First Brew Started!

[WeretheBrews]

Hey all. I just started my first ever batch. it is still boiling. I ran into a little confusion early on but I managed. I am making a honey porter. It said to put 2 gallons of water, and place grain bag in it. Then bring up to 155 to degrees and steep for 10-30 minutes. I did htis. Then I got thinking that I need to bring it to heat first then place it in. But oh well. Well I will post back as soon as I get going really good with it.

Update :

Just added 2 lbs of honey at 30 minutes. Waiting until final 2 mins to add aroma hops. Should I add sooner for a hoppy aroma? or just follow directions?

Also how do i tell if water is too warm ot too cold for yeast to hyrdrate?

I guess just lukewarm water with my finger?

I boiled 1/3 cup and it is cooled now.. Should I heat that up fro the yeast?

If i dont have a spigot on my primary? I have to buckets and a carboy... i used the bucket without the spigot.. how do I siphon into my carboy?

Alright. It has cooled to 80. I hydrated hte yeast and pitched it... Gave it a good stir. Air-locked at stored. My room stays above 60... its about 63-65 will this be ok? Im doing double fermentation, and using the 1-2-3 method.

 

[david_42]

Yeast should be hydrated at 85-95F, cooler is better than warmer.

63-65F is good for most ale yeasts.

Posting on the forum when the kettle is boiling, very risky even if you can see the kettle from your computer.

 

[WeretheBrews]

Actually man... it didn't even come CLOSE to boiling over at all... I used 2 gallons of water.. and my kit.... I steeped for awhile... then malt then added honey after 30 minutes... Never really foamed up enough to boil over... Am I screwed?

 

[magno]

You did fine by putting the grain bag in early. It is not a true sparge, so the timing is not essential.

For more aroma, add hops later, al late as flameout.

For the water temperature, I figure if I can hold the glass in my hand, the yeast will be ok (not too scientific). Dont put your finger in it though.

To siphon to secondary, I recomend an autosiphon, but it is not necessary. You dont want to use a spigot for this anyways, as you would get a tone of sediment into your secondary.

Your temperature looks good.

Good luck!!

- magno

 

[magno]

When did you add hops?

 

[WeretheBrews]

I added hops as soon as it started boiling... Then it picked up. These were my bittering hops, and boiled for 1 hour. then with 30 mins left, I added 2 lbs honey, and with 2 mins left some aroma hops. I have an auto-siphon... So it wont hurt to take the lid off?

 

[magno]

No you can take the lid off in a week when you rack. Take the airlock out first or water may drop into the beer.

 

[WeretheBrews]

Alrighty.... Do you think I will have a good tasting beer?

I sanitized everything real well. I have never had a porter before, so I hope I like this. What can I expect, taste wise?

 

[magno]

All of the honey beers that I have made so far have been lighter in color and taste to let the honey come through. I wouldnt expect a pronounced honey taste due to the 30 minute boil.

Should definitely be more than drinkable. Keep us posted on how it comes along, and post the recipe too.

- magno

 

[WeretheBrews]

Started bubbling htis morning, only after 12 hours... One bubble about every 3 seconds.