First batch of beer, first noticeable mistake - effect?

[imnothardcore]

Alright so after boiling my first batch of beer it boiled down to slightly over 4 gallons.

I cooled it quick with my copper immersion chiller I made and got it down under 70 in about 27-28 minutes.

Anyway, I added the beer to the carboy, shook it up a bit, tossed the yeast in and let it ride. Since I was a gallon short I added 1 gallon of purified water after the yeast had already been added. Apparently I was not supposed to do that.

What is this going to do to my beer? Fermentation was still super active so it didnt impede that at all.

 

[Rockn_M]

I did that with my first every beer and it turned out to be one of the best. I think if you used purified water and was careful not to splash a lot you should be good.

 

[imnothardcore]

I did that with my first every beer and it turned out to be one of the best. I think if you used purified water and was careful not to splash a lot you should be good.

It seems like airation is the only issue that can come from this, is that true?

And I have my fingers crossed as well I dont want my first batch to be undrinkable.

 

[Rockn_M]

It's possible but aeration can take a long time to show any noticeable signs. If your brew was anything like mine it won't last but a week or so.

 

[iowabrew]

aeration is a good thing for beer in the beginning. You're supposed to aerate beer before you pitch yeast, and introducing oxygen even up to 24hrs would not cause and ill effects.

I've made several barleywines that i've added oxygen too 24hrs after pitching and been completely fine. The yeast should eat up any oxygen you introduce at the start of fermentation.

I've also topped up with water when i've had excessive boil off with no problems at all.

 

[progmac]

there are no issues with adding sanitized water before fermentation

 

[soccerdad]

As we say down here in the deep south - it's RURNT! Nah j/k .. you'll be good.

 

[dlester]

If you have a lot of healthy viable yeast, you might be fine. For your first batch, let it ride. However, I am not a proponent of adding additional water unless it is at flame-out and the water remains above 165°. Otherwise, you are introducing bacteria and wild yeast to your wort. The one mitigating factor is that if you have strong viable yeast, it may suppress the bacteria growth, at least that's what I have read.

Good luck,

 

[imnothardcore]

Well all yours guys messages make me feel a bit more comfortable. The water was added after the yeast was, but probably about 5-7 hours after the yeast, not days after by any means.

thanks for the responses. Im itching to start another, no way I can wait until this one is finished. haha.

 

[brewerelated]

Like iowabrew said it does take some time before your yeast really starts fermenting. During that lag time the introduction of oxygen is not harmful.

When yeast is first pitch one of the first things they do is start dividing, so that they can reach the cell count needed to complete the fermentation.

The conversion of sugar to alcohol happens at a later phase and its after the start of this phase that the introduction of oxygen can be harmful. If this is the only thing you did wrong your beer will turn out fine.

Also, if you are new to homebrewing it is a good idea to start your next batch before you run out of your first batch. That way you'll always have good beer on hand. When I first started homebrewing I drank all of my beer before I started my second batch and then I had to sit and wait for my second batch to finish again.

 

[BigFloyd]

Well all yours guys messages make me feel a bit more comfortable. The water was added after the yeast was, but probably about 5-7 hours after the yeast, not days after by any means.

5-7 hours, no problemo with the additional O2.

5-7 days, that's another story.

 

[imnothardcore]

... If this is the only thing you did wrong you beer will turn out fine. Relax and have a homebrew.

The jury is still out on if thats all I did wrong on this batch. haha.

 

[brewerelated]

Haha, I edited out the relax and have a homebrew part because I realized after I posted it that this is still your first batch. I'm sure your beer will turn out fine.

The jury is still out on if thats all I did wrong on this batch. haha.

 

[imnothardcore]

Haha, I edited out the relax and have a homebrew part because I realized after I posted it that this is still your first batch. I'm sure your beer will turn out fine.

I wasnt going to say anything. Ive been relaxing with Samuel Adams and Sierra Nevada. lol

soon

 

[dlester]

Also, if you are new to homebrewing it is a good idea to start your next batch before you run out of your first batch. That way you'll always have good beer on hand. When I first started homebrewing I drank all of my beer before I started my second batch and then I had to sit and wait for my second batch to finish again.

I agree with brewerelated. I brew 12-14 gallons, and that goes too fast. You can re-use your yeast by brewing on the same day you pull the beer off the yeast and bottle or keg. You should be able to use the yeast up to 7 times from what I've read, unless it is contaminated. If not used right away, swirl up the remaining yeast and beer, put it in a jar, cap it and use it within 2 to 4 weeks. It starts to break down over time.

There are many great threads about re-using yeast. However, don't "wash" yeast. You will only introduce bacteria. Just use what is in the jar, including trub. It won't hurt anything.


Cheers,