How Hard is it to Design Original Craft Beers?

[Chris Sparham]

Have you decided what brewing method you want to use? All in one system,BIAB,three vessel or kits?
All make beer but are very different...you'll be able to start thinking of recipes once you get some kit

Yeah that's a good point. This is all very new to me, so I'm going to have to do some research into the correct method/gear. So much to learn!

 

[Richie_asg1]

Welcome to the forum.
I would start with a couple of simple kits to get you in the swing of things, one keg a load of bottles, see which way you want to go with it. Basically to grow your confidence.

Nothing worse than buying a load of kit then loosing the will to carry on because of bad results. Learn from others' mistakes too - a lot cheaper than your own.

 

[MyQul]

Out of interest what was the first beer you all brewed?

My first AG was a porter. Dark beers are quite forgiving as the dark grains hide any mistakes you make. I still cocked it up though as (iirc) I got confused between US and imperial gallons when scaling down the reciepe

 

[Dutto]

...........

But here's my question: what are the chances of a rookie like me one day coming up with an original craft beer recipe? ...

...........

Welcome to The Forum!

In answer to your question "Amazingly high!" However, whether anyone would want to pay money to buy it or even want to drink it is equally "Amazingly low."

Just a few numbers for you to consider:

• There are 100+ types of yeast.
• The yeasts function over +/- a 15*C range of temperature.
• There are 150+ different types of malt.
• The malt can be Mashed at various temperatures for various amounts of time.
• There are over 100 different types of hop.
• The hops can be added during the boil, after the boil, during fermentation or after fermentation.
• The minerals and pH of the water used can vary immensely.
• Etc etc etc

The numbers indicate that there are many millions of combinations (remember "Amazingly high"?) many of which will be totally undrinkable (remember "Amazingly low"?).

In brewing, the most difficult thing to achieve is not the production of an "original craft beer" it is the consistent production of a palatable beer that is liked by many people.

This may look like a put-down but it isn't.

I encourage anyone who wishes to start brewing beer to "Go for it!", with the proviso that you write down everything that you do so that, when that "perfect pint" arrives, you know how you managed to do it, can repeat the exercise and can look at producing and selling your very own "original craft beer".

Enjoy!

 

[Chris Sparham]

Welcome to The Forum!

In answer to your question "Amazingly high!" However, whether anyone would want to pay money to buy it or even want to drink it is equally "Amazingly low."

Just a few numbers for you to consider:

• There are 100+ types of yeast.
• The yeasts function over +/- a 15*C range of temperature.
• There are 150+ different types of malt.
• The malt can be Mashed at various temperatures for various amounts of time.
• There are over 100 different types of hop.
• The hops can be added during the boil, after the boil, during fermentation or after fermentation.
• The minerals and pH of the water used can vary immensely.
• Etc etc etc

The numbers indicate that there are many millions of combinations (remember "Amazingly high"?) many of which will be totally undrinkable (remember "Amazingly low"?).

In brewing, the most difficult thing to achieve is not the production of an "original craft beer" it is the consistent production of a palatable beer that is liked by many people.

This may look like a put-down but it isn't.

I encourage anyone who wishes to start brewing beer to "Go for it!", with the proviso that you write down everything that you do so that, when that "perfect pint" arrives, you know how you managed to do it, can repeat the exercise and can look at producing and selling your very own "original craft beer".

Enjoy!

Ah that's really good advice thank you!

 

[GerritT]

Ah okay ... maybe I'll put the standard lager idea to one side for the moment. To be honest I'd happily make a blonde. At this stage I'm just looking to practice so whatever is easiest really. Out of interest what was the first beer you all brewed?

One of those Brooklyn Brewshop, Belgian Blonde. Also my first kit: glass 1 gallon DJ, syphon, thermometer etc. Still have that set, still love that set. Though I upgraded the heck out of it.

 

[GerritT]

Ah that's really good advice thank you!

@Dutto skipped the best advice: what book to get

 

[Martin O]

My first beer wasa landlord pale ale clone kit from malt miller cost £13 got 35ish pints. Simple enough to brew with nice results although not that much like landlord really.