Thoughts on Brewing Courses?

[Ginge]

I've been thinking about things to do with myself if/when lockdown ends and was looking at courses on brewing.

Has anyone been on a brewing course?

I've been looking at courses on www.brew-school.com and wondered what people thought of them.

Would it be a worthwhile thing to do or is it better to learn as you go?

 

[Clint]

For yourself or to go pro?
You can get most answers on here for free...they may vary a bit but you'll be more than sorted on a home brew level.
Thread Closed!
Only joking...

 

[RichardM]

I did the one day all grain course at Brew UK a few years back when I wanted to switch from kits to AG. It was a day well spent and got me going on AG, although I have learnt a lot through books, the interweb and practise and, arguably could have learnt everything that was covered by the course in the same way

 

[Ginge]

For yourself or to go pro?
You can get most answers on here for free...they may vary a bit but you'll be more than sorted on a home brew level.
Thread Closed!
Only joking...

Hi Clint,

More for myself but there's always the temptation to quit the rat race and open up my own craft brewery .

I'd also like to get a better understanding of what I'm doing as my previous brews have very much been blindly following recipes and hoping for the best.

 

[Clint]

Yeah I know what you mean...I just break it down into pieces and work through it..make sure you keep notes on your brew days.

 

[Ginge]

I did the one day all grain course at Brew UK a few years back when I wanted to switch from kits to AG. It was a day well spent and got me going on AG, although I have learnt a lot through books, the interweb and practise and, arguably could have learnt everything that was covered by the course in the same way

Thanks Richard.

I was thinking about courses as I think I would learn better that way. And its something to look forward to for when the lockdown is fully lifted. I'm in the middle of home renovations and can't brew at home just now so thought going somewhere to do it would be the next best thing.

 

[Gerryjo]

Hi Clint,

More for myself but there's always the temptation to quit the rat race and open up my own craft brewery .

I'd also like to get a better understanding of what I'm doing as my previous brews have very much been blindly following recipes and hoping for the best.

The forum, YouTube and good reading helps a lot to get an understanding of the basics at hand but start trying a few experiments of your own and you'll gain a lot more confidence in yourself as well as improving your brewing methods and find that patience is your best friend.

 

[Ginge]

The forum, YouTube and good reading helps a lot to get an understanding of the basics at hand but start trying a few experiments of your own and you'll gain a lot more confidence in yourself as well as improving your brewing methods and find that patience is your best friend.

Hi Gerryjo.

My girlfriend got me Brew by James Morton a couple of years ago and I've read that cover to cover a couple of times - I hear he's started a YouTube channel now too. I'll definitely be browsing the forum more for the forseeable as well. I'm looking forward to brewing again once I've got my utility room done up and have space to set up new kit.
I've been asked to make a porter by the GF's mum so that might be the basis of the first experiment

 

[Gerryjo]

Hi Gerryjo.

My girlfriend got me Brew by James Morton a couple of years ago and I've read that cover to cover a couple of times - I hear he's started a YouTube channel now too. I'll definitely be browsing the forum more for the forseeable as well. I'm looking forward to brewing again once I've got my utility room done up and have space to set up new kit.
I've been asked to make a porter by the GF's mum so that might be the basis of the first experiment

YouTube has some great videos and you'll pick up a lot from there. If you can boil spuds you can homebrew. It's a rewarding hobby and if you make mistakes along the take it as a positive and learn from and try not to second guess yourself and start panicking as it will all work out in the end.
There's loads of books out there though John Palmer has a free version online which is well worth a look.
There is a recipes online and here in the forum as well as a how to section in the forum where members have put together tutorials which are fantastic.

 

[Ginge]

YouTube has some great videos and you'll pick up a lot from there. If you can boil spuds you can homebrew. It's a rewarding hobby and if you make mistakes along the take it as a positive and learn from and try not to second guess yourself and start panicking as it will all work out in the end.
There's loads of books out there though John Palmer has a free version online which is well worth a look.
There is a recipes online and here in the forum as well as a how to section in the forum where members have put together tutorials which are fantastic.

Thanks Gerry, I'll take a proper look at John Palmer's website tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to getting in to brewing properly. Hopefully I'll be posting my efforts to the forum soon

 

[MmmBeer]

I did a one day 'crash' course at a brewery in Bristol a couple of years ago and found it very enjoyable and informative, I still refer to the course notes from time to time.

I would say go for it, you will learn from professionals, meet like minded indiviuals and possibly get to play with some 'big boys toys'.

Don't forget to share your experience on here afterwards and like all of us, learn from other forum members to perfect your brewing skills.

 

[terrym]

Try this, its free, although the course itself has finished you may still be able to access it
https://courses.edx.org/courses/course-v1:KULeuvenX+BrewingX+1T2020/course/

 

[ChilledGecko]

There are some brewing courses on Udemy, but they are all currently £14 each.
Udemy do drop courses to free sometimes, so may be worth keeping an eye out

 

[Wynne]

I started with a half-day course at the Home Brew Shop in Farnborough a while back - maybe they’ll resume post-lockdown. I found it helpful to see an all-grain brew and pick up practical tips before my first attempt. I believe Malt Miller also run similar day courses. At the other end of the scale, you can study part-time for an MSc in Brewing Science at University of Nottingham - very interesting but a different level of cost and commitment!

 

[the_quick]

Another option you might consider. Check your local small brewery - some offer paid day with the brewer - full brewday - where you learn how it all happens.
Some breweries might be interested doing this as one off - I did it like that. I knew the brewer, so it helped massively. I offered I will be his labourer for the day, if he show me how he brew. Brilliant day , done it 4 times in total :)

 

[ChilledGecko]

I've found a free one on Udemy
Free Beer Brewing Tutorial - Brew Real Beer
American based and reasonably basic 101 type level.
... so I'm doing it

 

[ChilledGecko]

Another option you might consider. Check your local small brewery - some offer paid day with the brewer - full brewday - where you learn how it all happens.

I've done that, it was a great day!
Note to self, don't offer to be the driver....

Brentwood brewery, hands on from opening the malt bags to filling the fermenter.
With various sampling diversions on the way.
I treated my son to it as a birthday treat, I had to supervise - of course.

 

[Ginge]

Another option you might consider. Check your local small brewery - some offer paid day with the brewer - full brewday - where you learn how it all happens.
Some breweries might be interested doing this as one off - I did it like that. I knew the brewer, so it helped massively. I offered I will be his labourer for the day, if he show me how he brew. Brilliant day , done it 4 times in total :)

That's definitely one worth exploring. I know theres a local brewery in Sawley, just down the road from me. I could see if they do the above. Thanks!

 

[Ginge]

I've found a free one on Udemy
Free Beer Brewing Tutorial - Brew Real Beer
American based and reasonably basic 101 type level.
... so I'm doing it

Thanks ChilledGecko! I'll give that a look

 

[Ginge]

I started with a half-day course at the Home Brew Shop in Farnborough a while back - maybe they’ll resume post-lockdown. I found it helpful to see an all-grain brew and pick up practical tips before my first attempt. I believe Malt Miller also run similar day courses. At the other end of the scale, you can study part-time for an MSc in Brewing Science at University of Nottingham - very interesting but a different level of cost and commitment!

I didn't know Nottingham did a Brewing related MSc. That would be one to look at if I wanted a career change. Thanks for the info.

And thanks to everyone for their replies. I've a lot to follow up on