11 replies to this topic

[djinkc]

A neighbor called last night and wondered if I would show her nephew some of my brewing stuff. Young guy, called tonight. I invited him to come watch/help brewing Thursday. I hope my setup doesn't overwhelm him.After a short mash overview and the sparge is done I thought I should explain you can:Boil waterBoil hopsBoil maltose extractChill and toss in the yeastStarter info:How to BrewDenny's sitewww.brews-bros.xyz-------------Any other suggestions, haven't done this for a while. And I haven't bottle conditioned forever, so I'm no help there.Crap, now I need to keg and harvest yeast tomorrow. Usually I'll do that while brewing but I'm sure there will be yakking, sampling and a lot of screwups since I usually brew alone......And I decided to take Friday off so the weekend will be starting then at dj's. I'll bet it's fun. Locals welcome too. ETA, this is probably about batch 230 something since I started brewing again (no clue what the total count is), I really don't want to gloss over stuff that newbs need to know. I suppose sanitation and ferment temps ought to be about all I really make points about. I don't want his eyes to glaze over.............

Edited by djinkc, 17 August 2010 - 08:08 PM.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I'd say have him start with how to brew and do a batch with steeping grains and extract. If I remember correctly the how to brew instructions were pretty good except for his dry yeast procedures (he was saying to rehydrate the yeast in a diluted wort - I'd say for a beginner to just sprinkle the yeast in and then later if he wants he can rehydrate in water but I wouldn't rehydrate in wort). Have him do a 3 week primary followed by bottling.

[BarelyBrews]

Homebrewing came be overwhelming for the newby.I would recommend a lighter color brew,i have heard "homebrew is dark beer right?" .Sounds like fun, let us know how it goes.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Homebrewing came be overwhelming for the newby.I would recommend a lighter color brew,i have heard "homebrew is dark beer right?" .Sounds like fun, let us know how it goes.

I get that you are trying to dispel common misconceptions but I wouldn't go too light on the first one. darker beers generally have a little more going on and will hide mistakes well. I think an amber or a pale ale is a nice place to start if the brewer in question likes those styles.

[SchwanzBrewer]

I'd say have him start with how to brew and do a batch with steeping grains and extract. If I remember correctly the how to brew instructions were pretty good except for his dry yeast procedures (he was saying to rehydrate the yeast in a diluted wort - I'd say for a beginner to just sprinkle the yeast in and then later if he wants he can rehydrate in water but I wouldn't rehydrate in wort). Have him do a 3 week primary followed by bottling.

+1My buddy wants to start brewing. This is what I told him. I told him if he wants after he gets his equipment I would drive over (3hrs) and help him out for his first one. He's pretty excited. I told him he better read "How to Brew" at least 2X, and the first couple sections a few more. The first time I attempted to brew I had a tiny set of instructions that were translated from chinese and hardly made sense. I was so excited, and then the beer turned out to be swamp water. Took me another 4 years to get the gumption to try it again. I don't want this to happen to my bro, so I will walk him through it.Cheers,Rich

[Sidney Porter]

If the people seem like they are already interested in beer and are interested in the process I start them out with all grain. I keep it pretty high level (no water adjustments, no ph adjustments) brew something in the amber range that I can hit w/o adjustments. Explain that the mash is converting starches to sugar and that the sparge is just rinsing out the sugar. AG at that level doesn't seem too complicated as long as someone gets to see the process.So that they don't get overwhelemed with equipment (3 converted kegs, 3 burners, march pump, scupture CFC) I will show them denny's site and explain a cooler a turkey fryer, an immersion chiller and a bucket can make the same thing.I will explain the extract process during the sparge and the benefits and limitations.I have actually found people put off by extract because to them it was just mixing premade ingredients.

[MakeMeHoppy]

I would do all grain and if you have some DME/LME around when you complete the sparge mention that this is the point you would be with extract. I like to go back and forth between it's as easy as making oatmeal and mentioning subjects like water chemistry. That was you show it is so easy anyone can do it BUT if you really want to learn a lot there are many subjects to learn about.

[djinkc]

That was really fun. The young man showed up with a notebook (spiral bound kind) - took a lot of notes. I think I gave him some good info, resources and references. Brew session went well too. Forgot to enter pellets vs. hops when I came up with the recipe yesterday. Big deal - it'll be hoppier . Forgot the whirlfloc but the SRM will be around 25 or so......And I gave him a heads up regarding the PH.

[ncbeerbrewer]

That was really fun. The young man showed up with a notebook (spiral bound kind) - took a lot of notes. I think I gave him some good info, resources and references. Brew session went well too. Forgot to enter pellets vs. hops when I came up with the recipe yesterday. Big deal - it'll be hoppier . Forgot the whirlfloc but the SRM will be around 25 or so......And I gave him a heads up regarding the PH.

Sounds like a fine day to me. A young man shows up with a notebook now it sounds like he is starting off as a dedicated student. Thats great. Sounds like you led him well and that beer sure sounds fine to me too. Cheers.

[drewseslu]

Hook, line and sinker?

[djinkc]

Hook, line and sinker?

Once I saw the notebook I tried to do my best. You guys can set him right later. My bet is he'll try it.........

[ChefLamont]

Good job!My experience is you have to be careful only until they taste that same beer that "they made".Then you can reel as fast as you want.