Step One: Read our article here: http://drinkcraftbeer.com/editorial/articles/how_to_home_brew_beer_in_your_kitchen.html

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Nice writeup guys.. good info.

I got my first batch brewed on Saturday but it was an extract kit with some specialty grains. Later down the road i've considered going AG and after seeing your guys setup I feel confident that I can make the switch. I was under the impression that i needed all kinds of different hardware to go AG.


One question though.. regarding the yeast pitching. I used a White Labs tube and made a starter and let it get to high krausen before pitching. When I mixed the wort into the primary, I aerated before pitching the yeast, but it appears you guys aerated after pitching the yeast. Which way is better, or does it matter? Fwiw, I've noticed some good activity in my airlock so things are going good, but if there is a better way i'd definitely like to know.

Thanks

Unless you're doing a high gravity beer you don't really need a starter. In this set of pics we happened to add the yeast in first, though we generally add it after, fact is it doesn't matter that much. They key is making sure you get lots of air into the wort for the yeast. A vigorous pour into your fermenter will take care of this no problem. then close the lid and give it a good shake. That's all there is to it.

The setup we used here is bare bones, there are other things you can get to make it easier, but it also costs more, we wanted to show what you can do with a basic kit, and our beer we brewed for this article turned out great.

Thanks.. what I was hoping to hear.

And the reason I used a starter was because of the White Labs vial. I had read when using liquid yeast since it has a lower cell count that its a good idea to use a starter, but as you said, not really needed unless doing a big beer. Even though mine is a Sierra Nevada PA clone I wanted to be on the safe side my time around.

It's always good to use a starter with liquid yeast. But we're always real lazy on that front. I've fermented on an established yeast cake before, and it's amazing how much faster it goes than just a single vial of liquid. But, that said, a starter isn't necessary unless for a big beer. Just a good idea.

If you want to use a starter and have the fore sight to do so, it's always good and will never hurt (unless you somehow get your starter infected). So don't let us stop you from doing it... just know it's not vital on regular strength beers.

riored4v wrote:
I got my first batch brewed on Saturday but it was an extract kit with some specialty grains. Later down the road i've considered going AG and after seeing your guys setup I feel confident that I can make the switch. I was under the impression that i needed all kinds of different hardware to go AG.

That was a lot of the point of this article, to show how easy it is to go all-grain in a small apartment. Glad you liked it!

riored4v wrote:
Thanks.. what I was hoping to hear.

And the reason I used a starter was because of the White Labs vial. I had read when using liquid yeast since it has a lower cell count that its a good idea to use a starter, but as you said, not really needed unless doing a big beer. Even though mine is a Sierra Nevada PA clone I wanted to be on the safe side my time around.

yeah we were super careful our first go round as well. now we sort of know where to spend out time and where you can but a corner or two so to speak.

ok i love beer ! and i think im ready to try my hand at brewing my own! if the wife will let me is there a starter kit that i can buy that is easy ,simple,and cheap for those of us that are not sure if we can do it or even enjoy it? i enjoy a canadian pilsner ie:labbats the most.i mention the wife because we live near a brewery and can smell the oder from it in the summer and wifey complains all the time.personaly im in heaven when i smell gods nector being brewed.

your local brew store should have a basic "ale" kit. it will be a little more robust than labbat but it will be a nice basic ale to get your started.

What I can tell you is you will end up with beer, it really is that easy and you'll be able to do it. Good luck and keep us updated