NationStates Jolt Archive

Any other homebrewers out there? I've been doing it for a couple years and I'm contemplating my first all grain beer. Any suggestions what to start with so I don't end up with something undrinkable ;). My last extract brew, a belgian "dubbel and a half" with trappist yeast is extremely good, and I'd like to further pursue the belgian style (my favorite type).

Any suggestions from experienced all grain brewers? On a side note, I'll probably be starting another batch of cyser soon. Anybody know of any good honey suppliers in southern to central California (I drive from Irvine to San Luis Obispo frequently).

I looked into homebrewing somewhat extensively but nothing came of it. I still might do it someday but for now *shrug*.

I'm contemplating my first all grain beer. Any suggestions what to start with so I don't end up with something undrinkable ;)depends on what you consider undrinkable, i tried beer once and found it to be undrinkable.
can you simply make your own alcohol? i would think the state wants alcohol taxes for it.

can you simply make your own alcohol? i would think the state wants alcohol taxes for it.

No, dont think so. The state sees it like a hobby.
(fairly sure)

Any other homebrewers out there? I've been doing it for a couple years and I'm contemplating my first all grain beer. Any suggestions what to start with so I don't end up with something undrinkable ;). My last extract brew, a belgian "dubbel and a half" with trappist yeast is extremely good, and I'd like to further pursue the belgian style (my favorite type).

Any suggestions from experienced all grain brewers? On a side note, I'll probably be starting another batch of cyser soon. Anybody know of any good honey suppliers in southern to central California (I drive from Irvine to San Luis Obispo frequently).

Buddy of mine occasionally makes his own.
His best one, in my opinion, was a honey-wheat.
He didnt use the best honey he could find, just somethign that didnt come in a little plastic bear.

It was frikkin good, and I dont like beer.

Backwoods: mead is much closer to wine than beer ;).

Kossackja: I really like beer so long as it doesn't taste absolutely retched (that means no bud light and others of that variety). Here's the California law for homemade alcohol: http://www.beertown.org/statutes/california.htm

I'm surprised, not more replies from other BYO people. Guess they're all too busy futily arguing in other threads. :headbang: :D

I homebrewed a while back. I wasn't exactly particular about anything besides alcohol content. I was also limited because I didn't have a way to make lagers and wheat beers which are my favorites.

My first batch was a basic beginner ale and it was yummy. In between experiments I would make that.

The hardest part was waiting to drink it and dumpster diving for bottles.

The thing about wine is that the taste changes over time and people usually drink it too soon. I think of wine as a long term project and so I wait 2 years to drink it and it may or may not be drinkable.

My great grandfather made mustang grape wine and after he died we found one of the last batches he made. By that time it was around 12 years old-it was good, nothing spectacular.



EDIT: My first all grain was a disaster. It all detonated shortly after bottling.

Try this one:
I know you're doing all grain but this recipe calls for extract
5 lbs. light or extra light dried malt extract
2 3/4 lbs. honey
1 oz. hallertauer-boiling 5-6 HBU
1/3 oz. hallertauer-flavor
1/2 oz. hallertauer-aroma
1 1/2 oz coriander seeds (crushed fresh-microwave them to kill bacteria)
1/2 oz dried and ground orange peel
1-2 packs of ale yeast
3/4 cup corn sugar (honey?)

add malt-honey and boiling hops to 1 1/2 gallons and boil 45 minutes
add 3/4 oz. coriander and flovor hops-boil 10 more minutes
add 3/4 oz coriander and orange peel-boil 5 minutes
in final 1-2 minutes add aroma hops
sparge into fermenter and cold water