Beer!

[Timothy]

Thanks Phil but at 40 bucks a case for the stout and 43 bucks for freight to the US, I'm gonna have to take a pass.  For 85 bucks, I'll buy a quart of 18 year old Glenfiddich Single Malt.

Holy Moly!  That's some 'spensive brew!

[philw]

we pay here about $40 for a slab as well however the freight is the killer  however it is worth it

[Roy Hill]

I'm going to suggest something supremely evil here.

Make your own beer.

If you have enough skill to follow the directions required to make a serving of Kraft macaroni and cheese you can, guaranteed, make beer better than any commercial brand of beer suggested on this thread so far.

I'm about to kick off my fifth five-gallon batch in the last year.

The only reason I've made only four five-gallon batches so far is because buying diapers has really cut into my gun-ammo-beer budget.

I am a totally newbie at making beer.

My beer making equipment is a six-gallon bucket with a hole in the lid, a rubber stopper with airlock to go into the hole, another six-gallon bucket with a hole cut in the side, a spigot to go in that hole, and a $15 bottle capper.

That's it.  Oh wait....I totally forgot the six-foot section of rubber hose I use for a siphon.

I get used beer bottles from my friends. I wash them myself.

I buy beer kits that contain everything else, including bottle caps.

Now, just like reloading ammo, you can get all high-tech, and gee-gawed, and gadgeted about it.

But man, with my very, very simple tools, and beer kits, I can make and drink the best beer I've ever tasted anywhere.

I am not kidding.

Here's a link to check out.

http://www.annapolishomebrew.com/shopTrueBrewkits.asp


I used some company's Russian Stout kit and I made glossy black wonderful beer that's better than any Guiness I've ever had, anywhere, even from the tap.

I am not kidding on this one.

You want the best beer? Make it yourself.

It's EASY

rhill

[Hazcat]

Roy,

Crusader Rabbit and I have been doing this as well.  There is a local place we get the wort at about 25.00 for a six gallon batch.

What do you use the 2nd bucket for?  We just use the one and we put a tap at the bottom to bottle from.

[fightingquaker13]

Roy,

Crusader Rabbit and I have been doing this as well.  There is a local place we get the wort at about 25.00 for a six gallon batch.

What do you use the 2nd bucket for?  We just use the one and we put a tap at the bottom to bottle from.

The first is for fermentation. Its then strained into the second for aging (I may have my terms confused, its been a long time since I've done this). The only other thing you need is an alchohol meter to tell you when its done. I got the same type kit roy described for about $50. I also used the premixed stuff, rather than mixing my own wort with hops and such. He ain't lying when he said its the best beer you'll get outside of a brew pub. The only down side is waiting for it to age. Its why I only made ales, not laagers. I didn't have the patience. The only key to doing it right is cleanliness. You have to be anal retentive about keeping stuff clean. Otherwise you will introduce wild yeast into the mix and the beer tastes like moldy cardboard. Trust me, you only have to make this mistake once and you'll come to Jesus on the cleanliness front. Still, if you can pour water, operate a siphon and wash dishes, you can make great beer.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

We mix and ferment in the bucket. Hydrometer works fine instead of an alcohol meter, just wait till the bubble stop (about 4-5 days),  bottle and age (7-14 days), then chill and quaff.

[Timothy]

Well, the definition of a rifleman is to be able to hit a target at 500 yards with iron sights.  If you can't do that, you're a cook!

So, by that definition, I'm a cook;   .... so I'm perfectly capable of making my own beer and I might just do that.  I will have to convince the wifey that I'm not gonna stink up the house in doing so!

Until that time, I'm enjoying the huge variety of domestic brews available to me here in the Northeast.  Tonight it's Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale and some Oaked Arogant Bastard on the menu.

I'll give the required range reports as I enjoy them.

p.s.  Phil, I have made several inquiries about Coopers and was told by two large packy's that they carried it for a while but just couldn't sell it so they've stopped trying.  Don't take it personally Mate, it's gotten to the point that there are 50 local brewerys in the Northeast, too much really good beer to be had.

[Timothy]

Range Report....

The Dogfish Head Indian Brown is probably one of the best tasting brews I've ever tasted.  I'm really quite impressed!  Has a nice taste, malty and bold with a scotch ale finish that's very satisfying.

Definately a do-over.

[philw]

Well, the definition of a rifleman is to be able to hit a target at 500 yards with iron sights.  If you can't do that, you're a cook!

So, by that definition, I'm a cook;   .... so I'm perfectly capable of making my own beer and I might just do that.  I will have to convince the wifey that I'm not gonna stink up the house in doing so!

 
got for it mate

My Mrs got the kit I have for my birthday      did not stick up the house at all

actually  enjoying a couple at the moment
more about it here http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=12128.0 

p.s.  Phil, I have made several inquiries about Coopers and was told by two large packy's that they carried it for a while but just couldn't sell it so they've stopped trying.  Don't take it personally Mate, it's gotten to the point that there are 50 local brewerys in the Northeast, too much really good beer to be had.

I won't  however I stand by the Vid I posted  about US beers   

[Hazcat]

We (CR and I) are making the Nut Brown Ale.