(06-27-2015 12:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 10:13 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  I started brewing my own a couple of months ago.

Kit or your own recipe?

I have done both. I like to start with a basic kit...say Amber Wheat...and then customize it myself. I just brewed a light wheat with magnolia petals. Smelled wonderful during the wort. Have another week left of carbonation. I bought a mini keg dispenser and filled one keg up from this batch. Can't wait to try it out.

I've only done a kit thus far. Still working on my brewing process as a whole.

(06-27-2015 12:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 10:13 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  I started brewing my own a couple of months ago.

Kit or your own recipe?

I have done both. I like to start with a basic kit...say Amber Wheat...and then customize it myself. I just brewed a light wheat with magnolia petals. Smelled wonderful during the wort. Have another week left of carbonation. I bought a mini keg dispenser and filled one keg up from this batch. Can't wait to try it out.

I've been doing kits so far.

(06-27-2015 01:12 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 12:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 10:13 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  I started brewing my own a couple of months ago.

Kit or your own recipe?

I have done both. I like to start with a basic kit...say Amber Wheat...and then customize it myself. I just brewed a light wheat with magnolia petals. Smelled wonderful during the wort. Have another week left of carbonation. I bought a mini keg dispenser and filled one keg up from this batch. Can't wait to try it out.

I've been doing kits so far.

That is the easiest way to do it starting out and insuring a decent product. After a few batches you will get the hang of it and can start concocting your own. Using liquid Malt extracts makes it pretty easy to customize for your tastes. All you really have to do then is play around with hops combinations and other adjuncts for flavor. It is a fun hobby. I am part of a group of 6 guys that brew(often together) and share each others product. We have one guy that is almost a pro. He does everything from scratch. I have to say...He brews the best quality product of the group.

(06-27-2015 02:02 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 01:12 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 12:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 10:13 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  I started brewing my own a couple of months ago.

Kit or your own recipe?

I have done both. I like to start with a basic kit...say Amber Wheat...and then customize it myself. I just brewed a light wheat with magnolia petals. Smelled wonderful during the wort. Have another week left of carbonation. I bought a mini keg dispenser and filled one keg up from this batch. Can't wait to try it out.

I've been doing kits so far.

That is the easiest way to do it starting out and insuring a decent product. After a few batches you will get the hang of it and can start concocting your own. Using liquid Malt extracts makes it pretty easy to customize for your tastes. All you really have to do then is play around with hops combinations and other adjuncts for flavor. It is a fun hobby. I am part of a group of 6 guys that brew(often together) and share each others product. We have one guy that is almost a pro. He does everything from scratch. I have to say...He brews the best quality product of the group.

It's been fun so far. I did an "American Cream Ale" that I would like to go back and tinker with. It almost tasted perfect. I think I might improve it over time and make it my own.

(06-27-2015 02:44 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:02 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 01:12 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 12:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 10:13 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  I started brewing my own a couple of months ago.

Kit or your own recipe?

I have done both. I like to start with a basic kit...say Amber Wheat...and then customize it myself. I just brewed a light wheat with magnolia petals. Smelled wonderful during the wort. Have another week left of carbonation. I bought a mini keg dispenser and filled one keg up from this batch. Can't wait to try it out.

I've been doing kits so far.

That is the easiest way to do it starting out and insuring a decent product. After a few batches you will get the hang of it and can start concocting your own. Using liquid Malt extracts makes it pretty easy to customize for your tastes. All you really have to do then is play around with hops combinations and other adjuncts for flavor. It is a fun hobby. I am part of a group of 6 guys that brew(often together) and share each others product. We have one guy that is almost a pro. He does everything from scratch. I have to say...He brews the best quality product of the group.

It's been fun so far. I did an "American Cream Ale" that I would like to go back and tinker with. It almost tasted perfect. I think I might improve it over time and make it my own.

Taste like a Gennese? I have not had one of those since college. My old roomie was from NY. He loved them.

Heck, I drink lite beer ONLY because I'm so macho that I need something to water my machismo down. Otherwise, I'd be beating my wife and doing all weird conservative stuff. Lite beer keeps me "moderate". I can't drink too much lite beer otherwise I'll be lisping, or drinking it from a champagne glass.


When I feel my testorone levels starting to wane I drink Regular Budweiser.

(06-27-2015 02:49 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:44 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:02 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 01:12 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 12:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  Kit or your own recipe?

I have done both. I like to start with a basic kit...say Amber Wheat...and then customize it myself. I just brewed a light wheat with magnolia petals. Smelled wonderful during the wort. Have another week left of carbonation. I bought a mini keg dispenser and filled one keg up from this batch. Can't wait to try it out.

I've been doing kits so far.

That is the easiest way to do it starting out and insuring a decent product. After a few batches you will get the hang of it and can start concocting your own. Using liquid Malt extracts makes it pretty easy to customize for your tastes. All you really have to do then is play around with hops combinations and other adjuncts for flavor. It is a fun hobby. I am part of a group of 6 guys that brew(often together) and share each others product. We have one guy that is almost a pro. He does everything from scratch. I have to say...He brews the best quality product of the group.

It's been fun so far. I did an "American Cream Ale" that I would like to go back and tinker with. It almost tasted perfect. I think I might improve it over time and make it my own.

Taste like a Gennese? I have not had one of those since college. My old roomie was from NY. He loved them.

I thought it was like a west coast IPA. Very golden in color, very smooth but floral after notes. I accidentally put double hops.

(06-27-2015 02:53 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:49 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:44 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:02 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 01:12 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  I've been doing kits so far.

That is the easiest way to do it starting out and insuring a decent product. After a few batches you will get the hang of it and can start concocting your own. Using liquid Malt extracts makes it pretty easy to customize for your tastes. All you really have to do then is play around with hops combinations and other adjuncts for flavor. It is a fun hobby. I am part of a group of 6 guys that brew(often together) and share each others product. We have one guy that is almost a pro. He does everything from scratch. I have to say...He brews the best quality product of the group.

It's been fun so far. I did an "American Cream Ale" that I would like to go back and tinker with. It almost tasted perfect. I think I might improve it over time and make it my own.

Taste like a Gennese? I have not had one of those since college. My old roomie was from NY. He loved them.

I thought it was like a west coast IPA. Very golden in color, very smooth but floral after notes. I accidentally put double hops.

Hopping is everything. You can totally change the character of any brew by the number of grams and amount of time you boil it in the wort. Sounds like you may have had some Cascade hops involved that headed it towards what I call a Steamer beer. Ive made several like it. Good stuff when it is hot outside.

Best thing in the world is a beer store with a "build your own" sixpack. Hit up Total Wine today and did that. Already found three beers that will be on my summer rotation.

(06-27-2015 09:27 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  Best thing in the world is a beer store with a "build your own" sixpack. Hit up Total Wine today and did that. Already found three beers that will be on my summer rotation.

Yes. It is a great way to explore new stuff. I also like the variety packs. Im going through one from Sierra Nevada now. The Nooner and Kolsch is very good.

(06-27-2015 09:30 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 09:27 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  Best thing in the world is a beer store with a "build your own" sixpack. Hit up Total Wine today and did that. Already found three beers that will be on my summer rotation.

Yes. It is a great way to explore new stuff. I also like the variety packs. Im going through one from Sierra Nevada now. The Nooner and Kolsch is very good.

Funny you mention that style. One of the ones I bought was a new Columbia, SC brewery named River Rat. They have a beer called American Kölsch Story. Friggin' awesome! Already know it's available local so it's in like Flynn.

Well, I LOVE IPAs. But I also love grapefruit juice, and that is definitely one of the markers of a good IPA.

(06-27-2015 11:37 PM)geosnooker2000 Wrote:  Well, I LOVE IPAs. But I also love grapefruit juice, and that is definitely one of the markers of a good IPA.

True. You either like a heavy hopped brew or you don't. There is usually not an middle ground. I like them..especially in hot weather..but..not as a constant go to. I keep a wide variety of stuff in my mini fridge. Im not attached to any particular style.

(06-27-2015 09:57 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 09:30 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 09:27 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  Best thing in the world is a beer store with a "build your own" sixpack. Hit up Total Wine today and did that. Already found three beers that will be on my summer rotation.

Yes. It is a great way to explore new stuff. I also like the variety packs. Im going through one from Sierra Nevada now. The Nooner and Kolsch is very good.

Funny you mention that style. One of the ones I bought was a new Columbia, SC brewery named River Rat. They have a beer called American Kölsch Story. Friggin' awesome! Already know it's available local so it's in like Flynn.

Ill check that out on my next visit to my favorite specialty store.

(06-27-2015 09:09 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:53 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:49 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:44 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 02:02 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  That is the easiest way to do it starting out and insuring a decent product. After a few batches you will get the hang of it and can start concocting your own. Using liquid Malt extracts makes it pretty easy to customize for your tastes. All you really have to do then is play around with hops combinations and other adjuncts for flavor. It is a fun hobby. I am part of a group of 6 guys that brew(often together) and share each others product. We have one guy that is almost a pro. He does everything from scratch. I have to say...He brews the best quality product of the group.

It's been fun so far. I did an "American Cream Ale" that I would like to go back and tinker with. It almost tasted perfect. I think I might improve it over time and make it my own.

Taste like a Gennese? I have not had one of those since college. My old roomie was from NY. He loved them.

I thought it was like a west coast IPA. Very golden in color, very smooth but floral after notes. I accidentally put double hops.

Hopping is everything. You can totally change the character of any brew by the number of grams and amount of time you boil it in the wort. Sounds like you may have had some Cascade hops involved that headed it towards what I call a Steamer beer. Ive made several like it. Good stuff when it is hot outside.

You nailed it exactly. Impressive

Stouts and porters, porters and stouts. There are some decent domestic options, but sometimes its worth it to order a case of something from overseas. Latest was Zywiec porter from Poland. Taste of the old world indeed.

(06-28-2015 11:21 AM)CameramanJ Wrote:  Stouts and porters, porters and stouts. There are some decent domestic options, but sometimes its worth it to order a case of something from overseas. Latest was Zywiec porter from Poland. Taste of the old world indeed.

Beer Army in Winston Salem makes a couple of nice Porters you might want to try.