Hamilton AG brewers

[Mark Goodin]

Hey all, 

Just started on the slippery slop to AG brewing. Somewhat limited with my equipment, and so far only doing Stovetop BIAB (mini)...but absolutely obsessed with this hobby.

Just wondering how many AG/BIAB brewers on here are from Hamilton and are keen to share some knowledge.

I would love to piggyback someone's brew day to see how they do it and gain some knowledge/experience from doing so.

 

So if there is anyone out there that wouldn't mind helping out a fellow brewer and having someone tag along (and help out) for a brew day, please hit me up.

 

Cheers

Mark

[Stephen]

I'd really like it if there were something like a Hamilton Homebrewer's club to share exbeeriences. I'm far from expect, but you're welcome to witness one of my manic brewdays. I also brew half batches on a kitchen scale, using a small 15L chilly bin/mash tun.

[Greig McGill]

Working on it Stephen. How do regular homebrew-focused meetings at the RCC sound? It bred champions back in the day...

 

I tend to brew on Fridays, and start around 6:30am, so that might not suit people wishing to observe...

[Kieran McCarthy]

Me and a couple mates have been AG brewing for a while, just trying to work the kinks out of a chilly bin mash tun at the moment.  We are normally Sunday brewers normally putting down 1 or 2 brews a month. Not sure if there is a brewers club but i know there is a decently supported SOBA chapter running out of the Ruakura social club and there seems to be a relatively large number of Hamilton posters on this site.  I will be looking to put down a hefe for Xmas in a couple weeks time if you would like to see the set up.

[Mark Goodin]

Hey Kieran...good to hear from a fellow AG brewer in the tron. While I am very new to AG with my BIABing...am trying to absorb as much info as possible. As Greig has mentioned, a homebrew focused meet at the RCC sounds like a good idea, and perhaps a brew club would spawn from that!

As I mentioned, would love to simply observe a full scale AG brewday...so I might have to hit you up!

Cheer fellas!

[Kieran McCarthy]

BIAB is a great way to start out.  Thats how we got into it as well.  The only issue with it is that it loses efeiciency when you want to try higher gravity beers,  We have a long term Imperial IPA project we are working on hence why we went to the chilly bin.

[Mark Goodin]

Hey Greig, in my opinion this would be a great idea! While I currently live very close to the RCC...I am yet to have actually gone there. I would most definitely attend regular meetings and have a mate who is 'green' to HB and would also be keen.

 

Unfortunately I work on Fridays - so an early morning brew would be difficult to observe...thanks for the reply!

[Greig McGill]

Oh, I work on Fridays too, just that my work (on that day, the other four it's IT) is brewing test batches for Brewaucracy! ;)

 

Right, so if I arrange a meeting down there for one evening to get together and chat over beer, are there any nights people can't make it? I can't do Thursday/Friday (well, I'll be there anyway on a Friday, but it's hard to have a meeting and be sociable also).

[Kieran McCarthy]

Would be keen no night is out for me although I do have to work around child minding etc.   Damn parenting getting in the way of beering

[Stephen]

Sounds perfect! Getting some feedback on beers is what I would value most (says he who couldn't get his A into G to enter the NHC this year).

[Darrin Smith]

Im in Hammers, I put a brew down last sat.   will be doing another in the next few weeks, im at Ruakura most fridays as well.  I use chilly bin now, was using bag but found it really messy.  chilly bin is really easy and cheap to set up.  im doing 23 litre batches or there abouts

[Dai]

Hello Fellow Hamilton Brewers.  Count me in for any Homebrew Club meeting thingee; great idea, Stephen and Greig. 

Mark: I dabble in AG brewing, and if you can handle a visit to Forest Lake at some stage, you are more than welcome to have a few pints and make a batch- I'll drop you a message next time I am planning one if you like.  I have a very Spartan set-up though: chili-bin HLT and mash tun, gas powered 30L brew kettle making 19-20L batches.  I make some stella drops and some forgetable ones too- refining my process to be more consistant (critical comments from Greig helps a lot on this front).  I have to brew on the patio as my wife wont let me in the kitchen anymore :)  Makes for a relaxing brew day though (for me and her).  If nothing else, you will probably pick a few pointers on what not to do!

[Mark Goodin]

Hey Dai, thanks for your comments...if anything, it'd be good to meet a few more brewers to start! You can only gather some much knowledge from reading online, but as with anything, you learn a lot more from hands on - doing and viewing! So the offer is very much appreciated. Cheers!