1) Do you REALLY brew beer on the beach? Really Really?
Yes. We really do. Really Really.
2) OK, but...is it hard to do? Do you have to learn how to homebrew before you Brew on the Beach?
No and no. If you can boil water you can homebrew. Literally, that is what you have to do. You are basically making soup. Soup that will become wonderful delicious beer. We also have experienced homebrewers at every event who can answer any questions you might have about what you are doing or how to do it.
3) Even I know beer is more than JUST water...What else do I need?
The first thing you'll need is a homebrew "recipe kit." There are several places to get one and many have been honed by experts so they produce a high quality beer no matter your experience level, from beginners to experts.
4) You said there are several places I can get one of these recipe kits. Where are they?
The two most popular websites that provide the kits are www.NorthernBrewer.com and www.MidwestSupplies.com.
There are others, but these are the ones the club uses the most and they are both reliable and reasonably priced. There are also some local (to Fort Lauderdale) options such as Riverside Market at TheRiversideMarket.com.
5) "Reasonably priced"??? Is that another way of saying they're expensive?
No. The kits run from about $25 on the very low end up to about $60 on the high end for specialty kits like w00tstout, but most run about $35-$45.
6) What else do I need to do this?
If you're just trying it out to see if you like it, then you'll need enough cleaned and sanitized bottles to hold 5 gallons of beer. The only requirement for them is that they can't be twist off caps. The equipment homebrewers use to cap bottles won't reseal those. The number you need depends on the size of the bottles you use - they just have to total 5 gallons. You can re-use any commercial beer bottle that isn't a twist-off, such as Kona, Sam Adams, Heineken, etc., so drink up!
7) That's it??? All I need are bottles?
Well, no...but we're nice people. We'll let you borrow the rest. A SMALL deposit may be required for fermenter(s) you take home. Ultimately you'll need a burner, a brew kettle, one or two fermentation vessels (thems awfully fancy words for a plastic bucket, doncha think?), and a bottle capper. AND we'll help you bottle when it's time. I TOLD you we were nice people. If you become a regular brewer, you'll need to get your own stuff, but no need to buy anything until you see if you like it.
8) That sounds like a lot of stuff. How much will THAT set me back?
Homebrewing is just like any hobby...You can spend as much or as little as you like. It just depends on the quality of the equipment you're buying. You can get everything you need for under $200, and depending on how good a bargain hunter you are, maybe as little as $125. For $200, you will have a VERY capable system that can last you for years. Of course, if you're like most of us, you'll expand and upgrade over time, but you won't have to. That basic kit is really all you'll ever need.
9) Anything else?
On the day of the brew, you'll need to bring your beer recipe kit, 3 gallons of clean water (tap water from home is OK if you like the taste of your tap water, bottled if you don't), 20 lbs of bagged ice (two 10's or one 20, both work), a good cooler to hold the ice (it has to keep it from melting for several hours until it is needed at the end of the brew, and the brewing equipment. As I said in #7, you don't have to own it, but if you don't you DO need to reserve it. We have enough for a few people, but it is first come first serve, so make your reservations early or bring your own. You'll also need to bring whatever beverages you want to drink, lunch is typically provided (Dogs and brats and maybe burgers).
10) Who can come?
ALL Brew on the Beach events are open to everyone. We brew in locations that the whole family can come out and have a good time in addition to making some soon-to-be very tasty beer. And while we have never had anyone do it yet, both of the websites listed in #4 also offer wine kits as well. If someone wants to come out and make wine while others make beer...that would be awesome! Brew on the Beach is more about having a good time with your friends and making new ones than it is about anything else...but if you can do that *AND* make beer (or wine)...doesn't get much better than that.
11) All right, I'm in! When's the next one and where is it?
All brewing sessions are listed on the "Upcoming Events" tab located at the top of each page. See you there!
Yes. We really do. Really Really.
2) OK, but...is it hard to do? Do you have to learn how to homebrew before you Brew on the Beach?
No and no. If you can boil water you can homebrew. Literally, that is what you have to do. You are basically making soup. Soup that will become wonderful delicious beer. We also have experienced homebrewers at every event who can answer any questions you might have about what you are doing or how to do it.
3) Even I know beer is more than JUST water...What else do I need?
The first thing you'll need is a homebrew "recipe kit." There are several places to get one and many have been honed by experts so they produce a high quality beer no matter your experience level, from beginners to experts.
4) You said there are several places I can get one of these recipe kits. Where are they?
The two most popular websites that provide the kits are www.NorthernBrewer.com and www.MidwestSupplies.com.
There are others, but these are the ones the club uses the most and they are both reliable and reasonably priced. There are also some local (to Fort Lauderdale) options such as Riverside Market at TheRiversideMarket.com.
5) "Reasonably priced"??? Is that another way of saying they're expensive?
No. The kits run from about $25 on the very low end up to about $60 on the high end for specialty kits like w00tstout, but most run about $35-$45.
6) What else do I need to do this?
If you're just trying it out to see if you like it, then you'll need enough cleaned and sanitized bottles to hold 5 gallons of beer. The only requirement for them is that they can't be twist off caps. The equipment homebrewers use to cap bottles won't reseal those. The number you need depends on the size of the bottles you use - they just have to total 5 gallons. You can re-use any commercial beer bottle that isn't a twist-off, such as Kona, Sam Adams, Heineken, etc., so drink up!
7) That's it??? All I need are bottles?
Well, no...but we're nice people. We'll let you borrow the rest. A SMALL deposit may be required for fermenter(s) you take home. Ultimately you'll need a burner, a brew kettle, one or two fermentation vessels (thems awfully fancy words for a plastic bucket, doncha think?), and a bottle capper. AND we'll help you bottle when it's time. I TOLD you we were nice people. If you become a regular brewer, you'll need to get your own stuff, but no need to buy anything until you see if you like it.
8) That sounds like a lot of stuff. How much will THAT set me back?
Homebrewing is just like any hobby...You can spend as much or as little as you like. It just depends on the quality of the equipment you're buying. You can get everything you need for under $200, and depending on how good a bargain hunter you are, maybe as little as $125. For $200, you will have a VERY capable system that can last you for years. Of course, if you're like most of us, you'll expand and upgrade over time, but you won't have to. That basic kit is really all you'll ever need.
9) Anything else?
On the day of the brew, you'll need to bring your beer recipe kit, 3 gallons of clean water (tap water from home is OK if you like the taste of your tap water, bottled if you don't), 20 lbs of bagged ice (two 10's or one 20, both work), a good cooler to hold the ice (it has to keep it from melting for several hours until it is needed at the end of the brew, and the brewing equipment. As I said in #7, you don't have to own it, but if you don't you DO need to reserve it. We have enough for a few people, but it is first come first serve, so make your reservations early or bring your own. You'll also need to bring whatever beverages you want to drink, lunch is typically provided (Dogs and brats and maybe burgers).
10) Who can come?
ALL Brew on the Beach events are open to everyone. We brew in locations that the whole family can come out and have a good time in addition to making some soon-to-be very tasty beer. And while we have never had anyone do it yet, both of the websites listed in #4 also offer wine kits as well. If someone wants to come out and make wine while others make beer...that would be awesome! Brew on the Beach is more about having a good time with your friends and making new ones than it is about anything else...but if you can do that *AND* make beer (or wine)...doesn't get much better than that.
11) All right, I'm in! When's the next one and where is it?
All brewing sessions are listed on the "Upcoming Events" tab located at the top of each page. See you there!