First post

[MikeBTexas]

Hello,

I've been reading and searching on here for answers to my questions with good results. I finally decided to register today and make it official. I started brewing about a month ago for the first time and bottled my first batch about a week ago. I can't wait to try it.

My first batch is a Texas Blonde and the second is a Amber Ale.

 

[poptarts]

Pitch enough yeast and control fermentation temps. Sorry, just wish someone told me that my first time brewing.

 

[rodwha]

You mention a Texas blonde. I'm curious what you did with it. Mind explaining?

I, also, ruined my first two batches not understanding the importance of maintaining the proper temps (not air, not water, but beer). One was jet fuel with huge doses of fusel alcohol. 2 or 3 would give you a terrible hangover. The other just didn't taste very good. I dumped them both.

 

[MikeBTexas]

I'm not quite sure what you mean "what I did with it". I bottled it a week ago and going to let it set for about three more weeks.

 

[rodwha]

Sorry. Didn't mean to come off as you "did something to it." I wondered if there was a Texas flair to it or something. I take it then it's a typical blonde?

 

[skitter]

Where in Texas?

I battled my first 2 beers trying to maintain temps here in Texas as well. I found that in the summer, with AC on at 74, I had to use a pan of water and a towel over my fermenter to keep it cool, and use ice bottles the first 4 days twice a day. Now that it's winter and the heater is set to 70, my fermenter stays about 65 just with the towel over it and no Ice.

My preferred beer is Amber style, and I am now on my 6th batch of refinement, trying to reach that oh so perfect beer that is purely mine. Problem with a 2.5g fermenter is I drink it faster than I can make it ><

 

[MikeBTexas]

No problem here. The Texas Blonde is a Golden Ale, nothing too fancy. I'm keeping it simple the first few batches.

And that would be Bryan.

 

[rodwha]

Being near College Station are there many places for craft beer selections?

 

[rodwha]

Are you brewing kits, just extract or are you steeping grains?

 

[MikeBTexas]

I'm brewing extracts and grains. Not too many grains, I'm keeping it simple. I'm buying my brew stuff from Austin homebrew supply.

Where are you from?

 

[rxpx40]

Hi MikeB- fellow Texan here. Located just south of Austin in bea-u-tiful Buda.
Give us a shout sometime you roll through. Speaking of Blondes, my first all-grain batch we brewed in late October. My Father in law prefers light blonde ales so once a year I brew a blonde for him. He gets 3 six packs and I get the rest. Needless to say, my part is long gone before his part. So, this year's batch is slated to be ready in time for Christmas. I can't wait to try this one too.

 

[MikeBTexas]

Will do the next time I'm near Austin.

 

[BigJack]

Howdy from way out west.

 

[skitter]

An Hello from North Houston aka Tomball

 

[rodwha]

I'm a military brat so I don't necessarily come from anywhere, though this is my third stay in San Antonio, and this last trip has lasted 25 years.