Any OOTB home brewers?

[TarHeelNation11]

After about two years of talking about brewing beer, including taking a class on it awhile back, me and my buddy finally decided to give it a go a couple weeks back. Fermentation is done and we bottled this past Sunday, so hopefully by the end of January I'll be able to sample it.

Went with a session IPA for this batch (his choice). Next batch I want to try a scotch ale or an English brown ale. I'm not trying to get my hopes up because I know this batch will turn out disgusting in all likelihood, but it sure smelled like a good IPA when we were bottling it, so hopefully it turns out alright.

Any of y'all home brew? Beer that is. Please don't incriminate yourself on the Interwebz by posting about your moonshine still

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I used to do it, haven't actually done a batch in a couple years though. Definitely a good learning experience, and fun for awhile. I did it with a buddy as well, we were pretty successful on our batches, maybe had 2 bad ones out of the 20 or so we did - so I wouldn't assume yours turns out disgusting.

After awhile though the delabeling, rinsing, sterilizing, etc. of the bottles got annoying for me. Such a time consuming part of the process, that didn't have much enjoyment. However, there are a few places outside of Boston that essentially do all the dirty work for you, and you get to just do the fun parts. I'm assuming there are similar places in other areas as well. They supply you with everything ready to go, you brew the beer, and they store it there for you. You go back a couple weeks later to bottle, then leave it again, and then pick up the beer when its done. Definitely makes it more expensive, and isn't quite the same feeling of "I 100% made this beer", but not a bad alternative as well.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I do think I'll get back into true homebrewing though at some point. Just don't have the space in my current apartment.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I used to do it, haven't actually done a batch in a couple years though. Definitely a good learning experience, and fun for awhile. I did it with a buddy as well, we were pretty successful on our batches, maybe had 2 bad ones out of the 20 or so we did - so I wouldn't assume yours turns out disgusting.

Interesting. Well that gives me some hope.

After awhile though the delabeling, rinsing, sterilizing, etc. of the bottles got annoying for me. Such a time consuming part of the process, that didn't have much enjoyment. However, there are a few places outside of Boston that essentially do all the dirty work for you, and you get to just do the fun parts. I'm assuming there are similar places in other areas as well. They supply you with everything ready to go, you brew the beer, and they store it there for you. You go back a couple weeks later to bottle, then leave it again, and then pick up the beer when its done. Definitely makes it more expensive, and isn't quite the same feeling of "I 100% made this beer", but not a bad alternative as well.

Yes the sanitizing process is very, very tedious and boring. And yeah there's places here where you can do the same thing, but it's definitely pricey and not as "prideful" like you said.

 

[grillheel]

Never tried it myself, but one of my nephews got into it several years ago. He did really well with it, and eventually turned it into his profession by becoming the brewmaster at an up and coming brewery in Raleigh.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Never tried it myself, but one of my nephews got into it several years ago. He did really well with it, and eventually turned it into his profession by becoming the brewmaster at an up and coming brewery in Raleigh.

That's the goal!!! Okay, the pipe dream.

 

[grillheel]

That's the goal!!! Okay, the pipe dream.

Yeah, he brings kegs or growlers to family functions. Pretty sweet!

 

[T-Square]

Been homebrewing for about 10+ years and still love it. Kind of hard to find time with this cold weather. Have made everything just about including a 15% ABV IPA a couple of years ago. If you don't want the hassle of bottling, try kegging. Less stuff to sanitize, but you need to keep the brew chilled.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Been homebrewing for about 10+ years and still love it. Kind of hard to find time with this cold weather. Have made everything just about including a 15% ABV IPA a couple of years ago. If you don't want the hassle of bottling, try kegging. Less stuff to sanitize, but you need to keep the brew chilled.

15% IPA?? I'd drink one and go to sleep lol.