First brew last night. I'm so tired...

[bstacy1974]

So I decided to start brewing because, well, I can. Everything about brewing relates to my job as a water plant operator, so it sounded like a great hobby. Plus my boss is partial owner in a local brewery and we talk beer all the time.

My first attempt last night was a partial mash Mild. I like darker, less hoppy beers, so it seemed to be the best choice for a starter. If it turns out to be an okay beer, then I'll post the recipe. But to give some idea of the ingredients, 2 row pale, 120 Crystal, and Chocolate malts with some Amber extract. I added the extract with 20 mins left in the boil. Hopped with Domestic Fuggles at 60 and 15 mins. Safale-s04 yeast rehydrated in water about an hour before pitching. Pitched about 7 hours ago and already have bubbles in my airlock.

OG should have been 1.034 according to Brewtarget, but turned out to be 1.038. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

 

[jbrookeiv]

Sounds good, man. Welcome to your new addiction.

 

[RM-MN]

I'll bet you come out with some really drinkable beer from that. For your next beer, try some of the hops right at flame out and see what difference that makes.

 

[superjunior]

congrats! sounds like a tasty brew

 

[hotbrew]

Congrats on your first brew. Now you'll be constantly thinking about new recipes and when you can brew next. Don't worry about trying any crazy recipes, stick to the basics for a while. Use this site as a resource and build your knowledge base. Before too long, you'll switch to all-grain, build a keezer, buy waaay too many kegs and annoy SWMBO.

 

[bstacy1974]

Update:
OG was 1.038.
Checked Final Gravity last night, 1.012! Its within range for a Mild according to BrewTarget. (1.008-1.013) The aroma was incredible! I didn't taste it, but should have.
I'll give it a couple more days, check it again. If its the same, I'll skip the secondary and go straight to bottling.

Here's the crappy Iphone pics.

 

[Yooper]

Looking great!

Next time- drink the sample! Don't pour it out in the sink- that's enough to make me cry.

 

[kellynm]

"...my job as a water plant operator..."

What do you do at the water plant?

I work in a power plant as a water analyst. KC

 

[Token]

You ALWAYS taste the sample!! sigh, new guys.

Hey Yoop, LOVE the avatar! Matthews is my husband's favorite Packer.

 

[Yooper]

You ALWAYS taste the sample!! sigh, new guys.

Hey Yoop, LOVE the avatar! Matthews is my husband's favorite Packer.

Matthews isn't necessarily my favorite- (how can you choose just one favorite from your favorite team?) but I think he's a big part of the Packer's defense this year and I love the picture!

 

[RM-MN]

What yooper said ^^^^

There isn't anything wrong with drinking your sample. At this point it's beer, although warm and flat. It can tell you quite a bit about how it will taste when it's ready to drink.

If I read this correctly, you brewed on the 15th of January and it is now the 26th. That's 10 days and the beer has gone through the active phase and the yeast has eaten all the sugars. Now try to be patient and let the yeast complete its job of eating the esters and phenols it created while in the active phase so you get the best beer. It really shouldn't be bottled for another 10 days to 2 weeks.

 

[bstacy1974]

I know I should have tasted it, but I had just brushed my teeth for bed. That would have seriously thrown off the flavor.

I promise to taste any and all samples from this and all future brewing ventures, Amen.

@kellynm
I supervise a small water department at the local University. Drinking water, boiler water, condensate return, and ultrapure for campus laboratory use. Everything except "lumpy" water. Been in the water business since '99. I also teach water quality and intro to process technology at the community college. My degree is in Wildlife Management, go figure?

 

[bstacy1974]

Now try to be patient and let the yeast complete its job of eating the esters and phenols it created while in the active phase so you get the best beer. It really shouldn't be bottled for another 10 days to 2 weeks.

I will. i jumped the gun a little on that previos post with the bottling comment.

 

[flabyboy]

You ALWAYS taste the sample!! sigh, new guys.

Hey Yoop, LOVE the avatar! Matthews is my husband's favorite Packer.

Being a Viking fan. I much preferred Yoopers last avatar with the leather and whip. I don't know if I can live with the Packer mans in this state if they win the Super Bowl