Zymology

[Zymurgist]

Zymology, also known as zymurgy (from the Greek: ζύμωσις+ἔργον, "the workings of fermentation") is an applied science which studies the biochemical process of fermentation and its practical uses. Common topics include the selection of fermenting yeast and bacteria species and their use in brewing, wine making, fermenting milk, and the making of other fermented foods. I refer to myself as a zymurgist; I'm a home brewer. I started brewing extract recipes in 2005 and quickly converted to the all-grain method. I've brewed every style of beer except Belgian's. I just can't seem to acquire a taste for that style.
I also enjoy woodworking and shooting handguns... both of which are incompatible with partaking in the "fruits" of home brewing.

 

[TucsonJim]

I received a "kit" for home brewing one year for Christmas. It was sure interesting to learn the process. And the IPA was some of the best I've tasted. I only made one batch, but I learned a lot.

Jim

 

[D2Reid]

Thought about it, thought about growing a garden also. In the end it was just cheaper to go buy it.

 

[Zymurgist]

It certainly is less expensive to brew your own vs. buying from a store, once you recover from putting your system together. Crafting a beer that tastes just like a commercial mega/micro brewery is rewarding. It's a hobby, not a job, so I don't mind putting in the long brew day. The science behind the all-grain brewing process is quite interesting and that's what keeps me interested. In order to brew a beer to style, one needs to understand how different grains, hops, yeast, water quality, pH and temperature work together.

 

[huntr70]

Zymology, also known as zymurgy (from the Greek: ζύμωσις+ἔργον, "the workings of fermentation") is an applied science which studies the biochemical process of fermentation and its practical uses. Common topics include the selection of fermenting yeast and bacteria species and their use in brewing, wine making, fermenting milk, and the making of other fermented foods. I refer to myself as a zymurgist; I'm a home brewer. I started brewing extract recipes in 2005 and quickly converted to the all-grain method. I've brewed every style of beer except Belgian's. I just can't seem to acquire a taste for that style.
I also enjoy woodworking and shooting handguns... both of which are incompatible with partaking in the "fruits" of home brewing.

You and I would get along very well.

I don't home brew, but I do love craft beer!

 

[Knightclimber]

I picked up a couple Fast Ferment systems last year and love them. Trying to decide if I can mount them in the basement to brew on the road when we go full time.

 

[Canyonlight]

You and I would get along very well.

I don't home brew, but I do love craft beer!

Yup - Carol and our family/friends also enjoy supporting the local brewers and others as we travel. Never had the desire to brew ourselves as as Dallas said, just easy to go buy and enjoy the breweries and family/friends.

Many good beers being brewed across the country in a wonderful environment where the various brewers share and support each other......good stuff. Attached picture of a few we picked up in Wisconsin last August !


Dan

 

[Zymurgist]

I picked up a couple Fast Ferment systems last year and love them. Trying to decide if I can mount them in the basement to brew on the road when we go full time.

That's quite a bit of weight to support, even for a 5 gallon batch. I wouldn't even begin to consider brewing if I was on the road full time. So much equipment to deal with. I'd have to find a different hobby.

 

[Zymurgist]

You and I would get along very well.

I don't home brew, but I do love craft beer!

Hunter70... I'm sure we would get along just fine. A few IPA's around the fire, good music and conversation... it doesn't get much better than that.

 

[Knightclimber]

That's quite a bit of weight to support, even for a 5 gallon batch. I wouldn't even begin to consider brewing if I was on the road full time. So much equipment to deal with. I'd have to find a different hobby.

I worded that poorly. My plans once I go full time are to spend a couple months in a spot at a time to really explore the area. That will be sufficient time to brew a batch before moving on to the next spot.

 

[pilotpip]

I was just standing downstairs looking at my boil kettle and cooler mash tun. My grain mill looks at me from a top shelf in my garage and is sad because it's sitting idle. Had to take a hiatus when the kids were born but now that they're getting older, and I have a basement to finish for a man cave, I'm thinking about getting back into it. I might go pick up an extract kit just to give it a try again but I think I'll be making a keezer for the man cave because bottling was never something I enjoyed.

 

[kevinpo]

A subject near and dear to me One of my sons worked for Elysian brewing co. and I had the pleasure of brewing for the day with Kevin Watson their experimental brewer at their Capitol Hill facility in Seattle. I brought a couple of types of home brews with me for him to try. He was a good resource later for recipe help. I build my own water for each type beer and grow some of my own hops (Cascade and Chinook). I make a clone of Elysian Space Dust IPA and their Dayglow IPA (I may of had some help with the formulations . I also make a Brown ale and a Porter.

Happy brewing,
Kevin

 

[kevinpo]

A couple more pictures for your brewing pleasure

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[pilotpip]

How do you like the conical fermenter? I'm going to need new ones, and really like the food-grade plastic ones I'm seeing. I don't think the missus would let me buy stainless!

 

[kevinpo]

How do you like the conical fermenter?

I really like that I can drain off the yeast cake after 4-5 days and use it like a secondary fermenter. I don't use it if I dry hop though. This is what I use when I dry hop a big IPA...
https://www.northernbrewer.com/collections/big-mouth-bubbler/products/big-mouth-bubbler-depth-charge

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Knightclimber]

I really like mine as well. Drilled a hole in the side and added a small spigot to take samples during the process.

 

[kevinpo]

It's hop harvest time! I took this picture of some Chinook hops ready for harvest in my yard a few min. ago


Cheers,
Kevin

 

[Knightclimber]

Nice! I planted mine too late in the season so won't be harvesting anything this year

 

[LCBoyer]

I hope I get a chance to sample one of your brews someday!

 

[kevinpo]

I planted mine too late in the season so won't be harvesting anything this year

What area are you located in? For sure you will get a few ponds next year from each plant if you live in a natural hop growing region. One note: be sure to not let them get too dry. They don't like that at all. Heat and slight humidity not a problem for them. I'm just lucky to live in one of the best hop growing regions in the world.

Regards,
Kevin