Last night I purchased all my equipment for my first extract brew. Going with the True Brew - Maestro Series India Pale Ale.
I've done a good bit of research and wanted to go step by step on my plan of attack. Below is basically the directions from the Home Brew Box with my input and questions. Please feel free to chime in with any helpful insight.
1. First and foremost, clean and sanitize all equipment! Sounds like this is one of if not thee most important part.
2. Bring 1-1/2 gallons of water to 160 degrees F. Place grains in steeping bag and steep in hot water for 30 minutes. After steep, use an additional cup of hot water to rinse the steep bag.
3. Slowly pour in cans of extract and stir. Continue stirring and add the Pilgrim Hop Pellets. Stir and bring to a boil. Boil for 45 minutes, adding First Gold Hop Pellets for the final 2 minutes.
*Should this boil for 60 minutes?
4. After duration of boiling, move pot to a cold bath to bring down the temperature as quickly as possible. Few questions here:
*Do I add additional water to make up 5 gallons here or wait until i've transfered to the carboy, then add cold water to bring down temp?
*What's ideal temp for wort going into carboy? 70 degrees F?
*I've read a lot about aireation and it's importance. What's the best method? Pour from pot to carboy back and forth a few times? Swish around in carboy? Pour through strainer into carboy?
5. Steam sanitize the oak chips in a separate pot. Add these to the carboy.
6. Sprinkle yeast over top of mixture in carboy. Mix gently. Airlock, and store in cool place.
*Ideal temperature between 70-78?
7. Store for 2 weeks. Bottle and store for additional 2 weeks.
*Is this correct? I hear more time is better.
That's what i've come up with. Where / what advise or changes do I need to make?
Thanks and cheers! :rockin:
I've done a good bit of research and wanted to go step by step on my plan of attack. Below is basically the directions from the Home Brew Box with my input and questions. Please feel free to chime in with any helpful insight.
1. First and foremost, clean and sanitize all equipment! Sounds like this is one of if not thee most important part.
2. Bring 1-1/2 gallons of water to 160 degrees F. Place grains in steeping bag and steep in hot water for 30 minutes. After steep, use an additional cup of hot water to rinse the steep bag.
3. Slowly pour in cans of extract and stir. Continue stirring and add the Pilgrim Hop Pellets. Stir and bring to a boil. Boil for 45 minutes, adding First Gold Hop Pellets for the final 2 minutes.
*Should this boil for 60 minutes?
4. After duration of boiling, move pot to a cold bath to bring down the temperature as quickly as possible. Few questions here:
*Do I add additional water to make up 5 gallons here or wait until i've transfered to the carboy, then add cold water to bring down temp?
*What's ideal temp for wort going into carboy? 70 degrees F?
*I've read a lot about aireation and it's importance. What's the best method? Pour from pot to carboy back and forth a few times? Swish around in carboy? Pour through strainer into carboy?
5. Steam sanitize the oak chips in a separate pot. Add these to the carboy.
6. Sprinkle yeast over top of mixture in carboy. Mix gently. Airlock, and store in cool place.
*Ideal temperature between 70-78?
7. Store for 2 weeks. Bottle and store for additional 2 weeks.
*Is this correct? I hear more time is better.
That's what i've come up with. Where / what advise or changes do I need to make?
Thanks and cheers! :rockin: