Beginning a Homebrew

[kidicarus13]

For most people, home brewing does not mean you're "making beer cheap". You'll probably find that you spend as much (and probably more) brewing your own beer then buying it at liquor stores or breweries (even if you amortize the cost of the equipment and supplies over many years). The guys I know that have been doing it for a long time do it because they love the process and not so that they can drink more beer cheaply.

The calculus that I've made is that I'll spend a lot less money and time just buying and drinking beer

Reminds me of reloading unless your a long range precision shooter loading specialty ammunition.

[ChadAmberg]

Anyone ever consider the Brewdemon kits? http://www.amazon.com/BrewDemon-8020...dp/B00DCB842U/ Especially for those just starting out to see if it's a hobby that would last.

[Hummer]

Anyone ever consider the Brewdemon kits? http://www.amazon.com/BrewDemon-8020...dp/B00DCB842U/ Especially for those just starting out to see if it's a hobby that would last.

I think it's a gimmick designed to attract first timers with a low price point. A person who does go on to become a serious homebrewer would probably regard the two gallon kit setup as a waste of money. Beer malt extract and ingredient kits are generally made for 5 gal. batches so a 2 gal. conical fermenter isn't of much use. And there are no 2 gal carboys for extended aging. So, with the 2 gal. kit you're stuck buying beer kits from that seller, which is more costly and not as good.

I'm also not keen on small batch beer and wine making because the effort is the same as for a standard 5 or 6 gal. batch. IMO, with small batches like 1 and 2 gal., there's an increased chance for problems due to oxidation and contamination.

A better start would be something like this kit that includes a 5 gal beer recipe kit, and a 6 gal. carboy that can be used as a primary for beer and for making wine kits. Pretty complete, versatile, more economical, and all is useful if you decide to expand. Get a good start with good equipment, good ingredients and make beer that's good enough you'll want to continue the hobby. The BrewDemon and Mr. Beer kits take people in the wrong direction that discourages them from continuing.

[RblDiver]

Now if we were allowed to distill at home, I think that might be worth trying.

You can. The husband of one of my mom's PEO members does home distillation. You have to get a permit, but it's free (just takes like 6 months to get). So long as it's not commercial, you can do it. He made some neat stuff, primarily vodka, but some tequila and others too.

I'm in the process of buying a new home, and two things I'm looking into doing at the new place: 1, grow hops in the back yard, and 2, trying to make my own mead. Looking forward to it!

[kidicarus13]

http://www.clawhammersupply.com/blog...ne-in-colorado

Colorado Distilling Laws

e is summary of Colorado's laws regarding home distillation of moonshine whiskey, fuel alcohol, essential oils, and water.

Owning a still

The State of Colorado does not prohibit ownership of a still.

Distilling Water and Essential Oils

Yes, it is legal to distill water. It is also legal to distill essential oils without the use of alcohol as a solvent.

Distilling Alcohol for Fuel

It is not legal to distill alcohol for fuel and no fuel alcohol permit exists.

Distilling for Personal Consumption

It is not legal to distill alcohol for personal consumption, though fines are minimal (see below).

Fines and Penalties for Distilling Alcohol in the State of Colorado

The good news is that distilling alcohol for personal consumption in the State of Colorado is neither a felony or a misdemeanor. The act actually falls in a category called "Petty Offenses." Specifically, moonshining in Colorado is a Class 2 Petty Offense and it shares this category with violations such as littering, leaving a campfire unattended, water skiing without a life jacket, and riding a bus without paying a fee. If one is caught making moonshine in Colorado, they are subject to a $250 fine. Freedom ain't free folks...freedom ain't free.

****************

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_2577667...till-our-homes

In Colorado, it is illegal, but only a petty offense.
However, the feds still consider home distilling illegal. In March, federal and state authorities arrested eight people in Florida and confiscated 46 stills, saying possession of unregistered stills and production of distilled spirits without federal permits or paying taxes were felony offenses.

[Hummer]

Home distillation of spirits is not legal in the United States, or in any country except New Zealand. One has to get a commercial permit. But fermenting beer, wine, mead, etc. is legal without a permit up to 250 gal. per household per year.

[RblDiver]

Hrm, I'd be curious to get back in touch with the guy to find out what he was talking about.

As near as I can tell, "home" distillation is permitted, so long as it's not a residence. http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/home-distilling.shtml

[fly boy]

It seems like it might be fun, but I don't know how much money I want to dump into it at a "trial" hobby. I started saving for reloading and once I buy a house that will allow it, I will want to do that (I'm getting into long range shooting). I also like the micro brews today, and think it would be interesting playing with the ingredients to make my own mixtures such as a peanut butter beer, coffee beer, or even a caffeinated beer.

Maybe I will try my Mr. Beer kit, and 1 or two batches of malt extract kits to see if I like it or not. I will post up what I received in my 5-gallon kit in the next couple days.

[Zundfolge]

You can. The husband of one of my mom's PEO members does home distillation. You have to get a permit, but it's free (just takes like 6 months to get). So long as it's not commercial, you can do it. He made some neat stuff, primarily vodka, but some tequila and others too.

You got my hopes up but others have dashed that

I'm in the process of buying a new home, and two things I'm looking into doing at the new place: 1, grow hops in the back yard, and 2, trying to make my own mead. Looking forward to it!

I'm still surprised that nobody is making a commercial mead on a wide scale (maybe honey is just too expensive). Ive had a couple homebrew meads and they were awesome. Years ago in college a friend of mine made some and he put too much sugar in it (which created too much CO2) so the first one exploded when he opened it, so we had to set them in the sink and barely crack the cap a bit letting them hiss for 10 minutes or so before opening them ... but once we did they were just about the most awesome summer time brew one could imagine ... chikas went wild over them too. Since meads are technically a "honey wine" type drink and not really a beer, they should be easier to make than beer with less equipment involved.

[RblDiver]

I'm still surprised that nobody is making a commercial mead on a wide scale (maybe honey is just too expensive). Ive had a couple homebrew meads and they were awesome. Years ago in college a friend of mine made some and he put too much sugar in it (which created too much CO2) so the first one exploded when he opened it, so we had to set them in the sink and barely crack the cap a bit letting them hiss for 10 minutes or so before opening them ... but once we did they were just about the most awesome summer time brew one could imagine ... chikas went wild over them too. Since meads are technically a "honey wine" type drink and not really a beer, they should be easier to make than beer with less equipment involved.

Actually, more and more meaderies are being formed. It's obviously not as ubiquitous as breweries, but I think there's at least one new one in Loveland which has good stuff (don't remember their company name, but two of their three meads are Date Night and Dragonsbreath), and a few others around. There's also Redstone Meadery, and a few others which I can find at my liquor store.