First ever batch

I brewed my first batch of beer today and think i may already be hooked.
I bought a beginner kit that came with an American pale Ale, loved the smell of the boiling! I checked on it a minute ago and the sediment has settled to about 2"

 

Congrats! Welcome to the hobby/obsession.

Is that first pic you chilling your hot wort? If so, I'd be awfully careful not to let any of that ice on the lid melt into the kettle while cooling. To each his own, but I'd advise against ice on the lid.

 

Welcome! I agree with the above advice. Some people use an ice bath with the lid off, but that also can risk infection. I do an ice bath in a DIY giant drink (for parties) bucket with holes drilled in the sides. I fill it with ice and then put in the kettle and my hose and turn it on. The water rises to the level of the holes, but not higher because it drains. I may or may not crack the lid a little to help release some heat but never all the way.

If I may, there are two pieces of equipment, neither expensive, that I cannot live without (and I wonder how I ever brewed without them). The first is a bottling wand. The best $3-5 dollars you'll ever spend.

The second is an oven thermometer - the one with the chord and a sensor that you would put in an oven, and leave the base unit on the counter. These have an alarm and timer that are very helpful and you can put the sensor in and put the lid on the kettle to get it up to mash temps.

Aside from that, read these forums. You'll learn a ton here. Additionally, if you decide you want to start creating your own recipes, you should use either Beersmith or Brewer's Friend. Both are easy to use and provide you with lots of info on how your beer should turn out.

Best of luck to you! :fro:

 

i was careful not to let any water in the pot but appreciate the advice, next time i will not ice the lid, thanks!

 

i checked the batch this morning and the airlock is working and i am gaining some froth on top, i do not have a great place to put it though. i currently have it in my bedroom closet at about 74 degrees, i checked the basement and its running about 58 degrees. Any tips for temp control? 74 is a little warm and 58 is a little cool? Thanks!

 

Search for "swamp cooler" on this forum. You'll see plenty of tips for low cost temperature control

 

Congrats for your first batch!! ^^

 

Congratulations on your first brew day Moose, I too am currently fermenting my first batch (to be bottled any day now) and it is also an APA. I agree with the others who warned of putting ice on top of your kettle. I did a similar set up with an ice bath in my sink, and it cooled to my fermenting temp (22C or about 71.5F) in 40 mins, and would've been quicker if I bought more bags of ice to keep adding when the old ice melted.

74F is right around the upper optimal limit of most ale yeasts from what I understand, but hopefully won't create any major off flavors.

I recommend trying to buy your own ingredients next batch rather than a beginner kit, it's even more fun and might taste a little better too!

 

I've been doing the swamp cooler thing all summer. I don't have a place anywhere in my house where the temp is under 76. I use a giant ice tub (like you might put ice in at a party) and fill it with about 10-12 inches of water. I take a towel and put one end in the water, and wrap the fermenter with the rest. Then, twice a day, I switch out a couple of frozen water bottles. It keeps the temp right around 70 or even lower if I use more ice. I wouldn't try to ferment a light beer or lager, but for most ales, it works great. Come winter, I'll be able to brew whatever I like because the temp inside is always right around 65-68.

 

Congrats on the first batch. +1 on not having ice on top. I did the ice bath for my first few batches, which did the job but was highly inefficient. Once you get your equipment up to speed from the kit, you'll definitely want to invest in a wort chiller and some type of temperature control. Swamp coolers work great, but I have noticed a huge improvement with the use of a temperature controlled fermentation chamber.

The wort chiller and fermentation chamber are two things that will really improve your brewing process. The chiller limits the chance for infection, partially due to less time for exposure. Obviously, you will always want to put sanitation first on every process throughout. My current fermentation chamber is an old 5cf chest freezer I picked up off CL for $40. Spent another $25 or so on a homemade ITC-1000 temperature control box. Probably improved the outcome at least twofold.

Only issue now is that I broke down and started kegging (dangerous-much easier to throw a cup under the tap than having to take out a bottle, pop cap, pour, rinse bottle, recycle bottle for next batch...haha). So the chamber is not my serving platform. Oh modern day problems.

Until I find a cheap fridge or freezer, I'm back to the swamp cooler. Keep it dark, keep it steady (temperature that is) and if using a plastic fermenting bucket, keep the handle out unless you want a stinky, rusted holder.

Congrats again and happy brewing!

 

Hahaha! thanks AJ! Good tips!:rockin:

 

No problem! You can rest assured that you will find all the answers you need on this forum...and if it hasn't been asked/answered, someone will know what advice to give. Good luck!

 

Yeah! Seems like some good folks here.

 

All my beer usually ferments at colder temps because I leave it in the garage which naturally stays cool (no temp. control in there and no windows). The house is too variable due to windows, so I don't bother trying to bring anything indoors except when brewing.

Knock on wood, haven't had an issue.

 

Wrong link (fyi)

 

D'oh.

Bottling Wand

 

I had the brew in primary for 9 days, pretty much all activity had stopped, transferred to a glass secondary for 6 days now. Actually still in the secondary and lookin good. Clearing a bit and does not look like i have anything growing in it! Can i bottle this weekend or should i let it sit longer? It is an American ale kit. Thanks

 

Congratulations on your first brew! Your fermenter looks great, just as it should be. Thou shalt become hooked! I would caution against staring at it for hours as this may cause unbridled giddiness. As many others will attest, there's nothing quite like the smell of boiling wort and knowing it will soon become ambrosia. Welcome!!

 

haha, yeah i am guilty of "checking" on it daily just to make sure its still there. I am ready to brew batch #2 possibly this weekend! :rockin:

 

And that my friend is just what you should do. The only way to improve yourself is to strive to be consistent in your process, and the only way to do that is to keep on keeping on. It's been said before and will be again...it's a lot harder to screw up beer than it is to brew it, as long as you are keeping things sanitary and following your recipes. Above all, RDWHAHB.

 

bottling tonight!

 

Congrats!

A quick note, try not to put your carboy in direct sunlight. That's how beer goes skunky!

 

Yes sir, it was here just long enough for a photo and syphon to bottling bucket.

 

I hope it turns out ok. You've probably bottled it by now. Let us know your flavor judgement.

 

By the way...that beer looks too good for a beginning Brewers to drink. Send it all to me.

 

Yes bottled it friday, it surely tasted like beer! Anxoius to get it carbed and share with friends

 

If you want to cut down on your cleaning next time, and can resist not being able to see it for a few days, you can actually use the bottling bucket for secondary fermentation granted it has a sealed cover.

This has always worked for me on secondary (even primary depending on the beer).

Its one less thing to clean during the process. It may not seem like too much to clean now but as you get a few more pieces involved, you will learn.

 

Oh, what a beautiful thing! I popped one open after 10 days in the bottle. No doubt it could use a little more time but i am very impressed and happy with my first beer! This is going to be a great hobby!

 

Cheers! Freakin awesome!

 

Congrats, man! It's a great feeling, isn't it?

 

Heck yeah! Especially when you truly like the beer you brewed. And can't wait to share it