jrabenhorst
Member
Hey everyone... I just brewed my first batch of beer last night, an American Light Ale- I know a pansy beer, but I wanted to start easy and cheap to make sure I understood the process before I got to the good stuff. I have a few questions...
While boiling the wort should you keep the lid on, or take the lid off, also once you place it in the ice bath- lid on or off?
I was following directions that called for 2.5 gallons of water to make the wort, then another 2.5 gallons to add to the wort in the fermenter. When I placed everything in the fermenter I noticed that I had boiled away about half a gallon of water. Did the recipe account for this or next time should I begin with three gallons?
After I placed everything in the fermenter I took a gravity reading and it only showed about 1.036. The recipe said it should be around 1.040-1.045. What could have caused this, and how will it effect my beer?
Finally, I checked the fermenter today (12 hours later) and I noticed a 1/2 inch head on top but no bubbles yet, am I still in the clear? I used a yeast starter to make sure I had enough yeast.
Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to this and I want to learn all I can before I attempt another batch in two weeks. Thanks for all of your help.
While boiling the wort should you keep the lid on, or take the lid off, also once you place it in the ice bath- lid on or off?
I was following directions that called for 2.5 gallons of water to make the wort, then another 2.5 gallons to add to the wort in the fermenter. When I placed everything in the fermenter I noticed that I had boiled away about half a gallon of water. Did the recipe account for this or next time should I begin with three gallons?
After I placed everything in the fermenter I took a gravity reading and it only showed about 1.036. The recipe said it should be around 1.040-1.045. What could have caused this, and how will it effect my beer?
Finally, I checked the fermenter today (12 hours later) and I noticed a 1/2 inch head on top but no bubbles yet, am I still in the clear? I used a yeast starter to make sure I had enough yeast.
Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to this and I want to learn all I can before I attempt another batch in two weeks. Thanks for all of your help.