Amateur brewer taking the leap

siggiejim · Post by **siggiejim** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 3:35 pm

Hi everyone, joined the forum just now :) I'm an amateur brewer, done a few extract kits now and want to move on to the proper stuff. Any advice on books I can read to help me along?
Also as space is a premium for me, I'm looking at buying a grainfather, anyone got one and what do you think of it?
Or any suggestions on alternatives?

Thanks :)
Jim

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mbarn · Post by **mbarn** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 3:55 pm

If space is a premium, then a grainfather or Braumeister are obvious choices, but at the expensive end of brewing equipment.
BIAB is significantly cheaper.
My setup prior to the Braumeister was a 40l boiler, a voile bag, some hop bags, and a copper immersion chiller. Boiler was second hand at £50, chiller was about £38, and the rest made up to a total of £100. If I was setting up again, I'd build a stand or pulley system to make squeezing and sparging the grains easier. BIAB could be a good stepping stone for you, to make sure you do genuinely enjoy all grain brewing, unless you have £800-1200 burning a hole in your pocket for the Grainfather or Braumeister

dbambrick996 · Post by **dbambrick996** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 3:58 pm

Welcome Jim, a great book to get you started is how to brew by John Palmer but the best thing you can do is look up your local brew club and pop along. You will meet brewers of all levels and get great advice and see how other people brew first hand, much better than any book imho.

Grainfather is a great piece of kit and it has never been cheaper to pick one up.
The alternatives are the braumeister (expensive) , the bulldog brewer and the ace micro brewer ( doesn't come with a chiller ). There are new ones popping up every week.

The grainfather has a great pump and a great counter flow chiller, the bulldog is a nice piece of kit as well.

I personally would get the grainfather.

Where are you based?

siggiejim · Post by **siggiejim** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:45 pm

Yes I was looking a BIAB to begin with, but then I got a lovely letter from HMRC telling me they want to give me enough money to get a grainfather, and a few other bits (tax refund)

I'd never thought of a brew club, although I would be surprised if there was one local. I live in the Yorkshire dales near skipton

are there any sites that list local clubs?
I will certainly give that book a read, thanks

siggiejim · Post by **siggiejim** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:53 pm

Also if anyone reading this lives nearby or finds themselves holidaying in the area, feel free to give me a shout and come and sample the brews I've done so far and I'll point you in the right direction for good pubs

dbambrick996 · Post by **dbambrick996** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 5:31 pm

If you get a grainfather check out the website weekly blogs, this is a wealth of information for brewers, there are 100 blogs covering all sorts of receipts and techniques

gobuchul · Post by **gobuchul** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 5:52 pm

I always recommend Home Brew Beer to anyone starting out.

Very clear step by step instructions and loads of great recipes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Beer ... +brew+beer

Jambo · Post by **Jambo** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 6:49 pm

Two great books recommended already - if you can stretch to both you won't regret it. Palmer has the theory and method in great detail while Hughes has a great selection of recipes.

Although Hughes does describe the method, in my view it is not detailed enough.

Horden Hillbilly · Post by **Horden Hillbilly** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 7:22 pm

http://uk-homebrew.tripod.com/

McMullan · Post by **McMullan** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 8:36 pm

Brewing good beer is mainly about yeast, IMO. 'Yeast' by White & Zainasheff is where I'd point you. It doesn't matter how good your wort is, if the yeast side isn't sussed, you'll not brew the best you could.

siggiejim · Post by **siggiejim** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 8:53 pm

Lots of great advice thanks

I often thought that about yeast. I'll get those books ordered now

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McMullan · Post by **McMullan** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:24 am

And, if you get confused and can't find an answer, just ask. That's what the forum is all about

Wonkydonkey · Post by **Wonkydonkey** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 3:13 am

Horden Hillbilly wrote:http://uk-homebrew.tripod.com/

Warning, bloody pop up adverts like William hill and other crud that if I'd known I would have never clicked your link.

Cheers,,,,never again

Post by **orlando** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 8:33 am

dbambrick996 wrote:Welcome Jim, a great book to get you started is how to brew by John Palmer but the best thing you can do is look up your local brew club and pop along. You will meet brewers of all levels and get great advice and see how other people brew first hand, much better than any book imho.

The online version of that book is a way of dipping your toe in learning about AG. The other tip is if you are patient there is always someone selling on their kit, often at a bargain price.

Post by **orlando** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 8:35 am

Wonkydonkey wrote:
Horden Hillbilly wrote:http://uk-homebrew.tripod.com/

Warning, bloody pop up adverts like William hill and other crud that if I'd known I would have never clicked your link.

Cheers,,,,never again

Don't need to worry about that if you run an ad blocker.

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