MSU Red Cedar Message Board

Can someone give me some tips on the best beginners kit, or best way to start out home brewing? I have always wanted to do this, but never had the opportunity or space. We are closing on our house next week and I am dying to get started.

TIA

My thoughts exactly, perfect time for a strong IPA.

It's been a month so I figured I should brew another batch soon. I'm thinking of doing the Two Hearted Ale clone.

From Northern Brewer? Good choice.

moving to the Brighton area

Winger posted this in the Craft Beer thread and didn't want it to get lost

Midwest just had a great deal via Groupon where you get their basic equipment starter kit, choice of 1 of 3 extract kits, and a $25 gift certificate for a future purchase. It was $64 and then it will be $12 shipping for the initial kit order.

I figured it was a pretty decent deal so I pulled the trigger. I need to find a decent spot to put the fermenter where I can leave it be for a week at a time and not have to worry about the temp.

Basement works really well. Keep in mind that while you don't want it to be too cold in the fermentation place (since you're making an ale and want the yeast to stay active), it's much more of a problem if the area you store the fermenter is too warm. Also, fermentation produces heat as well (especially in wheat beers) so keep that in mind. If it's too warm of a fermentation, it will be quicker, but there will be some really funky flavors coming through.

My buddies and I just bottled our 2nd batch a week ago....a "bock ale" (because we don't have the equipment for lagering yet). We've got a milk stout that we want to start next.

Due to the plumbing for the outdoor wood stove, the basement is quite warm. However, once the furnace gets shut down for the year, I may be able to utilize the crawl space. I might have a few options for the shed or garage though.

If you are worried about keeping it cool - put it in a keg bucket, fill with cold water, and keep switching out frozen 2-liters of water. I do that and it keeps my beer's fermentation temperature 8-10 degrees below air temp. Works great for ales in the summer.

Thoughts on liquid v. dry yeast? I had a worker at Brew & Grow in Chicago trying to convince me (and convincing me for my last 2 batches) that yeast doesn't impart much flavor when compared to malt/hops, and a relatively close yeast in a dry packet will save you a decent amount of money and not change the beer substantially.

Do you typically make a starter? I'll probably try liquid yeast for my next batch and I know some people just buy 2 and some make a starter.

Anyone grab any of the Austin Homebrew 20th anniversary kits for $20? I was considering it, but I'll be gone next week and it'd end up sitting in my office all week.