My First Batch of Brew

[zappadragon]

So I started my first batch of brew about a week ago. I am doing the Coopers DIY kit and I have to say, so far its seems like a great way to start. The other night I took out the krausen ring out and the beer smelled great. I think I am going to let it sit for another week and then bottle it up for a few more weeks before I enjoy. Here are some pictures.

 

[funkapottomous]

Looks great. Gonna be tasty.

 

[unionrdr]

So,how do you like the new style FV? I thought the slide together pieces wouldn't hold pressure,much less with wild krausen fermentations. Seems to have worked alright for you.?
I have the old style micro brew FV,& it's a tough little unit with that screw on lid. Plenty of diameter in the opening for hop sacks,grain sacks with whole leaf hops,etc. Always a good feature,imo.
& that OS lager will be easy to turn into a SA-ish summer ale clone. I'm working up a recipe for my wife's next brew. She really loved the OS Lager brewed as is with the cooper's brewing sugar provided in my kit.
It just needed the right hops/schedule & my own brew enhancer mix to get it close to the summer ale. Hope you enjoy your new addic-er-hobby!

 

[zappadragon]

So,how do you like the new style FV? I thought the slide together pieces wouldn't hold pressure,much less with wild krausen fermentations. Seems to have worked alright for you.?
I have the old style micro brew FV,& it's a tough little unit with that screw on lid. Plenty of diameter in the opening for hop sacks,grain sacks with whole leaf hops,etc. Always a good feature,imo.
& that OS lager will be easy to turn into a SA-ish summer ale clone. I'm working up a recipe for my wife's next brew. She really loved the OS Lager brewed as is with the cooper's brewing sugar provided in my kit.
It just needed the right hops/schedule & my own brew enhancer mix to get it close to the summer ale. Hope you enjoy your new addic-er-hobby!

So far I really like it. I hated it at first because I thought it just would not work not being sealed tight. On the second or third day I could smell the alcohol near the bucket. I was worried also about taking the krausen ring out and the air getting to the brew. It seems fine and the ring was easy to clean as well. I think down the road I my get some glass bottles instead of the PET ones. Now I just have to sit back and wait it out.............

 

[headbanger]

Looking good!

 

[unionrdr]

The PET bottles work great! I've got some 45 of them,since a member sent me the ones he didn't need to take up extra beer from his keg system. 2 carbonation drops per bottle on those,since they're 740-750ml. Put carb drops in each bottle,then fill with the little bottler wand,then screw on the caps very tightly. You'll be surprised at how tight they need to be to hold carbonation. And the bottles get rock hard when carbonated correctly.

 

[zappadragon]

The PET bottles work great! I've got some 45 of them,since a member sent me the ones he didn't need to take up extra beer from his keg system. 2 carbonation drops per bottle on those,since they're 740-750ml. Put carb drops in each bottle,then fill with the little bottler wand,then screw on the caps very tightly. You'll be surprised at how tight they need to be to hold carbonation. And the bottles get rock hard when carbonated correctly.

That's the plan for now. I have read to shake the hell out of them after the cap is on tight and shake until you can't hear the carbonation drops anymore and they are dissolved. I also found out last night that you can put the PET bottles in the dishwasher (no detergent and no heated dry) though. Do you put yours in the dishwasher? Just for a general cleaning after, I still use Starsan sanitizer on everything. I guess the whole bucket can go in there if it will fit.

 

[MazdaMatt]

That's a cool fermenter.

What do you mean when you say you're removing the krausen ring?

 

[nytimez]

That's a cool fermenter.

What do you mean when you say you're removing the krausen ring?

I was wondering about this too. I'm new to this -- just two batches now -- and didn't remove the krausen ring for either (until after I was done, when I cleaned out the entire bucket). Can someone explain this to a noob? Thanks.

 

[ThaiBrew]

I think he is talking about the Krausen Collar. You don't have to take it out, but after 3 days or when the foam has cleared your can remove it before the yeast drys on the side. Just makes it easier to clean and more head room in case of excessive foam.

 

[zappadragon]

Am am using a Coopers DIY kit and it has the krausen collar which comes out and the krausen ring is on it. I am new to all this as well so I hope that explained it. If not try watching this video.

 

[nytimez]

Thanks -- I've never seen one of those... but, like I said, I'm new to this. Is there an advantage to getting rid of the ring around the color?

 

[tomheff]

Thanks -- I've never seen one of those... but, like I said, I'm new to this. Is there an advantage to getting rid of the ring around the color?

Easier to clean when the krausen is soft.