So whats next?

[RickBeer]

I'm with jivex5k. I did some Mr. Beer refills, then Mr. Beer recipes. Then I started adding LME to every batch. Then I started steeping. My last two batches have been 100% extract recipes, i.e. bulk LME, hops, steeping grains. A Moosedrool clone and a Blue Moon clone. The only brewing equipment I bought was a 5 gallon pot to enable me to do 5 gallon batches (two LBKs) where I boil 3.5 gallons and make the rest of the volume with added water in the LBK. A note - I bought the 5 gallon pot when it was $29.99 which was an ok deal - it's now $19.99 which is an amazing deal. That's worked out great for the two clone batches. If you're going to do the work, you might as well make 5 gallons instead of 2.5.

To cool my 5 gallon batches, I make ice in old cool whip containers. When they are frozen, I empty the block of ice into a plastic bag (old bread bag) and make more. I use between 15 and 20 of these blocks to cool the wort to ~100 in 20 minutes. Works great (you just have to make the blocks of ice during the week or so prior to brewing).

Having a LHBS like Adventures in Homebrewing relatively close (14 miles) makes it nice - I can buy the ingredients for two batches at once, seal the grains in bags after I mill them there, put the bulk LME in the frig, and make my next batch 3 weeks later.

[jimjohson]

I'm with jivex5k. I did some Mr. Beer refills, then Mr. Beer recipes. Then I started adding LME to every batch. Then I started steeping. My last two batches have been 100% extract recipes, i.e. bulk LME, hops, steeping grains. A Moosedrool clone and a Blue Moon clone. The only brewing equipment I bought was a 5 gallon pot to enable me to do 5 gallon batches (two LBKs) where I boil 3.5 gallons and make the rest of the volume with added water in the LBK. A note - I bought the 5 gallon pot when it was $29.99 which was an ok deal - it's now $19.99 which is an amazing deal. That's worked out great for the two clone batches. If you're going to do the work, you might as well make 5 gallons instead of 2.5.

To cool my 5 gallon batches, I make ice in old cool whip containers. When they are frozen, I empty the block of ice into a plastic bag (old bread bag) and make more. I use between 15 and 20 of these blocks to cool the wort to ~100 in 20 minutes. Works great (you just have to make the blocks of ice during the week or so prior to brewing).

Having a LHBS like Adventures in Homebrewing relatively close (14 miles) makes it nice - I can buy the ingredients for two batches at once, seal the grains in bags after I mill them there, put the bulk LME in the frig, and make my next batch 3 weeks later.

good idea with the ice i'll have to start doing that . been buying 4 bags every sat to cool the wort.

[RickBeer]

To me, buying ice is the worst crime in the world. However, you do need the freezer capacity. With my $75 large Craigslist frig I now can store it - but I have to plan it out and make sure SWMBO hasn't taken up the space with the things she's using it for like buying large bags of shredded cheese at Costco and making smaller containers of them (costs like 1/2 or less of smaller bags in the grocery store).

[jimjohson]

got 2 freezers plenty of space just a lack of imagination on my part.

[RickBeer]

Make sure you leave room for expansion, I fill them about 3/4 full. Since they are soft, the ice pops out easy, and I dump them in the breadbag and then fill up the containers again.

Also - just because you have room, don't go fill up 30 of them at once - that's called "defrosting the freezer"...

[jimjohson]

defrosting the freezer lol
swmbo uses 'em for projects she does, so i'll be lucky if i can find 3 unused. i figured i'd put 2 in, in the am say 7 pop them out into a bag by 7 pm and refill, for the first week then see how many i actually need and adjust ice production accordingly. i doubt i'll really need 27 or 28 but i'd rather have 'em and not need 'em, than to need 'em and not have 'em. i should've thought of something like this. when the kids were young and going thru gallons of milk every week i use to keep 6 in the freezer with water in 'em for busting up and puttin' in the cooler.

[Gymrat]

+1 on Beer lord's comment. Buying the best you can now saves money on upgrading later. I went from Mr Beer to 5 gallon kits with steeping grains. I like the kits from Northern Brewer. Denny Conn helps develope a lot of those. I also recomend an ale pail over 2 LBKs. They are simply 10 times easier to clean.

[Togorok]

Well i will upgrade and my wife will be pissed lol o well

[Gymrat]

Do NOT piss your wife off over a hobby. She is far more important to you whether you know it or not. Plus once you piss her off over a hobby future purchases will be far more difficult.

[jimjohson]

Do NOT piss your wife off over a hobby. She is far more important to you whether you know it or not. Plus once you piss her off over a hobby future purchases will be far more difficult.

besides she knows where you sleep.

[Togorok]

Lol nah she is fine with it im just saying.....i have nice fruitty beers im making for her to enjoy as well

[John Sand]

If you want to split five gallon kits, I suggest using those that consist of two cans of LME and some grains and hops. They are easy to split into two separate 2.5g batches. I have half of a Brewer's Best APA fermenting now. Half of it is one can LME, half of the steeping grains and hops. A small scale to measure the hops and grain is essential. You have nearly everything else you need.
I went from MrB straight, to MrB Mad Scientist, (failed) to BIAB AG, (Still learning) then a specialty grain/extract kit. I plan to keep doing every level, depending on the time available and weather.
It's not hard to make 2.5g AG recipes from standard 5g recipes. Just divide all ingredients by 2 and follow procedure.

[haerbob3]

+1 on Beer lord's comment. Buying the best you can now saves money on upgrading later. I went from Mr Beer to 5 gallon kits with steeping grains. I like the kits from Northern Brewer. Denny Conn helps develop a lot of those. I also recommend an ale pail over 2 LBKs. They are simply 10 times easier to clean.

I nice touch from Northern is that they list the ingredients and recipe. Often it is cheaper to buy the ingredients on our own. I would go with the wine pail over the ale pail more room. Lets you design your recipe or mod the kit so you yield 5 gallons or tad more. Than the 4.5 gallons netted other otherwise (trub, & other loses)