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thanks guys. Those definitely help. I will get the growler Monday. Is there anything I can use in place of the DME, or is that the best to use? I don't really have a homebrew store close to my place, so I would either have to make a special trip or order the DME online.

Hey Guys, I am about to start my second brew. This one is a mini-mash IPA. The directions recommend a yeast starter. Basically I know what it is and why its is needed, but I do not know the exact directions for starting it and how to handle it. Can anyone out there help me? Thank...

Thank you for your reponse. Its a Sam Adams Boston Ale clone I got from AustinHomeBrew.com (Who I recommend by the way...They are very helpful and quick). I actually just took a gravity reading and you're right about the abv. It came out to 4.58% as opposed to 4.3%, as it should have. I...

Hello, Thank you guys for replying to my last post. Everyone's been a very big help. I just noticed that I may have used too little water when I made this first brew. I used a 5gal Poland Springs bottle, thinking at the time I'd make 5 gals of brew. I just re-read the directions and...

Thanks for the link. There really is no activity in the airlock, but there is krausen still on the top. Would you recommed I wait another week or at least until the top is clear of bubbles/yeast?

Hello, Two weeks ago I brewed my first Sam Adams Ale clone. The directions said to give it 1 week in the primary. After 1 week, the fermentation was still fairly active and there was a thick layer of krausen on the top. Now there is a thin layer of krausen (mostly thick bubbles), and...

Hey All, Do any of you guys check the sg level of your brew before transferring to the secondary? I guess it would be good to ensure your brew's on the right pace (but what could you do if it wasn't?). And I assume its also good for record keeping. What do you think?

looks good enough to drink!

Hey All, My first real brew is alive and kicking! It has been in the primary for 1 week now (tomorrow) but still has a big layer of krausen (sp?) at the top of the Ale, and gas is still being sent through the airlock. The directions call for one week in the primary. Should i wait until all...

Hello Again, 2 Questions: When pouring the wort into the carboy, do you have to strain the hops and other misc ingredients out of the wort? I did, and that proved to be the messiest part of the whole process! Also, I took a sample with the beer thief. How much should go into the...

Thanks Guys, So i just jam the top of the blow off tube into the top of the carboy, and the other end into some sort of jar, right? Thanks again for all of the help guys!

hey Guys, I am about to rack the wort into the primary. I am using a 6 gallon carboy. Is that enough room to not have to worry about using the tube? Thanks, Bob

Thanks guys...I am brewing my first real batch now (meaning not a Mr. Beer kit). It s a Sam Ale clone...wish me luck!

Hello, Why does the priming sugar added during bottling cause carbonation, but not the sugar frm the wort during fermantation?

I have a batch fermenting in a Mr Beer fermenter while I am awaiting the new brew kit. The directions read to prime the bottles with table sugar when bottling, though I have read this should be avoided at all costs. Is there a conversion I can use from table sugar to DME or corn sugar? I...

thank you. The kit I am buying comes with a drilled stopper and an airlock. I am thinking about buying an extra of both in case i need to use both the primary and the secondary for consecutive batches. Thanks again!

Hello, When plugging your secondary (5 gal), would you typically need a driled rubber stopper with an airlock, or would a standard plug (without the hole for the airlock) work just fine? I seem to remember people talking about not having to worry about excess gasses during the secondary...

Has anyone bought a brewkit from LearntoBrew.com? I have been looking online and am about to pull the trigger on this one. Has anyone experienced the products and service from this site? Thanks!

Hello everyone, I am new to brewing and would like my first (real) batch to be an IPA. Do any of you have any favorite recipes? Thanks for your help! Bob

Hey Guys, I am new to this forum as well as homebrewing in general. I have been throwing some ideas for labels around about this brew. This is what I have come up with so far. It's raw I know, but its just the first draft. I think it has the attitude you guys might be looking for.