General Homebrew questions

[Satok]

Hello everyone!

I've had a look around the forum and have a few questions, it might be an idea to make a sticky FAQ for beginners like me.

In my university (finished now) poverty I looked at homebrew for my alcoholic needs. My grandfather had a basic kit which he had done some slight modifications to and we used a carlton draught pack. He ended up taking over alot of the work and made it super strong, it tasted like vegemite but I couldn't complain for $10 and all I did was watch/listen and lift a tub.

I know that I could make a beer that I could really enjoy and want to get a proper setup not just use premixes. I would like to experiment with honey and choc malt once I get get better at it. I plan on getting some study material to really get into it.

Can anyone recommened a good setup or books/info I should read?

- I want to do all of the work outside (rental property, got lots of shed space) I saw some burner connected to a gas bottle in a picture.

- I can use powertools and fix/install basic things but i'm not exactly handyman of the year. If there is good detailed instructions I should have no problems. Aslong as there is no welding or anything like that I should be fine.

- I don't want to spend loads of cash on equipment and wouldn't mind if you guys tell me how much you spent on your setup and how much it costs for you to do a batch of beer and how much it produces.

- Bonus points if you can recommend a good place in Adelaide (no Adelaide jokes please )

- I'd be looking to make lagers more than likely and clean filtered beer but am willing to experiment.

- Any general advice for beginners

Thanks

[NTRabbit]

it might be an idea to make a sticky FAQ for beginners like me.

There is an All Grain forum on this site already, but I don't think there's too much in the way of a beginners guide - truth be told, I don't think there are many beginner brewers going straight into mashing.

- Bonus points if you can recommend a good place in Adelaide (no Adelaide jokes please

Grumpy's Brewhaus at Verdun for your All Grain and liquid yeast needs, short trip down the freeway near Hahndorf. You could also try The Jovial Monk at Parkside, but I've never shopped there myself so can't really speak for it.

[Duane]

If your after a simple guide to mashing check out this site.

http://cruisenews.net/brewing/infusion/

Explains it pretty simply. A good place to start.
Has lots of pictures to help understand the process, but be prepared
for the downward spiral to the dark side if you go down this path

Hope this helps, good luck.

[rwh]

Start here: How to Brew by John Palmer. I recommend you start with some Coopers kits, say a Pale Ale, and a Bitter, both all-malt, or with BE2. Only then start thinking about lagers; they're significantly more difficult, and it's the wrong time of year (unless you've got a brew fridge).

After that, move on to all-extract brews, and if that's not complicated enough for you, think about building up all the necessary equipment for all-grain.

[Satok]

Excellent thanks guys I'm checking out that information.

I've already viewed and helped out in the process of making about 4 or 5 coopers kits. I've been doing alot of reading and I'm keen on getting right into it.

How much does a brew cost to make for you guys?

[rwh]

Anywhere from $5 a slab through to about $15 a slab for the really crazy-expensive ones.

If you're looking for the next step up from kit brews, go for all extract. A significant improvement in control and quality without being very much more difficult. Full mashes are bout 5 times as hard as kit brews.

[Satok]

Anywhere from $5 a slab through to about $15 a slab for the really crazy-expensive ones.

If you're looking for the next step up from kit brews, go for all extract. A significant improvement in control and quality without being very much more difficult. Full mashes are bout 5 times as hard as kit brews.

I'll goto a brew kit store and talk to the attendant there about it. That illustrated guide is excellent!