Local man has a head for brewing beer
Podcast Episode
Home brewing is a growing hobby, and one Evansville resident is diving into. Kyle Geissler reports. Andy Walker's advice to those getting into home brewing is to relax...you're just making beer. You can read more in Saturday's Janesville Gazette.
More information
Andy Walker created the home brewing Web site www.ForemostBrewing.com.
The site still is under development but includes a brewing how-to page. Walker plans to add database of beer brewing recipes.
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A batch of Andrew Walker's home brewed beer ferments in his Evansville basement.
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Andrew Walker stirs hops into his boiling brew while making beer at his Evansville home.
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Andrew Walker monitors the temperature of heating water that he used to rinse the liquid portion of his mash while brewing beer at his Evansville home.
EVANSVILLE — The driveway of Andy Walker's home on Tuttle Road looked like he was expecting company for a picnic.
Two coolers—one stacked on top of the other—sat in front of the garage covered by a picnic blanket. Tubing connected an LP tank to the burner from a turkey fryer. A recipe binder and plastic containers were spread out on a tray.
But guests weren't treated to turkey, burgers and condiments. Instead, they got a lesson in brewing beer.
Walker is among a growing group who brew pale ales, stouts and lagers as a hobby.
Walker, 33, began brewing four years ago after a buddy's bachelor party. He asked if the no-label brown bottles at the party were bought at a discount store. His buddy told him he'd made the beer.
"Bing. The light went on," Walker said. "You can make beer at home. It really piqued my interest, and I started researching."
Walker finds stirring up a batch of his own beer refreshing.
"You get to a point where you just don't like various commercial beers," he said.
It's cheaper to brew your own, Walker said.
Although a shortage of hops has driven up the cost of ingredients in recent years, Walker said they remain relatively inexpensive.
For example, brewing 5 gallons of beer takes about $30 worth of ingredients.
Getting started
For those interested in making beer at home, Walker suggested buying a home brewing supply kit and a recipe kit. The kits will include malt extract, bottle caps, yeast, priming sugar, hops and instructions.
Startup costs will total about $150, but that doesn't include bottles, he said.
Most people probably already have some of the basic equipment, such as a 2- or 3-gallon stainless steel pot and a 5-gallon bucket with a tight-fitting lid. New brewers might be able to find bottles and a bottle capper for cheap, he said.
Bottles must be sterilized. The simplest way is to put them in a dishwasher or wash them in bleach water, Walker said.
"Just make sure you rinse them well," he said.
You'll also need a hydrometer—a device that resembles a thermometer used to measure the amount of sugar in beer.
Recipes are included with recipe kits and can be found online.
A simple recipe can take two to three hours to brew. Others, such as "all natural" all-grain recipes, take six to eight hours, he said.
"It's not an overly involved process. I kick back, usually sip on a beer while brewing and if friends are over just have a good time," Walker said.
A 5-gallon batch of brew makes about 55 bottles of beer. But you'll have to wait about a month before you can drink it, Walker said.
Once the beer is brewed, it ferments for two weeks before it's bottled and capped. Then it sits another two weeks to carbonate, he said.
Some beers take longer to mature, Walker said.
Last year, he brewed a batch of high-alcohol beer flavored with cherries for the Wisconsin Badgers/Michigan State football game. It sat for nearly two months, but even then it was horrible, he said.
"I almost named it, 'Licking wet paint.' It was not overly good," Walker said.
By December, the flavor had improved, and by the time he drank the last bottle in February, it was very good.
"It had really matured," Walker said.
Tips
When he was a beginning brewer, Walker said, he got overly anxious. Now, he relaxes and enjoys the process.
"You're just making beer. Just do it," he said. "Don't think about it. Don't worry about it."
Even if it doesn't turn out perfect, "you'll still get to drink it and probably are going to like it."
Walker recommends joining a local brew club to share ideas and information, get new recipes, exchange critiques and get tips to improve brewing.
"Like with any new hobby, it's a way to share information, talk and ask questions," he said.
Beloit has the Stateline Brewing Society, and Walker and a co-worker are talking about starting a group in the Janesville area.
Brewing is not hard, Walker said.
"It's a hobby" and "it's easy."
Sep 16, 2009 at 2:58 p.m.
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I've received a lot of interest about a home brewing club in the Janesville - you can continue the discussion here:
http://www.foremostbrewing.com/Community...
Sep 12, 2009 at 10:32 a.m.
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fun! the art of making-tasting it-and sharing it with friends-I really enjoyed this story!
Sep 12, 2009 at 7:33 a.m.
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http://www.homebrewery.com/ is the best site i have found and they have great prices.
Sep 11, 2009 at 10:39 p.m.
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Meanwhile, back at the meth lab...
Sep 11, 2009 at 4:17 p.m.
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toasty2k - I haven't made the trip yet. I'd like to but you guys also meet the same night as the wine club I belong to in Milton. We'll have to make sure our paths cross in the near future!
Sep 11, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.
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I have been apart of the club. I haven't been active lately
Sep 11, 2009 at 3:11 p.m.
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Andrew, Have you been to our club before? (Stateline Brewing Society) We would love to have you. We have a great mix of guys and gals from all over the area.
Sep 11, 2009 at 2:56 p.m.
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I love beer.
Sep 11, 2009 at 2:48 p.m.
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The Stateline Brewing Society welcomes all homebrewers and those who are interested to join us every second Wednesday of the month at Sud's O'Hanahans in downtown Beloit. Our group consists of people from Northern Illinois, Walworth County and Janesville. We are just not for Beloit residents. However, sometimes our group moves to different locations in which we indicate on our Web site, www.statelinebrewingsociety.com . It's easy, fun and a good way to make new friends. Come check us out.
Sep 11, 2009 at 12:38 p.m.
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Basics Cooperative in Janesville has brewing supplies and is having a free class in the community room on home brewing October 3rd.
Sep 11, 2009 at 10:43 a.m.
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I agree about the wine and hopshop. Northernbrewer. is great on their prices and they have awsome customer service plus the shipping at 7.99 you just can't beat that at all.
I encourage anyone who enjoys a fine brew made locally or from afar who feels alienated when their at a gathering and are drinking something like Ale asylums nut-brown, or Stone's IPA, Fat tire, or Gray's oatmeal stout. And someone says "what is that your drinking?" If you feel like you have no where to go join one of the local clubs listed below. You will find support and like minded people who demand quality craft beers.
On another rant I have. I wish when we have local events in the area that more locally brewed options available on tap. Its a good way to support the regions small biz. Rather than having the dummbed down beers like Bud and Miller. There are locally brewed beers that are like bud and millers style for instance. http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/Beers.cf... that are made locally
Here is a great list of Brewpubs to get started
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/Article_D...
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.
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You can find brew supply shops, breweries, and brew pubs close to you here:
http://www.foremostbrewing.com/Home/Cust...
-- it's not a "definitive" list - but it's always being updated!
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:55 a.m.
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@SarahB1 -- My wife used to be a bud light gal... but every time I brewed a beer - or was at a restaurant - I'd try something new and have her simply sip it. Now like me, she can't stand the blandness of all those light beers. I like to say "Light is to Beer.... As Rice is to Cake"... cause a rice cake ain't cake!
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:51 a.m.
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displacedworker - I get my ingredients from a bunch of places. Used to be a place in Oregon, WI but he closed shop in May.. Sad. I personally don't care for Wine & Hop shop in Madison - they just seem to want your money. I dropped $200 in there a few weeks back and felt as if I was bothering them because I wanted to chat about home brewing. I've been there 3 times and had that feeling each time.
I do like the fact that NortherBrewer.com has a flat rate $7.99 shipping on most ingredients - as long as it's not a bulk order. I was able to stock up on hops and various yeasts. But now because of my site http://www.foremostbrewing.com - I'm willing to drive pretty far to visit a small LHBS (Local home Brew supply shop) and yuk it up!
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:49 a.m.
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Opinionsforfree & Unidentified: Thanks for the postings as a follow-up for me. This does sound like a great hobby. Now, if only I could develop a taste for beer ... maybe I just need to try a Made-in-Rock/Dane/Walworth/Green County Brewed at Home beer. (LOL!)
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:47 a.m.
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I have a friend who home brews and he doesn't drink! He'll take a sip to see how it tastes but he brews because he likes to share with his friends and there is something very "back to your roots" about it that he enjoys.
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:37 a.m.
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Yeah i started out with the $50 kit several years ago now I have at 2k invested into equipment. One of the posters is correct. People who home brew or are tasters normally have people stay over figure out a way to get home safely
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
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Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin
Sep 11, 2009 at 9:15 a.m.
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I support home brewing. It becomes more about the art of a good beer than it does about simply getting drunk. In addition, this type of brew is enjoyed at home among friends, who if someone gets a bit too tipsy, they simply stay over. It's a fun and safer alternative than going to the bar.
Sep 11, 2009 at 8:09 a.m.
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You shall have a preferred spot next o the beer volcano in heaven! RAmen
Sep 11, 2009 at 7:54 a.m.
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Homebrewing is a great hobby. I have done it for several years. There is nothing like telling someone after they drink one of your beer that you made it. Looking Glass has a beer club that meets once a month for people interested in brewing or beer tasting. there is a homebrew club in beloit called StatelineBrewingsocity
Sep 11, 2009 at 2:50 a.m.
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This article was not about driving drunk--gets real old, people can enjoy without being drunk or "your reminder's" so get over it
Sep 10, 2009 at 11:35 p.m.
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Excuse me; I meant to type the word "drive," not "driver".
Sep 10, 2009 at 11:34 p.m.
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Just don't driver after you drink the stuff. P.S. Don't ask any nurse what the big bottle showing the fermenting brew looks like. The answer may turn your stomach. Just call it NG (hint-hint).
Sep 10, 2009 at 6:42 p.m.
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andrew where do you get your ingredients from? or is that trade secret!?
Sep 10, 2009 at 6:34 p.m.
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What a great surprise to find on the front page!
The beer I made that day was a Belgian Pale Ale - which I have finally tapped. It's very good and a beer a lot of commercial beer drinkers would likely enjoy (bud, mgd, etc). And at about 5.5% - you can smile a little bigger!
I think I'll call it "Front Page Worthy" Belgian Pale Ale!
Thanks for the article Shelly!
Sep 10, 2009 at 6:11 p.m.
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Ah beer... The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.
Sep 10, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
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I suggest stopping by http://www.foremostbrewing.com/ for additional recipes and information regarding home brewing. It's a great site for the home brewing hobby.
Sep 10, 2009 at 4:28 p.m.
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Mmmmmmmmmmm beeeeeer.......
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