New Brewery!

[Dismount]

My old man got slightly into home brewing once. It didn't turn out well. But the process always intrigued me.

Have any of you ever gotten into distilling? Ever tried distilling the beer you brew?

[Barron]

Originally Posted by UngaWunga

Going to start brewing again after a 5+ year hiatus. Any recommendations for good online beer supplies? The local shop I used to buy from is out of business.

I agree with fifthcircle on midwest, those guys ship quick and if you have any questions, give them a call. They are very friendly and like to talk about beer. Welcome back to the club by the way!

-Barron

[Barron]

Originally Posted by Dismount

My old man got slightly into home brewing once. It didn't turn out well. But the process always intrigued me.

Have any of you ever gotten into distilling? Ever tried distilling the beer you brew?

Well.... it's not exactly legal but I know a guy who had a friend that distilled his by putting it in the freezer and taking ice chips out as it froze... about 1 gallon for a 5 gallon batch. He said it came out AWESOME. It was thicker, stronger and much more flavorful. The guy that did it got most of his info from homebrewtalk and beertools.... from what I hear

-Barron

[Dansrc51]

I've used all those websites with good success. Just ordered some parts from http://www.brewershardware.com/ last week to convert a keg into a fermenter. I'm adding a 4" sanitary valve with cap on the top for cleaning access and a 90* elbow at the bottom for racking. something like what's pictured below.

[fifthcircle]

Originally Posted by Dansrc51

I've used all those websites with good success. Just ordered some parts from http://www.brewershardware.com/ last week to convert a keg into a fermenter. I'm adding a 4" sanitary valve with cap on the top for cleaning access and a 90* elbow at the bottom for racking. something like what's pictured below.

That's awesome! Where do you get used kegs from? I would really like to start collecting a few for bigger brewing in the future.

[OaklandStrom]

Originally Posted by Dismount

Have any of you ever gotten into distilling? Ever tried distilling the beer you brew?

Its illegal enough that I'd rather get busted for growing pot than distilling.
However, I have a friend who knows 3 or 4 guys with stills. Oakland is a very DIY city.

Its legal in new Zealand, so there's some good info out there. Homedistiller.org
is a good place to start.

[goosecreek]

I have to agree Northern is the best online I have found I have dealt with Midwest and Austin but always go back to Northern. I try to buy atleast 25% from the local brew store just to make sure it will be there.

[goosecreek]

Thanks for posting that Dansrc51 I have been thinking about keg fermenters for a while .

[Dismount]

Originally Posted by OaklandStrom

Its illegal enough that I'd rather get busted for growing pot than distilling.
However, I have a friend who knows 3 or 4 guys with stills. Oakland is a very DIY city.

Its legal in new Zealand, so there's some good info out there. Homedistiller.org
is a good place to start.

Oh not me. I was just curious if there was such a thing going on. Looks like it would be a giant pain in the ass.

[goosecreek]

I believe you can ice distill up to 5% of volume legally.

[Dansrc51]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

That's awesome! Where do you get used kegs from? I would really like to start collecting a few for bigger brewing in the future.

Believe it or not, I searched craigslist and posted want adds in my local ADV forum. 2 from Craigs, 2 from ADV. total cost for all 4, $80. I (had Peterman) converted 2 into boil kettle and a hot liquor tank, the other 2 will be conical fermenters. total cost for my fermenter conversion $170 including original purchase price.

[fifthcircle]

Originally Posted by Dansrc51

Believe it or not, I searched craigslist and posted want adds in my local ADV forum. 2 from Craigs, 2 from ADV. total cost for all 4, $80. I (had Peterman) converted 2 into boil kettle and a hot liquor tank, the other 2 will be conical fermenters. total cost for my fermenter conversion $170 including original purchase price.

Awesome!

[mark883]

Just put my third batch ever (extract wheat bier w/ grain bag) into bottles last night. Not a real fan of wheat beers as marketed by the big boys, but maybe I'll be happier with something that isn't all fruited up for the girly/frat/sorority market. The bottles should be coming of age when the weather warms up a bit.

We'll see what happens!

Next batch will be either a Alt or Stout, the ingredients are waiting for me.

I ain't an expert or good at it, but it sure is interesting.

[Barron]

Originally Posted by mark883

Just put my third batch ever (extract wheat bier w/ grain bag) into bottles last night. Not a real fan of wheat beers as marketed by the big boys, but maybe I'll be happier with something that isn't all fruited up for the girly/frat/sorority market. The bottles should be coming of age when the weather warms up a bit.

We'll see what happens!

Next batch will be either a Alt or Stout, the ingredients are waiting for me.

I ain't an expert or good at it, but it sure is interesting.

I have geared more than a few of my home brews towards wheat cause I love the way it smooths everything out. The sweet grain is what I dig... when you say you don't like the big boy wheat beers are you talking just American or overseas brewers too? The reason I ask is not as a slight, but hopefully to show you in my opinion some awesome wheat beers. Belgain and German wheats are what I go for, but the American brewer Ommegang make a really good one too.

-Barron

[levain]

Originally Posted by Barron

I have geared more than a few of my home brews towards wheat cause I love the way it smooths everything out. The sweet grain is what I dig... when you say you don't like the big boy wheat beers are you talking just American or overseas brewers too? The reason I ask is not as a slight, but hopefully to show you in my opinion some awesome wheat beers. Belgain and German wheats are what I go for, but the American brewer Ommegang make a really good one too.

-Barron

Agreed A real German HefeWeizen is absolutely nothing like the American Wheat beers made famous by Widmer. Totally different complex, interesting, refreshing animal. Lambic is considered the oldest, funkiest beer style, but it is definitely an acquired taste. Folks love them (I do) or loath them (my wife).