Totally and completely new here

[Rotisserie]

Hey all! I'm Rotisserie! I am totally new to home brewing, so new in fact that I haven't done any yet! At this point I am doing some learnin' up! I will be getting a small batch brewing kit for my birthday. Brewdemon seems like the best option for me as my fiancee and I don't have a lot to invest right now or a lot of room but it seems like it would do a better job than Mr Beer... I am constantly reading up on home brewing and different styles and brands of beer. My obsession is in its infancy. Lol Wish me luck!

[JimH]

Luck? You are already toast. You found the.Borg, you will be hooked like a catfish in no time! Welcome and.don't be afraid to ask questions. Some here can be a bit sarcastic, but we are here to help and they mean no harm.

[FedoraDave]

Welcome!

Do a lot of reading, here and elsewhere, and ask questions here. We don't mind answering, because we're all about the beer, and we want you to have success.

My biggest piece of advice would be to start slow. Brew the recipes as-is for a few batches. The temptation to experiment and add flavorings and mix things in to create unique and different beers is very strong, but it's to your advantage to resist it.

First, you need to get to familiar with the process. Get the steps down and develop your method of work. It can be challenging enough without worrying about anything extra.

Second, you need to get familiar with the ingredients all on their own before you can modify them with fruit or spices or anything else. Once you know what a certain extract produces, you have a basis for modification, and you can experiment more intelligently and anticipate a good result, rather than crossing your fingers and hoping you didn't screw up.

It sounds contradictory, but you'll progress a lot faster if you take it slow.

[Rayyankee]

Enjoy the obsession

[RickBeer]

Well done!...

As far as which unit to buy - Mr. Beer or Brew Demon - you should read about both and see what the difference is $$-wise. Also, checkout Craigslist for brand new kits that people didn't want (Mr. Beer since BD hasn't been around long enough for that). Most on the forum have Mr. Beer kits, some have recently added BD. If room is an issue, note that BD is vertical while MB is horizontal, if that matters. Makes sure that the location you're going to put it in is ideally in the mid 60s, so that when you ferment and the temp climbs you don't pass the low 70s. It does matter in a room if you're on the floor or a shelf feet off the floor as far as temp.

As Dave says, READ a lot. Valuable lessons learned by all.

[Beer-lord]

You've already gotten great advice so I will only add that I am glad you made it here.
Welcome.

[Inkleg]

Some here can be a bit sarcastic, but we are here to help and they mean no harm.

Hey, just what are you trying to say Jim.

Really though, Welcome Rotisserie. Glad you found us, we are here to help, so ask away.

[philm00x]

Welcome to the Borg, and happy brewing!

[Brewbirds]

If you want to make beer you've come to the right place. And as an added bonus we like to have a little fun and games as well.

Oh and don't mind Wings he's harmless.

Brew Birds.jpg (28.74 KiB) Viewed 903 times

[gwcr]

Welcome Rotisserie! Glad you found us!! As others have said, read, research and ask questions when you need to. Lots of great experienced brewers on this site who love to help.

[Bluejaye]

Welcome aboard, and good luck!

My biggest piece of advice would be to start slow. Brew the recipes as-is for a few batches. The temptation to experiment and add flavorings and mix things in to create unique and different beers is very strong, but it's to your advantage to resist it.

To me, this is the most important advice. I personally took this advice and brewed 7 of the Mr. Beer refills as-is (well, the deluxe versions) to see which styles I liked, and which I didn't. To my surprise the one I thought I'd love was my least favorite, and the one I thought I'd like the least was my favorite. And now I have that favorite style as-is, and 4 additional brewings of it with different dry hops, to compare. Basically start small, and you'll end up with big knowledge of what *you* like and what *you* don't, and you'll get your cleaning/sanitizing/brewing process down pat as you go, to the point you won't even have to think about it anymore.

[BigPapaG]

Welcome aborg!

[FrozenInTime]

Welcome to the forum!

[rickbray66]

Welcome to the obsession!!!


Rick

[haerbob3]

Some here can be a bit sarcastic, but we are here to help and they mean no harm.

Hey, just what are you trying to say Jim.

Really though, Welcome Rotisserie. Glad you found us, we are here to help, so ask away.

I think he is finding out!! You have gotten great advice Rotisserie. Follow the directives and you will have great beer from the first batch. Just take the time the beer needs. Just don't believe
MR B when they tell you great beer in 2 weeks.