What’s Brewing? – 10/19/12 Update

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In an effort to come up with some content for this blog, I’ve decided that every once in a while I’ll provide updates about my homebrew journey — aptly named “What’s Brewing?”

Since my first homebrew experience, I have acquired a 7 cubic foot chest freezer, and a temperature control unit to gain greater control over the fermentation temperature of my future brews. I was actually able to get this freezer at no cost, since my buddy’s parents had one they were looking to get rid of it — score! I purchased the control unity online through Northern Brewer. Continue reading →

Brew #1 – Irish Red Ale

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Back in mid-August I brewed my first batch of beer!

To get in the swing of things, I purchased a two-stage starter kit from Northern Brewer online, and one of their Irish Red Ale extract kits. Michelle, my wife, gave me an “I owe you” for my birthday in May, but I put it off a little while because I didn’t want to drop the $200 for the equipment, ingredient kit, and brew kettle. Nevertheless, she convinced me to spend the money and I was so happy that I did! To be honest I felt like a 5 year-old on Christmas day when it arrived on our door step.

Along with the starter kit, I purchased on of Norther Brewer’s Irish Red Ale recipe kits. I decided on this kit because it appeared to be one of their most popular beers, and didn’t have a long fermenting process. Continue reading →

Welcome!

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Over the last few years I have come to appreciate the extraordinary flavors and complexities of craft beers. So, out of general curiosity, I have decided to take my appreciation to the next level by brewing my own beer.

I have created this blog with the hope of sharing the successes (and failures) as I learn to homebrew my own craft beer. Also, I want to use this site as a tool to log my progress as I learn more how to make some excellent brews.

Here’s to the journey — cheers!
Ian