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YouTubeDoes anyone know of some Brew it Yourself stores other than Gentiles and the one in Clintonville?
Any chance some of you brew your own?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Q&A
Q: Where can I find some Homebrew Shops?
[15 posts] [8 contributors]
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WildmanDan
W. Hubbard/Vic Village
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I don't know if this place has any beer making kits, but you could call and ask since somebody posted it on http://www.beeradvocate.com but all I saw on their website was carboys, everything else was for wine:
Posted 4 years ago # -
davescarpetti
C'ville
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1. The Winemakers Shop is the one in Clintonville; local yes, but very expensive. Sorry for not giving the local a better plug.
2. Even with shipping charges, supplies are much cheaper at Northern Brewer, a mail order place in Minnesota.
3. Gentile's is a bit cheaper local place and good selection of ingredients.
4. Jungle Jim's is a 90 minute ride (Cincinnati), but last time I went it was pretty cheap for bulk malt extract.
5. I brew mostly extract brews with a few infused specialty malts and it's heavenly.
Posted 4 years ago # -
gigantor
East Side
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Thanks. I've heard Winemakers is pricey as well. So far I've been going to Gentiles.
While Jungle Jim's is great, it's just too far to make that trip more than once a year.
I've been looking at Northern Brewer for a while now as well. Seems like a good place.
Posted 4 years ago # -
davescarpetti
C'ville
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No problem. I have a batch almost settled and properly carbonated (I keg mine). I was going to have a few foodies over for a tasting, I'll keep you in mind. I make very basic English-style ales. Not too hoppy, copper colored, yummy.
Before my daughter was born, my wife and I would make regular pilgrimages to Jungle Jim's. Now, 3 hours of driving in a day can really be challenging with someone who has an outburst/tantrum about every 6 minutes (her new phase, ugh).
Posted 4 years ago # -
ejolsz
Victorian Village
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I've always thought I'd like to get into some home brew, I've read into it a lot and gotten pretty close to picking up some starter gear, but I've wondered if you've had 'instant' success or had to go through some failed batches. I guess what I wonder is will I accidentally not have something sterile or any number of other things that I could imagine go wrong?
Posted 4 years ago # -
davescarpetti
C'ville
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It's REALLY easy. Sanitization is easy and tolerant of imperfect procedures. The thing that kills most homebrewers is the bottling. It's tedious. If you get the old Grolsch-type flip top bottles, it makes that part much easier - or you can keg it, but that gets kind of equipment-intensive.
As far as a starter book, Papazian's Complete Joy of Homebrewing is the bible and only book you'll probably ever need.
Posted 4 years ago # -
davescarpetti
C'ville
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I think so. My absolute favorites are Belgian Ales. These, imo, are unobtainable by the amateur (or by me), so this is what I usually ask for when I have a gift coming.
But my own ale's good for daily consumption.
Posted 4 years ago # -
ejolsz
Victorian Village
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Okay, I am finally gonna go ahead and give it a try (especially since I still have a basement until i move in 4 months), we talked about brewing in college (someone wanted to buy one of those Mr. Beer kits w/ all the 2 liter plastic bottles) but never actually materialized.
Just out of curiosity does homebrewing ingredient costs end up making your beer cheaper, the same, or more expensive then commercial brews?
Posted 4 years ago # -
davescarpetti
C'ville
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Cheaper, but more work.
Estimates for a 5 gal batch (2.5 cases):
-6 lbs. dry malt extract, $18
-1lb brown sugar (sugar a no-no in purist circles, I like the body it gives), ), $0.50
-Crystal malt, 120 lovibond, ca. $3
-Yeast, dry, 1 packet, $1
-Hops, ca. 2 oz, I forgot, I buy a pound at a time and freeze them, ca. $3
-Bottles, find them for free
-Capper, $10, lasts forever
-corn sugar for bottling, ca. $3 (lasts forever)
-caps, cheap
-bucket from brewstore with bottom valve, $8
-other assorted misc. stuff
So, ingredients for 5 gal, about $25. I buy most things in huge bulk which cuts the price to about 50-60% of that. Roughly half of what it costs per case and if you do it often, much cheaper. But, I do it to escape my child's tantrums more than anything. It's my meditative exercise. Don't brew to save cash I guess.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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I used to brew a bunch, but the cleanup factor was the biggest time killer. Malt spillage + wooden floor == no fun. My sink is too small as well.
I got most of my ingredients from Gentile's due to proximity and consistent operating hours. Enough local brewers use them that the stuff rotates through pretty quickly.
Party Source in KY (Covington) used to have a serious selection of yeasts. There is also a really hardcore shop in Yellow Springs, so you can tack that on to a day trip to enjoy YS.
You might try going to Barley's when they have the homebrew judging. That would be a chance to talk to other local brewers and find out where they source.
For the person getting started, the recipes make a lot. The upside is that homebrew ales ages really well in the bottle. It actually takes about 3-6 mos post-bottling for the ale to really find itself. I found bottles from my very first ale and they were still quite good at 3 yrs. My recipe was a little different in that I used liquid malt and supplemented with grains. The recipe was from Alton Brown (Good Eats) and, while slightly more effort than above, is well worth it. You can produce subtlely flavored variants by differing grains and avoid the effort of an all grain brew.
A.
Posted 4 years ago # -
gigantor
East Side
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The latest issue of Brew magazine has a good article for people wanting to brew their own, but don't have the space to do 5 gallons.
It's a good read, and guides you through making ~9 bottles at a time. Not a bad idea for those of us without the room, plus you get to try a lot more in a shorter amount of time.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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If anyone is interested, here's a link to a local brewing blog...
http://www.michaelpaull.com/beerblog/
8)
Posted 4 years ago # -
vespamary
Short North
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Hey homebrew dorks (says scooter geek)!
Enter your concoctions here:
The Columbus Microbrew Festival will be held on the second floor of the market house on Saturday, September 15th from noon to 7 p.m. New this year is a homebrew contest. Local craft brewers are invited to submit two bottles of their homemade beer for judging by Columbus’ master brewers. The winner will receive $100 in North Market gift certificates and a special trophy. Contest starts at 11AM. Bring your brew to the market by 10:45. Email me to sign up mmartineau@northmarket.com
Posted 4 years ago #
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