I did it. Batch #1

[kyleobie]

I did it. I started my first batch of homebrew tonight. I used a Brewer's Best kit for an American Style Pale Ale.

6.6 lbs Plain Light Malt Extract
12 oz. crushed crystal malt, 60L
1.5 oz cascade hops (bittering)
1.5 oz williamette hops (finishing)
11g nottingham yeast

It's currently fermenting in a plastic "Ale Pail" at 64 degrees next to my bookcase.

Original Gravity is 1.050

I ran into a few issues my first time:
1). Used straight tap water out of convenience's sake. I'm going to use a water filter next time.
2). Didn't have anything sanitized for stirring the yeast during suspension. Next time I am going to sanitate a couple of stirrers and an extra spoon just in case I need them.
3). Wort took forever to chill in a bath of ice/cold water in sink. Next time, it's all ice, baby.

Man oh man, those hop pellets smelled awesome. I think I have the hang of things and can't wait to bottle and start the next batch!

 

[Nurmey]

Congratulations! It sounds like your brew day went very well.

I always keep a jug and spray bottle of Star San around for those last minute sanitizing projects.

Go for the 20 lb bag of ice; it's fast.

 

[khiddy]

I ran into a few issues my first time:
3). Wort took forever to chill in a bath of ice/cold water in sink. Next time, it's all ice, baby.

Ice water actually cools faster than ice alone, because the water surrounds the brewing kettle completely, contacting more surface area. Water is a more efficient cooler than air alone (try standing naked in a 32 degree room, then jump into a 32 degree tub of water - you'll reach hypothermia twice as fast in the water). Stick with the icewater, but use more ice than you did last time.

Or just build an immersion chiller. I did it yesterday afternoon in 10 minutes...

 

[The Pol]

Star San in a spray bottle for sanitizing, it is awesome

 

[SchizoFilly]

A thought on the ice bath, as mentioned here before, try moving the kettle to your bathtub. More water and ice to dissipate the heat more rapidly.

Trial and error until you find what works best for you. I have used the ice bath method in the past, but didn't want to go buy ice and what my fridge could make would only last through the first batch. At least that was the justification I used for the purchase of my immersion chiller to SWMBO.

 

[Weezknight]

Congratulations! It sounds like your brew day went very well.

I always keep a jug and spray bottle of Star San around for those last minute sanitizing projects.

Go for the 20 lb bag of ice; it's fast.

I did my first batch this weekend, and the 20lb. bag of ice worked like a charm. I switched the ice and water out 3 times and had 3 gallons cooled to 70 degrees in no time at all.

 

[timmystank]

Second the use of the bathtub. Ive used it every time and it takes less than 20 min.

 

[Homercidal]

An IC is cheap and easy to make. Search for threads on how to do it.

I wouldn't worry about using tap water if it tastes fine to drink.

 

[Gremlyn]

You can also use salt water with ice, it'll get colder than normal water with ice

 

[jaynik]

I chill the water to add to the wort, (I boil about 2 gals or so) then add that after the boil. That combined with the ice bath drops the temp pretty quickly.

 

[buckeyebrewer]

I chill the water to add to the wort, (I boil about 2 gals or so) then add that after the boil. That combined with the ice bath drops the temp pretty quickly.

+1 on that.....do it the night before and put in freezer. It will partially freeze. Stir that into hot wort and you can have your beer down to 65 in 5-10 min.

 

[kyleobie]

Makes sense. Do you keep refilling the ice bath? I found that the ice would melt pretty quickly and I'd need new ice every 5 min or so. I'm going to try the sink again, though.

I can get ice cheaply enough for now at the liquor store on the corner. Considering they only sell Budweiser/malt liquor/etc, I finally have a reason to go there!

So my airlock is bubbling ever so slightly, which has me thrilled. How much bubbling should I be seeing?

Thanks all!

 

[BillTheSlink]

I did my own first batch this weekend. I really, really recommend the immersion chiller. It brought the temps down really quick with an impressive cold break where the wort practically changed color. They do sell them on ebay. If you get one and the copper is tarnished be sure to soak in 5% distilled white vinegar, or the tarnish will be in your wort. After use rinse right away and as soon as possible wash, or just leave to soak overnight in Powdered Brewers Wash and rince clean.

 

[The Pol]

I dont chill at all... I rage against the machine.

Sounds like a successful brew day.

 

[jolleyphoto]

Congratulations! I keep a bucket of Star San although the process for that reason. I also have a wort chiller, highly recommend one. Cost me $50 and I can chill my wort to 72 in 12 minutes if I stir to keep wort moving.

Primary: IPA, Orange Honey Wheat
Secondary:
Bottled: Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout
Drinking: Pale Ale


De`ja`-Brew
We have all been beer before.

 

[The Pol]

Isnt Star San a sanitizer, not a cleaner like PBW?

I have a wort chiller, I just dont use it anymore, it IS for sale though....

 

[danorocks17]

congrats on the first batch! I think my first one was a brewers best ipa. came out pretty decent. I use my tap water, but i enjoy drinking my tap water, if i didn't i'd probably filter or buy bottled. but ice in your bath tub with water up to about 9 inches or so. that brewpot will chill pretty quickly.

 

[danorocks17]

congrats on the first batch! I think my first one was a brewers best ipa. came out pretty decent. I use my tap water, but i enjoy drinking my tap water, if i didn't i'd probably filter or buy bottled. but ice in your bath tub with water up to about 9 inches or so. that brewpot will chill pretty quickly. Oh and don't drink it too early, your patience will be rewarded.

 

[danorocks17]

and for some reason that posted 3 times

 

[kyleobie]

The (slight) bubbling on the airlock stopped over the weekend and I took my first FG reading today. 1.009, less than the recipe's FG of 1.012 - 1.014.

Following advice I've read here and elsewhere I'm going to continue to let it stay in the primary fermenter for another week. I'll bottle it and begin my new batch.

I took a taste of my sample for the hydrometer. It's awful and barely tastes like beer as I know it -- no hops, kind of astringent taste. Is that normal?

 

[kyleobie]

I'm drinking my very first one right now. I couldn't wait another week.

So far, it's turned out...pretty good! I think it's still a little "green", so I'll wait to give a final report on the flavor. But the mouthfeel's nice, the aroma's pleasantly hoppy and the head retention is a lot better than I'd ever expect from what I know, especially after 8 days carbonating.

This still young beer is proof that, for all my neurotic newbie questions, I ended up making what will be a pretty good pale ale.

 

[FuelshopMcgee]

congrats man...Im doing my first brew today and I hope I get good results as well...

 

[MikeG]

I've got Brewers Best APA on tap right now! Using late extract addition and fuller boils I've had great success. I think I've done 3 of those now.

 

[kyleobie]

Yeah, I dig it. This is much better than I expected from my first batch! I've snuck about 5 since waiting for it to finish conditioning. I'm trying to bring 15-20 more for a trip to a friend's cabin next week. If this forum's right, it should be hitting it's prime right around then.