Just bottled my first brew!

[max-the-knife]

It's in the bottle and I can't believe how easy it was. Thanks for all your assistance. It didn't go without a few hitches and glitches. The first thing I did was cut my finger trying to put the plastic tubing onto the racking cane! Then I got so excited I almost forgot to put the corn sugar in to the beer before bottling!
But its bottled and now the three weeks for conditioning! I sampled it and was surprised at how it has mellowed from last week. As for clairty, it wasn't too bad. I just need to listen to everones advise and RDWHAHB!!!

 

[MarkItZero]

Awesome man, I'm glad to hear it was easy. I'm a total beer virgin, and want to start soon. Encouraging to hear it's smooth.

 

[Axegod]

Congrats ! ...now the hard part: Waiting.
You should have some carbonation (varies with recipe/temps) in about 4-5 days...and will usually be quite drinkable in 7-10.
I found that 3 days usually doesn't have much of anything. If you used plastic bottles, you can check the carbonation by gently squeezing the top and comparing it the pressure of a coke bottle. In three weeks I am sure it will be great.


Cheers.

 

[disaffected]

Cool. You're several weeks ahead of me. I can't wait to get there.

How did you put the bottling sugar in the beer? Did you mix it with water and boil it first?

 

[fezzman]

Cool. You're several weeks ahead of me. I can't wait to get there.

How did you put the bottling sugar in the beer? Did you mix it with water and boil it first?

I believe the norm is to boil it in 2 cups of water for 5 minutes, then mix with the beer.

jackmaxcy, congrats on your first bottling session. What is this three weeks of waiting that you speak of? I betcha a virtual dollar that you don't make it that long.

In my previous batches I got antsy around 5 days and had to crack a bottle. Had decent enough carbonation at that time too. I've been bottling a few 6-8oz bottles with each batch. This way I don't feel so bad about cracking one open early.

 

[Engelramm]

I always sample the half-bottle that I end up with at the end of a bottling session. If it's a full bottle, I always tell myself that it's for documentation purposes.

Having only 5 batches under my belt, I usually can only stand it a few days before I try one or two. I know it's wrong, but I can't help myself. I suppose it will get easier as I get more of a stash built up, but for now I like to call it "Quality Assurance".


Good luck and happy brewing!