NOOB question

I've very new to brewing and looking for some help. I've been reading up a lot on home brewing before I even start. I plan on starting my first brew in the next couple days. I ordered the northern brewer deluxe starter kit (good decision or no?) for my first brew. But anyways what I'm wondering is I see a lot of people talking about gravity levels? What is this, do I have to be worried about this my first couple brews?
Thanks

from wikipedia - Gravity, in the context of fermenting alcoholic beverages, refers to the specific gravity, or relative density compared to water, of the wort or must at various stages in the fermentation. The concept is used in brewing and wine making industry. Specific gravity is measured by a hydrometer, refractometer, pycnometer or oscillating U-tube electronic meter.
The density of a wort is largely dependent on the sugar content of the wort. During alcohol fermentation, yeast converts sugars into carbon dioxide and alcohol. The decline in the sugar content and the presence of ethanol (which is appreciably less dense than water) drop the density of the wort. The percentage of alcohol can be calculated from the difference between the original gravity (abbreviated OG) of the wort and the current specific gravity (abbreviated SG) of wort. By monitoring the decline in SG over time the brewer obtains information about the health and progress of the fermentation and determines that it is complete when gravity stops declining. If the fermentation is finished, the specific gravity is called the final gravity (abbreviated FG). For example, for a typical strength beer, OG could be 1.050 and FG could be 1.010.

Oh, and WELCOME Mike! This is a strange bug when it bites ya!

Not a bad kit, nut it doesn't include a hydrometer. If you got the glass version, be Very careful. Else, expect large shards of glass at random moments. As for gravity, see below:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_(alcoholic_beverage)

Edit: Oops. At least we were on the same page. Lol

So should I order a hydrometer before I even start brewing or what? Is it something I need to keep on top of?

And yea I did order the glass kit. Ill watch my feet haha

You will need one. I dont have one (yet) but will have one come Monday. Being a noob, too, I started with Mr. beer. I brewed an oatmeal stout as my 2nd batch (only using the Mr Beer keg as a fermenter) and will need it to make sure carbonation is finished. Supposed to check it before capping, as well...but as I didnt have one, I winged it.

Ok, thank you guys! Ill post how my first brew goes here in a couple days. Wish me luck!

It's a nice kit. I started with the same one. I happen to like the glass carboys, but the kit is also available with the plastic carboys also. The only thing I would have done different is replace the 5 gal secondary with a 6 gal primary. That way you can have a couple batches going without having to rack to another fermenter. Definitely invest in a hydrometer and test jar, and throw in a beer thief. You won't regret it as the hydrometer used for measuring gravity is one of the most important tools in brewing. I think Northern Brewer has the Mad Brewer kit which has all those plus an extra or two. Welcome to the obsession!

Do yourself a favor and get 2 hydrometers. Because you WILL break one. Not a matter of IF you break one... but WHEN you break one...

Always good to have a back up. Plus they're cheap.

Gary

Personally, I think the deluxe kit from Northern Brewer is a little expensive and a tad unnecessary for your very first homebrew batch. When I started brewing extract (kits) I bought the starter kit from Brewers Best which included most of what any home brewer needs, including the hydrometer. The downside to the starter kit from Brewers Best is that you don't get a pot or an auto siphon. It came with a racking cane which is terrible to use so I invested $15 to get the large 1/2" auto siphon. Next, I went to Walmart to get a 6 1/2 gallon kettle for $80. I absolutely love this kettle! So my kit total was $160. To me, that's all any first time home brewer needs. But you have no idea what lies ahead if you decide to move to All Grain. Whole new beast!

Toadsticker said:

Not a bad kit, nut it doesn't include a hydrometer. If you got the glass version, be Very careful. Else, expect large shards of glass at random moments.

Click to expand...

Do be careful as glass is slippery when wet and less forgiving if dropped. However, glass absolutely does not shatter at random moments. I know everybody knows somebody or heard about somebody who has a horror story, but the truth is glass shatters at SPECIFIC moments. Don't drop it and don't shock it (hot water when it's cold or vice versa).

freisste said:

Do be careful as glass is slippery when wet and less forgiving if dropped. However, glass absolutely does not shatter at random moments. I know everybody knows somebody or heard about somebody who has a horror story, but the truth is glass shatters at SPECIFIC moments. Don't drop it and don't shock it (hot water when it's cold or vice versa).

Click to expand...

I stand corrected. But their fragility remains. In my case, the aftermath of a shattering glass carboy was Quite enough to convince me to never use one again. Not worth the pain, or the stitches.