Hi lads,
Im new to the forum and have been reading different posts. There is loads of good info and obviously some of ye have lots of experience.
I found the forum at the alltech brew festival. I have never brewed before and im literally starting from scratch, no equipment etc.
So basically where would you advise to start? What is a good starting point for someone with no experience? I would love to brew a stout or cider but is there somewhere more basic i should start to get a feel for the whole process.
Thanks in advance for any advice lads i appreciate it
Hi JJ, welcome to the forum. I'd say a stout would be a good beer to try. I'd go with a kit to start off with. There is loads of good info for kits "here" (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/board,9.0.html)
So maybe have a read first and ask anything you don't find an answer for.
If you need equipment check out the different homebrew suppliers. I think they all do starter kit setups for good prices.
I agree with the stout kit to start. Coopers Irish Stout would be my recommendation.
Cider kits can be a bit more tricky because they can often turn out too tart or too sweet and often need a bit more aging.
You will need a fermentation vessel (a big sealed bucket) with a thermometer, airlock and either a tap or a syphon. You'll also need bottles.
Other things that'll improve the process and beer are: temperature control, stirring paddle, capper (if you want to use glass beer bottles), caps.
The rest will follow :)
IMHO - bottles are the key to becoming a long term home brewer. Typically a batch is around 40 pints. If you take 2 weeks to ferment, then 3 weeks to condition - 5 weeks in total - before you can consume. When you finish those 40 pints, then you brew again and wait another 5 weeks to have something ready. It can become frustrating and annoying to the novice brewer.
You should have enough bottles for at least 3/4 - 4 being better - batches. That way you always have something ready to drink while you are brewing a batch.
The second most important thing is a place to store all your gear.
Outside of the above - in terms of brewing practices themselves - a place to ferment your beer at the right temperature is the key to good beer.
Hi JJ
Welcome to the forum.
Where are you based?
Someone nearby will probably invite you to one of there brewdays to show you the basics
Also check the group meetings board:
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/board,49.0.html (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/board,49.0.html)
Will
+1 on more bottles! Then use different coloured caps to distinguish between different brews.
Sanitisation is another priority too. Make sure everything that comes into contact with the wort/beer has been cleaned and rinced with some sort of sanitising solution. All homebrew shops supply it.
Thanks lads for the welcome
I ll think do some research on the coopers stout so and get myself some equipment. .
im from Limerick .. I must introduce myself on the limerick page here!
Thanks again and im sure I ll be on with more questions soon!