My first batch ever...(crash course?)

[ojoil]

Hey folks,
Last night I started on my first ever attempt at home brewing after chatting with my dad, who's made wine for years. Theres a few questions he couldn't answer so I bring them here....


First off, the instructions for my kit said to sprinkle the yeast on top, which I did. I didn't stir it, and I hope that was the right thing, otherwise I guess I shouldve asked last night, and I'll know for next time.

So, do you stir the wort to mix the yeast?

Secondly, I noticed that the gravity is a touch higher than the book says it should be, and even after about 24 hours it still hasnt dipped below the level it should've been from the start.

My uneducated guess is that I may have been a bit short on the water I added at the start.

Is this going to be a big issue?

Last question, I think for bottling I'd like to use the ez-cap bottles. Can anyone recommend a good source in Canada?

Thanks in advance

 

[redpale]

First off, the instructions for my kit said to sprinkle the yeast on top, which I did. I didn't stir it, and I hope that was the right thing, otherwise I guess I shouldve asked last night, and I'll know for next time.

So, do you stir the wort to mix the yeast?

Secondly, I noticed that the gravity is a touch higher than the book says it should be, and even after about 24 hours it still hasnt dipped below the level it should've been from the start.

My uneducated guess is that I may have been a bit short on the water I added at the start.

Is this going to be a big issue?

Last question, I think for bottling I'd like to use the ez-cap bottles. Can anyone recommend a good source in Canada?

Thanks in advance

Well, let's start with the yeast... ideally, yes - you are supposed to stir/mix it into the wort. This also helps to aerate the wort to provide needed oxygen for the yeast. With dry yeast (and I'm asuming you used a dry yeast because you said you 'sprinkled' it on top) I usually stir and shake the fermenter, -plastic bucket/glass carboy, whichever - just prior to adding the yeast, and then some more after adding it. I usually really slosh it around pretty good to get it aerated well.

Whether or not the yeast will still do its thing without the mixing leads me to a question... you mention that the gravity hasn't changed 24 hours after your initial reading. Have there been any signs that fermentation has begun yet - any activity in the airlock (bubbles, etc) any signs of sediment roiling around in the wort, etc.? I'm not entirely certain - but I think that once the yeast has been pitched and is active it may affect any hydrometer readings taken. What was the temperature of the wort when you took your initial reading? If it was above 60 F you'll need to adjust the reading upward accordingly, below and you adjust downward. You may not have been as far off as you think.

If it's only been 24 hours and there are no signs of fermentation having begun it may not be too late to slosh the wort around a little in the sealed fermenter to aerate and mix the yeast. If fermentation has begun I would just leave it to itself and let it do it's thing.

The easy caps I know nothing about about, but someone who does will probably offer some help.

Good luck with the brew - and things will probably work out - they usually do

 

[FlyGuy]

If the instructions said to just sprinkle it on top, it should be fine. Not to worry there.

Second, if you were a bit shy on the water you added to the kit, this is OK too. In fact, I rarely add the amount of water stated in the instructions. I find most kits make somewhat 'thin' beer. Leaving out some water can often help make better beer.

Those ez-cap bottles are actually produced right here in Alberta, and most homebrew shops carry them or can get them. But they are not cheap. You are far better to spend the SAME amount of money and buy some local craft-brewed beers or imports, drink all the beer, wash the bottles, and use those.

Alternatively, visit your local bottle return depot (or call around to the ones in Edmonton in anticipation of your next visit), and see if they have a stockpile of Grolsch bottles. These are green glass ez-cap (or swing-cap) bottles that the recyclers can't put back into local circualtaion. They are often happy to sell them rather than dispose of them. The going rate here in Calgary is 15 - 25 cents per bottle.

Good luck!

 

[ojoil]

Hmm thanks for the pointers guys.

I'll definitely check into the bottle depots.

Also, the brew is certainly fermenting, as it sits right now it's giving enough a bit of heat and is bubblin away.

In the meantime I'll keep my eye on in sheer anticipation