New to this.

[mikemarks89]

Just picked up my beer kit today and I a
Ready to start my journey to creating beers. Any advice for a new brewer?

 

[raegis]

Any question you have has probably been answered so, search. But don't be afraid to ask questions.

this is always helpful. www.howtobrew.com

I'm new as well, brewed my first about 2 weeks ago still in primary fermentation. Just wondering, what kit did you pick up?

 

[jonmohno]

#1 Be patient #2Dont worry, but do be informed if concerned.

 

[timdsmith72]

1: Patience
2: Sanitize
3: Relax
4: Patience
5: Sanitize
6: Relax
You get the picture. Enjoy your new hobby! Warning. It's addicting.

 

[Cyclometh]

Relax, don't worry and have a homebrew. Don't be afraid to ask for advice or pointers, and do it sooner than later.

Oh, and sanitize all the things.

(seriously, relax- it's a lot of fun and really easy; don't get stressed about anything when doing it)

 

[bottlebomber]

Don't be afraid to ask a million questions along the way! There are tons of helpful people on here, and posts will usually be answered on the forum within minutes. There are no stupid questions in brewing. (Unless it's a What should or should NOT be in beer poll with "dogs" as two separate choices... don't ask)

Welcome to the forum

 

[bferullo]

Enjoy and +1 to the addicting hobby post. I was very anal retentive when I started, and sometimes that can be a bad thing. Worry too much and it deters from the fun of brewing.

Don't expect a perfect beer your first go. BUT the beer will be yours!!!! Just have fun and before you know it you will be brewing all the time.

 

[Bradinator]

I think its important to say that like any hobby, the more you do it, the better you get at it. If your first few attempts do not turn out like you wanted, just keep at it. You will eventually develop a process that works for your situation/equipment and begin making great beers.

And it really is addicting. I think I have 150 swing-top bottles of beer downstairs split between 5 different styles and I am already planning the next batch!

 

[ChshreCat]

Up to 90% of the time, the best answer is "Quit messin' with it."

 

[jonmohno]

Use the search,too.Chances are it has been asked and answered with beaten dead horses and all. Some people may get irritated at the same question.\
Also stick to recipes,kits, because from my experience making up my own usually dont turn out as good, at least until i learn all the hops.grain. yeast. Even then its still a challenge arranging an awesome brew, but most of the time you can make good beer. Stick to some basic stlye guidelines if you make your own recipe. Make shure you keep your temps within the yeasts range,its very important to the overall outcome of your beer. Most importantly use this website as a great tool to learn how to make good beer.

 

[lgilmore]

make sure you read through your steps completely. Organize everything you need BEFORE you need it. Work clean. if you work clean and give things time, you should be golden.

 

[jonmohno]

Don't be afraid to ask a million questions along the way! There are tons of helpful people on here, and posts will usually be answered on the forum within minutes. There are no stupid questions in brewing. (Unless it's a What should or should NOT be in beer poll with "dogs" as two separate choices... don't ask)

Welcome to the forum

Ha,exception to "stupid questions"- good eye ,there.

 

[ShaLaH]

Great advice from everyone.

I only have 2 batches under my belt but the 2nd one went much smoother because I had:

1) Sanitizing checklist

2)Conversion chart - can't tell you how many times I had to run to the computer to figure out liters to gallons, gallons to quarts, oz to tbsp, etc. - Have it all together in front of you.

3) Preboiled tap water (a few gallons) covered w. plastic wrap around for top-off or other needs. Make sure it's had plenty of time to cool, you don't want to top off chilled wort with hot water.

Brew on Brother!

 

[Kaanan]

Have fun and don't be surprised if it costs a lot more than anticipated. There's always more to buy!

 

[BostonHomeBrew]

I'm relatively new too, but it's been awesome. I just bottled my first stout last night and it tastes incredible. The waits between brew and bottle day are interminable though so I've blogging about my brew experiences to pass the time...

 

[BostonHomeBrew]

Oh... and the biggest thing that made my 2nd run better than my firs was to always do a practice run w sanitized water before doing it with the real thing. It helped me find all the potential for leaks and spills before working with the beer/wort...

Enjoy!!!

 

[Pilotpip]

I have 3 under my belt. Follow the directions in your kit and you will have a tasty brew.

The first time can be a little chaotic just trying to understand the process. After that, it gets easier. As others have said, sanitize, be patient, follow the directions, and be patient. You will want to taste it, take gravity readings, etc way too early. Let it do it's thing and leave it alone. Your tastebuds will thank you.

I also found that taking notes helps. Keep a log and include dates and times. I also make a note when opening a bottle if it's been a while.

After the first, the second and so on get easier. I have been reading the books I bought a second time because much more of it makes sense.

Have fun!

 

[RM-MN]

For my first couple of brews, I read through the instructions a couple times first and then laid out the ingredients in the order that they should be used. It kept me from adding the hops at the wrong time and I was impressed with how easy it was to make tasty beer.

 

[StittsvilleJames]

Best advice I have ever been given (not just for beer, but alot of stuff in life). -> "Control what you can. Don't worry about what you can't."

To me: Control your fermentation temps. Make sure to sanitize. Don't forget priming sugar. And if you drop a funnel into your brew before it's sanitized, don't worry about it...what's done is done.

 

[ghank15]

You say you bought a kit? Cool. Throw out the instructions.

Use these instructions. While you're at it, check out some of the other sticky threads at the top of the beginners page. I especially like the one "Think you've ruined your beer?"

Aside from that, have fun. This is a very rewarding hobby, and even though it might seem overwhelming, all you are really doing is making fermentable tea.

Good Luck!

 

[bottlebomber]

You say you bought a kit? Cool. Throw out the instructions.

+1

Whoever sells you the kit usually assumes
1. You only have your grandmas pasta pot as equipment.

and

2. That you're an idiot.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Since it hasn't yet been posted, and in line with "throw out the instructions", I'd advise reading this...

http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

If you can buy the hard copy version, do so (the free online version is older and some stuff has been updated)

 

[BradleyBrew]

Just dont start.... you will spend to much money, become addicted, and then spend more money lol