MCH Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 I'm currently brewing my first batch of "pale ale". A neighbor bought me a Mr. Beer kit for my birthday and I've been having a blast. I'm hesitant about bottling my first batch but its been 11 days(instructions say 7). I've poured a little out of the tap and it's a little bit cloudy but it smells like beer and tastes like flat beer. I'm debating whether or not I should bottle tonight? Any advice? And also, why didn't anyone tell me this was so much fun???:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 When will it be ready?? Let me know when it's ready, and I'll help ya sample it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 When will it be ready?? Let me know when it's ready, and I'll help ya sample it Sounds good. Instructions say 7 days from the day I bottle 'em.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Mom dated a guy for a while that made his own.........He used to have it in mini-kegs and man was it strong. TX beer didn't have anything on homebrew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 I used to do it all the time! Made some great brew! Gave it up and now all I drink is a glass or two of wine with my dinner. I also might have a shot of Pendleton now and then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambuscher Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 I never brewed any, but my little brother does it all the time. I did make a batch of wine one time. I drank most of it before it really mellowed out. That was almost six years ago, and I do have one bottle left that we are planning on drinking on our tenth wedding aniversry (sp?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldksnarc Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 I also might have a shot of Pendleton now and then! Is that not the smoothest? I found it last deer season/camp. I spent years trying to find a good sipping whiskey. Closet I ever came to one was Crown. The son of the guy that rents the pasture at the farm is a bull rider and had been in Washington state for a rodeo and brought it back. Hard to find here in Kansas. Only one distributor who carries it and they only make the rounds about once every month or so - so when it gets in it goes quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Well, broke down and bottled it tonight. Pretty confident that it was ready. Like I said earlier, it had the smell and the flat flavor that the directions had mentioned. Enjoyed it so much that I let my wife purchase me some more ingredients for another batch(even though I have no clue how this one will turn out). Also bought 144 caps and a bottle capper. Plan on using leftover beer bottles next time instead of the plastic quart bottles that came with the kit. BTW--this batch was "Pale Ale". My next batch will be "Cowboy Lager". And don't worry Jason....I'll have some come Refuge time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I've been a home winemaker for about 6 or 7 years. Remember that Rule #1 is Sanitation, Rule #2 is Sanitation, and Rule #3, you guessed it, Sanitation. Nothing ruins a good batch like a dirty container or bottles. So many people take shortcuts when cleaning their equipment and pay for it later. Treat all of your equipment with large doses of K-Meta and everything will be good. The Mr. Beer is a good way for a rookie to get his feet wet. Next you should graduate to carboys and larger batches with limitless varieties. Here are some good links for you, http://byo.com/ http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=46360 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Thanks for the links. I had been to byo before searching for info but the the homebrewtalk is a new one. I've got experience with winemaking. I've helped my uncle make several batches of muscadine wine. Never liked to drink it that much, so I didn't get too involved. I do, however, like to drink beer so I plan on getting very involved in brewing it.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snipe Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I have that same kit Kev... You should be fine just going over a few days.. I need to drag mine back out.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I have that same kit Kev... You should be fine just going over a few days.. I need to drag mine back out.. Yep you need to break yours out bud. I was worried about it not being fully ready. From what I've read, I could've waited 4 weeks and then bottled it but 7 days was the recommended time. I checked the bottles today and they're clear so I think I'm OK. In about 2 weeks, I'll let ya'll know how they taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Kyle and I have the calender marked. We will be awaiting your arrival from work...............hahahhahaaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Kyle and I have the calender marked. We will be awaiting your arrival from work...............hahahhahaaha Come on down. But I'd be surprised if Kyle can sneak away from the house now that he's said "I do". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 now that's a real thoughtful birthday gift... it keeps on giving and giving. and joe, the labels in the brewmasters magazine were well worth reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 I could've waited 4 weeks and then bottled it but 7 days was the recommended time. In about 2 weeks, I'll let ya'll know how they taste. 7 Days!! 2-Weeks!! I would have to have a whole room full of those dang things brewing beer at different times:rolleyes::D:D. Hey Kevin, you need to get out of the house and back to the hills. That "Wildcat" lasts alot longer. More Bang for the bottle:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Well, guys. I'm officially hooked to brewing. My next batch is coming in today and it will probably be my last batch with the Mr. Beer. I'm upgrading. I'm going up the ladder to Extract Brewing. Planning on migrating to kegging within the year.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Sweeeeeeeeet.....................Now we got a sponsor for deer camp. Kevin's home brew................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Sweeeeeeeeet.....................Now we got a sponsor for deer camp. Kevin's home brew................... It's illegal in Oklahoma to sell home brew.:D That's not saying that I can't give it out free.:D Seriously, I broke down and put a 22 ounce bottle in the fridge at lunch. Everything on homebrewtalk.com had told me to wait at least 3 weeks(its only been 1). Anyway, words cannot describe the feeling I got when I twisted the cap and heard the familar "fizzzzz".:D I actually got chills when I poured it into my tall beer glass and the head got up to two inches. I feel like Tom Hanks on Castway....."Ugh....I made beer.":D:D:D And let me tell you guys, its a whole different ballgame than the over the counter stuff. I could taste several different flavors. Plus the alcohol content seemed to be a bit stronger. All in all, I think my first batch has turned out great. Will start my second batch tomorrow.:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 And let me tell you guys, its a whole different ballgame than the over the counter stuff. I could taste several different flavors. Plus the alcohol content seemed to be a bit stronger. All in all, I think my first batch has turned out great. Will start my second batch tomorrow.:D:D Nothing tops the taste of ....real.....homemade..... beer. Especially since you southern boys cannot get real beer down there. I feel sorry for you. Next thing to try is putting your homemade beer into recipes like chili or homemade bread. Extra yummy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Nothing tops the taste of ....real.....homemade..... beer. Especially since you southern boys cannot get real beer down there. I feel sorry for you. Next thing to try is putting your homemade beer into recipes like chili or homemade bread. Extra yummy!! Yeah. It's kind of sad that Oklahoma allows you to homebrew, yet it can't be sold. I never realized what we were missing, but now I'm hooked. It will be a while before I venture into the cooking side of home brew. Like I said earlier, I'm going to go into full extract brewing first, then probably kegging, then into grain brewing. I'm excited to say the least. Especially about the kegging. I've already starting working on plans for my kegerator/keezer. BTW--thanks again for that link. I spend more time on HBT than I do here.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 BTW--thanks again for that link. I spend more time on HBT than I do here.:D No problem Once you get past the "I'm drinking it faster than I can make it" stage, maybe we can swap bottles. (Full one's that is!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 No problem Once you get past the "I'm drinking it faster than I can make it" stage, maybe we can swap bottles. (Full one's that is!) Sounds good. Brewed my second batch(Cowboy Lager) last night. Currently debating whether I want to do another Mr. Beer batch or wait until I can purchase the equipment to do extract brewing. Will probably purchase another Mr. Beer kit with double extract instead of a booster and then purchase some more bottles.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 ok this thread has got my attention/interest.:D I have been reading along as you guys chat back and forth. Excuses my ignorance:o but how can your homemade beer taste SO much better than that of AB or whom ever brewed beer? What is so great about it? Other than time is the process that hard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted July 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 ok this thread has got my attention/interest.:D I have been reading along as you guys chat back and forth. Excuses my ignorance:o but how can your homemade beer taste SO much better than that of AB or whom ever brewed beer? What is so great about it? Other than time is the process that hard? Well, toddy? It's kind of like having your grandma cook you up some Chicken and Dumplings and then going to Wal-mart and buying some in a can. Sit both those side by side and which one will taste better? I've got money on grandma's. There's something about mass production that seems to lose flavor. Seriously. I'm not saying that AB or Mr. Rocky Mountains aren't good brewerys. I still like that type of beer. But what I've come to realize is that there are literally thousands of different types of beers. Out of thousands of beer, what are the odds that the type sold over the counter, suits your taste buds the best? And with homebrewing, that's the "holy grail". Combining different malts and hops in order to find your perfect "beer". Right now, I'm working on Ales but who knows? My perfect beer could be a Porter? As for the process? The Mr. Beer kit I've got now isn't hard at all, but you don't have much room for creativity. Now, when I get the equipment to go full boil, it becomes a little more difficult. There's literally a ton of information out there that you need to learn before you can do a full boil correctly. Each malt and each hops choice not only affects the type beer, but also the alcohol content, the fermenation temperature, the boiling time, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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