There, I've said it. My first bottling day was Sunday.
Actually, I should have filmed it as a "You don't want to do it like this" tutorial. You guys would have loved it. I must have looked like a drunk Steve Irwin trying control this thing. I still don't really know how I got beer on the ceiling, but SWMBO noticed it the moment she came home. My daughter gave me that pity laugh that sounds like "get back in the garage where you belong".
I used a racking tube, and about 4 feet of hose on that, as well as a wand on the end. I think I bit off a little too much for a new guy. Okay, granted- I was wayyy into my last batch before attempting this, but these things should come with warnings. Or at least safety goggles.
On the bright side, I am slowly realizing my needs and/or limitations, and perhaps a shorter tube minus the wand next time. I could just pinch it shut, I know. Maybe I WILL film the next one.
Anyway, I filled my 2.5 MrBeer with the 2nd half of the Sweet Stout kit from last time, and I filled my 5 gal bucket with a Draught Stout kit. Problem is, I am pretty sure I pitched too warm in the bucket, (because I didn't take any measurements for fear of contamination- too paranoid, I know - but it's the second guessing that gets me) and I see no reaction at all. The little-boy keg has been going nuts for 3 days. Temperatures after the fact on both are great, so I grabbed another Windsor yeast pack today to repitch the bucket if needed.
I will probably repitch the bucket tomorrow morning before I leave for work if I still don't see any action. I figure for $4, another pack of yeast won't hurt whether I'm too early, or if I screwed up the boil somehow anyway.
After my last bottling attempt, I may just drink this straight from the cow.
Actually, I should have filmed it as a "You don't want to do it like this" tutorial. You guys would have loved it. I must have looked like a drunk Steve Irwin trying control this thing. I still don't really know how I got beer on the ceiling, but SWMBO noticed it the moment she came home. My daughter gave me that pity laugh that sounds like "get back in the garage where you belong".
I used a racking tube, and about 4 feet of hose on that, as well as a wand on the end. I think I bit off a little too much for a new guy. Okay, granted- I was wayyy into my last batch before attempting this, but these things should come with warnings. Or at least safety goggles.
On the bright side, I am slowly realizing my needs and/or limitations, and perhaps a shorter tube minus the wand next time. I could just pinch it shut, I know. Maybe I WILL film the next one.
Anyway, I filled my 2.5 MrBeer with the 2nd half of the Sweet Stout kit from last time, and I filled my 5 gal bucket with a Draught Stout kit. Problem is, I am pretty sure I pitched too warm in the bucket, (because I didn't take any measurements for fear of contamination- too paranoid, I know - but it's the second guessing that gets me) and I see no reaction at all. The little-boy keg has been going nuts for 3 days. Temperatures after the fact on both are great, so I grabbed another Windsor yeast pack today to repitch the bucket if needed.
I will probably repitch the bucket tomorrow morning before I leave for work if I still don't see any action. I figure for $4, another pack of yeast won't hurt whether I'm too early, or if I screwed up the boil somehow anyway.
After my last bottling attempt, I may just drink this straight from the cow.