allaboutduncan
Active Member
Brewed my first batch this past Sunday and I want to thank all the posters on the forum for the great tips, success and mistakes I read about previous to brewing my first batch.
Got the beginnings of a kit my Dad had previously used at Christmas after mentioning it was something I was thinking about again. Wound up with a useable brew pot (big enough for a 2.5 gallon batch), bottling bucket, 5-gallon carboy, racking cane, and bottling tip. Received Extreme Brewing by Sam Calagione from my mother and with that I had just enough knowledge to be dangerous.
Decided to go with the A-Z Brown Ale for my first brew. Used the excellent wish list/shopping cart at RebelBrewing.com to plan what equipment and ingredients I still needed on my budget. Ordered from them and picked everything up since theyre local.
Getting ready for brew day (Sunday), I realized I had forgotten to tell Rebel Brewer to crush my specialty grains for steeping pre-boil. After debating between food processor and blenders (methods I found here), my wife chimed in with mashing with a rolling pin. PERFECT! Grain was broken, but not pulverized and powdered. I was ready to go.
Sunday was brew day and I had all my ingredients laid out and measured/weighed and noted with times to add to the pot. Id like to think everything went pretty smooth. Could have used twice as much ice for cool down (or a wort chiller on my whishlist) and a better thermometer. The candy thermometer I used started at 100, so cool down temps were gauged on where lower numbers should have fallen on the face.
I StarSan-ed everything and filled my carboy with my wort. It measured out to about 2-gallons. I had previously marked the 2.5 gallon line on my carboy since I was brewing a half batch and topped it up to the mark with more bottled water. I used bottled water for everything. Our water supply is very hard and high in PH. My initial SG was 1.067.
I pitched my yeast (1056) and used a little over half the pack, figured a little more wouldnt hurt. Popped in my airlock, moved the carboy to the downstairs closet. I cut a small hole in a large, black garbage bag to let the airlock pop through, but keep the carboy covered. This should keep out any light from the closet opening. The next morning I check and I had very active bubbles.
Suddenly the thought of waiting at least 4 weeks to taste it seems harder than it did when I was planning everything. Will be adding some maple syrup in another day or so and them more waiting.
I already have a huge wish list of stuff. I want a bigger brew pot so I can do full 5-gallon batches, but that will have to wait until summer, so I can use the propane burner on the grill. Definitely want another carboy, better bottle or fermenting bucket, so I can have two batches going at once.
Already planning my next two brews and my wife has stated that she wants me to make a bunch for her annual summer pool party.
So again, thanks to all on the forum. Your posts got me going and informed me and now Im glad to join in and contribute.
Got the beginnings of a kit my Dad had previously used at Christmas after mentioning it was something I was thinking about again. Wound up with a useable brew pot (big enough for a 2.5 gallon batch), bottling bucket, 5-gallon carboy, racking cane, and bottling tip. Received Extreme Brewing by Sam Calagione from my mother and with that I had just enough knowledge to be dangerous.
Decided to go with the A-Z Brown Ale for my first brew. Used the excellent wish list/shopping cart at RebelBrewing.com to plan what equipment and ingredients I still needed on my budget. Ordered from them and picked everything up since theyre local.
Getting ready for brew day (Sunday), I realized I had forgotten to tell Rebel Brewer to crush my specialty grains for steeping pre-boil. After debating between food processor and blenders (methods I found here), my wife chimed in with mashing with a rolling pin. PERFECT! Grain was broken, but not pulverized and powdered. I was ready to go.
Sunday was brew day and I had all my ingredients laid out and measured/weighed and noted with times to add to the pot. Id like to think everything went pretty smooth. Could have used twice as much ice for cool down (or a wort chiller on my whishlist) and a better thermometer. The candy thermometer I used started at 100, so cool down temps were gauged on where lower numbers should have fallen on the face.
I StarSan-ed everything and filled my carboy with my wort. It measured out to about 2-gallons. I had previously marked the 2.5 gallon line on my carboy since I was brewing a half batch and topped it up to the mark with more bottled water. I used bottled water for everything. Our water supply is very hard and high in PH. My initial SG was 1.067.
I pitched my yeast (1056) and used a little over half the pack, figured a little more wouldnt hurt. Popped in my airlock, moved the carboy to the downstairs closet. I cut a small hole in a large, black garbage bag to let the airlock pop through, but keep the carboy covered. This should keep out any light from the closet opening. The next morning I check and I had very active bubbles.
Suddenly the thought of waiting at least 4 weeks to taste it seems harder than it did when I was planning everything. Will be adding some maple syrup in another day or so and them more waiting.
I already have a huge wish list of stuff. I want a bigger brew pot so I can do full 5-gallon batches, but that will have to wait until summer, so I can use the propane burner on the grill. Definitely want another carboy, better bottle or fermenting bucket, so I can have two batches going at once.
Already planning my next two brews and my wife has stated that she wants me to make a bunch for her annual summer pool party.
So again, thanks to all on the forum. Your posts got me going and informed me and now Im glad to join in and contribute.