Just drank a bottle of my first batch of home brew!! I let it ferment for 15 days before bottling and the first bottle I tried had set for 5 weeks!! All I can say is EXCELLENT!! I made an English Brown Ale and I'm very impressed. Anyone have suggestions for my second batch? I was thinking about a cider but I'm up for different ideas. Thanks as always!!
First Batch
- Thread starter jpwilcox
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If you liked your English Brown Ale, I'd recommend an English Bitter. I made one as my 3rd batch and it was delicious. Also, it was a super simple brew day and was ready to drink in record time, because it was relatively low gravity. I did the Broken Spear Bitter (special edition from Northern Brewer) which was a bit darker than the picture they have for their standard British Bitter. I'm sure that one would be good too. Although, if you are interested, I could just send you the recipe from the batch I did.
If you liked your English Brown Ale, I'd recommend an English Bitter. I made one as my 3rd batch and it was delicious. Also, it was a super simple brew day and was ready to drink in record time, because it was relatively low gravity. I did the Broken Spear Bitter (special edition from Northern Brewer) which was a bit darker than the picture they have for their standard British Bitter. I'm sure that one would be good too. Although, if you are interested, I could just send you the recipe from the batch I did.
MisterTipsy
Well-Known Member
Second batch? Time to make a pomegranate bacon sour.
MisterTipsy
Well-Known Member
Normally I would be glad to provide a recipe, but my pomegranate bacon sour recipe is top secret.
MisterTipsy
Well-Known Member
You really want to make a pomegranate bacon sour?
MisterTipsy
Well-Known Member
Ummmm. You should probably brew something a little more conventional for your second beer.
I was kidding about the pomegranate bacon sour.
I was kidding about the pomegranate bacon sour.
MisterTipsy
Well-Known Member
Stauffbier
Well-Known Member
I can't believe you were interested in pomegranate bacon sour! I threw-up a little bit when I read it!
It's hard to give ideas without knowing what styles of beer you prefer. There are plenty of styles that are good for a second batch...
It's hard to give ideas without knowing what styles of beer you prefer. There are plenty of styles that are good for a second batch...
Broken Spear Bitter (former Northern Brewer Limited Edition recipe kit)
Specialty Grains:
- 0.25 lbs English Dark Crystal
- 0.125 lbs English Black Malt
Fermentables:
- 4 lbs Munton's Light DME
Hops:
- 1 oz UK Fuggle (60 min)
- 0.5 oz UK Kent Goldings (60 min)
- 0.5 oz UK Kent Goldings (15 min)
- 0.5 oz Styrian Goldings (15 min)
- 0.5 oz Styrian Goldings (dry hop - 7 days)
Yeast:
- Wyeast 1882 Thames Valley Ale II (I think that one was seasonal, but you can still get the 1275 Thames Valley)
Target OG: 1.035
Estimated kettle to glass time: 4 weeks
I took a tad bit longer than that. I did 13 days primary, 7 days dry hop, then about 3 weeks in bottle before it was ready. So, that was about 5 weeks total.
Typical steeping/boil/fermentaion instructions. I accidentally let the steeping grains get above 170 and it didn't seem to have any ill effects. Although, I'd defintely try to avoid that next time. And I'd use a hop bag for the dry hopping. I ended up with a few bits of hops getting siphoned into the bottling bucket and even ending up in a few bottles. It was my first dry hopping experience though, so I have learned from that.
This beer was super tasty. I have been saving a 12-pack for when I see a bunch of friends in a few weeks, but I had to tape up the box to help keep me from cracking open a few more. Even though the kit isn't available from NB anymore, I will probably brew it again. Glad I have the recipe.
Specialty Grains:
- 0.25 lbs English Dark Crystal
- 0.125 lbs English Black Malt
Fermentables:
- 4 lbs Munton's Light DME
Hops:
- 1 oz UK Fuggle (60 min)
- 0.5 oz UK Kent Goldings (60 min)
- 0.5 oz UK Kent Goldings (15 min)
- 0.5 oz Styrian Goldings (15 min)
- 0.5 oz Styrian Goldings (dry hop - 7 days)
Yeast:
- Wyeast 1882 Thames Valley Ale II (I think that one was seasonal, but you can still get the 1275 Thames Valley)
Target OG: 1.035
Estimated kettle to glass time: 4 weeks
I took a tad bit longer than that. I did 13 days primary, 7 days dry hop, then about 3 weeks in bottle before it was ready. So, that was about 5 weeks total.
Typical steeping/boil/fermentaion instructions. I accidentally let the steeping grains get above 170 and it didn't seem to have any ill effects. Although, I'd defintely try to avoid that next time. And I'd use a hop bag for the dry hopping. I ended up with a few bits of hops getting siphoned into the bottling bucket and even ending up in a few bottles. It was my first dry hopping experience though, so I have learned from that.
This beer was super tasty. I have been saving a 12-pack for when I see a bunch of friends in a few weeks, but I had to tape up the box to help keep me from cracking open a few more. Even though the kit isn't available from NB anymore, I will probably brew it again. Glad I have the recipe.
Just remembered, that I actually hit 1.040 on the OG. Not sure if I just didn't top off the water enough when I poured it in the fermenter or maybe my reading wasn't accurate due to lack of mixing before taking the reading.
I was sad that it was a limited edition until I realized all I need to do is pick up those same ingredients to make it again.
I was sad that it was a limited edition until I realized all I need to do is pick up those same ingredients to make it again.
I actually laughed out loud in my office. The secretary is looking at me funny.
MisterTipsy
Well-Known Member
Haha. I'm glad you chuckled.
Believe it or not, this is the first time the words "pomegranate bacon sour" have ever been written on the internet according to Google.
Believe it or not, this is the first time the words "pomegranate bacon sour" have ever been written on the internet according to Google.
Innovation!!!
