  |
|
|
|
Since there has been quite a bit of Homebrewing discussion here I have created a Homebrewing Spark Team. If interested check it out here:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp?gid=10918
|
|
|
|
MSILIAKUS - I can tell you that I started with a small kit that I got as a Christmas present. It made about a gallon at a time. The first couple of batches came out OK, but I noticed that the taste did become worse as I made more batches.
After talking to a few people and doing a little research I can give you a couple of tips that should make your home brewing experience more enjoyable.
First of all is to make sure you use a very good sterilizer and make sure that you sterilize EVERYTHING!. The reason most beers go bad is because the yeast feeds off of bacteria in the wort causing the wrong types of gases and by-products from the fermentation process.
Second. I know my original kit was plastic. I don't know if yours is. If it is plastic I would recommend upgrading to a glass fermenter. The reason for this is because plastic has a tendency to become scratched, and could very potentially have been created flawed. What tends to happen then is that bacteria can live inside and scratches or flaws again causing the yeast to feed off the bacteria rather than the sugars in your wort.
Third, temperature and air tightness are vital to the correct fermentation of beer. To low of a temperature and the yeast will become dormant. To high and the yeast will become overactive, causing the yeast to actually feed off itself, again giving off the wrong chemistry to the final product. Also without proper air tight qualities of your equipment
Last, be patient, but watchful of your fermentor. It usually takes 1 - 2 weeks for fermenting to complete and sometimes up to several months of secondary fermenting for everything to settle.
One thing I like to do is as I prepare a batch I go to my local liquor store and pick up a six pack of a similar beer (ex IPA, Stout, Porter)just to compare the taste. Surprisingly I have been able to produce very similar taste and quality to the big boys.
Hope this helps you with your home brewing experience because it is a lot of fun once you are successful at it.
|
|
|
|
| I saw home brewing mentioned, has anyone had any success with this? I tried the cheap Mr. Beer kit a few years ago and it was by far the worst beer I've ever had.
|
|
|
|
Being new to spark I was searching the forums and this topic really jumped out at me! Well OK it screamed at me.
Like so many of the comments here I LOVE my beer. Not the tasteless watered down stuff that the likes of Dale Jr. and Kurt Bush get their money from either. I mean a real man's beer. My wife likens what I drink to the tar that they lay down on the streets to seal cracks and pot holes. Give me a good Stout, Porter, or IPA any day of the week.
I don't do the binge drinking scene anymore. I would rather savor what I wm drinking. I would consider myself a moderate drinker, usually 1 drink a day.
I also have dappled my way into home brewing. I really enjoy making the same great tasting beer that I can get at the store, for pennies on the bottle.
My goals for healthier eating have to take my beer consumption into consideration and like some of the comments have said just track what I drink and don't be too hard on yourself when you indulge.
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
4/18/07 9:52 A
|
|
|
|
I just want to share that last week I didn't drink at all during the work week and I'm on my way do doing it again this week. I've lost 2 inches off of my waist since I've stopped drinking after work. It sucks sometimes and some days it's hard because I come home and want a few cold, refreshing beers but keep your fingers crossed for me that I can keep resisiting temptation! I have a feeling Mr. Belvedere and I will get reacquainted this weekend!
|
|
|
|
I too am new to this. Been on the program about a week, and it is working. To help me reach my goal I have cut back, which is good, because I was turning into Joe six-pack. (Actually 2 or 3, but EVERY night after work). A favorite of mine is Shiner Bock. I have to drive across the border to Ohio to get it (85 miles), so if I make that my only beer, the trouble getting it will help me lose weight! The last thing I need is another hobby, but brewing has always interested me.
|
|
CHEFHOOTER
4/14/07 8:00 A
|
|
|
|
hey guys just found this thread and just joined sp yesterday... beer is yummmmmy.. i am a homebrewer been brewing for about 10 years,,, i just won first place for my belgium and french ale specialty catergory...hudson valley homebrewers but having said that.. beer is a difinate wieght gainer..3 points a brew.wieghtwatchers. now i only have one beer a week or so. if i really want a beer i'd go for quality any time.. so to enjoy this living beverage... drink good stuff..bud miller coors
are just watery posers. drink real ale... let your taste buds do the the talking. sweet, bitter, sour,malty, hoppy aroma... omg i am getting thirsty.
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
4/13/07 10:42 A
|
|
|
|
| 2ESHEEN - Thanks for sharing that, I'll have to give that beer a try. I too love my beer and could never give it up completely. I have made it a point to not drink all week, I haven't had a beer since last Friday night and I hate to admit it, but the scale is finally showing it. Perhaps my unexpected weight gain can be acredited to beer (and a lack of excercise). Either way, once I reach my goal weight, I'll drink as much as I want again, so long as I keep up my workout routine to stay skinny!
|
|
|
|
| I just started out here yesterday, and would have a hard time giving up beer altogether. Luckily, one of my very favorite beers has only 125 calories! Yep, it's Guinness Draught (with the widget). It's "light"ish, and doesn't taste like beer-flavored water!
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
4/11/07 5:16 P
|
|
|
|
| I haven't had a drink since Friday night, and trust me that's really good for me! My waistline already shows it. Why can't beer be calorie and carb free?
|
|
|
|
| I have lived by the rule that if I'm going to have myself a beer, I better make it a good one. Light beer is about 150 calories and the regular is 200 (per half liter), not so much of a difference (unless you drink 10 or more, then it starts to make a difference!)
|
|
|
|
| I seldom drink at home, but there is something that just feels right about having an ice cold beer in hand when we grill out. Lite swill works for me. I guess I've never just been much of a lover of beer.
|
|
|
|
I've included two drinks a day into my diet plan, either wine or beer and sometimes a shot of Jack Daniels. My plan was to loose weight slowly by summer. I started to switch to light beer and I tried Sam Adams which is good, and also Amstel and Hieneken. Didn't really change my weight loss. But, I'd say I"m 50/50 sometimes I just go with regular. My favorite is Pilsner Urkell, and I like the Shipyard Beers. I find it hard to have a nice meal without wine, or to be with friends without beer!
Cheers!
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
3/30/07 4:33 P
|
|
|
|
| Thanks CRAZY but I actually resisted last night even though I heard it screaming my name with the fridge door closed. I hear ya, I've been making progress and feeling good, especially since it's been 12 days since I had a cigarette!!!
|
|
CRAZY4BLUES
3/30/07 12:19 A
|
|
|
|
Hey, Tropik, I know the feeling. I usually have plenty during the week, too. Rignt now, I'm maintaining my weight, and not trying to loose, so, really, I'm not counting the calories so much. I am still exercizing quite a bit, though. Already at 2700 calories burned for the week, so, the way I see it, DRINK THE BEER!!!!
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
3/29/07 10:02 A
|
|
|
|
| To quote a bald headed girl - "Oops, I did it again"!
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
3/28/07 11:22 A
|
|
|
|
| 3 last night with dinner, if only I could stop drinking during the week. Hmmmmm.
|
|
|
|
I don't drink beer often anymore, but when I do, it's defenitly quality beer, not that "lite" swill. I've even done a bit of home brewing over the years, and I think that went a long way towards making me appreciate a nice dopple-bock or stout as opposed to the garp made by the likes of Miller or Budwiser.
Just MHO, of course.
Rick
PS; I think I'm heading over to CRAZY4BLUES's place too. Sounds like my kind of selection.
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
3/27/07 12:10 P
|
|
|
|
| All I know is that it isn't as fattening as half of the foods that I love. If I have to choose between calories from food and calories from beer, I'm always picking beer.
|
|
JOELRHARRIS
3/27/07 3:05 A
|
|
|
|
I know how you feel, I hope keeping track of my weekend eating/drinking on this sparkpeople allows me to become more aware of what I eat and drink on the weekends, and hopefully I will begin to stay in control. Best of luck to you,
-J
|
|
|
|
I dont know if it was the beer or something else, but throughout last week I lost about 4lbs. Saturday, I went to a bar and had 2 pitchers of beer. All 4lbs came back. I also had nachos at the bar, but shared it with 2 friends. Oh ya I almost forgot I had 2 ham and cheese sandwiches when I got home from the bar. I guess part of my point is, that alcohol can make you hungry, and your inhibitions are down when your under the influence.
EDIT: not sure if 2 pitchers here in Canada is the same around the world. It was 6 pints.
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
3/26/07 10:48 A
|
|
|
|
Yesterday I had 5 Mich Ultra Ambers and I even recorded them on my food tracker. Not too shabby!
|
|
CHRISTOPHERD
3/25/07 7:06 A
|
|
|
|
| Last night I had lots of cold San Miguel Beer and enjoyed every drop!
|
|
|
|
Quality over quantity, any day! Wouldn't you rather enjoy something really delicious, once and never taste it again? Or would you rather not taste it at all.
I had a bottle of 1996 Pommard 1er Cru Villages du Beaune (in Beaune!) which to this day, two years later leaves a delicate taste of lavender and chocolate in my mouth (or at least my memory). I will never have another glass of this wine in my life, but I am glad to have the oppurtunity.
it goes like this for beer. I have experienced over 4000 beers...handcrafted to microbrews to macrobrews... and I am the better for tasting them all. I have to say, i appreciate the old world flavors over the new world...but each has their maerits.
To me..its finding the one beer that I enjoy and savoring it as it were my last. Why fill my gut with swill?
|
|
|
|
crazy4blues, I'm down with that. Like I said, I still drink. speaking of homebrew...it's the only way to go. My wife and I make our own beer. usually IPA when I get to pick what to make and brown ales or nut brown ales when Kristen gets to pick what we make.
I say we all give Russ a couple weeks to dust off his old home brew kit, a couple months for a batch to ferment and condition, and then we all head over to his place for a party.
|
|
CRAZY4BLUES
3/23/07 5:27 P
|
|
|
|
Hey, Russ, you're invited anytime!
So you thought about going into the business yourself, eh? I hear that the competition right now is simply cut-throat, and the deck is certainly stacked against the little guy.
But, back to topic. Sluggo, you're right, but I'd add just one little bit. It's a little different for each person. Yes, alcohol is the first thing to get metabolized, but, like with food, some folks can get rid of alcohol very fast. The key is to observe how alcohol actually affects your weight loss. During my recent weight loss, I didn't drink a drop for about 5 weeks--to see what would happen. While I can't say I controlled for every possible variable, I'm pretty sure that eschewing booze did NOT have much of an effect on my metabolism. I basically still lost weight at the same rate during the five-week period. The lesson I learned about myself is that if I want a beer (or four), go ahead, drink, and be merry. Just remember to count the calories--ALL of them!
|
|
|
|
OK let's all go to Crazy4blues house.
Mmmm real beer.
The more I actually pay attention to the flavor of my beer the better I do with them. In college, binge drinking and quarters skills were the law (I did go to SDSU, years ago, the west coast party school capital) and while I could pound out a 12 pack in a night and not think a thing of it, I noticed when I started drinking beer a grade better than MGD that beer actually had flavors and a some had a kick to it. For a while I made my own homebrewed beer and almost changed my major to Brewmastery and transferred to UC Davis. I was really close to that. Ahh Good times...
Anyway, I'd say savor your beer and limit yourself to a couple glasses or bottles. Do that and it won't come back and kill your waistline. Besides college kids, have you ever watched your friends drunk? They are hilarious!
|
|
TROPIKLYDPRIVED
3/23/07 12:19 P
|
|
|
|
I know this is supposed to be guys only but I can't resist a beer topic. I myself have been drinking Michelob Ultra Light Amber and I love it. It tastes soooo much better than the traditional Ultra Light beer and is still very low in cals and carbs. Just thought I'd share. Keep up the good work everybody!
|
|
CHRISTOPHERD
3/23/07 1:19 A
|
|
|
|
| I drink San Miguel Pilsen as its a much better taste than the light beer!
|
|
|
|
I still drink so take this post for what it's worth.
Here's the real problem for those of us trying to lose weight. it's not really the calories in alcohol that is terribly bad it's more what happens to our system when we ingest alcohol.
Alcohol is terribly toxic to the body. So much so that, as soon as it's introduced into the body the top priority of the body is to get rid of it. We immediately start to process the alcohol and break down the alcohol so that it can be expelled from the body. B/c the body is so focused on this, anything we eat is immediately stored as fat, it is not digested as it normally would be.
so, when I drink, I go in to it understanding that everything I eat, as long as there is any alcohol in my system (including breakfast the next day for anyone who ever woke up drunk from binging the night before) is being stored as though I'm over my calorie intake for the day. by the way, it's never a good idea to drink too much on an empty stomach, so don't try to avoid this.
ooops, starting to feel like a lecture...sorry, I'm done.
|
|
CRAZY4BLUES
3/22/07 11:57 A
|
|
|
|
I just love really good beer too much. Arrogant Bastard, Lagunitas Maximus and Brown Shuggah, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, Fin du la Monde, Prankstar, Old Peculiar, etc. Seems like I'm always in the mood for something a little different each day.
Anyhoo, the key for me was always putting EVERYTHING I consumed into the calorie tracker. That way, there's no denial. Even if I went over my limit, I still added it in--just so I can see how much I was consuming. Then you make adjustments the next day.
If calories are your real concern and you still need to get your drink on, I'd leave off beer altogether and switch to spirits such as vodka with diet coke. A shot of vodka has about 70 calories. You can do the math, of course, but the key is to add it to the calorie tracker, particularly if you're trying to lose weight (as opposed to maintaining).
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
COCOPUFFIN23,
I too have found that if I allow myself to cheat on the diet every once in a while that I stick with it better. It's worked too because I'm down 32lbs.
I enjoy a beer on occasion and have found a wonderful excuse to indulge. I have become a runner since I started trying to lose weight three years ago and have discovered that when you run, you deplete chromium in your system and beer is a great way to get some back. I have one or two at least a couple times a week.
|
|
|
|
| The one day a week idea is a good compromise. :)
|
|
|
|
