first brew taste test

[brewmadness]

Ok, so the first brew was about as basic as it gets. all extract american cream ale. It was beer. I've definately had better, but still had worse. Have a smoked porter in the fermentor that was extract and specialty grain. Thinking that is more my style, but definately thinking my third attempt is going to be all grain, or at the veriy least partial. I like beer, but I like good beer better. Time to step it up a notch I think.

 

[MRbutlertron]

My first batch was extract, and like you I found it to be quite simple. Second batch I did a partial mash, and my third batch I moved to all grain. I would definitely recommend the move to all grain. I find it to be a lot more a lot more fun with much better results. It is a longer process but I find it to be much more rewarding.

 

[rjwhite41]

I had the same progression when I started and I have never looked back after going all grain.

 

[Golddiggie]

My first three brews were extract with specialty grains, and some additional adjuncts... Game out pretty damned good (first was great, second almost as good)... #4 was a partial mash, and the next (and all since) have been all grain...

Once you dial in your system, for either partial mash, or all grain, it makes it easier. You'll also have more control over what goes into your brew. Where as with extracts, you're at the mercy of the places making the extracts, with whatever else they decide to toss into the mix. When you're all grain (or even partial mash) you know what is going into the brew... Only 'problem' there is you have no one to blame if the brew doesn't come out as you wanted it to. Although, you can take all the credit when it comes out great (more likely to happen most of the time)...

I would suggest looking at recipe's for brews you like (or the clone versions) to figure out what combination of malts you enjoy in a brew. That will give you a better idea on how to formulate your own recipes... There's also a lot to be said for brewing some clone recipes... Although, if you're brave enough, you could just make your own right out of the gate... Personally, I can't make a clone 100% to recipe. I seem to add a bit more base malt than they call for, getting higher OG's... Nothing wrong with that either...

Just remember, enjoy brewing, enjoy drinking what you make, and keep brewing... Above all else: RDWHAHB

 

[Tall_Yotie]

My first brew was just an extract in a can, and was the same, not bad but not good. Then with extract and steeped grains I started getting some pretty damned good beers.

My best brews have been all grain, but that is because those are my most recent when I fully understood the process. I figure an extra brew would be great as well as I really know what I am doing.

And hell yeah, keep kicking it up a notch!

 

[jafo28]

I did 5 extract batches before switching to all grain. All but one turned out great, Irish red that I think was due to a bad batch of Notty yeast. Of the 4 all grains i've done 3 were my own creations and they all turned out awesome, and got great reviews from friends and family. I have done another extract though, my first lager, due to time I needed a quicker brew day. I don't think it matters what your process is as long as you enjoy what your doing, and you enjoy the finished product.

 

[rod734]

I have all my equioment, just waiting for the weather to break here in Indiana to brew my first batch of AG because I will have to use a propane burner outside. Eventually I intend to go total electric so I can brew AG year around. I may try a small batch on the kitchen stove to get the feel for AG before I fire up the big kettle.

 

[brewmadness]

This first one was an extract only. Just wanted to get a feel for the process. I'm hoping the second which had a fair amount of specialty grains turns out better. I think I will definately give AG a go for the next one. Maybe an IPA. Definately something hoppier than this first batch! Brew on!!

 

[unionrdr]

Well,I think I'm going to try mixing hopped LME's with various SDME's (depending on intended style) with different hops & yeasts to see how far they can be pushed before trying partial extract recipes. There's so many different LME,SDME's,yeasts,& hops out there,I'll have plenty of combinations to play with for a while. Not to mention,un-hopped LME's. And I just read a couple of weeks ago where an all extract brew won one of those BJCP sanctioned competitions. So there's hope for all of us,regardless of brewing style...Cheers-n-beers!

 

[potosky36]

i just got a home brew kit from home sweet homebrew, its a home brew shop in Philadelphia. Last night i started fermenting my first brew: Kap'n Trips Kolsch.
It is currently in the primary fermenter, a 7 gallon bucket. I received a glass carboy with the kit but after reading several threads on this site i think i am only going to use the primary fermenter for this brew.
I have 2 questions:
1. how long should i let the beer ferment?
2. after bottling it how long should i wait before refrigerating and drinking?

 

[MRbutlertron]

I have 2 questions:
1. how long should i let the beer ferment?
2. after bottling it how long should i wait before refrigerating and drinking?

1. You let the beer ferment until your hydrometer says that the beer has finished fermenting. That could range anywhere from 2-4 weeks. If I were you I would take a hydrometer reading in two weeks and then another 3 days after that. See if the gravity has changed and if not you are ready to bottle.

2. 3 weeks around 70 should do the trick.