First 5 gallon batch in fermenter!

[brewboss]

I joined HBT back in Dec of 2010 after my wife got me a Mr. Beer kit. I made several batches with it and the results were mediocre at best.

I haven't brewed in several months and decided to get back into the hobby. But, decided I wasn't going with Mr. Beer again. I ordered the Bavarian Hefeweizen kit from Austin Homebrew along with lots of new equipment and got it in the fermenter today.

It seemed much easier to brew on a larger scale that it did with the Mr. Beer kit. I know that has a lot to do with having better equipment and AHBS's kit and instructions are outstanding. Planning on racking to a carboy secondary then bottling in swingtops. I'll be brewing again ASAP, gotta get that pipeline going.

I'll keep you guys updated on the progress

 

[kapbrew13]

Welcome back. Skip the secondary and let it ride for 3 weeks, bottle, and enjoy.

 

[brewboss]

I've thought about not using the secondary on this one because it is a hefeweizen but can't decide.

 

[grouperdude]

I've thought about not using the secondary on this one because it is a hefeweizen but can't decide.

Using a secondary is pointless, its not supposed to be a clear beer. But if you rack it to a secondary that means its open for another brew

 

[ShinyBuddha]

Congrats and welcome back!

 

[brewboss]

Using a secondary is pointless, its not supposed to be a clear beer. But if you rack it to a secondary that means its open for another brew

I was thinking the same thing(about the empty fermenter).

 

[Brulosopher]

I don't EVER secondary, for anything... clear and carbonated beers in 3 weeks every time.

 

[Drunkenfool]

no secondary unless you have to age it for months. the yeast needs to be on the beer for as long as possible to clean it up

 

[kaconga]

Pick up another fermenter. You know you want to.

 

[DanaDana]

I agree, doing a secondary is a step you don't need to do except for extreme circumstances. Good luck with your brew and congrats on the upgrade.

 

[brewboss]

The batch has been in primary for 7 days as of last night so I decided to take a sample for a gravity reading. Airlock activity had stopped for the past couple days. Gravity was right on track at 1.012 (O.G. was 1.050). I went ahead and transferred to secondary to open up my primary for an AHS Irish Red partial mash kit. I removed the tip from my racking cane so would pick up a little more trub since it is an filtered style beer. One question, should I go ahead and bottle since I have hit my target F.G. or leave it in secondary a few days?

On another note, I picked up a brand new turkey frying kit with a 7.5 pot and propane burner from a buddy at work for $20 and a 5 gallon igloo cooler for free from another guy for my mlt/hlt. After the partial mash I think ill be giving all grain a go.

Looks like the hobby had overtaken me...

 

[brewboss]

Bottled today with the help of SWMBO. This is the first time she has been an active participant in one of my brews! She said since she was going to be drinking it she figured she might as well help out.

I know I moved to secondary too soon and I plan on not using it at all from now on, but I still think this batch will turn out pretty decent. This is a learning as you go kind of hobby after all. Tasted a sample and it wasn't bad at all for a uncarbonated beer. We can't wait for the finished product.

I plan on brewing an Irish red recipe in a couple days. Partial mash on it and hopefully all grain next time. Time for some more equipment!

 

[Brulosopher]

Bottled today with the help of SWMBO. This is the first time she has been an active participant in one of my brews! She said since she was going to be drinking it she figured she might as well help out.

I know I moved to secondary too soon and I plan on not using it at all from now on, but I still think this batch will turn out pretty decent. This is a learning as you go kind of hobby after all. Tasted a sample and it wasn't bad at all for a uncarbonated beer. We can't wait for the finished product.

I plan on brewing an Irish red recipe in a couple days. Partial mash on it and hopefully all grain next time. Time for some more equipment!

If it was good while bottling, wait until its carb'd

If you'd like a good Red recipe, I've got a reall winner... I can even convert it to partial mash for you.

 

[brewboss]

If it was good while bottling, wait until its carb'd

If you'd like a good Red recipe, I've got a reall winner... I can even convert it to partial mash for you.

I know! We can't wait!

It'd be awesome of you could hook me up with a partial mash version of your Irish red recipe!

 

[Brulosopher]

I know! We can't wait!

It'd be awesome of you could hook me up with a partial mash version of your Irish red recipe!

I'll be home from Cabo on Sunday... you'll like it!

 

[Brulosopher]

Sorry I haven't gotten you the recipe yet, been über busy! I'll try to get it to you soon.

 

[brewboss]

Sorry I haven't gotten you the recipe yet, been über busy! I'll try to get it to you soon.

No problem bro!

I've haven't had time to brew lately anyway.

 

[brewboss]

The hefe had been in bottles for 12 days so Friday morning I threw one of the 16oz swing tops in the fridge to chill. Popped it open last night and it poured a straw color with about a two finger head. Appearance was great.

The taste, on the other hand, not so great...

It has an off flavor that I can't place. Kind of a hot alcohol taste, maybe??? But, it could just be green beer I guess. The mouth feel is also very watery. I'm going to leave it a couple more weeks and hopefully it'll mellow out.

Anyone have any thoughts/comments on what the problem could be?

 

[YeastHerder]

Are you sure it was done fermenting when you bottled? To me the alcohol bite is kinda similar to a high carbonation bite. Its easy enough to test this by tasting, vigorously stir out some of the carbonation, and taste again.

 

[brewboss]

Are you sure it was done fermenting when you bottled? To me the alcohol bite is kinda similar to a high carbonation bite. Its easy enough to test this by tasting, vigorously stir out some of the carbonation, and taste again.

I'm not 100% sure fermentation was complete.

I did test the gravity and it was at the target FG according to the kit instructions. I got impatient and racked to secondary before testing it a couple more times to make sure it was actually done fermenting. But, I tested before bottling from secondary and the SG was the same.

I think my biggest mistake was getting in too big of a hurry on this one and I've definitely learned what not to do.