A few weeks ago I decided to dabble into the wondrous world of home brewing. What got me into this was my life long friend Dan who turned rebel and deserted us to move to Tennessee even though “dey low down, dey dirty” (if don’t know what I’m talking about click here). He’s been brewing for the past few years, so once Alabama got rid of their archaic beer laws I decided to try it out for myself. I’ll have to say it’s probably one of the best decisions of my life. I mean, what’s not to like about making and drinking your own beer? Here’s the first of many intimate guides into my haphazard brewing process!
So I found a beer extra kit online but I decided to forgo ordering it and stop by my local homebrew store, Hop City in Birmingham. They developed a recipe for an Extra Pale Ale, one that I picked because it is an easy, satisfying style of beer that is drinkable within about 5 or so weeks of brewing. This being my first brew, I went with one of the quicker recipies. What can I say, patience isn’t my strong suit.
Best part of the whole process? A big ol’ glass of cold beer!
If this picture makes your mouth water, then you’ve found the right place. All in all my first brew turned better than expected. This is the finished product of my 6 week conquest to my first beer.
This log of my brewing activities will hopefully serve to help other people, who like me have a fascination with weird yeast, tasty beers, and all other things fermentable. Enjoy!
EXTRA PALE ALE EXTRACT RECIPE:
Malt: Grain:
6lbs Gold malt syrup 1lbs Belgian Caramel Pils
Hops: Yeast:
3 oz Cascade (52.53 IBU) Wyeast 1056 American Ale
Things I got right with my brew: Things I got wrong with my brew:
Hops additions Forgot to check original gravity
Added malt correctly Steeped grains at wrong temp
Sanitation was good Added .5 gallons to much water
Next Brew On Deck: IPA (Will be ready on September 14th, also known as the day Johnny Football’s signature lost it’s value!
Until next time, Roll home brew!