First Batch Fermenting, Planning 2nd Batch (Mr. Beer)

Hello All,

First off, what a great resource this forum has been.

My wife got me a Mr. Beer kit for Father's Day, I've never been so excited.

I did plenty of reading (I read the entire sticky Mr. Beer thread...), and I have my first batch of "Bewitched Red Ale" brewing now. I replaced the booster with 1lb of Light DME per the suggestions I found here. I also purchased some corn sugar for bottling.

For my 2nd batch, I have a can of HME (the West Coast Pale Ale from Mr. Beer), and I plan on using the same Light DME (I bought a 3lb bag to start). I have heard that adding some hops might greatly improve this beer, so I am looking for suggestions.

So far I'm thinking 1/2 oz of Saaz added at flameout in a hopsack?

In general, I like hoppy beer. Sierra Nevada, Wing Walker Pale Ale, ect...

So, how would you hop this bad boy? Anything else to watch?

I would also boil 1/2 oz Saaz for 20 min.

Would you then leave it in to ferment the whole time? Do I need a hopsack?

Ampsonic said:

Would you then leave it in to ferment the whole time? Do I need a hopsack?

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I would use a hop sack.

Do you need to boil all the water used? I realize the "cold" water I added to the fermenter was straight from the tap.

Ampsonic said:

Do you need to boil all the water used? I realize the "cold" water I added to the fermenter was straight from the tap.

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When I did Mr Beer (long time ago); I used bottled water for my top off. Also; see http://www.mrbeerfans.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.MrBeerFAQ for lots of tips on Mr Beer.