First brew success!

I just wanted to thank everyone who has helped me in my threads, or whose threads I've read in order to make this brew a success. I cracked into it a little early (5 days after bottling), but I couldn't wait anymore. I brewed Midwest's Autumn Amber Ale and it is fantastic! The hops definitely need to mellow (they were present in primary fermentation), but it is a tasty brew indeed!

Thanks again! I can't wait for round 2.

Congrats! I just bottled my first brew (Northern Brewers Black IPA) and am anxiously waiting for the bottles to carb up.

I couldn't wait either, just bottled my first batch (Belgian White beer) a few days ago. It tastes great!

I ordered a 5-gallon keg and CO2 setup. Does that mean I can skip the waiting period on bottles? Or should I let the beer "rest" before kegging and drinking? (Talking about wheat beer)

I have no clue, I was actually wondering this myself. That is going to be my next big investment probably.

Congrats to all first-batchers, it's a great feeling.

SwivelHips said:

Congrats to all first-batchers, it's a great feeling.

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Thanks. I've always had a negative opinion of home brew; I don't like hoppy flavor, and learned to like beer by drinking Bavarian wheat beers in Germany. A pretty high bar, and few home brewers could match that. Mostly it was sour, hoppy, beer, that I couldn't even drink, really.

I'm still in shock, since my Belgian White beer is really good, even by my snobby European standards

Life is good.

Kegging will get beer carbonated faster, but not conditioned. It will still have that "green beer" taste - often described as apple-y.

Now you're hooked...welcome to the addiction.

So I have been drinking my black ipa. Here is my newbie advice: the beer after two weeks vs 3 weeks in the bottle is night and day. The 3 week beer is way better and has better carb and head. Listen to the people, patience! Give it time in the bottle. It is worth the wait!

Congrats! You'll be looking to do your second in no time!