Coors light

Alain2 · November 26, 2015, 02:56:37 PM

Hey I just registered here so I can make my own Coors light and save money, just kidding.

The other day I was in the lineup to be served at Grimross and someone behind me asked the owner (I assume he was the owner anyway) how he was doing and he replied "living the dream". It made me think that I could add some dream living in my life, not that I plan on selling beer or starting a business, but I could brew my own stuff and enjoy it.

I have no idea what I am doing so I bought the overpriced kit white IPA at Chapters and whatched youtube videos.

I don't know much about beer, but I know I like IPA.

brew · November 26, 2015, 03:47:00 PM

Glad to have you with us Alain. I've never tried the kit but it looks interesting for sure. I know @jdueck has done the 1 G batches before and has had some pretty nice beers come out of it. I think he's made a few adjustments to his process but its a nice way to get started. Lots of people on the forums here can help out if you like as well...

The owner at Grimross, Steve, is a great guy. He came through the club as a "brew in a bag" (BIAB) brewer and has always made very nice beers.

DandyMason · November 26, 2015, 03:50:30 PM

Welcome Alain, I too like IPA!

robcoombs · November 26, 2015, 03:54:17 PM

Hey Alain. Welcome! You should really come to a meeting and discuss brewing and sample beer. It's a great hobby when you get into it. You seem to enjoy the beer a little more when you make it yourself. Feel free to ask questions. Believe me, no one has asked more stupid questions more often than I have.

Roger · November 26, 2015, 04:39:37 PM

Welcome to the club! Questions always welcome and meetings are a great time for sampling and asking more questions.

blisster · November 27, 2015, 10:52:36 AM

Welcome Alain.

You've come to the right place.. Lots of good info here and a great bunch of guys making awesome beer!

I hope you can come to a meeting soon. Forget the Coors light though, that might get you banned

Two Wheeler · November 27, 2015, 02:02:14 PM

Welcome! Lots of great folks in the club who love to help. There are so many different ways that we all brew too.

jamie_savoie · November 28, 2015, 11:22:58 AM

Welcome Alain!

Alain2 · November 30, 2015, 11:32:34 AM

Thanks everyone for the welcome. I did my first batch Friday evening, it went pretty good I had fun brewing. I decided to buy equipment to make a 5 gallon batch, because the 1 gallon is only going to be enough for all the people who already asked me to taste it.

The only problem I had is the mash temperature went up a bit to 160f. The instructions said to apply heat "on and off", I did but I was not taking the temperature properly and the bottom of the pot was too hot for a while until I found out.
JDueck told me is going to be sweeter with less alcohol, I hope it not going to taste like diet coke.
Next time I mash better and use a big cooler instead of a cooking pot!

robcoombs · November 30, 2015, 12:04:29 PM

Quote from: Alain2 on November 30, 2015, 11:32:34 AM
Thanks everyone for the welcome. I did my first batch Friday evening, it went pretty good I had fun brewing. I decided to buy equipment to make a 5 gallon batch, because the 1 gallon is only going to be enough for all the people who already asked me to taste it.

The only problem I had is the mash temperature went up a bit to 160f. The instructions said to apply heat "on and off", I did but I was not taking the temperature properly and the bottom of the pot was too hot for a while until I found out.
JDueck told me is going to be sweeter with less alcohol, I hope it not going to taste like diet coke.
Next time I mash better and use a big cooler instead of a cooking pot!

Did you jump right into all grain brewing? Or was this a kit from noble grape?

Alain2 · November 30, 2015, 12:24:20 PM

It is not a kit from Noble Grape, it was a kit from Chapters.

It had grains (already milled) in a bag, a vacuum sealed pack of hops and a pack of yeast. Is that all grain brewing?

Two Wheeler · November 30, 2015, 01:29:49 PM

Yes sir it is! And you should be fine with the temp, 160 isn't that bad.

For your bigger batches, you can now go to Noble Grape and purchase/mill your own grain. You can also join in the club group buys where we'll order full bags of base malts and split up small bags of specialty malts. It's a great way to save money and have ingredients on hand. You'll need to buy or borrow a mill though.

Welcome to the addiction

robcoombs · November 30, 2015, 01:41:50 PM

Wow, I'm surprised it didn't come with any malt extract. 160 is high but it'll be fine. The final gravity may finish a little high.

As Two Wheeler said, welcome to the addiction. There's something very satisfying about enjoying a beer you brewed yourself.