The title is not accurate; I am still at the ‘thinking about it ‘ stage !
For some time I’ve fancied making my own beer. Brother #3 used to make his own. I recall it was rather tasty and it looked like fun. In college my microbiology partner, a fellow from England, made a dark and tasty brew. It was my first time drinking beer. Thanks to him I still prefer my beer dark and strong – like my men.
Besides the pride of making homemade goodies (suffer, Martha!) I get to design my own labels. Here are some preliminary names:
Harper’s Hooch
Spo Stout
Scorched Cats
and
No Rubbish
I certainly don’t “need” another hobby. One hobby tends to steal time from another. My life is strewn with hobbies and past times I have started only to lose interest, wander off, and loose orbit. Someone fears I get get into beer making I will make a mess of the kitchen and the house will smell like a still.
All the same, I want to try this. My usual mode is to read up on the subject first, then get the necessary armamentaria , and have at it. Perhaps I can make little aloha style shirts for the bottles, like those sometimes seen adorning bottles of wine.
I would be delighted to hear from Spo-fans if you have ever made beer.
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January 29, 2013 at 9:48 PM
Jay
I vote for Harper’s Hooch. But I would suggest making Mead (Honey wine) then I could drink it.
January 30, 2013 at 12:25 AM
zeph
I made beer once. It turned out quite well. But it’s a fair amount of work and involves a lot of cleaning.
January 30, 2013 at 2:17 AM
Cubby
I made a few batches, back when we lived in Cleveland and had a cool basement. The surprising part was how much it smelled up the house.
January 30, 2013 at 2:41 AM
anne marie in philly
nope; I don’t drink beer, never have and never will.
January 30, 2013 at 4:11 AM
wfregosi
My husband gave me a beer making kit for Christmas (I gave him a new chain saw–it was our butch Christmas). I will be starting my first batch this weekend.
January 30, 2013 at 5:27 AM
DougT
Although I really enjoy the fermentation arts (in addition to cheese, I’ve made wine), I’ve never tried making homebrew. It’s probably a reflection of the fact that I’m not a big beer drinker. As for names, during my recent trip to Portland I visited Hank’s Tavern where I had a Proletariat Red. Best beer name ever! It was pretty tasty, too.
January 30, 2013 at 5:50 AM
Laurent
Now,Now, Beer making, no that is not a Gentleman’s hobby. Surely someone like yourself should focus on the higher plane. I suggest Scotch making instead.
January 30, 2013 at 5:54 AM
Urspo
Don’t I wish! One of the barkeeps at our favorite pub is in the process of making his own whisky and it sounds quite complicated, save me from such tedium by sending me some chivas regal. 18 year is preferred.
Sent from nowhere in particular.
January 30, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Laurent
But Darling Chivas is a blend. Would you not prefer a single malt?
January 30, 2013 at 6:57 PM
Urspo
yes, I would. No rubbish either.
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January 30, 2013 at 5:52 AM
Sean R.
I’m just not much of a beer fan. Never acquired a taste for it. I like the hard stuff like bourbon.
January 30, 2013 at 5:55 AM
Sean R.
If you like bourbon, check this out. (No, I’m not a paid advertiser.) http://www.fingerlakesdistilling.com/index.php/our-products
January 30, 2013 at 7:31 AM
Urspo
I love finding local bourbons like this ! Thank you for the tip – when I am next back East I hope to find some and hold an inspection.
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January 30, 2013 at 5:56 AM
Urspo
Bourbon is my drink of choice as well!
Sent from nowhere in particular.
January 30, 2013 at 8:13 AM
Sean R.
A bunch of our family still lives down in the Finger Lakes region of NY. We go right by Finger Lakes Distilling when we go down to visit them. I’d be willing to pick something up for you and send it your way. Just let me know.
January 30, 2013 at 6:13 AM
RuralBeard
We’ve been making our own kit beer for almost 20 years, plus our own wine from scratch. The savings are tremendous plus … YOU know what is IN your beer or wine. All of that – and your own control over the taste and alcohol level. In Canada, our beer tends to be more, shall we say, full-bodied. Whatever the case, there’s really little work to home brewing. IT does the work, you siphon and bottle. Go for it! Hugs from Here!
January 30, 2013 at 9:19 AM
justajeepguy
How about a bourbon flavored beer? I’m not crazy about the name choices so far, how about one naming Henrik?
January 30, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Urspo
Great idea! I hadn’t thought of Henrik, given he hasn’t been around in many months. Now, how to work Henrik into a groovy title?
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January 30, 2013 at 9:36 AM
Cameron
During my drinking daze, I often considered making beer. Never got around to it. I had several friends who did so, and it was always much more fresh and flavorful than regular bottled beer off the shelf.
If you make beer, you will drink it, and you will watch your waistline GROW!
January 30, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Urspo
My beer will have no calories and make strong men faint.
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January 30, 2013 at 1:31 PM
BearTalks
Being honest, I also think you should work more on the name
And don’t forget to send me some bottles when it’s ready 
January 30, 2013 at 3:22 PM
jason
Spo Stout sounds interesting.
But that equipment looks a bit like something from a mad scientist’s lair.
January 30, 2013 at 4:12 PM
truthspew
Harpers Hooch has a ring to it.
That said, remind someone that it won’t smell like a distillery. Beer is fermented in a closed container with a gas lock. The only thing you get out is a little carbon dioxide.
I’ve often toyed with the idea. I won’t do it until I own the place we live in and I can modify it to do it right. And give me a little land and I’m going to grow grapes and make wine from it.
January 30, 2013 at 4:12 PM
truthspew
Oh and I might keep chickens too, you know, for the fresh eggs.
January 30, 2013 at 5:21 PM
Ron
You’ll have to try our famous local Dogfish brew when you visit Lewes in March. I’ll make sure to have a few bottles chilled for you when you plant your feet on our sandy Delaware soil.
Ron
January 30, 2013 at 7:20 PM
Old Lurker
You could call your brew “The Doctor’s Orders”.
January 30, 2013 at 7:42 PM
David
Here in NC, Troy and Sons makes that famous NC brew known as White Lightnin (or Moonshine). I think it comes in a Mason Jar. Afraid to try it myself! I go abroad for the Chivas Regal. http://www.exploreasheville.com/about-asheville/cool-asheville-stories/white-lightning-goes-legit/
January 30, 2013 at 7:44 PM
David
That White Lightnin’ may well be rubbish!
January 31, 2013 at 11:15 AM
Mitchell Block
When I was in school, my British brother-in-law sent me a beer-making kit as a Christmas gift. I read the instructions. It sounded like cooking. I re-gifted it to my roommate. He used it. The beer looked like pale urine. Having never tasted urine myself, I can’t tell you if it tasted like urine, but it didn’t smell much better either.
You do realize, you can buy really decent beer in bars and stores, don’t you? No cooking involved.
February 4, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Erik Rubright
I like the Old Lurker’s name suggestion, “Doctor’s Orders”. Has a rather nice ring to it. And as long as it’s a dark beer, I tend to enjoy them. But I’ve never made them.