OT: Beer Thread

[nobody important]

I would totally recommend starting with the ready to pitch type kits like Brewhouse, Festa etc. Gives you a good opportunity to get your feet wet with the whole process (Cleaning, sanitizing, yeast pitching, fermentation, bottling). If you enjoy it like I did you'll quickly want to jump into All-grain and kegging (because bottling was my least favorite part of the process).

Definitely go see the guys @ Grain to Glass. They're awesome.

That's the route I took. Skipped extract completely. The only advantage I see to extract is the ability to do a concentrated wort boil, if you can't put together a full volume boil setup. And yeah, bottling sucks.

 

[Wolf357]

Started my first brew yesterday (very basic beer)..
Suggestions on where to get beer bottles? There are a few decent listings on kijiji.. thinking about just buying a case of beer and drink it..suggestions for a beer that makes a great refill? Thinking Grolsch or Coors Banquet would work well...

 

[Jimby]

I haven't had much luck capping bottles of commercial brands that had twist off caps. Has anyone?

I bought some glass bottles through the internet a few years ago and also use the 710ml pet bottles with screw tops from a local brew shop. They work well and no capper required.

Started my first brew yesterday (very basic beer)..
Suggestions on where to get beer bottles? There are a few decent listings on kijiji.. thinking about just buying a case of beer and drink it..suggestions for a beer that makes a great refill? Thinking Grolsch or Coors Banquet would work well...

 

[HannuJ]

Started my first brew yesterday (very basic beer)..
Suggestions on where to get beer bottles? There are a few decent listings on kijiji.. thinking about just buying a case of beer and drink it..suggestions for a beer that makes a great refill? Thinking Grolsch or Coors Banquet would work well...

i don't love the Grolsch swingcaps. they'll do the job but they don't always make the best of seals. the green glass also causes your beer to skunk with UV light exposure.

any beer bottle will work. SOME screwtops may not work, though. depends on your caps.

easiest thing to do? when you drink bottled beer, pour your beer into a glass. don't put your lips on the bottle. then rinse the bottle with 3 quick rinses. last rinse should ome out suds-free. turn it upside down in the dishrack to dry. hold the bottle up and look at the bottom. it should be clear. no yeast residue. you're then ready for bottling down the road.
ask your family and friends to do the same. trust me: you'll have lots of bottles in no time.

 

[Tombsy]

The one and only time I bottled I used PET bottles. The trick I was taught was that once the bottle is full (with a bit of headspace) you squeeze it until the beer is at the top and cap it. As it carbonates the bottle will fill out.

I still have those PET bottles if you want. I also have some steamworks glass bottles.

 

[nobody important]

Started my first brew yesterday (very basic beer)..
Suggestions on where to get beer bottles? There are a few decent listings on kijiji.. thinking about just buying a case of beer and drink it..suggestions for a beer that makes a great refill? Thinking Grolsch or Coors Banquet would work well...

If you don't have one already, invest in a bench capper.
https://www.graintoglass.ca/collect...uipment/products/bench-beer-bottle-capper-red

Those double lever, hand held things are for the birds.

 

[nobody important]

In Grant Park LC today, saw a 4x650 mL mixed pack from Parallel 49 Brewing Co in collaboration with 4 breweries. Beers included are a couple of IPA's, a Farmhouse ale and a well-hopped Hefeweizen:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29378/271309/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29378/271720/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29378/271326/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29378/271138/

The clerk said they are limited availability so don't know how many stores got them. I took 3 packs, and left 2. Don't want to be a greedy hoarder.

Also spotted but not purchased, something for you Trekkies out there...

 

[nobody important]

One of my favorite beers, Saison du Tracteur from Le Trou du Diable brewery is available at the LC. Sounds like a one time purchase and when they're gone, they're gone. Fabulous Saison with a zesty, citrusy character.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13605/59019/

Also, if they still have them, this collaboration 12 pack is worth trying. Some hits, some misses but interesting beers.

http://centralcitybrewing.com/canad...t-beers-represent-each-region-of-the-country/

Cheers!

 

[nobody important]

When it rains, it pours. June and July will be beer season again, as dozens of migratory species make their way through our province. I expect to be bagging my limit.

https://www.liquormarts.ca/retail-m...May%2026%2C%202017&%3Butm_campaign=SipNSavour

 

[portamoral]

lake of the woods brewery is putting out awesome stuff lately. had only tried their blueberry ale which is great but just recently they released a ton of different brews at the liquor mart and beer store. also had their own growler station at a couple LC's.

their papermaker czech style pils is so good. also the raspberry ginger ale.

phillips keeps doing amazing beers too, their thorny horn sour is one of the best i've had.

 

[nobody important]

lake of the woods brewery is putting out awesome stuff lately. had only tried their blueberry ale which is great but just recently they released a ton of different brews at the liquor mart and beer store. also had their own growler station at a couple LC's.

their papermaker czech style pils is so good. also the raspberry ginger ale.

phillips keeps doing amazing beers too, their thorny horn sour is one of the best i've had.

I'll have to try a few of the LOTW stuff. Honestly, since my LC converted from linear aisles to those stupid cubes, I'm just too lazy to go up and down and all around to browse for stuff. I know where my faves are, and if it isn't displayed on the top couple of shelves, it tends to get ignored.

 

[ps241]

Heading out on our 2nd annual Dads and sons fishing trip (boys are 8). I Picked up 48 cans of Bud lite for the dads and I thought I would leave this information here with you guys to make your skin crawl a bit.

 

[Jimby]

It is just a weekend trip?

Heading out on our 2nd annual Dads and sons fishing trip (boys are 8). I Picked up 48 cans of Bud lite for the dads and I thought I would leave this information here with you guys to make your skin crawl a bit.

 

[nobody important]

Heading out on our 2nd annual Dads and sons fishing trip (boys are 8). I Picked up 48 cans of Bud lite for the dads and I thought I would leave this information here with you guys to make your skin crawl a bit.

 

[HannuJ]

i met Denny a few years ago. funny dude. crazy dude.
people trolling with the Bud posts...like, why bother? none of us really care. but it's like talking about Pavs in a Helle thread. it just makes the poster look silly.

had my Uinta Birthday Suit beer. 2 years old. so incredibly tasty. really nice tartness and fizz wizz flavour going on

 

[nobody important]

i met Denny a few years ago. funny dude. crazy dude.
people trolling with the Bud posts...like, why bother? none of us really care. but it's like talking about Pavs in a Helle thread. it just makes the poster look silly.

had my Uinta Birthday Suit beer. 2 years old. so incredibly tasty. really nice tartness and fizz wizz flavour going on

And one of the nicest, most helpful people you will find in the homebrew world. But yeah, to be a roadie for Blue Oyster Cult, probably takes a bit of crazy.

 

[tacogeoff]

Heading out on our 2nd annual Dads and sons fishing trip (boys are 8). I Picked up 48 cans of Bud lite for the dads and I thought I would leave this information here with you guys to make your skin crawl a bit.

that is one expensive anchor!

I kid, I kid. domestic generic beers are the best to take on trips like this imo.

 

[SoCalJetsFan]

When it rains, it pours. June and July will be beer season again, as dozens of migratory species make their way through our province. I expect to be bagging my limit.

https://www.liquormarts.ca/retail-m...May%2026%2C%202017&%3Butm_campaign=SipNSavour

Thanks for this link. I will be back in the Peg for some vacation time in late July and will definitely take advantage of Flight #4. Plus a Bomber game and my annual visit to the Jets store.

Cheers!

 

[ps241]

It is just a weekend trip?

Yes 24 made there way back though so it was not the usual level of consumption.

I was going with three guys in their 40's and last year I had more variety but they didn't get consumed. It had to be cans too. We had some nice wine and the fishing ended up being great so it was a good weekend.

 

[buggs]

When it rains, it pours. June and July will be beer season again, as dozens of migratory species make their way through our province. I expect to be bagging my limit.

https://www.liquormarts.ca/retail-m...May%2026%2C%202017&%3Butm_campaign=SipNSavour

Not much coming up at that link for me, but I think it's just work blocking stuff again (I can't see what any of the flights pertain to). I'll happily pick up a variety of product through the summer.

I did manage to find the 12 pack you referenced in the prior post so thanks for the suggestion. I haven't cracked any yet as I was drinking Queer Beer on the weekend. I've always heard of it coming around the timing of the Pride parade but had never actually seen any about. It was in the LC this weekend so I grabbed a six pack. It's labelled as 'fruity and fabulous' but it's hardly fruity (I do get the double entendre that is implied but was expecting some sort of fruit undertones in the beer not just the marketing). It's fine for what it is but I won't go out of my way to find it again.

What will likely get lost in the beers across Canada promotion is that Surly brewing is coming to Manitoba as well. I expect lots of Manitoban's are familiar with the brewery if they travel to Minneapolis a lot. I very much enjoy their beers both for the flavor and the naming (Cynic, Abrasive, Furious) along with the lovely image that is consistent on their label.

 

[nobody important]

Not much coming up at that link for me, but I think it's just work blocking stuff again (I can't see what any of the flights pertain to). I'll happily pick up a variety of product through the summer.

IIRC flight links aren't active until the first day the beers become available. But feel free to yell at your IT people anyway. We aren't happy unless we're upsetting someone.

 

[buggs]

IIRC flight links aren't active until the first day the beers become available. But feel free to yell at your IT people anyway. We aren't happy unless we're upsetting someone.

Nah, it's a given that lots of stuff doesn't show up on the web for us. Tons blocked, just the way it is. I can't see any of the twitter links posted here for example. You just get used to it. On the plus side I never get popups either.

 

[Ducky10]

Not much coming up at that link for me, but I think it's just work blocking stuff again (I can't see what any of the flights pertain to). I'll happily pick up a variety of product through the summer.

I did manage to find the 12 pack you referenced in the prior post so thanks for the suggestion. I haven't cracked any yet as I was drinking Queer Beer on the weekend. I've always heard of it coming around the timing of the Pride parade but had never actually seen any about. It was in the LC this weekend so I grabbed a six pack. It's labelled as 'fruity and fabulous' but it's hardly fruity (I do get the double entendre that is implied but was expecting some sort of fruit undertones in the beer not just the marketing). It's fine for what it is but I won't go out of my way to find it again.

What will likely get lost in the beers across Canada promotion is that Surly brewing is coming to Manitoba as well. I expect lots of Manitoban's are familiar with the brewery if they travel to Minneapolis a lot. I very much enjoy their beers both for the flavor and the naming (Cynic, Abrasive, Furious) along with the lovely image that is consistent on their label.

Surly and Indeed are my two favourite Minneapolis breweries. Super great news, do you have a link to where you saw that news?

 

[Heldig]

Arrive Thirsty. BC ALE TRAIL.

 

[buggs]

Surly and Indeed are my two favourite Minneapolis breweries. Super great news, do you have a link to where you saw that news?

No sorry, I've not been able to find a link. I sit on a tasting panel with the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre here in Winnipeg and there are a couple of MLCC employees on the panel. One of the staff was wearing a Surly shirt and we started talking about the brewery and their beers. An LC guy piped up that it was coming and Surly was doing a release party at Barley Brothers sometime this summer but I failed to get details.