Home Brew/Home Wine/etc

[crazyquik]

I went over to a friend's apt once and he opened the closet to get something out and it was full of his homebrewing stuff. He said he had made beer there several times and it turned out pretty good.

So, does anyone here brew their own beer or make their own wine, and if so, can you do it in an apartment or do you need a garage/basement? How messy is it? What were the results like? Was it worth it or a total waste of money?

 

[Ludeykrus]

I homebrew beer, and have brewed wine. It takes up a good bit of time and room, but it can be done in an apartment easy.

Yes, it is worth it.

 

[mikej77]

I homebrew beer as well. It can be a really fun hobby. It does take a bit of space, however I have no problem doing it in my apartment. There are some great kits out there, just check some of the online store (midwest brewing, beer-wine.com) and you can get a great kit for less than $200. Start off by doing the homebrew kits which will have all of the ingredients pre packaged and then after doing a few you can move on to doing your own mixes. Each batch usually turns out about two cases of beer. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months or longer, depending on the type you brew.

 

[Reggs]

Listed under "ect" I make my own yogurt and sauerkraut.

I'm waiting for a new crock to come in the mail. It's from a German company who has a patent on a gutter seal that you fill with water, making the crock air tight.

I also want to make my own kimchi when I get this.

 

[kaxixi]

Homebrewing can easily be done in an apartment, and is not very messy. It is very fun, especially when done socially with friends.

My advice: do it if you enjoy brewing, not for the cost savings or even the beer itself. The cost savings are swamped by the investment in time, and you can buy a better beer of any style than you can make for pennies more than it costs to homebrew something similar. This is true for all but the best homebrewers.

 

[Ludeykrus]

I disagree; it can save a good bit in money, and it is ridiculous to include time invested as a 'cost'. Then again, it is ridiculous to homebrew for purely monetary reasons.

 

[kaxixi]

Originally Posted by Ludeykrus

Then again, it is ridiculous to homebrew for purely monetary reasons.

Yes. This is all I'm saying.

 

[Bhowie]

Originally Posted by Reggs

I also want to make my own kimchi when I get this.


I thought it took years to properly make kimchi, or is that just for the primo stuff?

 

[Milhouse]

Originally Posted by Ludeykrus

I disagree; it can save a good bit in money, and it is ridiculous to include time invested as a 'cost'. Then again, it is ridiculous to homebrew for purely monetary reasons.

You don't want to get paid for your labor? In that case, I have several projects that could use another employee. . .

 

[Milhouse]

Originally Posted by Reggs

Listed under "ect" I make my own yogurt and sauerkraut.

I'm waiting for a new crock to come in the mail. It's from a German company who has a patent on a gutter seal that you fill with water, making the crock air tight.

I also want to make my own kimchi when I get this.

My great grandmother had a crock like this. She always made sauerkraut herself. Now, I'm pretty sure my mom has the crock and she probably never uses it. My mom doesn't like sauerkraut that much.

 

[Reggs]

Originally Posted by Bhowie

I thought it took years to properly make kimchi, or is that just for the primo stuff?

Perhaps?

I don't know that much about making it. I've just watched a few instructional youtube videos. I would like to find a good book or something before I make it, and even then I will likely want to make several different batches before I find what kind of spice blend I enjoy the most.

 

[ken1645]

sounds yummy

 

[hipcathobbes]

Originally Posted by Ludeykrus

I disagree; it can save a good bit in money, and it is ridiculous to include time invested as a 'cost'. Then again, it is ridiculous to homebrew for purely monetary reasons.

No, time spent homebrewing is certainly a cost. It's what economists call an "opportunity cost," since by spending your time homebrewing you lose the opportunity to do some other valuable thing -- hanging out with your kids, or working, or reading a book, or whatever. Some people really like homebrewing for what it is, and so value their time spent homebrewing accordingly.

I homebrew, and actually made a batch of belgian trippel tonight. If you're interested, pick up a copy of Charlie Papazian's Art of Homebrewing or stop in at a local brew shop. The people there should be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[imatlas]

Relax, and have a homebrew!

 

[Ludeykrus]

Originally Posted by hipcathobbes

No, time spent homebrewing is certainly a cost. It's what economists call an "opportunity cost," since by spending your time homebrewing you lose the opportunity to do some other valuable thing -- hanging out with your kids, or working, or reading a book, or whatever. Some people really like homebrewing for what it is, and so value their time spent homebrewing accordingly.

I completely understand the economic idea of opportunity cost. But seeing the type of person that would take up the hobby of homebrewing, they are not doing it for economic reasons. Hence, my "you're marsupialed to homebrew for monetary reasons" comment. People homebrew because they enjoy it, not to save money. That's a fact.