Hello all, Well I'm looking to start home brewing. Im in NJ and there is a place fairly close to me that i read reviews on and i was impressed. The people who work their seem awesome so I'm excited. Before i do that in the next few weeks does anyone have any starter tips? I'm looking for some friendly advice as i know fairly little about home brewing. Cheers! - Brian
Best bet for finding other brewers with experience to chat with and get feedback from in your area is to join a Homebrew Club. You can find them here: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/community/clubs/find-a-homebrew-club/ As far as starter tips from the collective minds on this forum, start with these previous threads (list stolen from @scurvy311) http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/wanting-to-start-home-brewing.194902/ http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...commendation-all-extract.195591/#post-2606607 http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/best-style-for-first-time-brewer.190894/#post-2603440 http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/rookie-needing-home-brew-help.190733/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/recomended-materials-for-beginners.72840/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/homebrew-novice.79446/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/just-another-noob-recipe-recommendations.78667/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/want-to-get-into-homebrewing-what-to-get-and-tips.76666/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/homebrewing-where-to-start.70838/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/absolute-noob-here.56172/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/how-do-i-start-homebrewing.62630/#post-853379 http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/absolute-beginner.22189/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/t...ewing-where-to-shop-online.49108/#post-632027 http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/start-up-cost-for-home-brewing.43242/#post-544831 http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/best-beer-to-brew-for-a-first-timer.82162/#post-1228253tt http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/first-attempt-at-homebrew.103200/#post-1513648 http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/help-a-noob.102983/ http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/tips-for-a-first-time-homebrewer.103918/#post-1526366
Probably at least a couple of the links jbakajust1 provided will contain the advice to read "How to Brew." Either the online (free) version or the hard copy (updated version) before you start planning your first batch. That'd be my first step. Second step would be to ask questions about the stuff you have read in "How to Brew" here in the forum. Another piece of advice would be to not rely on anything someone at your local homebrew store tells you, unless you have personal knowledge of their expertise.
I will piggy back on this one since you covered most points but your last point (about the LHBS employees) made me really want to stress my biggest pet peeve and something that many new homebrewers do: If you get a kit for your first brew (recommended) DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH THE KIT Use the knowledge that you pick up from reading and asking questions here. 99% of those instructions that come with kits will tell you to do some things that range from questionable at best to down right wrong.
Already on it. Todd is down, but outta town. He told me to hit him up after SN Beer Camp Tour to get it up.
Please don't. I think that it will become dated and will discourage new people from getting the feedback they deserve or starting a thread. Put it to vote?
I dont think any answers have significantly changed to this question in the last 5 years that I have been here. And when new people ask for feedback, they are just sent this list anyway.
Maybe I should say that it's the difference between making a phone call and getting a computer and getting a person.
Creating a sticky note out of that thread doesn't prevent people from starting a thread to ask questions and get answers. It just gives them a highly visible post that is easy to find and contains a nicely compiled list of helpful threads for them to check out IMHO. I see it as helpful, not discouraging.
I completely understand and have thought about these things as well. I thought about what if the information in the thread becomes outdated and obsolete? But we have the same issue with posting that people should read the online version of How To Brew, since Palmer changed a quite a few things by the 3rd edition. My vision for the sticky is this: Before you post a "Noobie homebrewer" thread potentially asking the same questions we've collectively already answered a million times over, read these other posts and see if the answer is in there (and learn even more answers to questions you haven't had yet). If your question is answered, great! If you still have questions, or maybe all new ones that aren't addressed in those threads, then post a new thread. It would be awesome if they could read the old posts, and in the new posts, state what they learned already from threads X, Y, Z, but still have questions A, B, C, so those answering already know he is asking a new question. Might be asking too much, but if this were to happen and there were good questions with good discussion, maybe that new thread gets added to the sticky for future noobs.
so True. I was going to reply this morning but the mod had it locked? I came back to it and he posted the links, who knew that wouldn't be enough. I would think that everyone who replied here, has replied similarly on most of the threads listed above. How about making a stick with links to the things noobs should look at? reference all the books and give the generals. after that they should have enough to brew.
Brian, It looks like you're ahead of the curve if you're close to a local homebrew store, LHBS. Read up on the hobby, go to the store near you with questions, post on here if you have questions, and don't be afraid to ask around about homebrew clubs. They're a lot of fun, and a good way to get involved with the community. Edit: Starter tips: The biggest improvements I've made to my homebrews are 1. Steady regulation of fermentation temperature 2. Healthy yeast pitch rate 3. Aeration of wort just before fermentation ^^^ And in that order. If you're just starting out, you will read over and over about proper sanitation. Be paranoid at first and be willing to loosen the reigns later when you get a good feel for brewing.
