Are you a backyard brewer?

[Paul Greeff]

Given past and current circumstances, and the relatively low costs involved, home brewing has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past year. Ae you, or have you considered becoming, a home brewer?

If so what have your experiences been? Have you dabbled in pineapple and ginger beer or are you producing real beers or stomping grapes? Will you stick with it after lockdown ends?

I started beer brewing more than 10 years ago. I'm a bit over beer, and have been enjoying homemmade wine especially in my favourite form, mead. We also enjoy something similar to an apple cider made from apple juice. I have no interest in dabbling with pineapple and ginger beer. Thats what we used to make and drink as kids.

Considering how little I drink, I'm probably already set for the next few months but I'll definitely make a few more batches once I get close to finishing my current stash.

The biggest hurdle during lockdown was sourcing supplies. There were some creative moments with bread yeast and various fruit juices. I also learned that a 14.5% ABV mixed berry tastes very light, but it will give you one hectic hangover if you don't show it enough respect.

 

[Smugs]

Just got my kit today, wish me luck guys...

 

[bwana]

We also enjoy something similar to an apple cider made from apple juice.

I've been using a mix of apple juice and cranberry.

In preparation for some beer making I went and bought a 25l plastic container today for when the wort it ready to collect.

 

[Kola_CT]

We also enjoy something similar to an apple cider made from apple juice.

What apple juice do you use?

 

[ARYANTO]

My inner beer baby warned me before the latest lockdown an thus I have enough stock.

 

[DTAshmore]

I've been brewing full grain mashed ales for the last 4 years, currently have two full 30 litre kegs and 2 currently being emptied (glug glug) plus a couple of dozen bottles so have no problems with lockdown

 

[jphegers]

No not that fond of beer.

 

[bwana]

No not that fond of beer.

I used to make wine in school from a kit - it was stupidly simple.

 

[netstrider]

I wanted to and then I started reading some small craft brewer's book about halfway through and it just seemed I'd have to be drunk just to get the courage to start.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

I've been using a mix of apple juice and cranberry.

In preparation for some beer making I went and bought a 25l plastic container today for when the wort it ready to collect.

View attachment 992418

The only real difficulty with those is that its tough to clean them afterwards, I prefer a 25L bucket for those purposes.
Its pretty easy to drill a hole in the cap of the container you bought then run some fishtank tubing into a container of water(preferably santizer) as a blowoff tube for fermentation.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

I used to make wine in school from a kit - it was stupidly simple.

I still want to try a wine kit, getting the grapes and pressing them seems to be way harder than using a kit.
Main problem is that everywhere has been sold out of them since the first lockdown.

 

[bwana]

The only real difficulty with those is that its tough to clean them afterwards, I prefer a 25L bucket for those purposes.
Its pretty easy to drill a hole in the cap of the container you bought then run some fishtank tubing into a container of water(preferably santizer) as a blowoff tube for fermentation.

I’ve decided that’s just for transporting the wort. I’ll probably brew using either one of these or the two 10l containers I have been using for my cider. I've had plenty of practice making airlocks.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

I’ve decided that’s just for transporting the wort. I’ll probably brew using either one of these or the two 10l containers I have been using for my cider. I've had plenty of practice making airlocks.

Those are the same ones I use, they seal well and are a breeze to clean.
Builders sells the little rubber grommets for really cheap which make the airlock sealing a lot easier.

If you are going to brew all grain and that other container is HDPE then it makes a good no chill cube, I have one I use for that exact purpose.

 

[Ares1000101]

I've got a bit of cash laying about, so maybe I should give this a bash. Have some questions :

How important is temperature? I will have to leave the containers in the garage and it can get warm!

I assume purified water is ideal?
What sort of floor space is needed for a small brew? My garage is packed...

Rough cost per bottle of beer? Equipment and bottles excluded...

 

[PearlJam]

I've got a bit of cash laying about, so maybe I should give this a bash. Have some questions :

How important is temperature? I will have to leave the containers in the garage and it can get warm!

I assume purified water is ideal?
What sort of floor space is needed for a small brew? My garage is packed...

Rough cost per bottle of beer? Equipment and bottles excluded...

Temp is quite important depending on the yeast and style of beer you want to brew. Generally speaking ales you do at about 20c and lagers around 9c. You need minimal space. You can brew outside on in the house and just leave the fermenting vessel somewhere that suits the temp range more or less. I would advise against going directly to lager as a starting brewer. I have not used kveik yeast yet, but it seems people get away with very high temps. I am sure someone will comment that has used it.

Cost is really dependent on the style...a milkshake IPA is quite expensive with all the hops. General blondes and pale ales you can do for quite cheap. If you don't repitch the yeast you can look at about R250 for a 20L of a basic style. But it is easy to go in a bit lower if cost is a factor. And if you can re-use the yeast in a following batch you have a decent saving. For a milkshake IPA you are looking at R500 for the same batch for comparison

 

[Ares1000101]

Temp is quite important depending on the yeast and style of beer you want to brew. Generally speaking ales you do at about 20c and lagers around 9c. You need minimal space. You can brew outside on in the house and just leave the fermenting vessel somewhere that suits the temp range more or less. I would advise against going directly to lager as a starting brewer. I have not used kveik yeast yet, but it seems people get away with very high temps. I am sure someone will comment that has used it.

Cost is really dependent on the style...a milkshake IPA is quite expensive with all the hops. General blondes and pale ales you can do for quite cheap. If you don't repitch the yeast you can look at about R250 for a 20L of a basic style. But it is easy to go in a bit lower if cost is a factor. And if you can re-use the yeast in a following batch you have a decent saving. For a milkshake IPA you are looking at R500 for the same batch for comparison

Cool thanks for the info. I should probably do some homework.

Wife has already said, "oh is this going to be like one of your other hobbies that just gets forgotten in the garage?"....

 

[bwana]

Builders sells the little rubber grommets for really cheap which make the airlock sealing a lot easier.

That's a good idea - thanks!

I'm not sure at this stage what the wort will be - hopefully whatever it is it will be forgiving!

Rough cost per bottle of beer? Equipment and bottles excluded...

I worked it out at R16.50 a litre. R300 for 20l of wort and R30 for the yeast.

 

[B-1]

Cool thanks for the info. I should probably do some homework.

Wife has already said, "oh is this going to be like one of your other hobbies that just gets forgotten in the garage?"....

Its easy to try without having to buy too much stuff. Heres a list for typical setups from least equipment to most:

1) Wort kit
All you do is ferment and bottle.
lazyhunter.co.za or your local micro brewery.

2) Extract
You just mix the can with water and a few things depending on recipe then ferment and bottle.

3) Extract + steeping specialty grain
Exactly like 2 but you make a tea from some flavourful grains and possibly hops instead of just water. Really adds some fresh flavours to the extract which can get a bit bland.

4) Brew in a bag
This one can also be done in stages so half extract half grain or all grain etc. Think of it like making tea but with grain. This is my favourite as its a good balance between equipment, space and beer quality.

5) 2,3,4... Vessel brewing
This one is basicly the full brewing setup that breweries use or home brewers with the space and money to go all out.

 

[GreGorGy]

Wife has already said, "oh is this going to be like one of your other hobbies that just gets forgotten in the garage?"....

That reminds me - I must let her out of the garage...

 

[Went_For_Beer]

I have been brewing beer since 2011 and distilling since 2017

In 2017 I bought a Grainfather and a T500 Turbo Still.

Best piece of equipment on the market for beginner brewers IMHO