I got a brewing kit for Christmas so I jumped right in and started my first batch. I got a True Brew Bavarian Hefeweizen kit that I used.
I really wish I would have read on the forums a bunch before I started, but hopefully I didnt screw it up too bad.
The only big thing I did that I would correct next time would be that I topped off the water in the primary straight from the tap. It was probably 1.5 - 2 gallons of water. I know to boil it next time or buy bottled water. We will have to see how much the chlorine affects the beer.
Other than that, I think I did pretty good. I brewed last Saturday and it started bubbling that night. As of this morning, it looks to be slowing down.
My only real question has to do with fermentation temps. I live in Texas, and luckily it has been very cool here. I have my house at about 69, and I put the beer in the coldest closet in the house. It is probably around 65 in there. But my stick on thermometer shows the beer at 68 witch is not in the ideal fermentation temp range for ale. How critical is the temp? What will it affect?
I really wish I would have read on the forums a bunch before I started, but hopefully I didnt screw it up too bad.
The only big thing I did that I would correct next time would be that I topped off the water in the primary straight from the tap. It was probably 1.5 - 2 gallons of water. I know to boil it next time or buy bottled water. We will have to see how much the chlorine affects the beer.
Other than that, I think I did pretty good. I brewed last Saturday and it started bubbling that night. As of this morning, it looks to be slowing down.
My only real question has to do with fermentation temps. I live in Texas, and luckily it has been very cool here. I have my house at about 69, and I put the beer in the coldest closet in the house. It is probably around 65 in there. But my stick on thermometer shows the beer at 68 witch is not in the ideal fermentation temp range for ale. How critical is the temp? What will it affect?