Homebrewers unite!

[spitfire]

Man bloomsburg is getting closer to pittsburgh every batch.

Yeah but when you come here you get closer to Eagle country

[spitfire]

Forgot to mention. I have slowly been putting together my keezer. Today I picked up the remaining parts I needed. I got 2 5 gallon soda kegs, all connections and a 10# co2 tank that is still 3/4 full from the previous owner. All I have to do now is find time to put it all together. Once I do I will post some pics.

[bcsst26]

Man bloomsburg is getting closer to pittsburgh every batch.

Yeah but when you come here you get closer to Eagle country

Yeah but I don't mind the Eagles that much with them being in the NFC. Now the Flyers on the other hand.

[MrTasses]

Thanks, that's probably what I'll do at this point as the guy selling the previous kit mentioned already sold it to someone else... I may just keep checking craigslist for a nice deal.

Nice! A future Bmore homebrewer.

One thing to keep in mind is that all "soft plastics" like Ale Pails, tubing, spigots, etc. are the things you want to replace on a semi-regular basis. The plastics scratch, just like a beaten in disc, and those scratches can harbor contaminating organisms. Saving $10-20 on your kit just doesn't make sense if it contaminates $30 worth of ingredients.

Things to buy used: Kettles, glass carboys, cappers, kegs, gas tanks, wort chillers, and other durable items.

Avoid used: Plastics buckets, transfer tubing, and other soft items. Besides, they are relatively cheap.

Check out Maryland Homebrew in Columbia, MD to buy plastic gear. They've always taken care of me. http://www.mdhb.com/

[MrTasses]

The obligatory status post:

Upcoming brew: Summit 15-minute IPA

In Bottles/my belly: English Mild #1, English Mild #2, Amarillo 15-minute IPA

[spitfire]

So anybody jump into brewing yet? I know I talked to a few people who were thinking of jumping in......did ya?

My status report.
My Vanilla Coffee Porter has been in the keg for 3 weeks and it's almost gone
Man this stuff is good, I just hope I can brew it the same again as it was an extract kit with my additions to it. I think next time I am going to make it into a Stout

On Friday I kegged a liberty Cream Ale which should be ready to drink tonight. Turned into a nice summer brew.

I just finished up this weekend making my 10 gallon round mash tun so my next batch will be a Partial Mash.....1 step closer to all grain

I just placed my order for
7# 2 row malt
1# Crystal 40L
1 oz Simcoe Hops
1 oz Warrior Hops
and I already have 2 oz hops of Cascade
I also ordered Wyeast 1056

All this is going to be used to make a clone of Dogfish head 60 min IPA

Can't wait

[spitfire]

Now I just need to sell some minis to help pay for all of it.

[bcsst26]

I haven't gotten into it yet but maybe when some extra money comes along I will jump in. It is a toss up right now between home brewing and getting a smoker.

[NoLifeLeft]

Currently enjoying my IIPA (yes, 2 I's) on tap and just racked my Cherry Vanilla Wheat to secondary. Fallen back into brewing in a big way.

[shirfan]

I've got my Summer IPA in primary right now, but am already looking forward to pumpkin beer season, as it's easily my favorite to brew.

Also toying with a wild-assed saison idea that would incorporate nasturtium leaves. (A peppery-tasting edible flower that I cultivate).

[NoLifeLeft]

already looking forward to pumpkin beer season, as it's easily my favorite to brew.

I'm dying to make a pumpkin ale this fall. Do you use fresh or canned pumpkin?

BTW Shirfan, since you're a brewer in NY, do you go to the "Belgium Comes to Cooperstown" beer fest? I'll be there again this year.

[shirfan]

I'm dying to make a pumpkin ale this fall. Do you use fresh or canned pumpkin?

BTW Shirfan, since you're a brewer in NY, do you go to the "Belgium Comes to Cooperstown" beer fest? I'll be there again this year.

I've never made it to the Cooperstown festival, heard lots of good things about it though.

I use a fresh pie pumpkin, cut in half and baked until the flesh has just softened up. Then I scoop the pumpkin into the boil kettle (after steeping a bit of medium crystal malt).

I love hops, but for this beer only 1oz of willamette does the trick, split into 3 additions. Nutmeg and cinnamon to taste at flame-out.

[gratefuldisc]

I really want to start brewing but my problem is lack of space. I live in a two bedroom apt with no closets, the only space I have to do this is the basement. Its a dirt basement in a 300 year old house on a field stone foundation. Temp is pretty stable, it's basically like a cave down there. Is this an acceptable place to brew?

[spitfire]

You would brew in your kitchen and then you could ferment in the basement. Maybe put a piece of plywood on the floor or something to set the carboy/bucket on.

[NoLifeLeft]

No matter where you store your equipment, you'll sanitizing the hell out of it any way. Seems like more than half of homebrewing is just cleaning.