Obligatory New Brewer Post

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Howdy all,

New brewer here, not a new drinker though!!

My Father in law has been brewing for 20+ years, so thought it was about time I jumped onto it too. Brought a starter kit, set it up and put a brew in. Pretty standard really and no issues.

‘Lucky Goat Pale Ale’
OG 1.046
Yeast pitched at 23 degC.

Luckily for me, I have access and know how to build stuff. So pick up a keg and associated equipment and while the ferment is happening I’ll through together a keezer.

Thread is pointless without pics, so here we go..



Cheers, Daniel

 

[jschein]

Welcome! Beer looks great and you have a nice setup

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Welcome! Beer looks great and you have a nice setup

Thanks man!

 

[Jag75]

Welcome to HBT ! Looks cool man . I hope you get over that corona quickly

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Welcome to HBT ! Looks cool man . I hope you get over that corona quickly

Hahaha, cheers mate! I know everyone has a beef with corona. But I actually quite like it, it’s ok you won’t hurt my feelings

 

[Jag75]

Hahaha, cheers mate! I know everyone has a beef with corona. But I actually quite like it, it’s ok you won’t hurt my feelings

I was joking about corona virus lol. Play on words

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

I was joking about corona virus lol. Play on words

Touché friend touché

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Temp dropped to 19 overnight, but it was also a cooler night in general. But never fear, Father in law had a spare heat pad. So now sitting on that and getting back to the 23.5 degrees. It’s cool and quite a bonding exercise between us.

 

[Jag75]

Check out fermwraps. It will cover more of your fermenter. That's awesome man ! Good experiences and memories. My son n law loves to brew with me as well . Good stuff man

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Check out fermwraps. It will cover more of your fermenter. That's awesome man ! Good experiences and memories. My son n law loves to brew with me as well . Good stuff man

I may have (don’t tell my wife) liberated one of the single duvets inners we have from the cupboard. But because the dryer is running in the garage at the moment. It’s quite warm in there. So I will just keep and eye on it. It’s also where the beer fridge is, so I don’t mind going out there every so often to check (maybe grab a beer or too at the same time)

Yeah it’s an experience allright, he’s already got kegs set up etc. And they own a fire protection company. So... free CO2. He’s converted an fire extinguisher for me. So no ongoing cost for that.

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Well, brew is just ticking along doing it’s this. Started on the kegerator. Got a upright freezer for nothing. So have started figuring all that out. Can get two 19l corny kegs in there. And about 20 750ml bottles. I’m happy with that. Have run gas lines and removed the thermostat wiring etc. Temp controller and taps should be here in the next few days, so will have this all assembled and running before the first brew is ready to be kegged. Didn’t take many photos, left my phone inside outta the shed (so I couldn’t be found)


Cheers Daniel

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Bitta work done on the keezer tonight. Re-wired and fitted temp controller. Ran gas line. Taps etc will be here tomorrow.

Brew is not doing a lot. Didn’t notice any air lock activity, so took a sample 1.018. Wondering if keeping it at 23.5 degrees has finished it early, or maybe it’s just slowed right down. Had a wee look and it looks ok. And taste tested the sample, seems ok. Any thoughts?



Cheers Daniel

 

[RM-MN]

It isn't uncommon for ales to have completed the initial part of the ferment within 2-3 days and warmer temps will speed that up even more. Finished early? No, it still needs more time in the fermenter. It will probably drop the hydrometer a little more. Then the yeast will begin to flocculate and settle out. The longer you wait, the more yeast settles in the fermenter and the less you get in the bottom of the bottles or keg. I plan on a minimum of 2 weeks before doing anything else to the beer and have left a beer in the fermenter for up to 9 weeks.

 

[rmoore853]

I haven't tasted beer for quiet a while now. I started reminiscing those gold old days.

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Evening, so the first brew finished, it’s now sitting in the keg in my chiller, carbonated it, and it’s drinkable at present, although a little under carbed, left it on 20psi for the night and will check again tomorrow. Started a second brew, a Pilsner kit, with an enhancer ( to be somewhat of a Budweiser clone). Hopefully my taps etc arrive tomorrow and can be mounted through the door of the fridge.

 

[Kharnynb]

23 degrees celcius is on the warm side for fermentation, I usually keep my ales around 18-20 degrees and lager 10-14.

 

[Jag75]

I really need to work on my celcius knowledge. I have to Google it to Fahrenheit.

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

23 degrees celcius is on the warm side for fermentation, I usually keep my ales around 18-20 degrees and lager 10-14.

I do tend to agree, but this is what the kit said, so this is what it got haha.

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Done a few extract brews. But things just got serious, fast,

 

[Alex4mula]

Ja! That is quick seriousness! Welcome to the hobby. After one+ year I make amazing beers that all my friends want to buy. I share a lot with them but I cannot brew a 5gal to sell unless it is $5 a pint. ;-)

 

[jcav]

Nice! Once you get bit by the brewing bug it's a wild ride! Welcome to the community!

John

 

[Jag75]

Nice! Your gonna love it man. Download the app for your recipes . Go off the water amounts on the app , not off the pamphlet that comes with it .

 

[Diesel_mechanic_nz]

Nice! Your gonna love it man. Download the app for your recipes . Go off the water amounts on the app , not off the pamphlet that comes with it .

Cheers man! Yeah been using the app for a while now. Just heating up to mash as we speak!