First Brew Day

[mjs2103]

It looks like today after work will be my first brew day. I got the Deluxe Starter kit last week from Northern Brewers. I picked up a 30qt SS kettle and tried a 5 gal test boil last night to see if i could keep a rolling boil on my stove. The stove couldn't handle 5 gallons so it looks like i'll be doing a partial boil until i get one of those SQ14 burners.

I also bought 2 extract kits (also from Northern Brewers), an American Wheat Beer and a Chinook IPA kit and both came with Safale US05 Ale Yeast. I'm thinking that i should make the Wheat kit first because it seems the easiest of the 2 that i have. I've seen some complaints about the directions that come with kits but the one that came with mine seem pretty decent. http://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/beerkits/AmericanWheatBeer.pdf
The only thing that seems off is only 2 weeks in primary and 2 weeks in bottles. Does that seem right?
This extract kit seems like the perfect one to add some type of fruit flavoring to but I'll hold off for now, learn to walk before i can run type deal.

Besides that, I plan on using bottled water just to be safe. Also I measured the temp in my basement (where i plan to leave the beer to ferment, is at around 68 degrees which seems like a perfect temperature from what I've heard.

Any other last minute words of wisdom?

 

[iron_city_ap]

I would say those times they gave you are good MINIMUM times. There are alot of factors involved that can effect them.

The best advise I can give you for your first brew day is to think through the process before you do it. Figure out where you will be setting things so you aren't tripping over yourself during the process. Once you get going, take your time. Don't leave what you are doing (especially the boil), for your first time. Try to ask yourself 'what is next?' and plan for how you will do it.

It may seem a little overwhelming your first time, but have fun with it.

 

[mjs2103]

since i dont have an IC, how many bags of ice will i need to cool the kettle down after boil?

 

[dpittard]

I think 20lbs of ice should suffice.

And +1 on taking your time. Don't rush and actually take time to taste each ingredient before you add it to the boil. You'll really learn to appreciate beer this way.

This is a great hobby, so enjoy it!

 

[android]

it's hard to say, but i would count on at least a few 20# bags of ice. might want to keep a sanitized stirring spoon to occasionally move the wort around inside the pot so it doesn't take so long.

 

[Toasted678]

I went through 2 1/2 10# bags to get mine from 150 down to pitching temp. I had about 3 gallons with my boil. I had bought 4 bags just in case but stirring the ice water bath around really cooled it down fast.

 

[Thile]

I use two 10# bags plus whatever is in the freezer.

(Partial boil of ~3 gallons, plus I top off with a gallon at the end of the boil prior to chilling)

I would think 2 weeks would be all right for that OG and style. Bottle time can vary more but you'll want to try it after two weeks (or even a week) if you're impatient...

One thing that surprised me is that the fermentation is very exothermic - it will be hotter inside your carboy than the ambient temperature in your basement. I figured it might be a degree or two but it can actually be several degrees hotter.
What I typically do is set up a 'swamp cooler' to keep the carboy closer to ambient temperature or even a few degrees lower (Can keep it about 68 in the summer with the house being 72).

Oh and those starter kits come with a blowoff tube - I'd suggest using it for that to be on the safe side.

 

[duckmanco]

get a tupperware type flat shallow container (or even better a wallpaper tray) that will allow you to soak/spray items that need to be sanitized prior to use for touching things that will come in contact with the wort (i.e. airlock, fermentor, spoon, hydrometer, thermometer etc.) that way you can just grab it from its bath and keep on trucking. Another poster mentioned thinking ahead, much akin to watching cars brake lights 4 or 5 cars ahead on the highway, same goes for brewing... read ahead on the directions and set things out well ahead of time.

Most importantly, don't freak out over anything and press on.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

Most importantly, don't freak out over anything and press on.

amen and amen...the end

 

[BennyN]

Have fun! And don't forget to check your gravity. Let us know how that Chinook IPA comes out. I've been thinking about ordering that one.

 

[nilo]

Get some homebrew beer to drink while you are brewing, or any beer you like. This is a requirement for a successful brew day

 

[mjs2103]

thanks for all of the help.

one more question: is it better to use just regular bottled spring water or distilled water?

 

[Thile]

I just use spring water. My tap water is good through a filter but was worried cause of chlorine.