Anyone try this kit?

Looks like the kit should be alright...if you want to brew it again it's only $15 because you are getting some reusable equipment with this one...looks like only 1-3 gals though which should be ok

Maybe post the directions included as that is sometimes the weak link...welcome and enjoy!

American Pale Ale is a great first choice for a brew kit.

 

A good read online (or in print) to supplement what looks like brief instructions with the kit:

http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

 

Advice? There's a ton, but fermentation temperature is key. I have no clue what yeast you get but an ambient temperature above 65F would cause me some worry...

 

To add, pitching temp is just as important. I'd assume you're going to use a water bath in a sink or a bathtub to cool your wort after the boil. Throw lots of ice in the sink or tub after you change the initial water out after 20-30 min. It's fairly important to to get your wort chilled quickly when doing hoppy beers.

Segway to sanitation: It also helps prevent any floaties and crawlies in your beer when you chill quickly. Sanitation is VERY important for everything AFTER the boil.

Do they tell you what kind of hops or how many oz of hops you get with your kit?

 

An oz is about the amount of skittles you'd get out of a mall gumball machine on a bad day. A palmful (for my medium glove hand). You're going to want more if you have a homebrew store nearby or maybe an online purchase for dry hopping.

 

Grate Kit, good start. you checkout some one gallon kits here. any way you chose start brewing, satisfaction garment

 

It's US-05 according to the website so ambient 60-72 should be OK

 

Remember, this is only a 1 gal batch ...I think she has plenty of hops even if they are 1/2 oz bags
Most people don't dryhop APAs and for a first batch I certainly wouldn't bother with dryhopping anyway.
I think the kit supplies Perles and Cascades.

 

72 ambient scares me a bit, as he'll be overpitching (I assume, as he only needs ~2 grams for a 1 gallon batch) and may run hot because of the over pitch. I would keep it internally under 72, which means an ambient under 68F

 

More (higher %) surface area on a 1 gal batch should help to limit internal temps, but US-05 does do better at lower temps, IMHO. Probably is going to be an overpitch (even without hydrating the yeast first)...unless you use Mr. Malty guidelines : ). I think a lot of yeast will not stay in the fermenter anyway with a 1 gal jug : )

The website does sell/recommend fermometers (but is not included in the kit)

 

Alysmith, I think it would be great if you could chill your wort down to about 57 of 58F. Just pitch your yeast in and try to lock it there. Put your fermenter in a tupperware and fill it half way up the fermenter with water. Use a frozen 2 liter (full of water, not Coke) every 10 or 12 hours. Keeping the yeast cold will help keep the fermentation bubbling to a minimum. Consistent temperature wins the day. Whatever temp you go with try to keep it within +- 2F. This yeast will do great at any temp in it's range.

 

You like a lot of stuff

 

Cool your jets, Al.

 

Bad news: If you ferment it too warm it will have more esters and possibly fusel (bad) alcohols

Good news: You will be using US-05, 1 of my favorite dry yeasts that is very forgiving (59-75*F)
Just make sure your house gets no warmer than 70*F AND you place your gallon fermenter in a pan filled with cool water and then wrap a small towel around the jug (fermenter). The towel will wick water up from the pan and keep your precious beer in the desired range.

ps If they give you a 11g packet of yeast...just use half of it roughly and pay close attention for any signs of blowoff (I think your directions talk about constructing one)

 

Agreed. I would suggest 1/2 or even less yeast.

OP: FYI fusels are alcohols that taste like bad vodka, the best way of describing those type of alcohols is "hot".