Glad I read this entertaining thread. I am about to brew my first batch, an American Pale Ale, and was flirting with the idea of adding a pound or so of sugar. Think I'll just follow my brew master's instructions. Cheers.
need experinced brewers input before i start my first brew this week
- Thread starter baddagger
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Makeyermark
Well-Known Member
I was thinking of printing this thread, wadding it up, put it in my hops bag and add at flameout, to spice up my next batch. Good idea?
The northernbrewer instructions say 3 months for this kit, remember, these kits are designed by pros
couldnt help myself:fro:I'll help you because I'm a nice guy
What you want to do is make an extract batch that is your first and that you can drink ASAP since you are going to be impatient. Also you want to make something similar to Blue Moon because you like Blue Moon. Unfortunately you ordered a kit that is nothing like blue moon and takes months to finish so here is what you can do.
1. Order another kit that is a blue moon clone like the one linked from Austin.
2. (This is what I would do) Place another Order for some extra stuff to add to what you have to make a Blue Moon Clone, and you will still have left overs to make the Belgian Ale as well (but dont go triple unless you like triples, here's a clue, if you don't like a strong alcohol tasting beer you probably don't like triples.)
What you should order:
6lbs wheat extract:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/northern-brewer-what-malt-syrup.html
Dry Ale Yeast, almost any will do. I'd go with Nottingham, it's cheap and makes a great Blue Moon Clone.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/nottingham-ale-yeast.html
Since you are going to have to pay the 7.99 shipping you might want to pick up some extra stuff as well. Maybe some extra packs of yeast, some crystal malt, some extra hops and malt extract, etc but thats up to you.
Also buy a box of quick oats from the grocer.
From your triple kit save the candy sugar, the 6 lb pack of gold malt syrup, the liquid yeast, the summit hops, and half the caramal malt. You wnt be using any of that in the Blue Moon clone.
For your blue moon clone you are going to basically follow the instructions that came with the triple with a few significant changes.
On step number 4 where you steep your grains, instead of steeping 1/2 lb Caramel Malt, steep 1/4 lb Caramel malt and 1/2 lb quick oats. Put the bag in your water when you turn the heat on and remove it when your water reaches 170-175 degrees. When you tie the grain bag make sure to leave room for the malt and especially the oatmeal to expand. And before you remove the bag dunk and shake it for a couple of minutes to extact the starch and color form the grains. You wont get much fermentables from them but you will get some color and flavor from the malt and some flavor, cloudiness and body from the oats.
Step 5: bring the 2.5 gallons of water (with your steeped grain extract now in it) to a boil then turn off the flame and stir in the the 3.15 lb pack of gold malt syrup and 4 lbs of the wheat syrup (save 2 lbs of the bottle of wheat syrup in fridge for your belgian ale).
Step 6: Bring back to a boil then add the 1 oz of saaz hops (remember save the summit hops for your modified belgian ale you are goin to brew next). You want a single hop addition and at least 60 minute boil for the Blue Moon Clone. When there is 10 minutes left in the boil (after 50 minutes of boiling) add ground corriander, around 1.5-2 tsp. When there is 5 minutes left add sweet (not bitter) orange peel. Go buy McCorrmick ground sweet valencia orange peel. I'd add about 1 tsp but if you want it more orangy add 2 tsp.
Step 10: bring volume in your fermenter up to 5.5 gallons (not 5 gallons) so you will have 5 gallons of beer when its done fermenting.
Step 11. Skip. You dont need to aerate the wort if you use the dry yeast.
Step 13: Rehydrate the yeast as per the instructions on the packet before pitching into wort.
Step 18: Skip this step. You dont need or want a secondary fermentation for the Blue Moon clone. After 2-3 weeks bottle the beer.
After 2 more weeks with the bottles stored at room temp of at least 70 degrees chill and enjoy
Thats what I would do if I were you. If you are going to do this and want to know what I would do for the second batch, the belgian ale just ask
That was very nice. :rockin:
Say what?
If I were you baddagger I would not skip aeration if using dry yeast.
(but that's only because I think I know more than those jacklegs at Danstar)
biggerthanyou83
Well-Known Member
listen to Rev's advice.
![Craft A Brew - Safale S-04 Dry Yeast - Fermentis - English Ale Dry Yeast - For English and American Ales and Hard Apple Ciders - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [1 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fVGNh6JfL._SL500_.jpg)
Tell you the truth I always shake it around a bit too, but I don't think it adds anything since the yeast already have everything they need, sterols and whatnot, so they don't need the aerobic grow phase.
The northernbrewer instructions say 3 months for this kit, remember, these kits are designed by pros
lol
I'll help you because I'm a nice guy
What you want to do is make an extract batch that is your first and that you can drink ASAP since you are going to be impatient. Also you want to make something similar to Blue Moon because you like Blue Moon. Unfortunately you ordered a kit that is nothing like blue moon and takes months to finish so here is what you can do.
1. Order another kit that is a blue moon clone like the one linked from Austin.
2. (This is what I would do) Place another Order for some extra stuff to add to what you have to make a Blue Moon Clone, and you will still have left overs to make the Belgian Ale as well (but dont go triple unless you like triples, here's a clue, if you don't like a strong alcohol tasting beer you probably don't like triples.)
What you should order:
6lbs wheat extract:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/northern-brewer-what-malt-syrup.html
Dry Ale Yeast, almost any will do. I'd go with Nottingham, it's cheap and makes a great Blue Moon Clone.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/nottingham-ale-yeast.html
Since you are going to have to pay the 7.99 shipping you might want to pick up some extra stuff as well. Maybe some extra packs of yeast, some crystal malt, some extra hops and malt extract, etc but thats up to you.
Also buy a box of quick oats from the grocer.
From your triple kit save the candy sugar, the 6 lb pack of gold malt syrup, the liquid yeast, the summit hops, and half the caramal malt. You wnt be using any of that in the Blue Moon clone.
For your blue moon clone you are going to basically follow the instructions that came with the triple with a few significant changes.
On step number 4 where you steep your grains, instead of steeping 1/2 lb Caramel Malt, steep 1/4 lb Caramel malt and 1/2 lb quick oats. Put the bag in your water when you turn the heat on and remove it when your water reaches 170-175 degrees. When you tie the grain bag make sure to leave room for the malt and especially the oatmeal to expand. And before you remove the bag dunk and shake it for a couple of minutes to extact the starch and color form the grains. You wont get much fermentables from them but you will get some color and flavor from the malt and some flavor, cloudiness and body from the oats.
Step 5: bring the 2.5 gallons of water (with your steeped grain extract now in it) to a boil then turn off the flame and stir in the the 3.15 lb pack of gold malt syrup and 4 lbs of the wheat syrup (save 2 lbs of the bottle of wheat syrup in fridge for your belgian ale).
Step 6: Bring back to a boil then add the 1 oz of saaz hops (remember save the summit hops for your modified belgian ale you are goin to brew next). You want a single hop addition and at least 60 minute boil for the Blue Moon Clone. When there is 10 minutes left in the boil (after 50 minutes of boiling) add ground corriander, around 1.5-2 tsp. When there is 5 minutes left add sweet (not bitter) orange peel. Go buy McCorrmick ground sweet valencia orange peel. I'd add about 1 tsp but if you want it more orangy add 2 tsp.
Step 10: bring volume in your fermenter up to 5.5 gallons (not 5 gallons) so you will have 5 gallons of beer when its done fermenting.
Step 11. Skip. You dont need to aerate the wort if you use the dry yeast.
Step 13: Rehydrate the yeast as per the instructions on the packet before pitching into wort.
Step 18: Skip this step. You dont need or want a secondary fermentation for the Blue Moon clone. After 2-3 weeks bottle the beer.
After 2 more weeks with the bottles stored at room temp of at least 70 degrees chill and enjoy
Thats what I would do if I were you. If you are going to do this and want to know what I would do for the second batch, the belgian ale just ask
hey thanks alot for the help.. im defently going to give this a try
step
Well-Known Member
<<< Shakes head
Asks advice then gets gets upset??? Seriusly, when people ask me about Blue Moon I tell them its for people who don't actually like beer.
Probably gonna get modded for that one...
Asks advice then gets gets upset??? Seriusly, when people ask me about Blue Moon I tell them its for people who don't actually like beer.
Probably gonna get modded for that one...
The problem with buying a Belgian Tripel to do a "Blue moon" clone is Blue Moon is a Belgian WHEAT, not a Belgian Tripel. One thing you are going to miss with your beer is the wheat flavor. It's not going to taste like Blue Moon no matter what you do. You may get it some what close, but never right on. Sorry.
I started brewing because I love Tripels but hate the price they charge at the store. Wow, I need more carboy's. I wonder how I'm going to convince SWMBO I need to have 6 or more batches bulk aging at a time. Oh well, it's the challenges in life that make us stronger...or single.
Am I the only one offend that he called rev an a$&hole? It's not gonna taste like blue moon cause well, he's not gonna listen to advice, even when it's given all sweet and sensitive so as not to upset his delicate balance and feelings, he's starting off with the wrong ingredients, wrong attitude. Look, baddagger, I'm will try not to hold your desire to make a crappy beer ( hate blue moon ) against you, but if you wanna make beer that tastes like what your after, pull on your big boy panties, tell rev your sorry, you were pmsing that day and you didn't mean it, go to the store, buy a case of blue moon, and start reading everything rev ever posted. Once your done hopefully you will have learned something, and will enjoy the process and experience of a great hobby. My guess, you won't listen to any of us, tell all your friends it's not your fault you made crap beer, its those a$&holes who picked on you, hurt your feelings and gave you bad advice on purpose, and will sell all your equipment after it's taken up space in the closet for 6 months, and someone will be stoked that they got it cheap....
iron_city_ap
Well-Known Member
Apparently the people of 'gosuckit' ri don't take no lip from anyone. Sure Revvy could have worded it better, but the o.p. is extremely hard to make sense of. Spelling doesn't count, but being in the ballpark most of the time sure helps. I was definately confused at first. Also, this isn't the type of forum to tell someone to go eff themselves. If you don't like what someone said, be a little more mature about it. Its easy to start to curse and hurl insults and there are billions of other places to do that on the internet. This just isn't that type of place.
nefarious_1_
Well-Known Member
I forgot to answer about the starter. I use a flask and a stir plate, the flask has another name, but i cant spell it!
When i first made starters i would use a growler. Boil water and dme in a sauce pan, pour into a sanitized growler, with sanitized funnel, then set in an ice bath. Once cooled, i would add the yeast, after santizing the yeast packet and scissors. While watching tv that evening, i would keep the starter on my coffee table, and give it a good swirl every 10 min or so. I would get a little obsessive and play with it all night! Before pitching, i hit the rim of the container with a flame or some star san, just to be sure its sanitized.
I believe you're referring to a borosilicate Erlenmeyer flask...
No problem, the nice thing about this recipe is you already have a lot of the stuff from your kit but will still have enough left over to make a second batch. Also wit beer like Blue Moon is ready to drink about as fast as any brew you can make. The Nottingham yeast ferments quickly so don't expect active fermentation to last more than about 3 days. Then by 2 weeks your beer should be ready to bottle. You aren't trying to wait for it to clear because you want it cloudy and this type of beer should be drunk fresh.
Ya HAHA, I didnt want to attempt to spell erlenmeyer!
MyNameIsPaul
Well-Known Member
Gosuckit, RI? Isn't that an old textile-mill town? I didn't know they still had a ********* factory up and running. Learn something new everyday!
rycov
Well-Known Member
kyle6286
Well-Known Member
Hey don't give us RI'ers a bad name. We're not all a$$holes!
midfielder5
Well-Known Member
WINNER !!!
Sorry, OP. The Trippel kit will not taste like Blue Moon. It is missing wheat and a totally different yeast. But go for it, and add the spices as others have said.
My favorite BM clone is from Wayne1 on here-- he helped w/ it while at Coors [stick to his & not the bastardized version by some well meaning folks later in that thread, IMO]. I have made Wayne1's version 4 times [40 gallons] and it slays. I use fresh zest vs dry, btw.
bottlebomber
Well-Known Member
Yeah the Revs a little harsh but he knows what he's talking about at least... I had a teacher in 3rd grade that grabbed a belligerent student by the scruff and pushed him through the door to the office. Mr.Bliss lol. He's one of the only teachers I had who's name I remember, let alone everything he taught me. You have a bad attitude man. You've got to come here with an open mind and realize there are guys and even gals here with more brewing experience than you will ever have. What made you think a Tripel would be anything like Blue Moon? You should have come here and asked for advice before you even bought a kit
bottlebomber
Well-Known Member
monkeydan said:
Yoopers a chick that's why
rycov
Well-Known Member
i'm sure he understands that he's not as good at brewing yet as many of the people on here. revvy's tone was just kinda... know it all, *******. but its hard to convey tone through text. the guy DEFINITELY over reacted.
rycov
Well-Known Member
and the guys should still consider revvy's advice too. his know it all-ness probably stems from him knowing it ALL (maybe not all but a **** ton )
)yah i know i dont alot about brewing that was why i asked for input to see if it was possible.. then he tells me to leave it alone ok.. but then he goes on after that and says crap like on well u must know beter then anybody here and the people who made it when i never said anythign like that and it pissed me off... so excuse me for getting a little pissed off.
and the guys should still consider revvy's advice too. his know it all-ness probably stems from him knowing it ALL (maybe not all but a **** ton
well thats great if he knows alot about making beer ..but just cause he knows alot does not mean there is any reason to talk to people the way he did.
olsond
Well-Known Member
You did think you knew more than the kit makers. You assumed (before talking to anyone) you could buy a "bigger beer" and add back the "blue moon" flavors... and bought the kit before seeking advise... But, someone told you it wasn't possible, that's when you asked for advice.
Look man we all make mistakes in the beginning. But humble yourself and take the advise of wiser men. FYI If you're getting into home brewing to make your favorite beers more boozy, you're in for a rude awakening.
bottlebomber
Well-Known Member
Your just going to have to get used to it though, cause I don't think he's gonna change, but you will still find yourself learning from his posts again and again.... I remember being a little taken aback when he replied to one of my posts, but I took the advice and it worked, even though it was different from what others were telling me to do. Here's a piece of advice from me though. The kit you chose it not what you wanted, and it will be months before you are drinking it in a finished state. Why not just buy another kit, one that im sure someone on here can recommend, and make that? Save the Tripel for another day
yes when i did order it i thought all Belgians were the same... and i will admit that was a noob mistake(and i dont know alot about beers but i wanted to try something new) and i was hoping that maybe it might just needed a couple things added to have a flavor something like blue moon and .. but as it was stated it could not..... so i called up northerbrewer and they said i could return that kit sense it has not even come in the mail yet.
yes i did make a mistake but again there was no need for him to say what he said.. all he could have said was no it cant be done cause it does not have anything in the kit that is used in a blue moon then i woudl have dropped it..but he had to go over and beyond that .... yes i made a noob mistake and im trying to learn and he give me a bunch of crap for it.
but anyways thats how i feel and im leaving at that.. so i have nothing left to say about the matter with revvy
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