Brewing your own beer

GoddamnElectric · 29th July 2009, 6:08pm

I know we have a few budding brewmeisters on the forum, and I've started my very first batch today

I went with the Coopers Starter Kit from Glenbrew in Partick, and have started a basic batch of lager. If this goes well, I'm looking for tips on what to try next - I thought maybe an IPA or a Canadian Pale Ale? Has anyone tried a mix out that they would recommend?

I stuck a few pics in the gallery which I was using for a journal entry.
But most important of them - here is my baby!

I'm calling it Samweiser. Not massively original, but it'll do for a starter. I'll be saving the really clever names for the more complex brews

triggerhappy · 29th July 2009, 6:44pm

Hah, brilliant! I'm always amazed when someone says they brew their own beer.

GoddamnElectric · 29th July 2009, 6:48pm

I'm already wondering whether you can add a few drops of this or that to the mix, influence the flavour....

Mrs.Evil of Hesselink · 29th July 2009, 10:59pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoddamnElectric

I'm already wondering whether you can add a few drops of this or that to the mix, influence the flavour....

Add Otex...call it Ear Beer?

What temperature are you brewing it at? Keep the pics coming, especially if it explodes all over your lovely ironing board cover.

GoddamnElectric · 29th July 2009, 11:26pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.Evil of Hesselink

Add Otex...call it Ear Beer?

What temperature are you brewing it at? Keep the pics coming, especially if it explodes all over your lovely ironing board cover.

I stand by my choice of ironing board cover - it has pictures of irons on it! No other pattern made any sense to me...

It's currently brewing at 28c, but I think that's largely down to the ambient warm weather we're enjoying atm. It'll probably average about 26c over its lifespan, but we'll see! Chances of explosion are minimal I think - only slight risk is when you add carbonating agent to the bottled product, and since I've gone with wee drops (i.e. as opposed to scooping out measured amounts) it should be idiot proof.... heh

Tacky · 29th July 2009, 11:37pm

Oi! I was also druink, am now drinking some home-made char as to avert hongover world when i wake up....after sleeping....later this morning!

And SO first-dibs on trying the first batch! And what about, Barrister's burn? Something law-related?

jenandherlaptop · 29th July 2009, 11:40pm

Cheers for my dads third birthday present idea

*LesMTS* · 30th July 2009, 8:32am

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoddamnElectric

I'm already wondering whether you can add a few drops of this or that to the mix, influence the flavour....

I'm a charlatan and have only ever made beer from ready-made wort, but my mate's an enthusiast and from what I understand the flavour is determined in the mix of ingredients, hops, herbs and whatnot, you use to make the wort. You can get recipes and ideas online, I gather. If you're at the fermenting stage I don't think there's not much you can do to alter the fundamental character of the beer.

linz · 30th July 2009, 10:34am

RJ and I brewed our own beer one time. It came from a kit his sister gave him (that was probably out of date) and it was really dark in colour. It was pretty disgusting. Loads of rank stuff floating about in what was left after we bottled it up, and it stank.

triggerhappy · 30th July 2009, 10:53am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandherlaptop

Cheers for my dads third birthday present idea

Your dad's only three?

*LesMTS* · 30th July 2009, 10:55am

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggerhappy

Your dad's only three?

That's a ridiculous conclusion to come to from that information. He's two and a bit surely.

GoddamnElectric · 30th July 2009, 10:57am

Quote:

Originally Posted by linz

RJ and I brewed our own beer one time. It came from a kit his sister gave him (that was probably out of date) and it was really dark in colour. It was pretty disgusting. Loads of rank stuff floating about in what was left after we bottled it up, and it stank.

Sounds like it might have been infected

Anyways, this morning I checked in on my baby and she's bubbling away like crazy! Which at least means the yeast is alive and kicking, as the bubbles are CO2 escaping which is created when they break down sugar.

Nothing much to do now but wait

jenandherlaptop · 30th July 2009, 10:59am

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggerhappy

Your dad's only three?

Haha no,
He's already got 2 presents, Going to see Billy Connolly and I got him tickets for Billy Elliott for when he goes to New York

He's spoiled =]

triggerhappy · 30th July 2009, 11:00am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesMTS

That's a ridiculous conclusion to come to from that information. He's two and a bit surely.

Ha, you got me there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandherlaptop

Haha no,
He's already got 2 presents, Going to see Billy Connolly and I got him tickets for Billy Elliott for when he goes to New York

He's spoiled =]

Lucky him!

PAPA LAZEROU · 30th July 2009, 12:28pm

I remember one of my mates making his own brew. I cant remember the name(it was about 15 years ago) but it looked like there was lumps of scrambled egg on the bottom of the bottles but by hells gates......it was fucking liquid dynamite.....tasted really good too(if you didnt drink the scrambled egg bit).