First Brew

[brentkruger1989]

So on Sunday I completed my first brew and horribly im uncomfortable with my performance. To give you a better understanding my concern I will tell you about myself.
I am analytically functioning individual with obsessive traits. Nothing diagnosed of course. Before buying most equipment I purchased hot to brew and the joy of brewing to gain an understanding of the hobby. After spending a lot of time doing that and reading forums, namely this one, I then purchased my equipment and first kit. I did buy a brewing bucket and a brewers best oktober kit. I didn't realize I didn't have proper lager ing equipment so I decided to do as an ale instead per the information online.
I had all my ingredients in order and truthfully I did much better than I thought I did but I walked away with a few concerns.

1. I intended to use wyeast 2124 because of the tempature where I live, typically 70 f around this time of year. Before I could pitch the yeast I knocked over the bag losing roughly 30 to 35% of its contents. thinking ill be fine i sealed it up as soon as i was done taking my tests. the next day i doubted myself so order to ensure proper fermentation I added the dry yeast that came with the pack. Will this damage my beer?
2. I pitched at 80 rather than the recommended temperature?
3. How long should it take to start fermenting?
4. What can I do to ensure the tempature doesn't kill the beer? Like I said it stays around 70 f in my basement. I didn't think purchasing a refrigeration unit is necessary for the first brew.
5. Am I just over worrying? My OG was right in line, boiling went fine with exemption of a slight boil over, and i over sanitized everything Most likely.

I just don't want to fail my first batch. Any input is welcome.
Thank you,

Brent

 

[muels]

Pitching temp was a little high. Let it come down more next time. Any type of ferm chamber that fits your budget is better than nothing. Your beer will be just fine. Welcome to the hobby (obsession)!!


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[JLeuck64]

My first beer was... awful, but that didn't stop me! I've made some purdy darn good beers since then too! It takes practice, patience, and humor... not necessarily in that order LOL

 

[1977Brewer]

If brewing was baseball, I'd be an All Star. It's that first strikeout that keeps me from being Superman. Keep at it, keep learning.

 

[RM-MN]

Pitching at 80 isn't the best but I have done it because that is what the kit instructions said. Someone should burn all those instructions so that new ones would be made with better instructions but with all that, my beer came out pretty good in my estimation. I've learned a few things since then and I would probably dump out that first beer if I were to taste it now.

Your basement is still a little warm for fermenting in and you will likely get some off flavors and perhaps a "hot alcohol" taste if you let it ferment at that temperature (been there, done that). It would be better if you could set the fermenter in a tub of cool water so you can bring down the temperature of your fermenting beer to the low to mid 60's for the first 3 or 4 days. After that you don't need to control the temperature and can just let the beer and the tub of water warm up to your basement temperature. Most people add a little ice to keep the water in the tub cool.

Your kit instructions probably say to bottle after 7 days. Don't believe them. 14 minimum and up to 28 in the fermenter will get you better tasting beer and a lot less sediment in the bottles.

 

[unionrdr]

After it gets down to a stable FG, give it another 3-7 days to clean up any by-products of fermentation & settle out clear or slightly misty before bottling. Then 304 weeks at 70F or so to carbonate & condition further should also help clean up the flavors a bit more.