New Member and new brewer

This is an open forum to discuss all things that just might be on your mind.

Moderators: Post Moderators, Cheers Moderator

Post Reply
gpoulos2@gmail.com
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2015 3:06 pm

New Member and new brewer

Post by gpoulos2@gmail.com »

Hey guys I hope this in the right place.
I just purchased my equipment and ingredients for my first batch.
I live in Aliso Viejo. There are a few steps to the process that have me very confused.
I did buy the book Homebrewing for Dummies.
I would love to get my first batch going on one of the next couple weekends.
I have watched more You Tube videos than I can count.
Still kind of confused. I am sure I will be ok once.

If someone could either shoot me a detailed step by step video or pictures.
Some of the terminology I don't understand either. Like pitching yeast??
I have heard once you do a batch or two its pretty easy.

Appreciate any advice.

Thanks!!
User avatar
DrDually
Posts: 461
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 3:23 pm
Location: Santa Ana, CA

Re: New Member and new brewer

Post by DrDually »

Hi and welcome to the club
What are you planning on brewing first?
What type of equipment do you have?
There are any number of members here that will gladly help you
If you have not considered paid membership, it does offer benefits such as brew days at members homes where your questions can be answered while you watch
Chris aka Dr Dually
drdually@att.net

Life is tough. It is even tougher when you are stupid. John Wayne

Bottled and enjoying: Nada, zip
Kegged: English Brown, American Amber, Double Barrel Ale
Next up: Kolsch
User avatar
BrewMasterBrad
Pro Brewer
Posts: 3326
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:31 pm
Location: Skyland Ale Works, Corona, CA
Contact:

Re: New Member and new brewer

Post by BrewMasterBrad »

Welcome to the club and the obsession.

In addition to the reading you have already done, I would suggest getting How to Brew by John Palmer. You can also check out his web site at www.howtobrew.com. The web site has the complete first edition of his book online. You will need to buy it if you want the newest edition.

You should keep an eye an the forums here and try to attend a brew day at a member's house so you can see the process in action in person before you attempt your first brew.
I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada down at Trader Vic's
dhempy
Posts: 2357
Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 4:10 pm
Location: Santa Rosa Valley, CA

Re: New Member and new brewer

Post by dhempy »

Welcome and +1 / +1. Sage advice from DrDually and BrewMasterBrad.

Of course feel free to post questions too.

I'll tackle your first one.

Pitching yeast is the step where you add the yeast to your freshly boiled and cooled (very important) wort. It really is as simple as pouring the yeast into the vessel you plan to ferment in.

This is typically the last thing you do before relaxing and having a homebrew (and then start cleaning up from your brewday). When you're ready to get a bit more advanced, there is a boatload of information around on how to get your yeast ready for pitching (read up on starters and you can calculate yeast starter volumes at http://www.MrMalty.com).

Brewing is great fun, joining BrewCommune is money well spent!

Dan
Last edited by dhempy on Sat Mar 14, 2015 1:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
lexuschris
Posts: 2126
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:08 pm
Location: Corona del Mar, CA
Contact:

Re: New Member and new brewer

Post by lexuschris »

Welcome & congrats on starting your journey in homebrewing! :)

I remember being in the same boat when I got started .. so many questions.. so many new terms that I did not understand.

Extract recipe kits are a good way to get started. At least, that's how I did it. After a few brew sessions, you'll understand the basics and start to find areas where you can enhance your beer & get more crafty. If you've already seen a few all-grain brew sessions and think you'd like to start there, that works too.

Go ahead and ask your questions here... there are plenty of folks here who can help!
--LexusChris
"A woman drove me to drink, and I hadn't even the courtesy to thank her." – W.C. Fields
Post Reply