Questions About boiling?

[deadguyry]

I did my first batch today and did not give myself enough time before work. I added the malt and hops before the water was at a boil. What will this do to the beer?

 

[trevorc13]

Nothing much. I assume it was an extract batch. This has already been boiled and cooled through the mashing at the extract company. You just need to sterilize it through boiling. The hops need at least 60 minutes to have their alpha acids isomerized. You just gave them a head start.

 

[deadguyry]

I never fully achieved a boil I should of mentioned that I did not have enough time. And I have 2 books one saying i only needed 45 minutes for the hops but I now know 60 is needed

 

[jonmohno]

Did it almost boil over once it boiled? The extract is ok, not shure about the hops.Usually you add the hops at the very beginning of the boil.After the hot break from the extract.I think it would be fine as long as you didnt get a blasting boil that was out of control.

 

[jonmohno]

well since you posted never achieving a full boil youll just get a less bitter beer than you should have.I actually only did 20 min boil with my first two beers.the only reason to boil 60 is to utilize the hops for bittering.if you did 45 and no boil its gonna be low in the bittering zone.

 

[deadguyry]

Thanks so much Jon you have been very helpful.