Brewers Best Weizen

[BeerEpiphany]

I will be brewing my first ever batch of beer this weekend. I purchased a Brewers Best Brewing Starter Kit along with the Brewers Best Weizenbier Recipe Kit. My only experience with home brewing is watching my buddy brew his 3rd batch last weekend. Needless to say, I'm fresh in the game.

FYI: I will be gas-stove heating/boiling and the recipe comes with 1.5 oz. of German Hallertau hops. I would like to flavor it with watermelon extract as well.

I would love any tips or advice specific to this recipe as I venture into the wonderful world of home brewing. Cheers!

 

[RM-MN]

Can I make one assumption and give two pieces of advice?

The assumption is that you will make more than one batch of beer now that you have the equipment. True?

Since I think you will be making more batches of beer, the first piece of advice is to brew this batch just as it is, no flavor additions unless they are included with the kit. That way you will have eliminated one possibility if the batch doesn't turn out the way you expect. You can brew this kit again if you like it and add the watermelon extract to that one.

The second piece of advice is to control your ferment temperature. Most beers taste better if the fermenter is kept cool, at least at the start. I start mine at about 60 to 64 and after a week I let them come to room temp.

 

[BeerEpiphany]

Can I make one assumption and give two pieces of advice?

The assumption is that you will make more than one batch of beer now that you have the equipment. True?

Since I think you will be making more batches of beer, the first piece of advice is to brew this batch just as it is, no flavor additions unless they are included with the kit. That way you will have eliminated one possibility if the batch doesn't turn out the way you expect. You can brew this kit again if you like it and add the watermelon extract to that one.

The second piece of advice is to control your ferment temperature. Most beers taste better if the fermenter is kept cool, at least at the start. I start mine at about 60 to 64 and after a week I let them come to room temp.

Thank you! Yes, I plan/hope to brew many, many more batches after this. I'll stick to the kit as you suggest. In regards to the fermentation temp, I have seen exterior carboy thermometers. Is this what I should look into?


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[PHXCobra]

I made this as my first 5 gallon batch and 3rd overall. I put mine in secondary after just under 2 weeks and kept it there for a week. Bottled it and to be honest after 2 weeks bottle conditioning I was not impressed. After another week it definitely got better and after a month they are delicious. I put a raspberry concentrate in the last half of the bottling bucket and was pleasantly surprised.


(I'm having one right now actually)


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[BeerEpiphany]

I made this as my first 5 gallon batch and 3rd overall. I put mine in secondary after just under 2 weeks and kept it there for a week. Bottled it and to be honest after 2 weeks bottle conditioning I was not impressed. After another week it definitely got better and after a month they are delicious. I put a raspberry concentrate in the last half of the bottling bucket and was pleasantly surprised.


(I'm having one right now actually)


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

I didn't even think halving the fruit extract. Good tip. The more I read I more I know patience is a virtue when it comes to brewing.


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[RM-MN]

Thank you! Yes, I plan/hope to brew many, many more batches after this. I'll stick to the kit as you suggest. In regards to the fermentation temp, I have seen exterior carboy thermometers. Is this what I should look into?


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

Those stick on thermometers are not the most accurate....but they are good enough. I had trouble reading mine so I use a non-contact infrared thermometer now(I got it for a different purpose but it doesn't hurt to repurpose things). I can stand across the room from the fermenter and point the laser at it and read the temperature. The other plus for the non-contact thermometer is that I only need one when I have 5 fermenters. At that number the stick on ones will cost nearly as much as one non-contact type.