Hi from the UK

[UKJay1971]

Hi - I'm, a relarive newbie brewer from Yorkshire, England. I started a couple of years ago brewing from kits, then experimented by adding additional hops before moving into extract brewing. I am currently kitting up for BIAB style so I've spent the last few weeks researching this setup. I normally brew IPAs (Imperial and more modern US West Coast styles) but I have just started a big Russian Imperial Stout extract brew which has me very nervous at the moment (I'm a kind of 'act now, think later kind of guy' so I've convinced myself it isn't going to be a success afte reading all about what can go wrong with big beer brews).

I'm constantly learning but will definitely ask some dumb questions along the way so bear with me please

 

[andhou27]

You're brewing the right kind of stuff! Don't worry about it, I'm sure it will turn out fine. It's all the more satisfying when you get a big beer right. Just make sure you have some hearty yeast. Welcome! Don't forget to share some recipes if you can

 

[Cyclman]

Great head start, welcome to the hobby and the group, from CO.

 

[UKJay1971]

Cheers for the welcome!

andhou27 - yeah, it is certainly a challenge with big beers and my aim is to get a recipe that matures well and a method that achieves it every time. I will post my own recipe (adapted from someone else's) later on. OG was 1.112 but I think I underpitched the yeast (2 packs of US05 but one was quite old) along with one pack of champagne yeast. I didn't do a starter which was mistake #1 and there hasn't been a strenuous fermentation. There is a 1 inch krausen so something is happening but no bubbles (not a problem as I suspect there is a air leak in the fermentation bin). I'll leave it for 2 weeks on the yeast cake then take 3 consecutive daily readings to see what it has come down to. I'll keg it and leave it for a few months. It is what it is!! Nothing much I can do now other than wait, hope and learn!

 

[UKJay1971]

Cyclman - thanks for the welcome. My revived interest in craft beers was reignited when I went to Las Vegas a couple of years back to visit a friend and was introduced the the wonders that is "Yard House" with over 100 draft ales on tap. Am now cloning a few of these (one I have had a great go at and is currently bottle conditioning - Green Flash Palate Wrecker).