Beer lovers say there's nothing better than making it yourself

sj-r ^ | Mar 27, 2009

[JoeProBono]

If 10 guys gather in a garage on a Sunday afternoon, it’s a good bet that beer will be involved.

What made the gathering March 9 at Mark Sheftick’s home in west Springfield unusual is they weren’t there just to drink beer. The guys were there to make it.

Like the car enthusiast who just can’t help but tinker under the hood, these home-brewers have figured out what goes into a good beer, and now they’re concocting their own. They’re equal parts chemist, chef and regular ol’ beer lover.

Homemade alcoholic beverages make many people think of moonshining. But those expecting to see a still would be disappointed at the equipment that was spread out on Sheftick’s driveway. There was some coiled copper tubing, used as a cooling apparatus, but most of the other tools of the trade could be found in many homes: turkey-frying burners, paint buckets, Rubbermaid coolers, thermometers and stainless steel pots.

Home-brewing became easier in most states in 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed a bill lifting some federal restrictions that had been left over from Prohibition (it’s up to individual states to decide whether to allow home-brewing). Sheftick, a forensic diagrammer for the Illinois State Police, doesn’t have to worry about revenuers smashing up his works and hauling him off to the pokey.

[JoeProBono]

[dynachrome]

Making your own beer be good.

New tax opportunity for o-bozo be bad.

[unixfox]

I've been brewing my own beer for about 4 years now. I do a batch every couple of months or so. It's been fun and of course a lot less expensive if you like to drink premium beers. Which I do.

[coprtim]

I have a batch of Viking Ale fermenting as we speak

[Gator113]

I have often thought that this would be fun to do, but I figured I’d just make myself sick.

Now, due to the meds I have to take, I would be restricted to no more than one a day at best, so I guess it’s no longer worth the effort.

I envy some of you folks.

[Mr. K]

How is the taste compared to bottled or draft beer?

[bigbob]

“it’s up to individual states to decide whether to allow home-brewing”

Like I was going to ask permission???

What do you homebrewers recommend? The “kit” or what?

Been wanting to give this a try, now that Jimmy Carter has removed the barriers, well now is the time!

[Mr. K]

I once had some real moonshine distilled from fresh conr and it was the most incredible thing I ever tasted.

Sweet and smooth like Karo Corn Syrup, but AT LEAST 100 proof... 3 shots and I was toasted.

And no hangover the next day

[Mr. K]

conr = corn

[unixfox]

It's good. The recipes I use are almost exactly what you would get from a bottle. Sometimes you make a great batch sometimes not. But...the more you do it the better you get at it.

This website has lots of recipes for all kinds of beers foreign and domestic.

Make Your Own Damn Beer!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

That's OK gator. Having a beer every now and then is great. Brew your own and give it to your friends. You'll be amazed how many friends you have.

And don't forget to have a beer with them. That's what self-brew is all about.

FReegards,
John

[unixfox]

The kits are the easy way out. Plus they aren't that great.

Check out the link I just posted above.

[Gator113]

Well, you folks are making me think about it again. Maybe I will.

[djf]

I was surprised by how easy it was.

I started with Cider, which came out GREAT!! Nice and bubbly, quite dry. Stuff’s got a kick!

Then I did a Coopers Bitter. That one also came out great. Full bodied, flavorful but smooth, terrific head. That batch is long gone...
:-(

Turned around and did a Muntuns Premium Lager.
Almost worthless. A can of Bud has more flavor. Never again.

So today I was at the brew store and grabbed another Bitters while they had it, it’s just about the best selling of the Coopers that they have. Not sure if I will do that one next, cause I also have a Coopers Stout and a Coopers Real Ale in the storeroom. Might try the Stout next.

But I need more Grolsch bottles...

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I've had a specialty since college. I make applejack from hard cider.

I was the first to attend college in my family. ChemE. When I came home for my first Thanksgiving, I set up a small still in our barn that housed the cider.

My father, my he rest in peace, said college was the best thing for me. Heh, heh. I got him so smashed he was trying to climb up the barn door! LOL.

[bert]

If you make beer, you are one of the bad guys. Your carbon foot print is enormous. You are a CO^2 polluter. The fermentation process is the purest form of CO^2 generator.

The Green police will come get you and haul you off to endless retraining sessions. You are DOOOMED.

[unixfox]

I know, great isn’t it.

[unixfox]

This is my favorite to brew.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

You are quoted on my home page and you should know why. Silent but deadly.

[djf]

If you go with the kit, ask at the store what’s the best. I recommend the Coopers.

Something else - when I did the cider, I bought and used Wyeast London ESB yeast, #1968. It started very quickly, and worked so well with the cider, that when I did the bitters, I used the yeast that came with it, but also tossed in a bunch of the ESB yeast left over.

I have never had a bad result when I use the London ESB. As I read the forums, lots of folks have posted how if there is a weak part of the kits, it’s the yeast. So don’t be scared to put out a couple bucks more and get quality yeast, it will vastly improve your brew. Also, I would recommend never pitching it early, ALWAYS make it into a yeast starter.