First batch - about to bottle

[wanzelbin]

Well, my first brew appears to be complete.

About 2 3/4 gallons, made from 3lb malt extract and some brewer's gold hops, only bubbled for a couple of days and I've left it for about 10 days since. Gravity started off at 1030.

Just poured some off for testing and tasting - gravity 1012 and smells very nice and tastes pretty good for attempt number One I think, though obviously a bit low on the alcohol. Suspect my boil wasn't very good - electric hob plate and I struggled to keep it boiling properly. Any experts who might be able to confirm this theory? If it is the electric hob, not sure what I'm going to be able to do instead. No idea what sort of starting gravity I should be looking for either.

Still going to bottle it though - a nice (very) light indian-summer ale perhaps.

Whatever, it was good fun and I'm looking forward to number Two!

 

[brewitnow]

What was the temp of the wort when you took the OG? The temp affects the gravity readings. Most hydrometers are calibrated for about 60f for accurate readings. Otherwise, the boil vigor more affects the hops effects, not so much the extract. The extract really just needs a pasteurization and dissolution. So long as it was well dissolved in your boil, it will yield its sugars. Good job on the brew! If it smells and tastes good, you're fine! Just a nice, low-alcohol session beer ya got there. Let it age in bottles for 2 weeks minimum (better after 3).

 

[wanzelbin]

Thanks very much for the reply.

Temp was about 72 F - I'll have to read up on the effects of this.

How would I go about making it stronger though? Simply more malt extract to begin with?

 

[BierMuncher]

How would I go about making it stronger though? Simply more malt extract to begin with?

That'd do it.

THink of it like steeping tea.

The more tea leaves (malt) the stronger the tea (ABV).