My first peek at my first homebrew!

[ZmannR2]

Well it's just about bottling time on my first ever homebrew! Used the "Summer Crisp IPA" kit from Austin homebrew. Doubled the dry hopping by throwing in some Mosaic I purchased and also added mosaic in the boil as well.

Purchased the alcohol boost too to increase the ABV by 1%. My final gravity is looking a touch under 1.01. Maybe 1.0095? Anyways the ABV is measuring about 6.4% right now.

I think clarity wise it's looking great! This is my first batch so I dunno. I snuck a sip and it tastes amazing! I'm so excited for it. I'll post a report in a few weeks after bottling. When's the soonest I can drink after bottling?

 

[Brentski]

Quality Buddy, I would have a hard time bottling that instead of 'Chugg'n em

 

[Pantherjon]

I would give it a week in the bottle at minimum..Try one after a week and you be the judge, if it tastes great flat it will really be good after a week of conditioning in the bottle..Looks awesome!

 

[sudbuddy]

There's seriously an "alcohol boost kit"?!?!?! Damn that's desperate

Your first beer looks good. Work on the basics of fermentation before you get too worried about high alcohol beers. Unless that's the only reason you are brewing, then for sure try to brew high gravity and please, enjoy the results.

Otherwise, welcome to this great hobby! This is a great place to pick up tips and meet like-minded friends. Seriously though, don't brew to get drunk. Brew to get the best freakin beer you can make. If it happens to get you drunk, well, so be it!

 

[rupert130]

I would guess the alcohol boost is just dextrose or some other sugar

 

[ZmannR2]

There's seriously an "alcohol boost kit"?!?!?! Damn that's desperate

Your first beer looks good. Work on the basics of fermentation before you get too worried about high alcohol beers. Unless that's the only reason you are brewing, then for sure try to brew high gravity and please, enjoy the results.

Ya check it out:

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/Alcohol-Boost.html

Literally you just add it in after flameout. Says "The BrewVint Alcohol Boost is 55% maltose and 45% glucose. This dry sugar adjunct will boost the alcohol content without changing the taste, color, or aroma of the beer. One 14 oz (397 g) bag will boost the beer 1% ABV."

Doesn't seem like anything to worry about. The kit says 5.8%. I'm at 6.4% now and that is surely to grow to 6.6-6.6 when done so it did what it's supposed to do. I would recommend it for certain kits. I like IPAs to be in the 6-7% range

 

[pdog44450]

Ya check it out:

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/Alcohol-Boost.html

Literally you just add it in after flameout. Says "The BrewVint Alcohol Boost is 55% maltose and 45% glucose. This dry sugar adjunct will boost the alcohol content without changing the taste, color, or aroma of the beer. One 14 oz (397 g) bag will boost the beer 1% ABV."

Doesn't seem like anything to worry about. The kit says 5.8%. I'm at 6.4% now and that is surely to grow to 6.6-6.6 when done so it did what it's supposed to do. I would recommend it for certain kits. I like IPAs to be in the 6-7% range

If you are at a 1.009 I'd say fermentation is likely to be over. I'd leave it in the bottle for 2 weeks at least. You can try to "sneak" one at 7-10 days but I find that mine have never been carbonated at 1 week and it's just a waste of opening one, but it can be a learning experience for you.

The hydrometer sample looks great, hope it turns out well for you!

 

[mrgrimm101]

I find that most of my beers are carbed at 2 weeks..sometimes it takes 3 but that's not very often. However, it may take 3+ weeks for them to be conditioned so they don't taste like green beer. Maltier beers tend to take a little longer to come into their own. Hoppy beers are better fresh, but they still need the 2-3 weeks to condition. You're going to want to rush it..just be patient. Don't drink them all as soon as they're drinkable..they will change over time, which could be good or it could be bad. I had a batch of my house IPA that I drank/gave away almost all of it before I realized it was better after 6 weeks than it was at 3..

 

[ZmannR2]

Damn!! 2 more weeks will be hell but ok. Ugh

 

[GrogNerd]

this is definitely not the hobby for the impatient

it gets better once you get a pipeline going, but there will always be a CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THIS! voice in your head

it's 3 of the 4 voices in my head saying that, but the 4th one just likes to be contrary

 

[m00ps]

The "alcohol boost" kit is just a mixture of sugar and extract. You could just save your money and add some sugar or DME to your existing kit

 

[mrgrimm101]

The "alcohol boost" kit is just a mixture of sugar and extract. You could just save your money and add some sugar or DME to your existing kit

This is great advice.

@ZmannR2, just keep in mind that adding sugar to the boil will add some gravity and alcohol in the end, but it can dry out the beer if too much is used.

Extra DME/LME will also add some gravity and alcohol, but it can throw off the bitter/sweet ratio.

 

[ZmannR2]

Well it was $4 for the boost. No biggie.

 

[Elkobrewer]

Looks good congrats.