First non Mr. Beer kit tomorrow

[HappyDrunk]

I can't help it. I see these posts all the time where someone says the same things I'm saying now, i.e. first batch .. brew day tomorrow ... etc., etc., and I've read the responses. So I always thought I wouldn't do that, but I just got all my equipment, and now I can't help myself.

I just got all of my equipment, and a Brewer's Best Imperial Nut Brown kit. I brew tomorrow. I read the instructions, and re-wrote them in my owns words as follows:

12:00
1. Boil water in pot for 1 hour to "passivate" it (I have an aluminum pot)
2. Sanitize primary w/ 2 gal. mixture of one step (shake well, with cap on)
3. install spigot on bottling bucket and make 3 gal. one step
4. throw all utensils (including carboy cap from primary) in bottling bucket w/ sanitizer, pour some out through spigot and funnel to sanitize funnel

1:00
5. After boiling water for 1 hour, empty, then add EXACTLY 2.5 gallons
6. as water is heating, add grains to grain bag

1:20 (or whenever water reaches 155)
7. When water reaches 155, add grains for 20 minutes.
8. WATCH temperature level carefully, do NOT go over 165

1:40
9. Remove grain bag WITHOUT squeezing, but let all the liquid drain back into the pot
10. Bring to a boil, and immediately start running the LME bottles under hot water
11. WHILE STIRRING, add 2 bottles LME, 2 packages of DME, and maltodextrin
12. KEEP STIRRING

2:00 (or whenever full boil is achieved)
13. Once BOILING, then add bittering hops

2:40
14. After 40 minutes, add flavoring hops

2:55
15. After 15 minutes add aroma hops

3:00
16. After 5 minutes add finishing hops

3:30 (or whenever wort reaches room temp)
17. Cool wort to 70F, then add to fermenter
18. Add enough water to make 5 gallons, NOT MORE - use hydrometer to get desired SG of 1.071-1.075
19. Pitch yeast
20. Aerate well
21. Install cap and air lock, attach air lock to cup of vodka

So there's that. The times are mostly approximated, but I'm OCD like that. I would appreciate anyone reviewing those steps and pointing out any glaring mistakes before i make them tomorrow at 12pm CST, and/or answering the following questions:

1. Should I use a blow off valve? I really want to for the first few days while fermentation is really active just in case the stuff hits the fan (or the ceiling), but have no idea if it is necessary despite reading 987349587349 posts about that EXACT subject.

2. The directions say to add enough water to make 5 gallons, but to be careful to avoid a volume that will cause the OG to fall out of the normal range, and to use a sanitized hydrometer WHILE adding water to monitor SG. Do I just drop the hydrometer in there, and let it float up? Does it float? My understanding is that it does, and I can leave it in there during the entire fermentation process. But wouldn't it get covered with krauzen, and become unreadable? Maybe just leave it in there while adding the additional 2.5 gallons, and then take it out. But then after a couple of weeks to take a reading, I would have to take off the top to get a sample. Wouldn't that be a problem - taking the top off the carboy once a day?

3. Should I re-hydrate the yeast? This is another one of the things I've heard different answers on, and I'd much prefer skipping that step. Tell me if I'm wrong.

4. The directions never say to remove the hops prior to transferring to primary, but the guy at the LHBS said to. When do I remove them?

I know all of this information is on this site, in these forums. I have read and read, and learned a TON! Still, there are sometimes conflicting answers, and would love to hear from any of you who want to help me or just wish me luck!

 

[Dr_Jeff]

Aerate, then pitch
A properly set up blow off tube with a bottle is just as good as an airlock and is an airlock for that matter.

 

[tim2akat2]

remove pan from heat and then add the LME or it may burn on the bottom of the pan.

 

[HappyDrunk]

Aerate, then pitch.

WHEW! Good catch!
I think I will use a blow-off for the first few days ... cheap vodka sound good for the liquid? Does surface area matter?

 

[HappyDrunk]

remove pan from heat and then add the LME or it may burn on the bottom of the pan.

My directions say to boil the entire thing, add LME, DME, and Maltodextrose and return to boil for an hour while adding hops. I think that's why it says STIR WELL so much.

 

[jeffd10]

Happy,

You've layed it out, now its time to play it out...My ADHD prevents me from reading your entire post. your OCD will help you become an Awesome brewer...

1. what size is your fermenter (5 G) Use a blowoff 6.5 go w/airlock

2. Quarter/half Gallon over is totally not the end of the world you are working with LME so there will be variences.. get all your water in there then take a reading... remove hydro, (dont get in there all the time) there will be a bit of C02 layer to protect the beer. Go 14 days take reading, wait till day 17 take reading, lol on day 21 take reading ...if its all the same. Bingo it's go time !!!

3. Always rehydrate (1/4 cup -3/8 cup) warmish water..your yeasties will thank you !!!

Clearly I am no Pro, HD but I think these are safe ideas

Cheers Jeff:rockin:

 

[Dr_Jeff]

I use a 3/8 inch diamter hose that I picked up by the foot at Lowes and a Gatorade bottle, the skinny one, with a hole drilled in the cap for the hose and several small holes for vents, vodka is fine, as is distilled water, or sanitizer.

 

[HappyDrunk]

Happy,

You've layed it out, now its time to play it out...My ADHD prevents me from reading your entire post. your OCD will help you become an Awesome brewer...

1. what size is your fermenter (5 G) Use a blowoff 6.5 go w/airlock

2. Quarter/half Gallon over is totally not the end of the world you are working with LME so there will be variences.. get all your water in there then take a reading... remove hydro, (dont get in there all the time) there will be a bit of C02 layer to protect the beer. Go 14 days take reading, wait till day 17 take reading, lol on day 21 take reading ...if its all the same. Bingo it's go time !!!

3. Always rehydrate (1/4 cup -3/8 cup) warmish water..your yeasties will thank you !!!

Clearly I am no Pro, HD but I think these are safe ideas

Cheers Jeff:rockin:

1. 6 Gallons .. in between.
2. Thanks! That's what I pretty much thought.
3. Alright ... I'll rehydrate. I didn't want to deal with it, but I have heard the pro's for doing so.


Thanks so much for the quick response! I'll post and tell ya how everything went tomorrow evening if you're interested.

 

[HappyDrunk]

I use a 3/8 inch diamter hose that I picked up by the foot at Lowes and a Gatorade bottle, the skinny one, with a hole drilled in the cap for the hose and several small holes for vents, vodka is fine, as is distilled water, or sanitizer.

Yeah, the guy at the LHBS pretty much said the same thing. I have the tubing and some cheap vodka, so using a blow off is a pretty strong possibility. Maybe I'll just watch it real close and switch to one if necessary.

 

[jeffd10]

thanks so much for the quick response! I'll post and tell ya how everything went tomorrow evening if you're interested.

+1

 

[Spartangreen]

Aerate, then pitch

Regarding this, I've been adding cooled down wart to the chilled water in the fermenter, toping with water to bring the volume up to 5 gallons.
Then pitching the yeast, and shaking up the fertmenter really really good.

What's the disadvantage of my method versus "Aerate, then pitch", which i'm assuming means to shake up the non-pitched wart/water and stirring in the yeast.

Thanks
Sorry for the hijack

 

[petey_c]

1. Boil water in pot for 1 hour to "passivate" it (I have an aluminum pot)
New Aluminum pot? It should be "conditioned" with boiling water for an hour or so.
10. Bring to a boil, and immediately start running the LME bottles under hot water. You can let the LME sit in a pot (or pots) of hot water to become less thick, while you do some other things.
14. After 40 minutes, add flavoring hops
15. After 15 minutes add aroma hops
16. After 5 minutes add finishing hops.
I think what you should be saying is, "with 40 minutes left, with 15 minutes left and with 5 minutes left". Otherwise your hop schedule will be backwards.
21. Install cap and air lock, attach air lock to cup of vodka
It might be best to use a blow off tube. It might not be necessary, but better to be safe than sorry. Most of the airlocks I've seen only hold about an ounce or less. You could drink the other 7 ounces then...
...and to use a sanitized hydrometer WHILE adding water to monitor SG. Do I just drop the hydrometer in there, and let it float up? I wouldn't leave the hydro in there while you pour water in (See "Broken Hydrometer" thread). Mark 1 gallon increments on the side of your primary and you'll get a good idea of where you should be.
Does it float? Yes it should float. My understanding is that it does, and I can leave it in there during the entire fermentation process. But wouldn't it get covered with krauzen, and become unreadable? Most likely so. Maybe just leave it in there while adding the additional 2.5 gallons, and then take it out. Get your initial reading, then take additional readings in about three weeks. I would have to take off the top to get a sample. The hydro usually comes in a tube that doubles as a sample tube. Open the tap (my primary has a spigot) to add some wort and PLACE your hydro in there to get a FG (see the "Broken Hydrometer" thread). Wouldn't that be a problem - taking the top off the carboy once a day? You'd probably be okay opening the lid at the three week mark. Every day is too much. More exposure to air increases the rick of some infection getting in.
Yes re-hydrate the yeast.
You don't ever have to remove the hops if you don't want to. If you do you'll wind up with a clearer beer though. The hops have added their essence to the beer in the boiling. You can also place them in a "hop bag" and remove them all at once, prior to bottling.
"Good luck, we're all counting on you."

 

[Mase]

The only thing I can add taht may make the hydrometer samplings a bit easier (if not using a spigoted bucket) would be to use a turkey baster (like $3 at Wally World) or get a wine thief. Just be sure that whatever you use is sanatized!

Good luck and cheers!

 

[HappyDrunk]

1. Boil water in pot for 1 hour to "passivate" it (I have an aluminum pot)
New Aluminum pot? It should be "conditioned" with boiling water for an hour or so.
10. Bring to a boil, and immediately start running the LME bottles under hot water. You can let the LME sit in a pot (or pots) of hot water to become less thick, while you do some other things.
14. After 40 minutes, add flavoring hops
15. After 15 minutes add aroma hops
16. After 5 minutes add finishing hops.
I think what you should be saying is, "with 40 minutes left, with 15 minutes left and with 5 minutes left". Otherwise your hop schedule will be backwards.
21. Install cap and air lock, attach air lock to cup of vodka
It might be best to use a blow off tube. It might not be necessary, but better to be safe than sorry. Most of the airlocks I've seen only hold about an ounce or less. You could drink the other 7 ounces then...
...and to use a sanitized hydrometer WHILE adding water to monitor SG. Do I just drop the hydrometer in there, and let it float up? I wouldn't leave the hydro in there while you pour water in (See "Broken Hydrometer" thread). Mark 1 gallon increments on the side of your primary and you'll get a good idea of where you should be.
Does it float? Yes it should float. My understanding is that it does, and I can leave it in there during the entire fermentation process. But wouldn't it get covered with krauzen, and become unreadable? Most likely so. Maybe just leave it in there while adding the additional 2.5 gallons, and then take it out. Get your initial reading, then take additional readings in about three weeks. I would have to take off the top to get a sample. The hydro usually comes in a tube that doubles as a sample tube. Open the tap (my primary has a spigot) to add some wort and PLACE your hydro in there to get a FG (see the "Broken Hydrometer" thread). Wouldn't that be a problem - taking the top off the carboy once a day? You'd probably be okay opening the lid at the three week mark. Every day is too much. More exposure to air increases the rick of some infection getting in.
Yes re-hydrate the yeast.
You don't ever have to remove the hops if you don't want to. If you do you'll wind up with a clearer beer though. The hops have added their essence to the beer in the boiling. You can also place them in a "hop bag" and remove them all at once, prior to bottling.
"Good luck, we're all counting on you."

Hey, I'm brewing as I type!

1. Sorry, I had passivate on some post. Either way .. boil water for an hour in it before hand, done.
10. I used your suggestion.
14,15, and 16: yeah, I just worded that wrong

I will get to the hydrometer issue shortly, I will use a blow off tube in place of the air lock for the first few days, and I'm not re-hydrating the yeast. The package doesn't say to do it, and I've read plenty on here who say they do that and it works fine. If it doesn't, I'll hate myself forever. I'll post again soon.

 

[Jsmith82]

Happydrunk, don't forget to drink some beer while you brew your beer. I didn't see "1:30 - open beer to enjoy while brewing" on your time / step sheet.

It's an essential part of my brew day

Good luck, have fun!

 

[BamaRooster]

Good Luck!!!

 

[HappyDrunk]

All done! I didn't have any problems until after all the brewing was done, lol! Getting the pot to a boil took forever (about 20-30 mins) because of my electric stove, but it was serviceable. The problems came when I was trying to chill the wort. Holy hell! That took 35 minutes including me going to the store to get a 10lb bag of ice. Then I had to take the hydro reading. I had never used an auto-siphon, so watching me would have been like watching Harry, Curly, and Moe. In the end, I got it done, and it was dead on at 1.071 or 2 or 3 (I thought I had screwed up, because I tried it before stirring first and got more like 1.06). Also, I had put a filter in my funnel to catch all the hops, and it was a PITA! Kept getting clogged up. I just put a glove on and scratched at the surface of the screen to agitate the hops and let the liquid through - no problem. I dry pitched despite the advise of tons of folks here - sorry, I just went by the directions on the package. Got it chillin' now in a little water in a big plastic tub, right at 65 (little low for that yeast though, I think I'll turn the heater on and get to more like 68). Thanks for the advise and good wishes everyone, and I'll keep ya posted on how it turns out (hopefully my sanitation and temperature are all right)!

P.S. @ jsmith .. do you think I would attempt this SOBER?! HA! Have a drink was step zero. I don't have work today, and it was five o' clock somewhere.

 

[WhiteEagle1]

Before you know it you'll be headed out to pick up a few more carboys cause your not going to be able to wait till this one's done to brew another batch!

 

[HappyDrunk]

A few pictures for those interested!

Grain bag making wort (note the redneck engineering done to hold the thermo in place, haha!)


Just after adding DME (brought back to boil for LME)


Top view of blow-off

 

[HappyDrunk]

Before you know it you'll be headed out to pick up a few more carboys cause your not going to be able to wait till this one's done to brew another batch!

I sense that urge coming on already, lol! I'll see how this one comes out first though.

 

[flushdrew42]

Hey Happy, looks great!

i've read in places here, seen on youtube, etc, that you don't need to make so much sanitizer. you could make one batch, and simply siphon it from one container to another, allowing for the appropriate time for contact sanitizing etc... but here's how i do it.

i make a batch of star san big enough for my largest container. (my brew bucket) I sanitize everything in it that will fit. (lid, spoons, airlock, tubing, exterior of autosiphon and anything else)
then i use the autosiphon to move the solution into my secondary, or bottling bucket. then i move it into a third container just to hold it so i can sanitize anything that needs to be for each step along the way. plus it's a handy place to put spoons, or your autosiphon/bottle wand etc.... i then siphon some into each bottle. leave it for a while, then pour it back into the main bucket.

one batch of sanitizer for the whole brewday. (my brews usually take 2-3 hours tops)

However, your brew looks awesome!

 

[HappyDrunk]

Hey Happy, looks great!

i've read in places here, seen on youtube, etc, that you don't need to make so much sanitizer. you could make one batch, and simply siphon it from one container to another, allowing for the appropriate time for contact sanitizing etc... but here's how i do it.

i make a batch of star san big enough for my largest container. (my brew bucket) I sanitize everything in it that will fit. (lid, spoons, airlock, tubing, exterior of autosiphon and anything else)
then i use the autosiphon to move the solution into my secondary, or bottling bucket. then i move it into a third container just to hold it so i can sanitize anything that needs to be for each step along the way. plus it's a handy place to put spoons, or your autosiphon/bottle wand etc.... i then siphon some into each bottle. leave it for a while, then pour it back into the main bucket.

one batch of sanitizer for the whole brewday. (my brews usually take 2-3 hours tops)

However, your brew looks awesome!

I thought about doing the same, but for 6 bucks I got a container of one-step that looks like it should last at least one more brew if not two. So I figured screw it, better over than under. I took 3.5 hours, lol! Although I did have to condition the pot which added at least 30 minutes maybe more like an hour to the total time. Regardless, thanks for saying it looks awesome, and I hope it tastes better. I'm ready to see some serious fermenting going on (hopefully by the 24 hour mark).

 

[HappyDrunk]

7 hours in, and I have some activity in the blow off tube! I can't wait 'til tomorrow morning.

 

[troubled_dog]

Good looking brew! I just got done drinking my first Mr Beer batch and I soon will be in your shoes. Now I need kegging equipment and some buckets/carboys!

 

[thetragichero]

just started drinking the oktoberfest i got with my kit for christmas. good flavour, decent head and lacing
already purchased a 5 gallon cooler and will start a partial mash rye ipa in the next couple of weeks
glad we're all starting this journey together!

 

[HappyDrunk]

Well, 21 hours past pitching and it blew the entire cap and tube off the carboy. The end of the tube was filled with krauzen. So I cleaned everything up, and am getting a bigger container for the blow off tube to go into. Is there anything I should do in the mean time? For my next batch, I think I'll use some of that fermcap stuff or get a full sized blow off tube, but I need to know if there is anything I can do right now for this batch.

 

[HappyDrunk]

As you can see, krauzen is all the way up to the top and was coming out before I soaked some up and cleaned a little. The top of the closet was painted brown, lol. I added some ice to the water to chill out the fermentation process, and got a gallon size milk jug for the blow off set up. 26 hours in, and still bubbling away.

 

[RM-MN]

Now that you have a brew day behind you and you can see that it isn't as hard as you thought it might be here's a few thoughts. You aren't making rocket fuel or explosives, your making beer. You don't have to be quite so particular about the measurements or the processes. You removed the grain bag an let it drain without squeezing it just like the directions say. Do you know what happens if you squeeze that grain bag? You get wet hot hands and you get a little more flavorful liquid and it makes your beer just a little darker. Guess what? It still makes beer.

Your kit instructions say to measure carefully so you get exactly 5 gallons into the fermenter. Guess what happens if you get a little more or a little less. Yep, you still make beer. I like to put in just a little more in my fermenter. When I bottle I have to leave the trub behind and I always lose a little beer there too and a little is always left in the bottling bucket. That's OK, I had a little extra and I still get 2 cases of beer in bottles, sometimes even an extra. RDWHAHB

 

[HappyDrunk]

Now that you have a brew day behind you and you can see that it isn't as hard as you thought it might be here's a few thoughts. You aren't making rocket fuel or explosives, your making beer. You don't have to be quite so particular about the measurements or the processes. You removed the grain bag an let it drain without squeezing it just like the directions say. Do you know what happens if you squeeze that grain bag? You get wet hot hands and you get a little more flavorful liquid and it makes your beer just a little darker. Guess what? It still makes beer.

Your kit instructions say to measure carefully so you get exactly 5 gallons into the fermenter. Guess what happens if you get a little more or a little less. Yep, you still make beer. I like to put in just a little more in my fermenter. When I bottle I have to leave the trub behind and I always lose a little beer there too and a little is always left in the bottling bucket. That's OK, I had a little extra and I still get 2 cases of beer in bottles, sometimes even an extra. RDWHAHB

Point well taken. I just can't help it, I'm an engineer. The attention to detail is just part of who I am. Although, I think I will squeeze that grain bag next time. I have gloves, why the hell not? I thought it might expand the mesh and let little pieces of grain come out. It's always good to hear from guys like you who don't worry so much though! I'm sure after I have a few batches under my belt, I'll relax too.

 

[HappyDrunk]

Well, it's now on day 10, and the SG has been steady at 1.02 since day 7 after a VERY vigorous first few days. I am slightly worried because I was on the low end of the OG (instructions say 1.071 to 1.075 and I was at 1.071), and am slightly above the FG (instructions say 1.016 to 1.019, and I am at 1.02). I don't really think that's a big cause for concern, but let me know if it should be.

Also, I was planning on waiting 3 weeks in the primary. However, seeing how fast the fermentation took place, I am now planning on bottling on Tuesday (day 14) or Thursday (day 16). I'm really not concerned with the beer being crystal clear or anything. It's not going to a contest, it's just for me. But it is my first batch, and I want it to come out good. Do you all think I should wait? I'm really anxious to get going on the second one in case you couldn't tell, lol.