Recent content by bennettsci

I bottled my first brew (ever) about 8 days ago and I checked it today more because I was curious about how they looked in terms of clarity. I noticed that in some of the bottles, there were small, black floaters in the neck. Is that mold growing inside? I thought I had cleaned and sanitized...

Jonmohno, thanks for the thoughts. I've seen a carboy after fermentation (krausen ring) and mine doesn't have that, which is why I was wary. I rehydrated, but then it did sit for a while before I pitched it, so it might have been too cold. I think the wort is still good (sanitary, no infection)...

I'm not sure...I checked their website, and it just links to a PDF of the instructions that came with the kit. I found some info on some good yeasts for cooler Alt fermentation, so I might run to the brew shop tomorrow and get some to repitch if the hydrometer doesn't change tomorrow when I...

I searched and searched and couldn't find the yeast strain included in the kit. It just said "yeast." I pitched the yeast around 80 deg. F, and I'm thinking it was still too hot to pitch. I'm fermenting in my basement, which hangs out between 60-65 F most of the time. My first gravity reading...

So I did my first brew two days ago. I'm using the Brewer's Best German Altbier kit and fermenting in a bucket rather than a carboy. The boil went fine, I transfered to the bucket and set it to cool. I pitched the yeast when the temperature looked okay. It's been almost 2 days, and I don't...

I guess I should have clarified more... I double and triple checked the quality of the bucket before buying. The Lowe's tag actually says "food grade" right on it (I think because so many people were asking if it was or not) now. The reason I ask about the lid is because the one it came with...

Hi everyone- I've been lurking the forum now for almost a month as I've slowly bought things to put my brewing kit together. I have a couple more last minute questions that I'd appreciate some help with. 1) I'm only planning on doing a primary fermenter this time 'round. I'm wondering how I...