When I was back in middle school, my father received a gift of a home brew kit where you would let your let your beer ferment in a big bag. At the end of the fermentation time, you would drink the beer using the spigot at the bottom of the bag. I don't remember anything about prepping the mash. The only thing I remember was the bag being placed in our downstairs bathroom so it wouldn't be disturbed and then watching it slowing inflate. The beer was disgusting (and not just to my ~12 year old palate) and my dad dumped in over the edge of the porch, which killed the grass in our backyard. I am now 25 and, while I do enjoy alcoholic beverages, I have never been much of a beer drinker. I prefer the fruity and sweet drinks more. However, I do like hard cider and other fruit beers.
So when I couldn't sleep last night, I got on the computer and started pursuing my favorite website, ThinkGeek. One of the products I have been eying for awhile is the DIY Juice to Alcohol Kit. The idea of turning my favorite juices into spiked drinks seemed quite fascinating and easy. Then, I remembered hearing a bunch of my friends from TU talk about enjoying the home brewing process and thought that maybe I would enjoy beer more if I was able to craft it to my likes (which would probably have most beer connoisseurs turning their noses up). After looking at a couple other sites I frequent which have wine and beer making kits, I decided that I wanted to give hard cider making a shot. I am an impatient person (I know, not a good quality in a brewer), so I searched for a local store where I could purchase the necessary equipment rather than wait 3 days for Amazon. Luckily, I found the Quality Wine and Ale Supply in Elkhart, IN. The store was small, but well stocked. The staff were really friendly and helpful. I really appreciated that they did not sell me more than I needed. I had originally walked in and asked about the wine kits, which were about $80, but after I told them my plans, they suggested the $45 kit. They also didn't try to sell me bottles and just said that I should wait until I know if my cider worked or not. When I mentioned my friends did their own brewing, they took me back into the stock room to show me all of the brews and wines they had going.
So, today I started my cider. The clerks at the store gave me three different yeasts to try (one for each gallon I was making). I can't wait to hear the popping of the gases escaping through the airlock. I am sure there will be many more updates to come.
So when I couldn't sleep last night, I got on the computer and started pursuing my favorite website, ThinkGeek. One of the products I have been eying for awhile is the DIY Juice to Alcohol Kit. The idea of turning my favorite juices into spiked drinks seemed quite fascinating and easy. Then, I remembered hearing a bunch of my friends from TU talk about enjoying the home brewing process and thought that maybe I would enjoy beer more if I was able to craft it to my likes (which would probably have most beer connoisseurs turning their noses up). After looking at a couple other sites I frequent which have wine and beer making kits, I decided that I wanted to give hard cider making a shot. I am an impatient person (I know, not a good quality in a brewer), so I searched for a local store where I could purchase the necessary equipment rather than wait 3 days for Amazon. Luckily, I found the Quality Wine and Ale Supply in Elkhart, IN. The store was small, but well stocked. The staff were really friendly and helpful. I really appreciated that they did not sell me more than I needed. I had originally walked in and asked about the wine kits, which were about $80, but after I told them my plans, they suggested the $45 kit. They also didn't try to sell me bottles and just said that I should wait until I know if my cider worked or not. When I mentioned my friends did their own brewing, they took me back into the stock room to show me all of the brews and wines they had going.
So, today I started my cider. The clerks at the store gave me three different yeasts to try (one for each gallon I was making). I can't wait to hear the popping of the gases escaping through the airlock. I am sure there will be many more updates to come.
