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Old 01-22-2010, 07:20 PM   #1
HeyworthHomebrew
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Default Brewing 1st Batch Tomorrow
Hello All,

I am brewing a Cooper's Real Ale extract kit (using Light and Amber DME for fermentables) tomorrow, and have a couple questions.

First, I am think about just covering my primary (6.5 gallon ale pail) with a clean towel versus the lid. I have done this with wine and got fine results, but I'm brand new to beer so I wanted to make sure. Will the krausen coming into contact with the towel be an issue? Alternatively, I could just do a blow off tube.

Second, does anyone think doing a 6 gallon kit in a 6.5 gallon primary would be an issue? I have read Cooper's yeast tends to be violent, so I was thinking about dropping the volume down to 5 gallons.

Thanks, and I appreciate any help!
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Old 01-22-2010, 07:50 PM   #2
maida7
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go with 5 gallons, use the lid, use the blow off tube if needed.

Enjoy!
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Old 01-22-2010, 08:58 PM   #3
HeyworthHomebrew
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Sounds good, thank you!
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Old 01-23-2010, 10:52 PM   #4
rjgiddings
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Interesting!

I would think even a laundered towel will have some bacteria that's harbored in the cotton fibers. Something a sanitized plastic lid ( w/ no scratches) simply wouldn't have.

But- hey the contact would be minimal - and since you've done this with wine already - it still might work for beer.

I'm new to all this beer fermentation / home brew hoo-haa myself - and I'm interested in minimizing the risk of contamination as much as possible.

Your mileage may vary!
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Old 01-24-2010, 10:16 PM   #5
HeyworthHomebrew
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I ended up going the 5 gallon, loose lid route. Beginning temps were a little cool, but it's starting to get going now I believe. I will be taking a reading tomorrow to make sure. Thanks again!
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Old 01-25-2010, 03:13 PM   #6
HeyworthHomebrew
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Brewing steady, but the krausen is crazy! Is it ok to punch down every so often? Never brewing beer before, I'm not sure if this will settle or if I will have to stir occasionally.
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Old 01-25-2010, 07:18 PM   #7
cappy
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I've never bothered it once it gets going. The krausen will drop back in on its own. Just enjoy the show!
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Old 01-25-2010, 09:54 PM   #8
HeyworthHomebrew
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Will do, thanks!
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Bottled: Welch's Grape Wine ; Cranberry Hard Cider ; Cooper's Real Ale
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Old 02-04-2010, 05:56 PM   #9
HeyworthHomebrew
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I just bottled this last night. Wort tastes pretty good (for being wort), and as such I think I might give this a try earlier than I anticipated, maybe a month.
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Bottled: Welch's Grape Wine ; Cranberry Hard Cider ; Cooper's Real Ale
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Old 02-04-2010, 08:18 PM   #10
cappy
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Chill and pop one after a week and half. Should be decently carbonated by then. No need to wait an entire month for a sample!
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