No-boil kits?

[ds121]

Hi all
Me and my buddy have decided to start brewing, we're 18 and passionate about beer.

Our parents do not want us brewing in the house because the dont want the house to smell like beer.

I've read conflicting reviews about the no-boil kits, are these worth using? What are the better brands of these non-boil kits that are available in Canada? Is it better to use malt or dextrose with these kits?

Thank you all very much.

[ds121]

Also,
Should I buy a liquid yeast to go with it or just use the powder yeast that comes with the kit?
Thanks

[ds121]

anyone?

[HogieWan]

No boil kits will give you beer, and it'll be better than what most canadians drink.

I use dry yeast almost exclusively. If you rehydrate properly, you'll get great results.

AFA the house smelling like beer, get a turkey fryer setup and brew outside. You'll need that equiptment if you ever want to brew all-grain.

[ANGELofDEBT]

I've had good results with the Festa Brew stuff. They come with a double sized pack of style specific yeast. I'm slowly going through the different offerings and have yet to be dissapointed.

[B_rad1969]

I wish I would have thought of that when I was 18!

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by B_rad1969
I wish I would have thought of that when I was 18!

The same thought crossed my mind.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by HogieWan
The same thought crossed my mind.

I vwery seriously considered brewing in my pre-21 days, but it sounded complicated. I know now that I just would not have had the decication (wherewithall and sobriety) to do it properly....as it is I started ten years later. I wish I had known better....

[ds121]

Thanks to all the replys

How much does the primary fermentation process smell? will i be able to smell it from and adjacent room or just the room where the fermenter is? thanks

[dparsons]

Maybe a bit in the next room, but not at the other end of the house. It depends on how open your house is. The fermentation kind of smells like bread with a bit of hops. Hoppy and yeasty. Not bad at all. The brewing is stronger - sweet malt and hops. My son has complained about the hops, but I like them.

[B_rad1969]

Mabey someone should market an under 21 non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beer making kit. It just has no yeast!!!!:D

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by ds121
Thanks to all the replys

How much does the primary fermentation process smell? will i be able to smell it from and adjacent room or just the room where the fermenter is? thanks

Can you clear out a closet or a quiet basement corner?

[ds121]

Originally posted by Boerne Brew
Can you clear out a closet or a quiet basement corner?

I suppose i could clear out the closet under my stairs, the other place i was thinking of putting it is in a crawl-space that goes under my TV room.
The problem with this though is the floor of it is dirt, is it likely that my beer would be contaminated because of this?

Thanks

[B_rad1969]

I put mine under the stairs. Now so sure about all that dirt though. Sounds like a bad idea.

[Mad Scientist]

Dirt should not be a problem as long as it is not suspended dust, and you do not open the fermenter in there.

[ds121]

One more question,
Should i be opening the fermenter and checking on my brew from time to time, or just leave the lid on until the fermentation is done?
Thanks

[B_rad1969]

Don't expose it to air anymore than you have to.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by ds121
One more question,
Should i be opening the fermenter and checking on my brew from time to time, or just leave the lid on until the fermentation is done?
Thanks

Are you going to do a secondary? Or just a primary, then staight to bottles?

[ds121]

Originally posted by Boerne Brew
Are you going to do a secondary? Or just a primary, then staight to bottles?

The kit comes with a pail and a carboy so i guess we're doing both. Is there any way to carbonate the beer in the carboy and then siphon it to the bottles?

[B_rad1969]

Originally posted by ds121
The kit comes with a pail and a carboy so i guess we're doing both. Is there any way to carbonate the beer in the carboy and then siphon it to the bottles?

No.

[Mad Scientist]

It carbonates in the bottles