Brewing 101

JimChochola's picture
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
2417 W. Hubbard St.
60612 Chicago , IL

Want to learn how to brew beer, but aren't sure where to start? CHAOS's Brewing 101 class is for you.  A CHAOS brewer will lead you through all of the steps necessary to brew your first beer using malt extract and steeping grains.* This class will focus on the basics of brewing, including an introduction to grains, extract, hops, and yeast. We will also introduce students to the required equipment and cover appropriate sanitation practices.

Once students have brewed their beer, they can ferment it in CHAOS's temperature-controlled fermentation room. Future classes will provide instruction on bottling and carbonating the finished beer. The recipe will result in approximately 5 gallons, or around 48 12oz bottles of beer. Students can expect drinkable beer in 4-6 weeks.

YOU MUST BE A Trial, Friend, or Brewer MEMBER TO ATTEND THIS CLASS.
(Click HERE for membership info). Web-only members may not attend.

Even if you know nothing about beer and beer brewing and don't want to brew, this class is for you! You can watch, listen, ask questions, and help out on someone else's batch.

Everyone should RSVP by clicking "I will attend" below so I know how many people to expect. But, if you're interested in actually brewing, please post a comment below "I'd like to brew!" The first four people to post a comment below that they're interested in actually brewing will get one of the four brew bays I've reserved; everyone else is welcome to come watch/help!

Shopping list (all items available at Brew & Grow or Brew Camp):

  • Equipment:
    • Fermenter (bucket or carboy, 6-gallons or bigger);
    • Lid/cap;
    • Airlock;
    • Muslin grain bag.
  • Ingredients
    • 6.5 lbs of Light Dry Malt Extract (DME);
    • 0.5 lbs of Munich DME;
    • 0.5 lbs of Wheat DME;
    • 0.75 lbs Victory malt (28 ⁰L), this is the steeping grain;
    • 1 oz of Horizon Pellet Hops;
    • 1 oz of Columbus Pellet Hops;
    • 1 oz of Centennial Pellet Hops;
    • 1 package of Safale US-05.

PRO TIP: Hops are a commodity and it's very hard to predict availability. So, if the hop listed above happens to be out of stock, don't fret: there are substitutes that can be found.  Ask an employee or click here.

* Although there is no charge for this class, students must provide their own ingredients and fermenter.  See the above shopping list for more information.

Craig Bruska
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I would like to attend. I

I would like to attend. I will being register as member prior to the stout and chilling event to start my60 day trial.

Craig Bruska

JimChochola
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Hi, Craig! Pleasure to meet

Hi, Craig! Pleasure to meet you yesterday! Look forward to brewing with you on the 11th!

JBrewCook
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I will attend and I would

I will attend and I would like to reserve a Brew Bay.

JimChochola
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Last seen: 2 years 11 months ago
I closed down the brewhouse

I closed down the brewhouse for the night of Brewing 101 in anticipation of 4 participants. Even when we reach that, any Trial, Friend, or Brewer member could still come to watch, learn, and help! See you guys on the 11th!

PBrewCook
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I will attend, I'd like to

I will attend, I'd like to help.

kltans
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Dustin Clark and I would like

Dustin Clark and I would like to attend and reserve a brew bay! Looking forward to it

Kate Tans

JimChochola
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Looks like we have our four

Looks like we have our four brewers: Craig, James, Kate, and Marco (who RVSP'd through me last night at Stout & Chili Night)!

Brewers, you are responsible for procuring the ingredients and equipment above. Please let me know ASAP if your plans change so we can get other people brewing.

Everyone else, you can help, watch, and ask questions.

See everyoneon the 11th!

kltans
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Last seen: 3 years 1 month ago
Hey guys, Dustin and I got

Hey guys, Dustin and I got all our ingredients at Brew&Grow except a fermenter. Their carboys were on back order. Any recommendations on where to get one tomorrow? Also, is glass or plastic better?

Kate Tans

JimChochola
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Last seen: 2 years 11 months ago
Plastic is way better. If I

Plastic is way better. If I recall correctly, a single gallon of water weighs over 5 lbs.; you'll have 5+ gallons of wort which is 25+ lbs. add a 5+ lb. glass carboy and it becomes quite unwieldly. The plastic carboys weigh next to nothing.

Are *both* Brew & Grow locations out of carboys? You can try Brew Camp up on Montrose (I believe it's Montrose right under the brown line).

kltans
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Thanks Jim!  I got a carboy

Thanks Jim!  I got a carboy at Brew Camp last night.  It's glass though... I didn't see your message til this morning advising me to get plastic.  Hopefully I can manage lugging it around!  See you tonight    

Kate Tans

JimChochola
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Last seen: 2 years 11 months ago
Cool! See everyone tonight!

Cool! See everyone tonight!

kltans
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Last seen: 3 years 1 month ago
Sorry that Dustin and I are

Sorry that Dustin and I are running late. We should be there in the next 5-10 min

Kate Tans

kltans
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Last seen: 3 years 1 month ago
So any update on how our

So any update on how our beers are fermenting or when we should stop by the brew house?

Kate Tans