First AG tomorrow

[MEPNew2Brew]

One thing that I find very important when using Beer Smith - I ALWAYS add 2- 3 degrees to my strike water, even after preheating mash tun and setting grain temp and tun temp to 55 degrees. This allows me to have 3 - 4 minutes to stir the the mash and bring it down to the mash temp. In other words, if Beer Smith says 163, I go to 166, stir for 3 - 4 minutes and hit my mash temp.

As others have said - go slow. Try to enjoy it.

 

[grrickar]

Mine is in secondary, sample at rack time was very nice. I am dry hopping it for the next 7 days and then bottling. Can't wait.

 

[treacheroustexan]

I'm gonna pull a sample today and tomorrow to check my gravity and bottle this weekend if its ready.

 

[grrickar]

Planning to do my second AG this weekend - Dark IPA.

 

[SnakeRidge]

Nice. Both of you let us know how they come out

 

[grrickar]

Here is my very first AG brew, in all her glory. Beautiful color, aroma, and taste. Considering I did not use any finings it is very clear.

Not a Fuller's Clone, but a damn fine example of an ESB :rockin:

 

[--Dom--]

Write out a schedule. I forgot to add whirlfloc to my first batch due to drinking too many good beers as the brew day progressed.... Preheat your mash-tun for sure. Oh yea... never trust plastic handles on coolers.. I've seen videos where people have dumped their entire mash because of picking up the mash-tun. Don't freak out if you're airlock isn't bubbling within the first 2 or 3 hours, it takes some time for your yeast to figure out what's going on once you drop it in there. With that being said.... make a starter.... it's not hard and you really should just get used to doing it every time. Also remember that your temp inside your fermenter is a few degrees above your ambient air temp due to activity of the yeast so unless you're brewing a belgian you prob don't wanna store it above high 60's. And never forget... don't fear the foam... StarSan is your friend.

 

[SnakeRidge]

Here is my very first AG brew, in all her glory. Beautiful color, aroma, and taste. Considering I did not use any finings it is very clear.

Not a Fuller's Clone, but a damn fine example of an ESB :rockin:

Awesome! Are you hooked?

 

[treacheroustexan]

Awesome! Are you hooked?

I know I am! Here's my first. I have been drinking it, but tastes even better tonight! lol.

 

[Horseshoot]

Good job, guys!

 

[treacheroustexan]

Good job, guys!

Thanks! I have made some excellent extract brews, but nothing beats an AG!

 

[grrickar]

Awesome! Are you hooked?

Heck yeah. I wish I had left extract brewing behind long ago. Mine always seemed 'thin' and lacking character. I find this ESB to be very flavorful and satisfying, and while this is my first AG ESB, I have brewed quite a few of them in LME/kit form. Never like this...

I have done an APA, an Irish Red, ans tomorrow will be my 4th AG brew - Dry Irish Stout.

 

[grrickar]

Had a Texas Hold 'Em party at the house last night and I rolled out my three beers. Everyone really liked the ESB. The other two were an oatmeal stout and a Java/Chocolate Stout from a kit.

 

[lazarwolf]

Awesome. Good job

 

[SnakeRidge]

Had a Texas Hold 'Em party at the house last night and I rolled out my three beers. Everyone really liked the ESB. The other two were an oatmeal stout and a Java/Chocolate Stout from a kit.

I like your style. Give em a few good brews and take their money. Nice way to get around the whole 'selling homebrew' legalities.

 

[grrickar]

Trouble is they took my beers *and* my money! Better luck next time I guess...

FWIW, poker nights are a good source of bottles if you bottle your beers. I keep a bucket handy for them to toss empties in, I fill it with Oxyclean to float off the labels, then later sterilize and refill them.

I end up with at least 30 bottles after each poker night.

 

[planetscott]

Be sure to wear pants.

 

[SnakeRidge]

Be sure to wear pants.

Pants and poker don't mix at our house.

 

[grrickar]

Liquor in the front, poker in the back

I'm hooked. Did my 4th AG batch last night - for St Pat's I brewed an Irish Stout, then to show my patriotism to America I hopped the hell out of it :rockin:

Anything worth doing is worth overdoin'

I now have done:
ESB
APA
Irish Red
Irish Stout
IPA or DIPA/IIPA next
then a Hoppy Wheat/Gumballhead clone

 

[SnakeRidge]

Anything worth doing is worth overdoin'

You have learned well, my son. I am slowly wiping away a tear right now.