First Ever Brew - BrewStore Kit

[wildhockey19]

Hey guys/gals,

So, I finally got my starter kit (which was actually custom built by a local home brewer). Along with the equipment I received one of the Brew Store's Winterfest Ale. (http://www.thebrewhouse.com/technical/index.htm)

I decided today to crack open all the goodies and get at trying to brew this beer. Heres where my first worry/question came up? Inside the box came the wort, a two silver package of god knows what, and yeast. The instructions said to add 2 gallons of water, the wort and "the contents of Package #1" to the fermentor and stir for a minute. Then sprinkle the yeast in and cover.

Now that I have done this, I am now sitting here wondering one thing? Do these kits usually include priming sugar? Did I just add the priming sugar WAY to early?

Since this is my first attempt at this I am kinda freaking out, I dont feel like dumping 5 gallons of beer down the drain the first day.

Anyone have any experience with these kits?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

 

[Hockeyhunter99]

that seems like very weak instructions. anything more would be helpful. i would assume that the wort should have been boiled, the packets of "God knows what" were the hops. also should have been boiled with the wort.

more info. the link was not that helpful either.

 

[pompeiisneaks]

a quick rundown of the normal process:

1. boil water and malt extract with hops (this is greatly simplified, but to give you an idea)
2. cool to 68 degrees or less
3. pitch yeast

They seem to be missing step 1... if you want a detailed process there are tons of great howto's on here. Also I wrote a simpler list of the exacting steps of what you do in an extract brew, but its just a list you have once you know all the ins and outs so you don't forget a step.... a lot is intentionally left out as its more defined in the process step itself. Check the sticky section on beginner beer brewing ... here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/beginner-extract-brewing-howto-99139/

Ultimately this instruction set seems horrible. It will likely make beer, because you put all that sugar in a fermenter w/ some yeast, but it sounds like a bad way to do it.

 

[Bithead]

Never dump a brew! It's pretty tough to screw up a batch. Always analyze first. Seems like you probably followed the instructions properly. Wait till fermentation is complete. You need a hydrometer to really know when fermentation stops but what do your instructions say about waiting? You won't have to worry about priming sugar till you're done fermenting and ready to bottle. From poking around the vendors website it looks like you provide your own priming sugar.
Also looks like the two silver packets are probably phosphoric acid and potassium bicarbonate. Don't know whey they are in there. I've never use those chemicals in my short time brewing.

 

[buffalobrewer]

what does it say package 2 is for, or when it gets added? Does it feel like a powder (sugar) or kind of lumpy (hop pellets)?

 

[wildhockey19]

Hey guys,

Sorry for the poor description. The problem is that I have read the instructions 6 times know and no where does it say what these silver bags where for. The step that had me put them into the fermenter made it sound that one package was for controling the pH level, no idea what that means, still a newb. The bigger of the two packages felt like powder suger and the second looked and felt like finely graded table salt.

Hope that helps and again, sorry for the poor descriptions.

Matt

Opps, one other question. I like in an apartment and the instructions along with my kit called for a two step fermentation. First 3 days where to be done in a primary with a cover on it. Then after 3 das and for two more weeks it needs to be siphoned into a secondary and then airlocked. My question is, is it safe to have the first primary sitting in a dark room temp closet (i mean with the gases from the fermentation process)?

 

[Bithead]

If it's a 5 LB batch you would require about 3/4 cup of sugar for priming. So if the bag was about that size then probably was priming sugar. Otherwise your kit does contain a container of phosphoric acid and potassium bicarbonate.
You will be safe with the fermenter in the closet.