I do think that we, as more advanced homebrewers (some more advanced than others), look back at our first few batches, and we look at all of the things we would do differently now and don’t want others to make the same “Mistakes” we did. However, We all made beer. And if we are still here, that beer was good enough to keep us making more until we got where we are today. You can be as simple as you would like, or as complex as you would like, it will all make beer. As long as sanitation is good, and fermentation temps are close, it will probably be the best beer you have ever had.
and always remember the homebrewer’s motto: Relax, Don’t worry, and have a homebrew (you can sub commercial beer in for now).
We will give you all sorts of advice here, don’t worry about telling us that we are going too far. This group is a bunch of people who are obsessed with homebrewing, so we can get a little fanatical.
I waited for years to start brewing becasue I thought it would be difficult and I didn’t have the space in my small house. Then my business partner started brewing and I saw just how easy it was. 15 years later, I’ve brewed 436 batches, I’m a BJCP judge and a member of the AHA Governing Committee and I’m working on 2 books about beer. Funny how easy and fun it turned out to be…
I brewed in the kitchen without a chiller for 3 or 4 years. My wife said it stunk up the place, but over time came to appreciate it all. Now she actually likes it. Don’t worry about all the stuff you haven bought yet or may never buy actually. Do you have a book. Papazian’s Joy of Home brewing is great starter book because its such a relaxed read- in my opinion.
That’s the same kit I started brewing with 8 years ago in an apartment in Nashville - no burner, no chiller, made excellent beer.
The groundwater here in LA is pretty warm most of the year, but a simple immersion chiller does the job just fine. An ice bath in the kitchen sink will serve you well for the time being.
I would definitely recommend getting a $7 rubbermade storage bin and using it to keep your fermentor cool though. Just fill it with water and change out frozen two liter bottles (or refreezable ice packs) twice a day.
Flbrewer, You will get plenty of help form the guys/gals on this forum. My son and I started brewing this year after he received a kit for Christmas. Being new to the hobby, we had a lot of questions and I am getting great advice through the posting here on the forum.
I’m pretty sure that natgas is going to be cheaper than propane. My wife likes the smell of boiling wort, maybe yours will also. Although if she doesn’t, the cheapest turkey fryer setup will work just fine.
I chilled for many years by sticking the pot in the sink and just changing out the water every five minutes or so. Once it gets pretty cool you can add some ice to get it on down, or just add the wort to a fermentor and wait until it cools off completely.
Brewing beer at home is one of the most rewarding things that I’ve ever done. It all started about 20 years ago and has evolved into a full fledged hobby for me. I love homebrewing for the art and craft. It comes from the heart and soul. Once I brewed my first batch there was no turning back. My wife is my greatest fan. It certainly helps to have the support of your significant other.
That being said, I encourage you to go for it. It’s a very rewarding hobby. There are ups and downs just like with anything else. One thing is for sure, you’ll have the full support of all of us here on the AHA forum.
So sit back, fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride my friend.
I think I’d have to appologize for being one of the people who convinced you that you need lots of equipment. I mis-read one of your other posts and didn’t realize you were just getting into brewing. There are many people who make great beer with minimal equipment - in reality, equipment makes brewing beer easier, but it doesn’t make the beer better. Skill makes beer better. Also, in spite of the ideal and/or complicated techniques you’ll read about, many corners can be cut and you’ll still make good beer that you’ll enjoy drinking.
No apologies needed! Good point on the equipment not making the beer better. That being said, after weighing all my options, I took the plunge and bought a Blichmann burner and a 10 gallon SS pot.
Ha. You now have better equipment than my all grain equipment that I have been using for the last year and a half. But I sure am jealous. I think I might try to upgrade my burner and pot this year.