4JBrew
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2012
- Messages
- 50
- Reaction score
- 7
So, I brewed my first ever beer in November and was very happy with the results. This go around, I made some beginner mistakes that I DIDN'T make the first time!!
I started with a Midwest Supplies Hank's Hefeweizen that I wanted to add some local honey to. I purchased a 6 gal glass carboy after brewing my first batch in a bucket and depriving myself of watching the fermentation! I had everything all planned out, and decided to take this on today.
I took the grains that came with the kit to the Local HB shop to have them crushed.
I had sterilized my eq and got all my ingredients staged for the brew.
I placed the crushed grains in the bag after temp hit 155.
Meanwhile, I have the LME a hot water bath to loosen it up.
After adding the LME and DME, I brought the wort up to a boil again. I started to add the pellet hops and that's when disaster struck! I had a big 'ol boil over.
What a mess!! Just as bad as everyone has described. I am using way too small of a kettle. I should have known better!!! New kettle WILL be purchased before the next brew. I must admit that I am a little worried about what I may have lost in the boil over.....hops?.....I decided to relax and continue to make my homebrew.
After 55 minutes I added the lb of local honey and boiled for 5 mins. I then placed the wort in an ice bath and brought the temp down to <80f.
Using a funnel I poured the wort into my glass carboy and topped off with some bottled water. I then made my next rookie mistake (another mistake I didn't make the first time!!)...... I pitched the yeast and forgot to take a hydrometer reading before putting the carboy in the basement with the blow off tube. So much for an OG reading!!
I must say, I am upset with myself over the mistakes I made and worried that brew number 2 will not be as good as my first one. Only time will tell.
I started with a Midwest Supplies Hank's Hefeweizen that I wanted to add some local honey to. I purchased a 6 gal glass carboy after brewing my first batch in a bucket and depriving myself of watching the fermentation! I had everything all planned out, and decided to take this on today.
I took the grains that came with the kit to the Local HB shop to have them crushed.
I had sterilized my eq and got all my ingredients staged for the brew.
I placed the crushed grains in the bag after temp hit 155.
Meanwhile, I have the LME a hot water bath to loosen it up.
After adding the LME and DME, I brought the wort up to a boil again. I started to add the pellet hops and that's when disaster struck! I had a big 'ol boil over.
What a mess!! Just as bad as everyone has described. I am using way too small of a kettle. I should have known better!!! New kettle WILL be purchased before the next brew. I must admit that I am a little worried about what I may have lost in the boil over.....hops?.....I decided to relax and continue to make my homebrew.
After 55 minutes I added the lb of local honey and boiled for 5 mins. I then placed the wort in an ice bath and brought the temp down to <80f.
Using a funnel I poured the wort into my glass carboy and topped off with some bottled water. I then made my next rookie mistake (another mistake I didn't make the first time!!)...... I pitched the yeast and forgot to take a hydrometer reading before putting the carboy in the basement with the blow off tube. So much for an OG reading!!
I must say, I am upset with myself over the mistakes I made and worried that brew number 2 will not be as good as my first one. Only time will tell.