Just started my first homebrew!!!

[archerynut]

I know those here on TBN say "no pics=didn't happen!!" So here's the fermenter bubbling away now.

 

[archerynut]

Just transferred to secondary fermenter this morning. Smells great, wanted to take a sip but it was only 10 in the morning.

 

[RobertN]

Looks good!

 

[archerynut]

Waiting until Saturday to bottle the first batch of the English brown ale. So excited to get a first taste, I couldn't help myself I had to make another brew. I decided on something different to appeal to different tastes. I went with this:



Placed in the fermenter about 8:00 last night and checked on it this afternoon and its bubbling like crazy this time. I have to say that the second brew was way easier than the first. Just more familiar with the process.

 

[RobertN]

Where did you get that kit? A friend started the local homebrew store locally(since moved on). They have kits developed in-house. Everything is individually packed in bags. Never seen a boxed kit like that...

 

[archerynut]

I got this kit from a local homebrew store:
Southhillsbrewing.comWww.southhillsbrewing.com.

I also found a similar kit from Midwestsupplies.com

 

[dmccarty]

You are using the same kits I am getting from my local brew store. Once you have done one or two brews, it gets easier. There is another brew store that makes up his own kits but I have gotten used to the brand I am using. Though the kits have gotten expensive I guess due to the high cost of grain.

I don't bother moving the beer to the secondary. Waste of time and increases the odds of contamination. You might want to try just leaving the beer in the primary for 3-4 weeks If Palmer says it is ok to do, it is ok for me.

Just a bit more waiting and you can bottle. Wait another week and FINALLY you will be able to see if you made something decent! :laughing::laughing::laughing: Beer making does teach patience. :drink: I think the toughest wait is the week after bottling. Or maybe it is over night when I put a beer that is FINALLY ready for the fridge and I just have to wait 18 or so hours. :shocked::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[archerynut]

You are using the same kits I am getting from my local brew store. Once you have done one or two brews, it gets easier. There is another brew store that makes up his own kits but I have gotten used to the brand I am using. Though the kits have gotten expensive I guess due to the high cost of grain.

I don't bother moving the beer to the secondary. Waste of time and increases the odds of contamination. You might want to try just leaving the beer in the primary for 3-4 weeks If Palmer says it is ok to do, it is ok for me.

Just a bit more waiting and you can bottle. Wait another week and FINALLY you will be able to see if you made something decent! :laughing::laughing::laughing: Beer making does teach patience. :drink: I think the toughest wait is the week after bottling. Or maybe it is over night when I put a beer that is FINALLY ready for the fridge and I just have to wait 18 or so hours. :shocked::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

What kits have you tried and which ones are you favorites? So many choices.

 

[RobertN]

I have not used kits in a long time(although one of my old recipes was a kit in friends store for a long time).

I mostly use and modify recipes from Pappazian or Palmer, although I have been successful making my own.

Those kits noted early were pricey. I think the current offering from our local store(My friend sold and moved out of area...) run ~$28-40. Grain has gotten more expensive, and some kits use more expensive liquid yeast.

You are using the same kits I am getting from my local brew store. Once you have done one or two brews, it gets easier. There is another brew store that makes up his own kits but I have gotten used to the brand I am using. Though the kits have gotten expensive I guess due to the high cost of grain.Later,
Dan

 

[archerynut]

Bottling day!!! Just moved the second batch to the secondary and added more hops. Here's the side by side of the English brown ale and the Belgian IPA in the secondary carboys.

 

[archerynut]

And here is the final product. Still have to wait 1-2 weeks for bottle conditioning



I had a helper for the bottling. My 5 year old was very intrigued by the beer making process and helped me cap all the bottles.

 

[archerynut]

Success!!!!





I think I am going to let it sit for another week for more carbonation but I just couldn't wait any longer...and it was good.

 

[JRobyn]

Congratulations! It looks tasty!

- Jay

 

[RobertN]

I have had them taste awesome even "green" after a week or two in the bottle. It is when I find a bottle I missed 6 months later and am "Wow" this is good, I think about letting them sit longer the next time

Remember to set one aside to drink while brewing; best beer is made while enjoying a homebrew. Have you looked at Pappazians' books? Every picture in the books have a glass of homebrew in them!

Success!!!! I think I am going to let it sit for another week for more carbonation but I just couldn't wait any longer...and it was good.

 

[archerynut]

I am going to put a six pack away in a hidden spot in the basement for me to forget about. I think I am going to do that for each beer I brew and then by the time I have a case or two there I can have a little get together and celebrate. Well...then again I don't need all those other people drinking my good beer. They can have the "fresh stuff". They will wonder why I am always going to the basement.