From: murph@buscard.fidonet.org (Brian Murphy)
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.brewing
Subject: Murph (you know, the new guy) on the learning curve
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 92 18:33:16 EDT
Organization: The Business Card (BBS), Lawrence, MA - Data: 508-682-5329

Hello, gang!  I'm the new guy who posted the question on what I need to
get/do to get started in zymurgy.  I must have done something right as I
received a lot of helpful messages from many thoughtful gentlemen.  I'd
like to thank 'em:  Messrs. Chip Olson, Frank Bruno, Lew Jansen, John
Palkovic, and Stephen Russell.

Know something else?  I've smoked out another lurker!!  Everyone say
hello to Mr. Tim Bigham (shearson.com!tbigham) out of New York City who
declines to post a "me too" message but wishes that I let him know
pretty much the same things I want to know.  I'll send him the FAQ by
Mr. Kurt Swanson that Mr. Russell sent me for starters.

I'm PSYCHED!!!!  You guys really hooked me on this and I'm going to give
it the ol' college try.  There's nothing like a new hobby to get the
juices flowing and I can't think of a more enjoyable one than home
brewing.  My father (God bless that sucker!) likes a good brew and even
at his age (somewhere around 55 - gotta be, right?), he can drink his 32
year old son under the table.  Hah!  Let's see if I can get the better
of him!

A couple more questions?

1.  Is homebrewing cheaper than buying factory-made?
    I know the point of this isn't to save money on beer.  I'm a
    bachelor and am continually told "Murph, cook at home - you'll come
    out ahead."  Never works out that way.  Food is packaged wrong for
    single guys.  Still, I'm new and am going to ask these stupid
    questions for a while yet.  :-)

2.  Is it kewl to compare prices in this newsgroup?
    Things like the price for caps, ingredients, etc.  I want to be able
    to post a question like "This company wants to sell me some hops for
    a gazillion bucks.  Am I being hosed?"

3.  How do I know what my favorite recipe is?
    You've all seen it: "A wonderful bouquet with a good body."  What
    the heck is THAT?  <g>  I wanna make a bottle of Heineken or
    something.

4.  Does the stuff you make taste, like, totally gross, man?  :-)
    How come visions of syrupy glue come to mind?  Be honest - do your
    friends shudder when you suggest they come over for a game of cards?

5.  How long after putting together the ingredients can I get drun...
    <cough> err... sample the wares?

6.  Do you mean to tell me that you ACTUALLY MAKE YOUR OWN BEER and it
    works/tastes just like what I can score from the packy?

7.  If this works out, can I brew enough to support my drinking habit?
    My prescription is four bottles daily.  Will this consume so much of
    my time that I won't have time to drink?

All of the gents who responded to my first post must be pretty good at
their hobby as they all said pretty much the same thing: look in the yellow
pages for beer/wine making.  Beats me why I didn't think of that!  :-)

I was right, I can get started for $50-$100.  Imagine that?  I'm going
to have some fun for that kind of dough?  That's not bad at all!  Sure
beats my computer habit!  :-)

I ordered a catalog from the nearest homebrew shop.  They're sending it
right away.  I can't wait!  It should show up tomorrow or the next day.

Everyone mentioned Mr. Charlie Papazian's book, "The New Complete Joy of
Homebrewing."  Looks like THE place to start, ehwhat?

Mr. Olson offered a list of things I'm going to need:  "brewing bucket
w/lid and/or carboy /stopper, airlock, siphon hose, big pot, big funnel,
sanitizing stuff, lots of bottles, capper, caps etc."

I am told that I don't need a Harvard degree in order to brew at home.
I'm encouraged!  :-)  I'm also told that I won't poison my Stupid
Utility Dog, Blanche, as she tests my first batch.  I'm also told that I
won't poison myself if I screw up.  I'm relieved - I heard that there
were deaths and brain damage during Prohibition because of bad vibes,
etc.

Mr. Russell has something neat happening.  Evidently, he's compiling a
list of local homebrewing clubs and he was thoughtful enough to point
out a couple that are only a 20 minute drive away!  He suggests that
these clubs are good because;  "For one, they can taste your beer and
_comment_ on it, which your dog can't do.  :-)  But they also can answer
more specific questions about improvements, sources for equipment and
supplies, new recipes, etc."

This is EXACTLY what I need!  Thanks, Stephen!  You mentioned Mr. Dan
Hall (hall@buffa.enet.dec.com / ...!decwrl!buffa.dec.com!hall) in
Merrimack, (Mass., I assume).  I'm gonna contact that sucker!  :-)

That's what I've learned so far.  I hope this helps someone as it helped
me.  This is going to be a LOT of fun!

                                - - - Murph

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