KDM
Well-Known Member
After studying books, mags, DVD's, The Internet, etc. prior to jumping on in, I went exclusively with my LHBS for kits, advice and instructions for my first two batches per the K.I.S.S. Principle and because I trust they know their stuff. The recipe kits they provide contain LME and specialty grains. So, my Q's:
Their instrux specifically call for boiling the grains (in a bag) for 20 minutes. Everything I've seen everywhere else sez to steep 'em, and never boil grains. I'm sure the beer's gonna be fine, but this point keeps nagging at me. Any comments?
Also, they never breathe a word about aerating the wort, whereas most other sources suggest shaking up the fermenter or using the repeated pour method before pitching to give the yeasties something to breathe. Again, I'm sure the beer's gonna work out just dandy, but this point bugs me a bit also. What say ye more experienced hands?
Batches three and four are using similar recipe kits from Midwest, and their instrux have me steeping and shaking, which makes me feel a lot better since it's consistent with everything else I've seen. They also give starting and final gravity figures, something else my LHBS doesn't mention. Now, I can dig it when Revvy suggests it might be a sin to assume the LHBS doesn't know sh*t, but I'd still like to get a little more clear on these basic things.
Thanks!
Their instrux specifically call for boiling the grains (in a bag) for 20 minutes. Everything I've seen everywhere else sez to steep 'em, and never boil grains. I'm sure the beer's gonna be fine, but this point keeps nagging at me. Any comments?
Also, they never breathe a word about aerating the wort, whereas most other sources suggest shaking up the fermenter or using the repeated pour method before pitching to give the yeasties something to breathe. Again, I'm sure the beer's gonna work out just dandy, but this point bugs me a bit also. What say ye more experienced hands?
Batches three and four are using similar recipe kits from Midwest, and their instrux have me steeping and shaking, which makes me feel a lot better since it's consistent with everything else I've seen. They also give starting and final gravity figures, something else my LHBS doesn't mention. Now, I can dig it when Revvy suggests it might be a sin to assume the LHBS doesn't know sh*t, but I'd still like to get a little more clear on these basic things.
Thanks!