This is my story....

[J_man]

So my girlfriend goes out to lunch with her cousins to a local establishment called the Alehouse. Calls me up and says "hey, can you pick me up I won a giant jug of beer". Now I'm imagining that it's just a growler or something like that, so I'm really surprised when I get there and it's this huge 5 gallon-ish jug of home brew of almost beer. I've always wanted to try brewing beer and now destiny has arrived.

This is what I know so far.
-It's a brown ale style beer
-I have a sheet that tells me what's in the mash and boil. There are no instructions on what to do with this beer.
-we still need to add the yeast to it.
-put it somewhere dark and cool

so my questions are...
Where should I put this thing? I have a closet but I heard I should take everything out of there if I put it in there cause it will sink up the closet. (I live in an apartment)
After I add the yeast how long do I wait? when should I check in on it?
What temp should I try to keep it at?
After it's done fermenting how should I bottle it?

I may have more questions later but I wanna thank you all in advance for you help.

 

[Braufessor]

Well, first things first - you want to be able to keep it in the mid-upper 60's for temperature if at all possible - so if you have anywhere in your house like that -that is where you want to put it.

Second - you need to get some yeast in it ASAP.....like tomorrow at the absolute latest. Just go get some dry yeast from a Homebrew store - US 05 american ale yeast is probably your best bet.

How full is the jug??? Is it full right up toward the top, or is there a gallon+ of empty head space??? This will determine if you need a "blow off tube" or if a regular airlock will work ok.
How is it sealed?

To be honest, this is not the best way to go about starting homebrewing - so if it does not turn out well, don't be disillusioned by it.

If you get the above stuff done as quickly as possible, you have plenty of time ( 10-14 days) to worry about some of the rest.

 

[bbohanon]

To be honest, this is not the best way to go about starting homebrewing - so if it does not turn out well, don't be disillusioned by it.

This. To be honest, i am not even sure I would bother with it. If you really want to get into this hobby(and if you like beer, I highly recommend it!), get a proper startup kit, a good book to get you some pointers on your first batch (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009DH2PP4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20) and have a blast with the whole process.
Getting a random jug of unfermented wort with not much to go on may not work out for you as a first timer.
Just my .02

 

[Stocktonbrew]

Weird contest. Winning 5 gallons of beer is great, Winning 5 gallons of wort requires a rather sizable parts list. Sure its not fermented?

 

[brewkinger]

Something just does not feel right about this.
What type of establishment is the Alehouse?
Winning a five gallon "jug" of unfermented wort with none of the necessary additional items is just plain odd.
The instructions are lacking.

Winning a 5 gal jug of beer is also odd. Given that a 64oz growler is good for less than a week once opened, 5 gal is gonna be tough in a week.

Agreed that if you want to get into the hobby of brewing, read through this forum and decide your plan of action.




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[SophieMC]

Definitely it will be so much better to "discard" this prize, keep the jug and start from scratch with home brewing! It's quite easy and fun. Results: amazing! Flavour and accomplishment.

 

[J_man]

yeah I'll admit I thought it was weird that they gave her a big jug of wort and not really how I wanted to start it myself but I might give it a go anyway.

But it does it did come with the yeast and plug with a blow off cap. She says all they told her was to add the yeast put the plug back on and it was good to go.

Thanks again. I'll keep updating the progress.

 

[Braufessor]

yeah I'll admit I thought it was weird that they gave her a big jug of wort and not really how I wanted to start it myself but I might give it a go anyway.

But it does it did come with the yeast and plug with a blow off cap. She says all they told her was to add the yeast put the plug back on and it was good to go.

Thanks again. I'll keep updating the progress.

Well, then get that yeast in there. Get the blow off cap on and keep in as cool as possible..... that is important. Like I said mid to upper 60's if at all possible.

Fermentation takes 10-14 days for sure, and you can honestly leave it sit for 3 weeks no problem. you will really want to do some research on the rest of the process. Check out a local homebrew store for things you will need to bottle.

 

[Keith_O]

Well, keep us posted?
Where is this place?


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[J_man]

yeast is in and blow cap on, thanks Braufessor.

Since there is such curiosity on where this place is and gives such odd gifts as 5-gallon wort. I'll elaborate on that part of the story. In the small town of Moscow Idaho you find a place called the "Moscow Alehouse" formally know as the "Coeur d'Alene brewing company alehouse". The Alehouse normally features local and regional breweries. However, on this day they had their own how to home brew afternoon. Still available to see of their facebook page here

One of the many raffle prizes was one of the demos they made there earlier that day and that how a 5-gallon carboy full of wort came in our possession.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Well, that does make a little more sense. And if the yeast hasn't been pitched, then it's legally not beer, so the laws regarding what they can do with it are much more lax.

But yeah, scope out the forum for more instruction, or hit your local brewing shop, to get all the gear you'll need to bottle it.

This is definitely the most unorthodox introduction to homebrewing I've seen yet, but sure, we'll take it. Welcome to the hobby and to the forum.

 

[Braufessor]

Some resources:

General Videos of process:
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/how-to-brew/beginner/videos/

https://byo.com/videos

Good book - older version on line - I recommend you buy this one if you are looking for a good, all around book that also leads into all grain and more advanced stuff beyond what it takes to get started:

http://www.howtobrew.com/

This site is a great resource too.
This is a "sticky post" at the top of the Beginner Forum with basic instructions for extract brewing.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/beginner-extract-brewing-howto-99139/

Good luck

 

[unionrdr]

Keep it in a cool, DARK place. If your cool spot isn't dark, cover it with a dark tee shirt or other such thing. Then get to studying the process & get some bottling equipment. Here's an old two part bottling video I did a while back. Gotta do an updated one, but this'll give the basics as I do it.


You can see what equipment you need for bottling.

 

[Hello]

That's a pretty neat way to get into the hobby. Maybe it'll get you going with future brews.

 

[Melana]

Winning a 5 gal jug of beer is also odd. Given that a 64oz growler is good for less than a week once opened, 5 gal is gonna be tough in a week.

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Would not be a hardship if you had plenty of friends around!

 

[Riot]

If you and three friends can't kill 5 gallons in a weekend, I think you're doing something wrong

 

[The542]

My brother is in Pullman, I'm going to have to have him check this place out.

 

[J187]

How long was the wort in the alehouse before they gave it away? This would concern me even if they pulled a chiller out of the wort and handed it to your GF to take home and pitch later that day let alone the scene you're painting...

Here, you won this heavily oxidized wort that's been on the cold side for a couple days... try not to aerate it as you carry it to your car and drive it home. Oh by the way, learn how to brew beer before pitching yeast into it. It will wait....

I have different advice than the others. Mine is to not even go back to the alehouse for anything... not even to drink their beer.

 

[The542]

So did your girl attend the class? That would be an awesome start to something you can do together!

 

[Qhrumphf]

How long was the wort in the alehouse before they gave it away? This would concern me even if they pulled a chiller out of the wort and handed it to your GF to take home and pitch later that day let alone the scene you're painting...

Here, you won this heavily oxidized wort that's been on the cold side for a couple days... try not to aerate it as you carry it to your car and drive it home. Oh by the way, learn how to brew beer before pitching yeast into it. It will wait....

I have different advice than the others. Mine is to not even go back to the alehouse for anything... not even to drink their beer.

If you go to the Facebook page of the place, they did a homebrewing class, and one of the prizes was to take home the wort. One would assume the wort she brought home was prepared that day.

And if he hasn't pitched yeast yet, by all means aerate and shake away.

 

[Jupapabear]

Welcome to the hobby. Don't let anyone discourage you, you will have beer. And if you follow the suggested links above, it will be as good and it could be. Now, when you are done with that, go to your local home brew store and look around. Buy a starter kit there or like most of us from amazon. Read and brew. Clean. You will be cleaning a lot. It's actually what takes up most of your time.

Also, can we see some pictures of what you got going on? I'd love to see your new "jug". I'm assuming it is a carboy which is pretty standard, though buckets are cheaper and tend to have more room (head space is a concern).

 

[J187]

Welcome to the hobby. Don't let anyone discourage you, you will have beer. And if you follow the suggested links above, it will be as good and it could be. Now, when you are done with that, go to your local home brew store and look around. Buy a starter kit there or like most of us from amazon. Read and brew. Clean. You will be cleaning a lot. It's actually what takes up most of your time.

Also, can we see some pictures of what you got going on? I'd love to see your new "jug". I'm assuming it is a carboy which is pretty standard, though buckets are cheaper and tend to have more room (head space is a concern).

I think some of the disparaging remarks are intended to NOT discourage him. Basically we are saying that if this turns out crappy, it's not his fault and he shouldn't be deterred in the least from starting a batch of his own and taking care of his wort on the cold side. I think the most important thing to convey to him is that this very well might NOT be as good as it could be... I don't him to mistake wort that was improperly cared for post cool, for an indication of how his beer will turn out if he starts brewing and shows some regard for the process a little more than they have.

 

[barnaclebob]

You better start collecting bottles too if you don't want to invest in a kegging system...which you wont regret btw.

you'll need about 50 12oz bottles to fit 5 gal.

Youll also need to buy a bottling bucket, bottleing wand, racking cane, some tubing, a capper, caps, and some sanitizer at a minimum. This will probalby set you back less than $50 total

 

[kingmatt]

How long was the wort in the alehouse before they gave it away? This would concern me even if they pulled a chiller out of the wort and handed it to your GF to take home and pitch later that day let alone the scene you're painting...

Here, you won this heavily oxidized wort that's been on the cold side for a couple days... try not to aerate it as you carry it to your car and drive it home. Oh by the way, learn how to brew beer before pitching yeast into it. It will wait....

I have different advice than the others. Mine is to not even go back to the alehouse for anything... not even to drink their beer.

Hmmm...not sure they would have to worry about the beer being "heavily oxidized" or aerating it on the ride home if they haven't pitched the yeast yet. I know many brewers who routinely let their cooled wort sit for extended periods before pitching.

I'd say, as long as no wild yeast was accidentally introduced and the wort is now at a proper pitching temperature, aerate away and pitch those hungry buggers!!

 

[balrog]

FWIW, if you happen to know *ANYONE* who brews, having someone help you is priceless. I mean, HBT is great and all, but having someone actually help is worth a great deal. Not that having all the HBT-ers in your house wouldn't be helpful...or just downright scary...

 

[J187]

Hmmm...not sure they would have to worry about the beer being "heavily oxidized" or aerating it on the ride home if they haven't pitched the yeast yet. I know many brewers who routinely let their cooled wort sit for extended periods before pitching.

I'd say, as long as no wild yeast was accidentally introduced and the wort is now at a proper pitching temperature, aerate away and pitch those hungry buggers!!

Well, you'll undoubtedly introduce oxygen after the wort has cooled and you're moving it around and all. This is usually not a problem because most people pitch yeast right away and they take up the oxygen during the lag phase. Otherwise, the oxidation can begin the staling process right off the bat. This is why no-chill brewers take such pains to transfer the wort almost boiling and remove headspace from the storage container... I'm sure you know some brewers who let their cooled and transfered wort sit for periods.. but we are talking days on end here, and we are talking about carrying this vessel in a car, bringing it home, etc etc. And who knows how it has been stored up until now?

 

[Qhrumphf]

Well, you'll undoubtedly introduce oxygen after the wort has cooled and you're moving it around and all. This is usually not a problem because most people pitch yeast right away and they take up the oxygen during the lag phase. Otherwise, the oxidation can begin the staling process right off the bat. This is why no-chill brewers take such pains to transfer the wort almost boiling and remove headspace from the storage container... I'm sure you know some brewers who let their cooled and transfered wort sit for periods.. but we are talking days on end here, and we are talking about carrying this vessel in a car, bringing it home, etc etc. And who knows how it has been stored up until now?

If you actually looked at the Facebook page he referenced, that day was a introduction to homebrewing class with with prizes, one of which was taking home the batch they made to ferment (which we can assume is what this is).

If it was brewed, transferred, and shook up in the car while taking it home and then the yeast pitched, that's beneficial.

So far the only issues I can see that would separate the OP from any other beginner is that a) he didn't have to prepare the wort which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it and b) he doesn't yet have the equipment to bottle.

 

[StalkingWilbur]

Yeah. I don't know why people had to make such negative assumptions rather than just ask questions. Seems like an awesome prize to me!


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[Paradigm]

Given that a 64oz growler is good for less than a week once opened, 5 gal is gonna be tough in a week.

Challenge accepted.

 

[number40fan]

9 six packs in a week. Pfft. What I am supposed to drink the last three days?