Stepping up to all grain brewing!

As I get near my next brew day I start to realize, I am down to my last recipe kit and have to make a decision: buy more kits or buy ingredients?  Luckily for me I do not need to purchase much more to start to brew all grain so I think it is time.  Now, the big question is, what do I brew?

I have three directions I would like to go:
1) stout
2) brown ale
3) wild rice ale

The direction would result in a few different variations of the style so once I decide what to do I will be on that style for a few batches.

So let me hear your voice!  Answer the poll on the right side and let me know what style I should take on first!

If you have any suggestions on flavors within the styles let me know!

The First Brew!

Just a quick rundown of how I am going to keep this blog page going.

The "What's Brewing!" section will have what I am currently brewing with its current brew log and notes and the "What I Brewed" section will have what I have bottled.

So as of right now I have my Caribou Slobber in the primary fermenter and just getting ready to rack it to the secondary.

In celebration of my first homebrewing experience I have posted some pictures here of the Caribou Slobber brew day.

Also, if anyone is interested in following me on Twitter you can! @thenerdygnome

All brews start with a passion.

So here is to my adventure into homebrewing!  Beer has turned into something of a passion since the days of drinking the cheapest stuff to get drunk at all the parties are done.  Not saying I don't enjoy the occasional Hamm's every now and then but there is something about beer that people just don't see...or taste.  Luckily my enjoyment of trying new and different beers has lead me to now making my own beers and I hope to share this adventure and everyone gets enjoyment out of the process and probably my missteps since I am still learning.


A Little About Myself

As you may have wondered, my friends call me a gnome as a term of endearment, I hope, but I have ran with that nickname.  I am short and stocky and most of my interests peak on the nerdy side so being called Nerdy Gnome is rather appropriate.
I enjoy beer, mostly porters and stouts.  Hop beers, such as IPAs, are not my cup of brew but I do appreciate them.  What kind of beer lover would I be if I detested certain types of brew?
I am just learning so most of my brews are probably going to be safe as in terms of flavor and what I add to it.  I took an intro to homebrew course at our local community college and am currently taking the advanced course so for the most part I know what I am doing.  Brewing beer is easy, it's just the technique and implementing the process is what takes practice, but over time and a couple more "brew days" I should have it down to where I can increase my game, sort of speak, since I am currently using recipes and extract kits.  I do plan on going to all grain and making brews from scratch, even if I do use recipes, then eventually try some of my own recipes.
I would like to get good enough to have my brew in the local bars and go into business for myself.  This is many years down the road but a gnome can dream.  Even if it doesn't get to that level at least I learned to brew beer so I can enjoy what I love and share that with others.

Some people give me a hard time since I am brewing one gallon batches instead of the traditional five gallon batches.  Space and money are the two biggest factors contributing to my decision to go with the one gallon setup, but this is for another discussion.

So here is to learning new things and a new adventure!

Relax and have a homebrew!