Even Idiots Can Do It

General homebrew discussion, tips and help on kit and malt extract brewing, and talk about equipment. Queries on sourcing supplies and equipment should go in The Store.
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kymg
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Joined: Tuesday Jan 22, 2008 8:16 pm

Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by kymg »

G'day All,

I am a fan of Coopers PA. I have brewed a number of them and shall continue to do so cos I like the stuff. I tried Coopers Canadian Blonde and it wasn't really my cup of tea (nor should it be given that it was beer)

Anyway I put a brewed a tin of CPA and must say I didn't really follow the wise and sage advice of the star brewers who form this collective.

It was brewed at an alarmingly high 24 degrees C for a week and then, without any regard for a hydrometer, I bottled the stuff. I opened one the other day and was pretty pleased that it tasted pretty good - and will only get better.

Now I appreciate that brewing could be described as a science or an artform or even a lifestyle and I certainly read the advice given by others but I now know that I can easily knock something up that tastes like beer, smells like beer and gets me schickered like beer and without having to worry too much about a gram of this or a smidgen of that.

I am a pretty happy camper. Don't worry though I shall continue to read and experiment.

And for those outside this proud group, I say brewing beer couldn't be simpler - but can be as complicated as you like.

The worst job I say is cleaning bottles but now I cover them in alfoil as soon as I empty and wash 'em.

Cheers (and Beers)
pixelboy
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by pixelboy »

24c isnt too bad, I often brew that high in summer, not Ideal but it works.

As for hydrometer's, I took my first hydrometer reading for about 2 years yesterday as I was worried a batch got stuck after a rather sudden temp drop.. I took the reading... 1008. Bang on. I've put the hydrometer away for another two years :)
39Niner
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by 39Niner »

Making beer can be likened to driving a manual car
You don’t have to look to see what gear you’re in
You know where the cluch is and the other 2 pedals without looking
You don’t have to look at the speedo/revcounter to see how fast you are going
It’s called seat of pants brewing

Roger
I only drink ales cos they're quick to make.
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Clean Brewer
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Clean Brewer »

GYM, have you been changing your usernames??? This sounded alot like you.. Or is it Billybushcook?? :wink:
To be updated shortly....

HOMEBREW: IF I HAD TO EXPLAIN, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND
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Gym_
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Gym_ »

LOL .. Not me mate im staying out of this one ... :P

I’m spending the day putting down a AG now i got my yeast
Let’s see if i can make this one bloody drinkable hey ..
beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
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Bizier
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Bizier »

Gym_ wrote:I’m spending the day putting down a AG now i got my yeast
Is that Monsier K+2K turned sAGe?
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warra48
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by warra48 »

Bizier wrote:
Gym_ wrote:I’m spending the day putting down a AG now i got my yeast
Is that Monsier K+2K turned sAGe?
Just goes to show that no one is beyond redemption. :D :D
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Bizier
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Bizier »

Hallelujah!

And Gym, you beat me to AG, I am still getting my setup sorted bit by bit.
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Gym_
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Gym_ »

oww its a pain in the ass i still havent started brewing today yet ..
ive spent all day remaking my wort chiller ( very happy with that ) ill put on a pic tonight for yas ..
And harft the everning seting up my water filtering system and steralizing everthing,, GRRRRRRR
what a bitch of a job,, that and now ive had about 6 rocket fules :mrgreen:
beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
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warra48
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by warra48 »

Gym_ wrote: that and now ive had about 6 rocket fules :mrgreen:
Don't even think about doing an AG brew with 6 rockets on board.
It's bound to lead to trouble and possible injury.

You are dealing with open flames from a burner, and a huge volume of boiling liquid.

Save it for another day, and don't consume any fuel until you have your brew in the fermenter.
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Gym_
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Gym_ »

LOL... arr pitty i didnt read this about 4rs ago ..lol .. nar shes in the boil pot and doing ok..
just got 1hr of boil left and then chill and then in the fermenter she gose ..
this is todays brew

Belgian Dubbel
Category Belgian Ale
Recipe Type All Grain
Fermentables

4kg 9.5 lbs pale malt Munich II Malt (Weyermann)
500g Crystal malt (20 deg L)
500g Brown malt
1kg LDME

Hops
1 oz. Styrian
.3 oz Saaz

Its very dark ... looks intresting,, at lest this time i got my temps spot on except the sparge was only 70 and not 80 were i wanted it but besides that its all going well ( knock on wood )
beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
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Gym_
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Gym_ »

Okies 2am and its in the fermenter..
Gravity is 1062 @ 27c ..
I have no ider what that means maybe one of u smartys might know,,lol :wink:
beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
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Bizier
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Bizier »

27 deg C = +0.0026
So you are looking down the barrel of 1.065 ish

http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixA.html
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Gym_
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Gym_ »

Think i might have hyjacked this thread sorry for that :oops:

One final Q
Are is the hydro reading good, bad, ok, avage ?
Ill try and find someTuts on the net about how to read these silly things :roll:
1st time ive realy used one
beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
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Bizier
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Bizier »

Gym_ wrote:Think i might have hyjacked this thread sorry for that :oops:
You bastard! Buy kymg a beer, now.
Gym_ wrote:One final Q
Are is the hydro reading good, bad, ok, avage ?
Ill try and find someTuts on the net about how to read these silly things :roll:
1st time ive realy used one
In English please, I don't speak Byron Bay, and haven't since I cut my hair and stopped wearing brown corduroy.
kymg
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Joined: Tuesday Jan 22, 2008 8:16 pm

Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by kymg »

Well I seem to have got some noses out of joint OR I am completely missing what is going on here. (Is someone taking the piss out of me)

Some of us don't have the time / money / general where withall to spend hours in front of a fermenter watching it bubbling away or buy all the better ingredients. I like to make my beer cos its cheap and tastes good. I don't pretend to be an ace brewer nor do I have any inclination have a go at those who are. I am happy to potter along and, as I said reading the wise advice of those who are good at what they do.

And yes I stand by my comments that "Even Idiots Can Do It" (read brewing beer can be quite simple)

I do make a final observation though. Unless brewing conditions are exactly the same EVERYTIME you brew, how can one tell if the difference in two brews is as a result of the conditions it is brewed under (warmer / cooler, longer / shorter), or what has been put in it?

Might be time to go now
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Clean Brewer
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Re: Even Idiots Can Do It

Post by Clean Brewer »

kymg wrote:Well I seem to have got some noses out of joint OR I am completely missing what is going on here. (Is someone taking the piss out of me)

Some of us don't have the time / money / general where withall to spend hours in front of a fermenter watching it bubbling away or buy all the better ingredients. I like to make my beer cos its cheap and tastes good. I don't pretend to be an ace brewer nor do I have any inclination have a go at those who are. I am happy to potter along and, as I said reading the wise advice of those who are good at what they do.

And yes I stand by my comments that "Even Idiots Can Do It" (read brewing beer can be quite simple)

I do make a final observation though. Unless brewing conditions are exactly the same EVERYTIME you brew, how can one tell if the difference in two brews is as a result of the conditions it is brewed under (warmer / cooler, longer / shorter), or what has been put in it?

Might be time to go now
No-ones taking the piss mate, a little harmless fun.. :wink:

There has just been a couple brewers on here that were so happy with there basic brewing methods, and then once they starting reading/researching more, they have decided to take there brewing a little further, a few have turned to the dark Side(AG).. If your happy with what you brew, thats great and your the one drinking it.. Not us..

Anyhow Cheers kymg :D
To be updated shortly....

HOMEBREW: IF I HAD TO EXPLAIN, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND
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