Beginner Questions

[VaNewbieWRB]

I have brewed with extracts in the past, although not recently. I have decided to get back into homebrewing. After weeks of research I purchased the Best Beer 1 gallon beginner kit. I want to start brewing with grain. My first batch is going to be a Winter Belgian. Starting with a typical belgian grain kit. I want to to give it a more winter type ale taste. My questions are

1. belgian candi sugars: when to use them? can I use them for priming?
2. orange peel: what is the best time for adding to the boil? and how long to boil?
3. for a beginner using grains, is this too complex a brew to start with?

any other suggestions are appreciated

thanks

 

[metanoia]

Can't answer the first two since I have never used them, but I think that there are very few, if any, brews that are too complex for a beginner, especially if you've had experience with extract before. Just read up on the brewing process and make sure you understand what your process will be, and you'll more than likely come out with great beer.

 

[stru]

You'll want to add the candi sugar and orange peel sometime within the last 5-15 minutes of the boil.

While you could use candi sugar for priming, it would be very difficult to calculate how much sugar is in each cube. I'd stick with corn or beet sugar.

 

[TasunkaWitko]

According to the instructions I have with a similar mix for a grapefruit honey ale:

1. Add the candi sugar at "flame-out," along with any other sugars you might be adding for fermentation. My instructions use honey for this purpose, and also for priming the bottled beer. The candi sugar is not used for bottling.

2. Add the citrus zest with 5 minutes left in the boil.

Regarding Question #3, my answer is absolutely not! Jump in, have fun, get it done and learn from the experience!