I use 100% Citra, but I am not sure I can find anymore now. Anyone grow hops? I would like to try especially the ones that are hard to find.
I have another bigger IPA that is still a little green in keg #2 now. Its a Centenial/Amarillo beer.
If my hop order comes tomorrow I may brew this weekend also.
Great Fermentations in Indy is one of the best shops I have been in. Very knowledgable staff and very friendly. Also for anyone new or anyone looking to have a bit of a refresher, they offer a new brewers class
I'm in Plainfield as well, if you ever need a hand with anything while brewing (or whatever) hit me up. I'm fairly new to home brewing and had plans to expand this year until I went and screwed up my foot and leg. Back to normal now
Cider is EASY! I always have cider on tap. Buy some apple juice (I use the Sam's Club brand) and put it in a fermentation vessel of some sort that you can attach an airlock to. I like to add two compact cups of brown sugar for a 5.5 gallon batch. Then add some brewing yeast. Do not use bread yeast, it is two completely different things. I like a yeast called Nottingham for my cider, it is available at every home brew store and online. Let it ferment for about 10 days (or until gravity readings are consistent, usually takes about a week)
I'll take you up on that offer. I need to clean out some space in my garage and start accumulating the equipment I will need. I also need to warm the wife up to the idea. I am sure she would never drink anything that did not come from a store.
Two newbie questions.
I have some 3 and 5 gallon plastic "Aqua Systems" water bottles sitting around. Would these work for fermentation vessels, or should I get something glass?
Please tell me more about what you use and how you go about measuring gravity.
Thanks,
Tom
I know I will be looked down at for this but if you go to communities.mrbeerdotcom there are some great guys over there and it isn't all Mr Beer stuff. If you want to learn about the process I would say start there, where you end is up to you.
I have brewed several recipes lately and am getting ready to do my first 5er of Hefe.
My home brewing really changed my wife's palate for beer. Find clone recipes for beer she likes and tweak it. Mine went from not knowing what hell an IPA was to pretty much always ordering one when we go out.
Some brewers use PETE bottles (listed as recycling "1 PETE") instead of glass because they're cheaper, they're lighter, they don't shatter when dropped. They're good, but make sure you clean them well because scratches in plastic can harbor bacteria. Also, plastic will leach in air, so long term fermentation is not desirable.I have some 3 and 5 gallon plastic "Aqua Systems" water bottles sitting around. Would these work for fermentation vessels, or should I get something glass?
Please tell me more about what you use and how you go about measuring gravity.
It is SO easy and once you start really going with it you can tweek the Mr Beer recipes to find out what you like and if you brew a style you don't like you have less than a case of it. When it gets down to it it is just a fermentor and you can take it as far as you want but Mr Beer got alot of peoples feet wet.There's a huge thread on homebrewtalk.com about the Mrbeer. It's amazing how many home brewers got started with that kit! And the fermenter that comes with it is pretty handy for making cider and other non beer stuff.