After a long time of putting it off, saying I'll do it next summer, or maybe next fall, I finally purchased a kit and brewed my first batch yesterday! I've done extensive research and reading on the subject and after talking with friends that have brewed, I felt right at home with the whole process and I can't wait to get furher in to it. My first brew is a Scottish Ale and I can't wait to try it. I choose that because that was the first home brew I ever tried and I really enjoyed it. I think my next batch might be a lager of some kind, and when I get more advanced, I'll try my favorite, a Bavarian Hefeweizen.
I would swap those next brews around.. Hefe first, and then maybe a lager.. but if you don't have a place to cold ferment, you might SOL on the lager. Also- Congrats on the 1st brew. They don't always turn out right, but it's always learning.
Yeah congrats on finally making the jump, have to agree with FATC1TY I've been at it about a year now and still haven't done a lager yet. Nothing quite like sitting back and drinking something you brewed either by yourself or in my case with my son in law.
Welcome to the homebrewing 'club' and to the BA site. You have joined a great place for learning about brewing by participating in this forum. Keep us updated on the progress of your new beer.
I agree skip the lager for now. Lagers are a different beast. But more importantly, they take up lots of time which ales don't, and noobs aren't known for their patience. Do you have a fermentation freezer/controller setup? How are you dealing with fermentation temperature control? Got a separate one for ales and lagers? Or an especially ginormously fantabulous basement with all the perfect fermentation properties for both ales and lagers? If you don't have a spectacular answer for this, definitely skip the lager.
There are several great styles that can push you towards a lager. I have a Kolsch or Cream ale on tap just about year `round.
Best wishes for many successful brews in the future; however ... it gives me great pause thinking about where you may be headed as you get 'furher' into 'Bavarian' recipes. furher: a leader, especially one exercising the powers of a tyrant. Bavarian: adjective form of the German state of Bavaria Is StevensBrewing on the cusp of the 4th Reich? IMO ... it's all good as long as it's well-carbed!
From one noob to another welcome! Forums are great for learning and telling about the trials and errors of brewing, I also ride so I belong to Harley Forums. Lots to learn and dont be shy about what you made, how it went, we are all in this together, to the end. Cheers, Dave
