DouglassBrewer's First Brew Day

[DouglassBrewer]

Just starting sanitizing. Getting clean water for various tasks and stuff. Will fill in more as it happens and as I have down time.


+++Update+++

So also realized the pots that I got are not aluminum, but stainless steel. Heard that isn't the best for heat conduction but great for longevity. Was originally given a stout recipe for Christmas but wanted to go with a Hef. The guy at the shop was great and just let me swap the kit out. Now doing "Yellow Brick Road" wheat beer.

Right now I am boiling the extra water that will be added to the wort in the carboy. Carboy is sanitized already and sealed with plastic wrap. I was planning on letting this water cool, then adding 3 gallons to the carboy and sealing it again before starting my boil.

 

[DouglassBrewer]

So got the beer in the carboy. It was an enlightening experience to say the least.

There are so many things that I wish I did differently and want to do better next time. For one thing, I will have a friend there to help the whole time next time. Just too much stuff to juggle all at once. Sanitization is also something I could have done much better. I did smaller batches and didn't realize everything I needed sanitized. The way I poured was a mess, def need a funnel.

And I only had everclear for my airlock. In hindsight I should have mixed it with water. However I didn't and I think a bit spilled into the carboy. Really hoping that doesn't ruin my batch. Well at least it was a learning batch!

 

[Paramecium]

What store do you go to in LA?

 

[DouglassBrewer]

I go to Culver City Home Brewing Supply.

+++Update+++ bubbles in the carboy!

 

[DouglassBrewer]

So bubbling has stopped and has moved into conditioning. I have it in the glass carboy right now. I don't really want to deal with racking it to a secondary fermentation bucket, especially because all I have is a 6 gal. plastic bucket. I figure for the first brew I'll just keep it in the carboy for the 2 weeks until I bottle it.

Kinda makes me wonder why they include 2 buckets in all kits. Couldn't you actually get by with just 1? Or have I missed a step? I think for next time I will first ferment in the plastic, then rack to the carboy for the 2nd stage, allowing me to start a second round in the plastic bucket. Sound reasonable to everyone?

 

[terrapinj]

started my first batch last Thursday as well

also a kit from Culver City Brew supply - their Santa Monica Pale Ale

going there on thuresday for the into beer making class just to watch someone with a smooth work flow and ask some questions - will need to pick up a new kit as well for my 2nd batch

mine is fermenting in a 6gal ale pail and included a 5gal glass carboy for secondary - still not sure if i will go to secondary or leave it in the bucket for an extra week instead - i do plan on using the ale pail as my bottling bucket though so I likely will go to secondary if for no other reason than to free up the bucket

 

[DouglassBrewer]

Oh very nice. I did their Yellow Brick Road hefeweizen. Very excited for it. I saw that they have the brew class. Don't know that I want to go tho, I would rather learn by doing. Probably going by tomorrow to pick up another kit and some stuff I need (bottles and funnel).

I like the idea of fermenting in the bucket, then switching it to the carboy for secondary, and bottling right out of the carboy. That way I can start my next batch in the bucket.

 

[RM-MN]

Why not buy a second fermenter bucket and start your second batch in that. They aren't very expensive and it lets you leave your brew sit on the yeast cake longer which seems beneficial. Just use your carboy for a "brite tank" or for adding hops or fruit.

 

[DouglassBrewer]

Bottling today. Going to start second batch this weekend. Def was flying by the seat of my pants this first time through. Excited for the second batch so I can get things right that I screwed up.