Recent content by MC-Hokie

So I haven't gotten into the bottles that I've had aging for a while, and today opened a 22oz bottle of my Irish Red that I brewed last year. This beer has been good, but this bottle is Great! I couldn't remember when I brewed this beer, so I looked back at my brewing notes... I brewed this...

Great. Good luck! My Hefe was in primary for 4 days and secondary for 9. Watched the airlock and took readings. Bottled up my 2nd brew last night. It's an Oktoberfest style ale. Tasted a little bland, but I hope it matures nicely in the bottle. Third brew is in primary. I think I'll leave...

Chris, did you get over to Weekend Brewer yet? How'd it go? I hope you found everything you needed and are a bit more comfortable. Be sure to let us know how the first brew goes. As they say here, RDWHA....wait it's your first batch, just have a beer!

I should also suggest you pick up a few extra packs of dry yeast for backup/emergency. I made a mistake on my second brew and added the yeast to boiling water to try to rehydrate. Of course this killed the yeast and I had no backup. Now Ill always have a pack or two in the fridge.

Anytime... Hefe turned out great. Hint of bananas and clove, but very subtle. SWMBO was impressed, and my Dad enjoyed it too. I've got a couple of 22oz. Bombers in the fridge for tonight! Trust me, you will get hooked on this hobby! I'll start brew #3 tonight, and I'm already considering...

One other thing... The Weekend Brewers instructions said to pour the priming mixture on top of the beer before bottling. Instead pour that in your bottling bucket first and then siphon beer into that to mix without aerating. Read John Palmer's How To Brew. Free online, but only 10 bucks on...

Fellow Richmonder here, I'm in Midlothian. That's the kit I got from Weekend Brewer, but I got the glass carboy instead, and added the carboy hauler (straps that help to carry it). You are starting with the same beer kit I did. I made that 1st batch in July. It turned out great. I was able...

Thanks for all of the feedback. I'll use the Muntons, but should I rehydrated or just sprinkle it in? I'm worried about opening the lid and risking infection. Will the original yeast that was killed by the boiling water just settle out? Will it produce any off flavors? I was going to leave...

I do have a 2nd packet of dry yeast, but from a different style kit from True Brew. Is it ok to use that even if different type (see original post).

Thanks for the reply. It's an Ale kit with ale yeast. I let the yeast and wort cool to about 80 before I pitched. I am worried though that I killed the yeast because I rehydrated it in boiled water before I let that cool.

Boiled my 2nd batch of brew on Sunday night, an Oktoberfest style kit from True Brew. It's been 32 hours and no signs of fermentation from the airlock. Fermentation bucket is in water and steady at about 68 degrees. I know it may take up to 72 hours but my first batch was going strong after 8...

In the middle of brewing a True Brew Oktoberfest kit. It contains 2 1 oz. Packets of Liberty Hops. Directions don't say when to add second packet. Should they both go in for 60 minutes, or should I hold off on 2nd packet.

I'm a new brewer...the first batch is a Bavarian Hefeweizen. Was in primary for 4 days, secondary for 9, and bottled on Tuesday. I'll be patient, but I can't wait to try it. Tasted it when bottling and it was great even warm and flat. SWMBO tried it too and was impressed and said she thinks it...

Welcome. I'm in Midlothian. Joined the site 2 weeks ago. First batch is in secondary, and can't wait to boil another.

I just joined today as well. New beer will be brewing in Midlo!