Canadian Newbie

[pocketjr]

G'day,

I am a relative newbie to this whole home brewing thing.
Picked up my Mr Beer kit in September. I've brewed and consumed 2 batches since then, and brewed my third batch this past weekend.
I say relative newbie because I have been on the MB forums since I brewed my first batch, and I have been trying to soak up as much information as possible ever since.

Biggest thing I've learned so far... don't get so excited that you start messing with recipes on your second batch. Keep it simple. Brew each batch at it's basic level and once you're accustomed to the methods, then start experimenting with recipes. You have to know what the basic recipe tastes like before you can alter it and decide if you like it or not.

Cheers,
Paul (pocketjr)

 

[SkewedBrewing]

Welcome, Paul.

 

[michaelC]

Well almost Canadian, and almost a Home brewer.


I am from Ireland living in London Ontario and going to do my first home brew batch tomorrow.

wish me luck, I am doing a Pilsener ( beer Makers brand).

the thing that is really a question for me is that the kit came with Sodium Metabisulphite and no directions on how to dilute it for perping the equipment.

its 100 gr and i have no idea how much solution this should make up.
any help would be great.

thanks

Michael

P.S. This is my first post.

 

[Brew-medic]

Hi Michael

Its most likely for 1 us gal of water.. Make sure your Rinse and re rinse and re rinse anything you santize with it, as Sodium Metabisulphite will prevent fermentation.

 

[hopdawg]

Hey Paul,
Good lesson that one, keeping it simple that is. Just jump right in and make some beer and don't over think things.
Did I just read there was an Irishman living in London? Do the Londoner's know? What's it coming to?
HD

 

[michaelC]

thanks for that. I am just about to get started have to go to the brew store, and get one or two things then i am going to start.

thanks for letting me know about the repeat rinsing as I was told that you did not need to rinse with Sodium Metabisulphite.

 

[michaelC]

Ok. so I think i did everything by the book including all the sanitation.

The only problem is that there has been no airlock activity in the last few days.
I don't think it has started to ferment, is it a good idea or not to get more yeast and pitch it again.

thanks
M

 

[boo boo]

You'll have to give us some idea of what you did initially regarding the conditions you pitched your yeast.
Did you pitch into hot wort?
Did you under pitch or otherwise use unhealthy yeast such as that which comes with most beer kits from overseas?
Give us a breakdown of what you did, being as presise as you can.

BTW welcome guys.

 

[michaelC]

well I did a number of things that could have caused my problems ,

yes I used a yeast from a UK brew kit and I put it in some water to wake up the yeast, and yes the water may have been a bit too warm.

but strangely enough with no sign of activity in the airlock it all seems to be ok.

I went to the store to get more yeast to re-pitch it. but before i did this i thought i would check and do a hydrometer reading and it had gone from a original sg of 1.042 to 1.010,

so I just popped the lid back on and will wait a few days.

Does this often happen where it is fermenting but there is no signs in the airlock.

also I tasted it and it is very bitter will this improve as it ferments more?