my first batch

[Guiness]

is in the fermenter, but i wouldn't call the trip there smooth.

first, when i was boiling the wort it never really achieved a rolling boil nor did i notice the hot break within the first 20 minutes. i put the lid on the pot which helped achieve a rolling boil, but still i did not get the foam that i was expecting. stopped the boil at an hour and proceeded.

second, after adding the wert and cooled boiled water to the carboy, i realized i hadn't boiled enough water for 5 gallons. i spent 2 hours boiling another pot of water and letting it cool before i could actually pitch the yeast which had been sitting covered with saran wrap for probably 3 hours.

so it's sitting in a closet now, but i'm worried that i totally screwed up my very first batch. only time will tell i guess.

 

[Orfy]

I've learnt a lot from the guys on here. And I guess most of them woud say.

Relax and have a beer, I'm sure it'll be fine.

Next time you do a brew it'll be.

Relax and have a HB, I'm sure it'll be fine.

 

[david_42]

Always good advice, Ofry. I've been brewing five years and yesterday, as I was teaching my friend Tom how to brew, I started running the wort into the fermenter without checking to see if the valve was closed. Of course, since I didn't check, it was open!

You could have pitched the yeast while you were boiling up more water, but your brew should be fine.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Sounds like you did OK. Just remember, when planning out your steps - be flexible!

 

[Guiness]

definitely going to plan things out better next time. things were kind of frantic this batch, but the brew is bubbling away right now. keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Darth Konvel]

Sounds like you're doing fine. Orfy pretty much already summed it up: The mantra of the homebrewer, "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew"

 

[Truble]

Sounds like you are fine to me! All of my brews have been off a little. After the first one, I learned to boil up a couple gallons and cooled it just to have on hand for bringing it up to 5Gal if needed. Yesterday's batch had 3.5Lbs of specialty grain, so I lost a lot. I had to add 3/4 Gal to primary before I could take my OG reading. I can also use some for rinsing items that need it. and for filling airlocks.

As for your yeast, I usually have mine on the counter for a couple hours before I pitch. I rehydrate for a bit, then proof for the rest of the session until I pitch.