This is the recipe kit that I have in secondary as of right now that I ordered from Midwest Supplies. I love the description that they provide and hope that I can get the same flavor and aroma profiles from my batch as they are describing.
"Unlike any other IPA that has come before it, new-age Calypso hops offer brilliant flavor and aroma from lemons, cherry blossoms, black pepper, bitter orange and mint to hints of tropical fruit and sappy, pronounced pear. Versatile, evolving hop character and markedly smooth bittering make for a complex IPA balanced by clean, slightly sweet and bready malt. Capturing fantastic reviews from IPA lovers and light-beer-drinkers alike, Calypso is a flavor odyssey with a serene, unforgettable finish."
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/calypso-single-hop-ipa.html
Hi Dan. I came across your blog while I was trying to do some research on homebrewing. I guess my main questions are about where to find good kosher brewing ingredients. I am looking to get into the hobby in general, but my wife and I want to try and include part of my first batch in our Mishloach Manos this year. (Last year I made a few different cheeses, with homemade bread and crackers plus cheesecake, so putting work into things is not an issue). As I understand it, I should need about 3 weeks or so which gives me just enough time before Purim. The recipe I am working off is the one by Alton Brown found here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-brew-recipe.html I'm open to changing some things if you think I should but since it's my first brew I kind of want to stick to the basics.
ReplyDelete1/2 pound crystal grain, milled
7 pounds light liquid malt extract
1 -ounce Cascade hops
1 3/4 ounces Kent Goldings hops
1/2 teaspoon Irish moss
1 vial British Ale yeast
I also need the specialty equipment, so I was also wondering what you think the best place to get them is. Online? Some local shop (I live in Brooklyn)
2 (7-gallon) fermenters, 1 with a spigot and 1 with an air lock
6 feet of plastic tubing that will fit the spigot
Bottling tube
2 cases plus a couple of bottles of 20-ounce Grolsh style bottles
Any other tips or advice you could give me would also be appreciated. For example, I've heard the Grolsch-style bottles may not be that great since the caps don't stay on well. Any truth to this? Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
Hi There,
ReplyDeleteSorry for not getting back to you earlier. Homebrewing, is a fun hooby and in general its pretty easy once you have all of the equipment that you need. You mentioned that you want to be able to distribute your brew for Purim, you may be squeezing that a bit close. I generally let my brews ferment and condition (sit in the bottle after bottling) for about 6 weeks. You technically should be able to bottle after 2-3 weeks, with the major issue being sediment in the bottles. All homebrewed beer will have some sediment (mainly yeast) at the bottom of the bottles and the longer you let it sit before bottling the less you will have in your bottles. Without filtering (expensive equipment and more complicated) you will always have some sediment, so don't freak out and you are done and you see what looks like mud on the bottom of your bottles, its perfectly fine and consumable, however, most people dont particularly care for the yeasty sludge.
With reference to ingredients and recipes. The AB recipe is good, but for a start up homebrewer who doesnt have any equipment, your best bet is to buy a kit that includes a recipe kit in it. There is a homebrew shop in Brooklyn, Bitters and Esters http://bitterandesters.com/ They sell a very reasonably priced equipment/recipe kit for like $100. That will leave you only to buy a big pot and bottles (must be non-twist off). For a 5 gallon kit you will need about 50 12oz bottles (usually in the mid 40's range is enough-but you dont want to be short). I have some Grolsch style bottle and think they make the process easier, but they are a little hard to come by and expensive if you need to buy them. I've never had an issue with a Grolsch flip top bottles staying closed, they usually make a very good seal.
In terms of kashrus, all of the dried yeasts that you will find in the homebrew shops are under some type of supervision. The liquid ones, some do and some dont. The dry yeast manufacturers have hashgachas on the bulk packaging but usually not on the small packets. Some people are OK with this type of hashgacha and some aren't (personally i feel its fine as do my friends who work at the OU). That is up to your personal feelings on the matter or that of your rav. With regards to the liquid malt extract (LME) anything made by Briess or Muntons is under a good hashgacha. The homebrew shops will often times repackage the Briess LME in their own bottles as they buy it in bulk drums. Again, this is a kashrus comfort preference, which i feel is also fine. Hops and grains are just dried flowers and grain so these are not an issue.
So what it also boils down to, is that most of the ingredients that probably dont even need a hashgacha in the first place (according to several rabbanim) do have hashgachas.
I hope this all helps. I also uploaded a video of an instructional video onto youtube a few years back. https://youtu.be/aaeWCLTT_3M
Lastly, if you decide to continue your new hobby, I usually buy my supplies from Midwest Supplies (online) they have a ton of variety and their pricing is very good.
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the reply. Great info. I was thinking of getting a kit but not sure whether I'll go that route or buying individual items. Alton Brown talks about the sediment so I was expecting that. He also suggests (at least in the online version) using Irish moss to clarify a little. Not sure hwat your thoughts on that are. Just a few more questions:
1) Does Bitter and Esters have ingredients ready to buy in-store at reasonable prices? Thinking of driving over there if they do.
2) How is Midwest Supplies in terms of shipping turnaround time? I was also looking at Northern Brewing Supplies. DO you have any experience with them?
3) Ordinarily, if I;m buying cooking pots, I try to get something that is good quality with a heavy bottom. I assume I don't need that for brewing since heat distribution and retention isn't that important when you're basically just boiling water-based stuff. I have to buy a special pot basically just for brewing since my largest pot as of now is only 11 quarts. Any ideas on wehere to get the best bang for my buck on a pot?
4) If I go with the standard bottle caps (metal, non-twist-off) I will need a capper. I was thinking of going with the Grolsch-style reusable caps like these: http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brewing-equipment/bottling/bottles/16-oz-cobalt-glass-ez-cap-bottles-with-swing-tops but I've heard they sometimes pop off during conditioning. Any experience with them?
Thank you so much for all your help again.
P.S. I did watch your video. Very helpful to see it, even though I saw the Good Eats video from AB.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to irish moss, personally I use it, its basically dehydrated seaweed, at least thats what it looks and smells like. It's helps a bit but wont eliminate the sediment.
ReplyDelete1) I have never shopped at Bitters and Esters, i googled them for a local place since you are short on time. Their website implies that they have a bunch of supplies in stock. Give them a ring before heading over.
2) Midwest's turn around time is a solid week from the time you order until delivery. I have never ordered from Northern Brewing so I can't say how quick they will turn around. If you have to start considering rapid shipping, it doesn't make it cost effective.
3) I think that any pot will do BUT if your a cook, you will be disappointed if you buy a junky pot. I have a junky pot that dents whenever I use it, I really need a better one, but don't want to cough up the $'s to buy a new one. Walmart usually has pretty cheap pots, but again you'll need to have it shipped unless you drive out to a Walmart. Macy's also has deals sometimes or Bed Bath and Beyond if you use the 20% coupons that are readily available.
4) Most of the kits come with a capper and enough caps to get started on your first batch. Grolsch style bottles are certainly more convenient, but you are going to want to reuse those since they are pricey, if you give them away for Mishloach Manot, it may be tough and little weird to ask people for them back.
I've never had a problem with the Grolsch style ones popping on me, if anything they are more fail proof than caps are.
Here is a link to a Macy's deal:
ReplyDeletehttp://www1.macys.com/shop/product/tools-of-the-trade-stainless-steel-16-qt.-covered-stockpot?ID=727334&CategoryID=7552&tdp=cm_app~zundefined~xcm_zone~zPDP_ZONE_A~xcm_choiceId~zcidM05MBC-1c35ac48-2102-427d-a4dc-ef0985469343%40H7%40customers%2Balso%2Bshopped%247552%24727334~xcm_pos~zPos1
They have the 16 and 20 quarts pots on sale, but an extra 15% off if you use the promo code.
Thank you so much for all your help. I think I may have to postpone the beer Mishloach Manot idea till next year and maybe start this hobby after Pesach. It all sounds great, but I don't want to rush it just because. If it doesn't turn out well, I may get discouraged. I also can't seem to find Kent Golding leaf hops and I have to do more research on ingredients etc. I also saw the restaurant supply store I usually go to has aluminum stock pots at pretty good prices, so I'll probably go that route. Anyway, thank you again. I hope to be in touch when I get going with this.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I blame you. I think that an aluminum stock pot is certainly sufficient for these purposes. You can use either leaf or pellet hops if they are easier to get. If the local shops don't carry them and you aren't in a rush, shop online. Keep in touch once you are ready to brew.
ReplyDeleteI will. I've been meaning to do this for a while. It's good to have a frum "mentor." Thank you so much.
ReplyDelete