got a white house white ale home brew kit

www.howtobrew.com is a must-read. don't worry about getting into the all-grain sections just yet, as I assume you're doing an extract kit?

 

A lot of "first brew day instructions" don't say anything about fermentation temperature. You should be able to find a recommended temperature range for the yeast strain you're using; try to stay within that.

 

I started a few months ago...

Don't underestimate sanitation.

Have ice (or snow) on hand to make an ice water bath to cool your wort.

If using a bucket for primary fermentation, don't drop the airlock grommet in the wort.

Be patient. It's ok to let your beer sit for a few extra days to make sure fermentation is done. The bottles will taste better if you give them some time as well.

 

The biggest thing you can do to help your efforts on try #1 is sanitation and temperature.

Sanitation: after the boil your wort becomes vulnerable to infection. Everything that touches your wort after that point needs to be sanitized! Be anal about it! If you're using starsan, just make sure everything is covered in starsan before it touches your wort. Starsan = recommended.

Temperature: I assume they have given you some sort of ale yeast. You need to check what the preferred temperature range for that yeast is. My guess tho is that it's probably a neutral ale yeast, and you'll have best results by getting the wort below 70F when you pitch the yeast, and keep it at ambient room temperature of no more than 70F, 66-68 would be better. If you ferment too warm, you'll make beer that you won't wish to drink. There are various techniques you can use to keep the temperature down if the ambient temperature is higher than 70F. Where are you going to ferment your wort?

Good luck! It will probably come out fine. You'll worry, but it will come out fine anyway.

 

This cannot be overemphasized. I'd say cool the wort to below the fermentation temperature, say low 60's, before pitching the yeast and let it rise according to the yeast's mood.

 

and while on the discussion of temperature; the recommended fermenting temperature is not the same as the room temperature. When in the peak stage of fermentation you can expect your fermentation temperature to rise 4-7 degrees higher than the room temperature. Also, keep in mind temperature fluctuations. You do not want to put the fermentor in a room that is 68 during the day and 55 at night, this could lead to incomplete fermentation and other issues

 

Who did you buy the kit from?
I think there is more than 1 place selling that kit if it is the one I'm thinking.
Was it the White House Honey Brown Ale kit of recent fame?
Northern Brewer actually sells more than one...a porter also...not to mention a bunch of logoed trinkets, etc.

 

Check out homebrewtalk.com for great information on home brewing. I have been home brewing for about a year and agree with all of the suggestions, particularly sanitation. It is too easy to infect your beer via carelessness. I brewed the White House Honey ale by kit from Northern Brewer and it was very good. Malt-forward with nice hop balance. The honey gives it a nice medium mouth-feel with a hint of honey flavor. Good luck and welcome to the addiction.
Susie