There are so many tricks to learn, and even if I listed them all out here you'd forget to do 3/4's of them when your first brew day. When I was first starting out I used to "chair-brew". Like just visualizing each step in the brewing process to see if I could remember it all start to finish, and that was even when I was doing extract with steeping grains. Now I know what to do, I don't forget steps, and it doesn't require extreme concentration. Just read around on here as much as you can and you'll pick up tips. As time (and batches) goes by you'll develop your technique.
Biggest things I wished I'd learned about sooner, or had a lot of misconceptions about at first:
-Fermentation temperature control: Unless it's a belgian, ales do their best at 62-68F. I used to accomplish this by putting a wet t-shirt on my carboys, I recently made a fermentation chamber out of a min-fridge and some rigid foam insulation.
-Aeration: bad except for one time: After the wort is cooled, but before it is fermenting.
-Boil: vigorous is good, but no need to over-do it. Get a big pot; preferably big enough for the whole batch to boil. Prevent boil-overs by using foam control drops (fermcap-s) or by just aiming a fan at the surface of the boil.
Pitch an adequate amount of yeast according to the calculator
here. If making starters is a hassle to you, just use dry yeast packets properly rehydrated. They make world class beer.
-If you see yourself continuing this hobby (obsession), consider kegging.
-Don't skimp when making purchases. If you do you'll probably kick yourself later and end up spending the money for the proper thing. If you have to put off the purchase for a little in order to save and buy the right gear, do that.
-Try the 30 day free trial of beersmith. I was hooked and that was probably the best money I've ever spent on brewing.
-Creating your own recipes is NOT as easy as you might think. Stick to recipes that are tried and true favorites such as any in the book "brewing classic styles" or any of the many recipes on this website that many people have brewed. EdWort has a nice library of reliable ale recipes.
-If you're anything like most of us, you'll brew one good batch and suddenly have the urge to experiment with some ingredient that sounds totally delicious like honey, maple syrup, spices, or fruit. Fight this! It may be possible to brew good beers with these things but it is likely to take much trial and error! (mostly error) Build confidence with traditional recipes! I caved to this urge and wished I hadn't.
-If you have a significant other, make sure he/she doesn't associate the hobby with negative things. This is not difficult. Each time I buy something brewing related, the wife gets a present. Not necessarily equal value, I might come home with a stout faucet, nitrogen regulator, and a tank of beergas, and she gets a box of chocolates or a single rose. The value is not important, the important thing is that she is happy when beer stuff comes home.
, he's right on. Patience, and never stop learning!
