Is it like riding a bike?

[RobertC]

A buddy and I used to brew our own beer while I was in college but it has been years since I have brewed anything.
I recently have decided to purchased some new brewing equipment and start brewing again.

My question: Is brewing just like riding a bike once you do it you never forget how, or should I go back to the books for review.

I plan on starting off with a simple brew just as a refresher.
Any advise?

Also I have been speaking with some of the local bar owners from around my area about possibly selling them some local brew, any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

[larin1477]

Welcome back to the Obsession...er hobby I mean. ;)

Yes it is like riding a bike...BUT...I would go ahead and read this ....http://www.howtobrew.com/

I took a couple year hiatus so i know what your going through...my suggestion would be to start slow as with a kit from a homebrew supply store...If your not sure where one is in your area do a search on google...I was surprised to find two near me....if there really arent any...then maybe go here...http://www.homebrewing.org/AIH-Recipe-Kits_c_88-1.html

or here...http://www.austinhomebrew.com/

and with your last question..I say again...go slow...(at least to begin with)...not saying your going to have issues but...i would get a few dozen successful batches under your belt before you even think of having to get a distributors liscense and insurance...and visits from the board of health!...

have fun though...make some beer...drink some beer...and who knows!

[RobertC]

Thanks for the advise and words of wisdom
larin1477. I think you said it correct "Welcome back to the Obsession...er hobby I mean. " because it is definitely both.

About brewing for local bars do you or anyone else have any experience as to what I should expect if I do travel down that route.

[corkybstewart]

I have no experience with commercial brewing but mainly because I looked into it and it wasn't feasible, at least not in New Mexico. You can't sell beer from a homebrew type setup, period. Down here, you build your brewery, submit recipes to the ATF, and when they are approved the state inspects your brewery and then decides to issue a license or not. For me it was a $100K dollar crapshoot. I personally think I brew damn fine beer, and lots of my friends who are drinking it free love it, but to take my 10 gallon recipes and convert to 4 BBL recipes may take more effort and knowledge than I hve right now.
But hop back on the homebrewing horse, it's as fine a ride as there is. And after a couple of years decide whether you want to turn a very fun hobby into your daily grind.

[Carl762]

Glad you decided to get back into it, and welcome to the board.

Better look up your local, state laws and definitely visit the ATF's website.

On a small scale, I don't see it making you tons of cash. It would be a fun thing to do though.

Look into it and keep us advised.

[RobertC]

I have been looking into some of the laws for Indiana and I am slowly finding what I need. I haven't checked the ATF site just yet.

I don't plan to do anything on a large scale, and I'm not planning to do it for the money, if it went that way great but that's not what I have in mind.

I just want to have something small and local and luckily I happen to know a majority of the bar owners around my area- small town everyone knows everyone- and they seem very receptive.

I'm still a good way off from trying to do anything other than brew for myself but in the end that's fine with me.

[Carl762]

That's the spirit.