FAQ's

Homebrewing, Wine Making, Homesteading,

Distillation, Cheese Making, and much more

Website Difficulties and Ordering

Our website is dedicated to making home projects easier on our customers, any website problems we become aware of will be handled to the best of our abilities in a time-sensitive manner.

Q: How do I buy specific grains or yeasts?

A: On each item that carries the same price as similar items will have a scroll down button to choose the style desired.

If a quantity is not shown please email [email protected] with your order and we will get back to you ASAP.

Q: How is shipping calculated?

A: FREE SHIPPING on most items, Some items are not possible to ship without a shipping fee, like glass carboys and 50lb bags of grain

Q: How long should I expect to wait before recieving my Order?

A: We will do everything in our power to ship the day that the order is received, confirmation of shipment should be sent within 1-3 days of ordering, and orders are usually received by the customer in less than a week.

Q: What sort of insurance is there that my order will not be damaged?

A: Many things can happen during transit that may damage products, our products will be packed and shipped as safely as possible. If an order is received in a damaged state please take a picture and/or describe the damage of the items in detail and we will replace or refund the product free of charge if possible. A person has 7 days from the date received to initiate a claim for damaged Items. The received date will be the date UPS confirms Delivery. Please check for damage as soon as possible to minimize any inconveniences, thank you.

Q: What is the Return Policy for Items ordered through the Harvest Webstore?

A: All items ordered through our Webstore can be returned for refund within 14 days, Refunds will be returned in the form of a check and will be sent as soon as product has been returned. Please include the item name, reason for return (optional), and shipping information (where to send the check) with the returned product. Products cannot be returned without authorization, this can be obtained by calling (541)679-4524 or by Email [email protected] Unauthorized returns will not be refunded, please wait for confirmation before sending returns. Please call to make arrangements to return shipments.

Homebrew Questions

Often we get questions from new brewers about how the process works and what the dangers of homebrew (if any) can be. There is very little danger involved and most concerns have a cheap and/or simple solution.

Q: Is it cheaper to Homebrew rather than buy beer?

A: It can be! The average cost of ingredients for two cases of homebrew (5 gallons) is $25-$40, the average cost for one case of microbrew or craft beer is $35-$50 per case. Making domestic (Busch, Bud, Coors, etc) style beers can be even cheaper, often less than $10 per case!

Q: Is it hard to make beer?

A: That depends on how hard you want it to be. Most beer styles take very little technical knowledge, most of beer making is waiting. If you have two hours every two weeks you have more than enough time to make beer. Beer can be complicated if you want to make specific flavors, but no more so than cooking a meal.

Q: How long does it take to make beer?

A: Ale generally takes 10 to 14 days to ferment, and 2 weeks in the bottle to condition. Lagers take longer, 3 weeks to a month in ferment, 2-3 weeks in the bottle. All time frames are estimates, variables such as temperature, yeast, and types of ingredients apply to the length of ferment.

Q: What is Top fermenting and Bottom fermenting yeasts?

A: A top-fermenting yeast is commonly referred to as an ALE yeast. This yeast is most active at warm (65-75ish) temperatures.

A Bottom-fermenting yeast is commonly referred to as a LAGER yeast. This yeast prefers lower(55-65ish) temperatures.

Q: What does bbl mean?

A: BBL is a measurement of barrels. One beer bbl equals 31(U.S.) gallons, a bbl of oil or petroleum product is 42 (U.S.) gallons.

BBL often refers to the volume of a fermenter.

Common 'Sanke' style kegs, the standard commercial keg, are usually a half barrel or 15.5 gallons. There are also 1/4th bbl and1/6th bbl Sankes that are 7.75 and 5.16 Gallons, respectively.

Q: How much does it cost to get started brewing beer and/or wine?

A: Our equipment kits are specific to customer, meaning we don't want to sell you things you don't want/need. generally a complete kit runs less than $100, and would include everything needed to ferment 5-6 gallons at a time.

Q: Is Making beer going to stink up my house?

A: You do not rot ingredients to make fermented beverages. The process is very similar to making bread, in the fact that yeast causes fermentation and actually prevents the rotting process by creating Co2 and alcohol.

The process of boiling beer can be fragrant for a few hours after completion, but generally once in the fermenter the scent is minimal if any.

Q: Is Home Fermenting Dangerous?

A: Fermentation is typically safe as long as temperatures are kept below a yeast's highest fermenting temperature. If temp exceeds a yeast's highest fermenting temperature methanol is created rather than ethanol.

Q: What is the maximum ABV by fermenting?

A: the highest yeast available can achieve 26% ABV. Anything that claims to be higher is probably not accurate. Alcohol is yeast's waste, yeast that is tolerant to it's own waste is difficult to produce. Yeast produces alcohol but it is not immune to it. 

Homesteading Questions

Most concerns with homesteading involve the legality aspects, Most homestead projects are 100% legal, with few exceptions. Homesteading is a way of life, you don't have to live like a pioneer to live cheaply on and off the grid.

Q: What is homesteading?

A: Homesteading is the idea that life can be lived comfortably with little cost and minimal effort. Growing and preserving your own food, producing your own power, and living healthy are all really good ways to live less costly. People from all walks of life can, and often do, enjoy the huge amount of benefits for themselves and our environment, brought by the ideas of homesteading.

Q: Is Urban Livestock (Chickens, Goats, Pigs, Rabbits, etc.) Farming legal?

A: That answer mostly depends on the city a person lives in, and some to do with the state. Most states only have laws regarding limitations on exotic animals and native wildlife. However, every city has ordinances involving the types of animals that can be kept, the amount of animals, and what requirements need to be met to keep an animal that is not a pet. Many cities include what is and isn't considered a pet, personal opinion is often overlooked and not a justifiable defense to keep an animal.

Q: Can A Person Keep Bee's Inside City Limits?

A: Yes, it can be legal for a person to keep bees inside city limits, if it is provided for in their own city's policies. Generally, beekeeping is best outside of city limits, however, there are sometimes permits available for beekeeping in city limits.

Q: What are some good animals to keep in my own small urban homestead farm?

A: This will depend on the city's policies were you live, but some of the most beneficial animals for anyone to have on a self-sustaining farm are: Chickens, Goats, Rabbits, and other small easily renewable animals that are easy to replenish. Chickens often produce eggs daily, Goats produce milk daily as well, and are lower maintenance than cows, Rabbits quickly replenish their numbers almost as fast as they can be harvested. Even Fish are farmable on a small or large scale! (no pun intended)

Cheese Making Questions

Q: What kinds of milk can I use to make cheese?

A: All milk makes some form of cheese, the most commonly made cheeses are from cows, goats, and sheep.

Q: Is cheese making difficult?

A: As with most things cheese can be as difficult or as easy as you want to go. Cheese such as Mozzarella only takes a few minutes to make, other cheeses can take months.

Q: Is cheese making expensive?

A: the cost of making cheese is going to be what you put in is what you get out. If you want high quality cheese you need high-quality milk and ingredients, if it is just cheese for yourself it can be extremely cheap and very rewarding