First batch of Apfelwein - Gonna HAVE to RDWHAHB

[JoeMama]

WEll, I just made my first batch of Apfelwein and if anyones gonna mess it up its gonna be me

I know there is no exact science to brewing but damn if I didnt take 'Lax' to the next level.

First off, I just got my HB Kit and it only has 1 glass carboy. Wanting to rack my beer to it, I decided to sanatize one of my water bottles to use instead. (This bottle is one with the handle built in - this may pose a problem but I ensured the sanitizer made it into all of the crevices)

Then, the local HB shop didnt sell the dextrose in 1lb bags. So I got a 5 lb bag and just poured scoop after scoop of the stuff into the mixture until I felt comfortable with the '2 lbs' (I think I may have put a bit more in there - oh well)

To top it all off - My dumb ass FORGOT to get extra yeasties (aside from the ones that come in the kit) So, a viable substiture (I hope) had to be the grocery store bought Fleishmans active yeast (in the little refridgerated stinky blocks)

Oh yeah, and I didnt have any vodka on hand for the airlock so I used single malt (old) scotch. Yes, I know that this could be considered a waste of good scotch, but someone else will distill some more for me

Gonna be interesting to see (if) and how this project turns out!
Time to fire up the brew kettle!
-Me

 

[gicts]

there isn't a serious rush to add the yeast or vodka to the airlock (water or no rinse solution would have worked as well). If you could have waited a day or two in order to stop by the local hb or even order online you would have been fine. The apple juice wouldn't have minded waiting for the yeast to come and play

 

[JoeMama]

LOL Yeah, I guess you are right. But I was so anxious to get this batch started (so I could start my dark ale kit too) I said 'Well, whats the worst that can happen?' I seriously doubt that it will turn out 'bad' (just could have been better)

Not even 30 minutes past pitching the yeast the airlock has bubbled a couple of times (spilled scotch all over the inverted carbung. Im gonna have to take some pics now cause Im so proud of my (half assed) first batch of EdWorts Aye-Dub.
Steeping my grains now (And even that is tasty! I think im gonna love my brew!)
-Me