First bottle of first brew...

[Schmaffy]

So, it's been a week since I bottled...so of course I HAD to open one - you know, to make sure carbonation was occurring properly. Popped the top and got a hiss...good sign - poured into glass and got a good head...better sign - took a sip, and OH MAN - it's beer! Tastes like beer, feels like beer, smells like beer. Now to wait another week or so before I start giving out presents.

 

[Hophanatik86]

Congrats! I know the feeling! I try to explain it to myself every which way, why I need to try a bottle before it's properly conditioned so I usally sample a few before it's done

 

[darknight3684]

Congrats I can't wait till Sunday to try my first. Did you use a kit??

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[kewlceo]

Yay, Schmaffy!

 

[Schmaffy]

Congrats I can't wait till Sunday to try my first. Did you use a kit??

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Yes, the Irish Stout kit from Brewer's Best. Thanks to you guys, I knew which of their directions to ignore.

 

[aggiejason]

Gotta keep the pipeline going. Whenever I get behind I always end up "sampling" half my batch before getting to its prime.

 

[lowelldw]

Very cool .....I'm starting my first batch tomorrow!! Can't wait!! Lowell

Just saw yours is an Irish Stout from Brewers Best... I was considering that as my first but it will definitely be my 2nd....looks great!!

 

[Jupapabear]

Congrats! You'll be glad you started brewing. Your wallet wont

 

[davekippen]

Yep, ur screwed! Er, I mean hooked!

 

[rocketsan]

Does that kit taste better than Guinness?

 

[Terry_Plow]

I got the same kit fermenting now. How long did you leave in the primary? Did you rack to a secondary?

I just got a new fermenting bucket, and I've seen practically no air lock bubbling. I cracked the lid after 2 days and there indeed as a solid amount of krausen. Must be a bad lid seal.

 

[Schmaffy]

I got the same kit fermenting now. How long did you leave in the primary? Did you rack to a secondary?

I left it in the primary for exactly three weeks, testing the gravity weekly. I did not rack to a secondary.

I just got a new fermenting bucket, and I've seen practically no air lock bubbling. I cracked the lid after 2 days and there indeed as a solid amount of krausen. Must be a bad lid seal.

As I'm sure you'll hear from many here (if you haven't already), airlock activity is not an accurate indication of fermentation. The most accurate indication is a gravity reading. However, if you see krausen, that's probably a good sign, too

A trick - if you just want to see if there's a krausen at all without opening the bucket, turn off the lights and shine a flashlight down into the bucket from above. You should be able to illuminate the sides of the bucket from the inside and at least be able to tell that there's a ring. I wouldn't recommend (in my vast experience of brewing ONE beer from a kit, haha) continuing to open the lid to check.

 

[Jupapabear]

Lol! I use a flashlight all the time.

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[kh54s10]

Get another one going asap. For 2 reasons. That stout will be better in April so if you drink them all you might finish them before they reach peak flavor. Also you will be surprised how fast it will disappear!

 

[Terry_Plow]

I left it in the primary for exactly three weeks, testing the gravity weekly. I did not rack to a secondary.




As I'm sure you'll hear from many here (if you haven't already), airlock activity is not an accurate indication of fermentation. The most accurate indication is a gravity reading. However, if you see krausen, that's probably a good sign, too

A trick - if you just want to see if there's a krausen at all without opening the bucket, turn off the lights and shine a flashlight down into the bucket from above. You should be able to illuminate the sides of the bucket from the inside and at least be able to tell that there's a ring. I wouldn't recommend (in my vast experience of brewing ONE beer from a kit, haha) continuing to open the lid to check.

Yes, I've read to not trust the airlock as a sign of fermentation. It was just odd sitting next to my Belgian Strong Ale that's been bubbling for almost 3 weeks.

Good idea about the flashlight. I think I'll follow your advice and keep it in the primary for 3 weeks then bottle (assuming it's at it's FG).

 

[ProfessorWoland]

Congrats! I'm currently waiting in a brew to finish so I can keg for the first time


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[fuelish]

....looks great!!! Enjoy

 

[alby44]

From one newbie to another, welcome to the obsession! Have spent the last three weekends brewing batches (1st a Belgian, 2nd an IPA, and 3rd, Ed Wort's Apfelwein). Out of buckets and carboys to put stuff in (and $$)....not sure how to spend my weekend now

Good luck and your pics are encouraging!

 

[Schmaffy]

Get another one going asap. For 2 reasons. That stout will be better in April so if you drink them all you might finish them before they reach peak flavor. Also you will be surprised how fast it will disappear!

Haha, I had the next one going two days after I bottled this one. It's a pomegranate/blueberry cyser. It's been bubbling away happily ever since.

Although, since I'm doing the cyser in a carboy, my fermenting bucket is currently empty. Hmmmm...may have to pick up another kit this weekend - after all, the cyser has to ferment for six weeks - I can get a whole other batch of beer done by then! :rockin:

 

[placated]

Here I thought I was some kind of home brewing ninja with the flashlight trick. Well you know what they say about great minds...


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[lowelldw]

Yes, I've read to not trust the airlock as a sign of fermentation. It was just odd sitting next to my Belgian Strong Ale that's been bubbling for almost 3 weeks.

Good idea about the flashlight. I think I'll follow your advice and keep it in the primary for 3 weeks then bottle (assuming it's at it's FG).

I learned also the bubbling is not that much of an indicator of fermentation!!!

I have been worried about my first brew....bubbled about a day then nothing. Checked today (5 days in primary) and thought it tasted very good and hydrometer readings seemed reasonable so I moved to secondary.

Also love this site and all the info available here!!

 

[glenn514]

Those that bottle rather than keg all remember that first "sssshhh" when the bottle cap is popped! Immediately, you KNOW you made beer! And that first pour...watching the beer bubble and the head foam...is just beyond great! And then drinking that beer that YOU made...AWESOME! Enjoy!

glenn514

 

[dsaavedra]

I have the same beer in the fermenter right now. It has been in there for 8 days, planning on bottling it on Feb. 17 (3 weeks in primary total). Can't wait!

 

[estricklin]

Congrats on your first brew!

The first one is like doing some other things in life for the first time, in that it's over way too quick, its good but it won't be the best you've ever had, and it's really scary but also really exciting.