jamespz03
Active Member
After 3+ years of the 1 gallon brew kit sitting in the garage, I finally broke it open and brewed 3 times. I hope you don't mind me sharing my experiences.
First up was the Everyday IPA but I tossed the ingredients since it was so old. Instead, I went to the local Home Brew Store and they helped me mill a custom ~6% Oatmeal Stout. I BIAB and it came out okay but tasted more like a Newcastle Brown Ale. I think I technically did everything right. Bottled on 11/18/17.
Next up was the Black IPA and I BIAB on 12/24/17.. The wort smelled amazing and my house smelled like a brewery and I was super excited to taste it. However, as the wort was cooling (it got down to 75F), the cheap glass kit thermometer broke and I had to toss the whole lot. I'm still not sure if I cried....
My current brew is the Everyday IPA which I BIAB on 1/1/18. So far this is setting up nicely.
Things I learned:
There had to be a better way to bottle than using gravity and sanitizer fluid and pinching the tube. So I bought an auto-siphon and I can't wait to try it out. I'm buying a spring loaded bottle filler and hope that works out well too.
I had to buy a new thermometer so I got a nice metal one that clips to the side of the pot. It's nice not having to hold the thing for 2 hours..
I now tie the BIAB to a wooden spoon and hang that over the pot. It seems to work better for me since I'm only using a 10 qt pot.
I'm buying a bucket to sanitize everything as that will make it easier than using a large bowl.
It takes a long time to cool down the wort so I'm focusing on shortening that process by being better prepared with more ice and a larger container.
I bought sugar pills and hope those work out better than the honey method in the kit instructions.
I should have come back here prior to my first brew and read up. I simply brewed without research and followed the kit instructions.
Most importantly, I'm obsessed with sanitation and temps and need to calm the heck down. Therefore, I've decided to drink a beer or two prior/during so I can chill out. Brewing should be fun and I should not be stressed out and cranky.
Thanks! I'm looking forward to my next brew, which is going to be the Black IPA again.
James
First up was the Everyday IPA but I tossed the ingredients since it was so old. Instead, I went to the local Home Brew Store and they helped me mill a custom ~6% Oatmeal Stout. I BIAB and it came out okay but tasted more like a Newcastle Brown Ale. I think I technically did everything right. Bottled on 11/18/17.
Next up was the Black IPA and I BIAB on 12/24/17.. The wort smelled amazing and my house smelled like a brewery and I was super excited to taste it. However, as the wort was cooling (it got down to 75F), the cheap glass kit thermometer broke and I had to toss the whole lot. I'm still not sure if I cried....
My current brew is the Everyday IPA which I BIAB on 1/1/18. So far this is setting up nicely.
Things I learned:
There had to be a better way to bottle than using gravity and sanitizer fluid and pinching the tube. So I bought an auto-siphon and I can't wait to try it out. I'm buying a spring loaded bottle filler and hope that works out well too.
I had to buy a new thermometer so I got a nice metal one that clips to the side of the pot. It's nice not having to hold the thing for 2 hours..
I now tie the BIAB to a wooden spoon and hang that over the pot. It seems to work better for me since I'm only using a 10 qt pot.
I'm buying a bucket to sanitize everything as that will make it easier than using a large bowl.
It takes a long time to cool down the wort so I'm focusing on shortening that process by being better prepared with more ice and a larger container.
I bought sugar pills and hope those work out better than the honey method in the kit instructions.
I should have come back here prior to my first brew and read up. I simply brewed without research and followed the kit instructions.
Most importantly, I'm obsessed with sanitation and temps and need to calm the heck down. Therefore, I've decided to drink a beer or two prior/during so I can chill out. Brewing should be fun and I should not be stressed out and cranky.
Thanks! I'm looking forward to my next brew, which is going to be the Black IPA again.
James
Last edited: