Never brewed before but I ordered a setup and I should have my equipment this week. Since it's summer I'm assuming I need to brew an ale. My carboy will be in my house so the temps will be high 60's low 70's. Any recommendations for an easy ale?
Xtreme noob - need kit recommendation
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c.n.budz
Well-Known Member
Buy a clone kit of a commercial beer that you enjoy. That way you have a general reference point to judge your results. Welcome to the forum
carnevoodoo
Well-Known Member
A clone kit is a good idea. Also, you should still try to control your temps a little. Even if it is a damp towel and a fan or a bucket with some ice to keep your temps maintained, every bit helps. Remember that your fermentation temps will be higher than ambient temperature because the yeast will create their own heat.
c.n.budz
Well-Known Member
Quite true. I use a big ass cooler full of water and ice blocks to keep my brews in the low 60's, though i just got the go ahead to ferment in the basement which stays around 66-68
carnevoodoo
Well-Known Member
And I use the 70 qt maxcold coolers because a carboy will fit in them. 
Welcome!!!
Here's what I'm doing in regards to temp control...
Take one of these (with the lid off)
The one I have can fit 2 carboys/buckets. I fill it about 1/3 with water, I stuck a small aquarium thermemeter with a suction cup on one of the sides touching the water (where I can look at it easily.) Then I put the fermenters in there and put a t-shirt over each of them with the ends sitting in the water to wick up the water. I have a bunch of 2 liter soda bottles filled with water and frozen (as well as some smaller water bottles) and I add them as needed to maintain a temp in the low 60's. You can also put a fan near it to blow air on the t-shirts....
It's a good idea to brew kits for your first couple of brews, that way all the ingredients are formulated to work together, and it is nearly foolproof...That way if something does happen, you can look at your process and improve on it for next time.
Here are some good beginning brewer threads. Plenty of good info and tips.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=54362
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7909
Here's what I'm doing in regards to temp control...
Take one of these (with the lid off)
The one I have can fit 2 carboys/buckets. I fill it about 1/3 with water, I stuck a small aquarium thermemeter with a suction cup on one of the sides touching the water (where I can look at it easily.) Then I put the fermenters in there and put a t-shirt over each of them with the ends sitting in the water to wick up the water. I have a bunch of 2 liter soda bottles filled with water and frozen (as well as some smaller water bottles) and I add them as needed to maintain a temp in the low 60's. You can also put a fan near it to blow air on the t-shirts....
It's a good idea to brew kits for your first couple of brews, that way all the ingredients are formulated to work together, and it is nearly foolproof...That way if something does happen, you can look at your process and improve on it for next time.
Here are some good beginning brewer threads. Plenty of good info and tips.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=54362
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7909
What beers do you enjoy most? Any commercial examples come to mind?
solidghost
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I use this:
Keep in mind I'm new at this and in no way a connoisseur although I would like to be.
I hesitate to say what I like for fear of discussing fine wines and mentioning Thunderbird.
I like German imports like Paulaner Original Münchner.
I like to find beers that I've never had and try them.
Here lately I've enjoyed Warsteiner Premium Dunkel.
As far as ales go I've really on had the Sam Adams Boston Ale.
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