First post, I apologize ahead of time for the dumb questions, and I apologize if they've been answered elsewhere. I've tried searching as much as possible (my lack of productivity at work today can attest to that...), but a few questions remain. First, my situation:
Picked up a Brewer's Best Deluxe kit (primary bucket, better bottle secondary, bottling bucket + accessories) as my first foray into the scene.
My first extract kit I picked up (might be partial mash, i guess, since there's steeping involved...), was the Brewer's Best Witbier. The (extremely helpful and knowledgeable) guy at the shop said I didn't need a secondary on a wheat , that I'd probably be fine with about 7-10 days in primary, then when I hit the right FG, going right to the bottling. The instruction sheet in the extract kit still suggested a secondary.
A few questions:
1. Is there somewhere I can go to figure out which beers work best with/without a secondary before bottling? Would a secondary hurt it, beyond the possibility of contamination?
2. Similarly, is there anywhere (other than a general search of google/forums) that has recommended guidelines for primary/secondary fermentation times? Obviously the hydrometer is the only true 'when is it done?' determining factor, but just in terms of planning, it'd be nice to have some way of knowing "Oh, I can knock this wit out in 2 weeks, but this holiday ale is going to take 2 months..."...
3. I've seen all sorts of information out there on water. The tap water here isn't particularly awesome, drinking-wise. I run it through a Brita filter to drink, personally. For an extract kit, should I use tap water? Brita? Bottled? Magical unicorn tears?
4. Outside of collecting bottles from friends, where's the best place to buy some 12oz bottles? Is there a 'secret' online shop that everyone uses, or just wherever you happen to run across a good deal?
For now, that's about all I've got. I'm sure I'll be back here freaking out on Saturday afternoon as I'm halfway through my first brew day. Then I'll be on Amazon Monday ordering a second primary (didn't realize a second primary was so cheap, o lawd).
Thanks for the community that's already been developed here, I hope to become a part of it. Haven't even brewed my first batch and I think I'm already hooked.
Picked up a Brewer's Best Deluxe kit (primary bucket, better bottle secondary, bottling bucket + accessories) as my first foray into the scene.
My first extract kit I picked up (might be partial mash, i guess, since there's steeping involved...), was the Brewer's Best Witbier. The (extremely helpful and knowledgeable) guy at the shop said I didn't need a secondary on a wheat , that I'd probably be fine with about 7-10 days in primary, then when I hit the right FG, going right to the bottling. The instruction sheet in the extract kit still suggested a secondary.
A few questions:
1. Is there somewhere I can go to figure out which beers work best with/without a secondary before bottling? Would a secondary hurt it, beyond the possibility of contamination?
2. Similarly, is there anywhere (other than a general search of google/forums) that has recommended guidelines for primary/secondary fermentation times? Obviously the hydrometer is the only true 'when is it done?' determining factor, but just in terms of planning, it'd be nice to have some way of knowing "Oh, I can knock this wit out in 2 weeks, but this holiday ale is going to take 2 months..."...
3. I've seen all sorts of information out there on water. The tap water here isn't particularly awesome, drinking-wise. I run it through a Brita filter to drink, personally. For an extract kit, should I use tap water? Brita? Bottled? Magical unicorn tears?
4. Outside of collecting bottles from friends, where's the best place to buy some 12oz bottles? Is there a 'secret' online shop that everyone uses, or just wherever you happen to run across a good deal?
For now, that's about all I've got. I'm sure I'll be back here freaking out on Saturday afternoon as I'm halfway through my first brew day. Then I'll be on Amazon Monday ordering a second primary (didn't realize a second primary was so cheap, o lawd).
Thanks for the community that's already been developed here, I hope to become a part of it. Haven't even brewed my first batch and I think I'm already hooked.