that we will disappear as soon as the pubs reopen!

Anyway, I am one of those New Year joggers in every sense. Driven to brewing by lockdown boredom but so far having a lot of fun. I plan to stick around.

I've worked in drinks marketing and sales - mainly wine - for nearly 20 years but making my own was limited to sloe gin and cassis. Delicious but very simple.

Decided (foolishly?) that AG was the only way to start brewing. The intellectual challenge of doing it from scratch to see how it all worked was a big driver.

Found the forum by googling 5L batch recipes as I realised the stock pot wouldnt manage much more. I am now 2 brew days in and have already upgraded the stock pot.

Brew #1 - 5L Citra SMASH yielded a mighty 6.5 x 500ml bottles. Should be ready in a week or so. Fingers crossed.

Brew #2 - similar but 11.5L and Cascade. It's burbling away nicely in a water bath.

I look forward to learning and perhaps even contributing in the future.

To your very good health!
Norm.

Welcome! I am new here too. I've done 6 kits now and enjoyed each.
I'm contemplating going AG and considering starting with 5L batch on the stove, so it is pleasing to see you've had some success yourself. I shall likely be using a 5L Ashbeck water bottle as my FV as my only other option would be my 30L FV.

 

[NormanHurst]

Welcome! I am new here too. I've done 6 kits now and enjoyed each.
I'm contemplating going AG and considering starting with 5L batch on the stove, so it is pleasing to see you've had some success yourself. I shall likely be using a 5L Ashbeck water bottle as my FV as my only other option would be my 30L FV.

Go for it. I'm sure you'll enjoy the process and it is very possible to do it in a normal kitchen with minimal specialist equipment. The alchemy of turning a bag of crushed barley into beer with no more than water, heat, hops and yeast is fascinating.

 

[Banbeer]

Go for it. I'm sure you'll enjoy the process and it is very possible to do it in a normal kitchen with minimal specialist equipment. The alchemy of turning a bag of crushed barley into beer with no more than water, heat, hops and yeast is fascinating.

You forgot Patience and an understanding wife/partner.