Just got my home brewing kit, very excited to start. Looking for any tips or things that might be good to have that wouldn't come in the kit. This is the one I got - http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Equipment-Gallon-Glass-Carboy/dp/B002BU7CVM - fortunately a better deal when I purchased haha. Haven't picked a beer yet, probably gonna do a summer beer in time for the end of the year. Any suggestions are much appreciated
I can't tell from the product description whether a True Brew Rack & Fill Kit includes a bottle filling wand, but if it's not a part of the kit, and if you plan to bottle your beers, a wand with some food grade clear plastic tubing will be needed (that tubing will also double as a blow-off tube when you eventually get to brewing beers that are higher in alcohol). Also, bottles and caps, although you can save your empties from store-bought beers (no screw-off-cap bottles) and strip the labels (if you want a clean bottle). I agree with @Vikeman that Palmer's How to Brew is a must-read. Vike's link goes to the online version, but I recommend buying the more up-to-date print edition so you can write notes, highlight, etc. P.S. Welcome to the BA site and to this wonderful hobby. Hand around this forum as long as you like. Read as many posts going backward in the pages as you have time for. Enjoy your time here.
Thanks @Mothergoose03 , I would definitely prefer a printed version to make my own notes on. And for the first couple times I was thinking of just doing growlers cuz I have a bunch of those haha. And I will ultimately want to brew some DIPAs so I'll definitely want the wand and tubing Also, loving BA. Awesome app for like minded people
Be careful if you are planning on bottling into growlers. I have done it myself mostly with success, but some growlers are made thinner than others, those are more likely to let go and make a big mess. I would also recommend upgrading caps from the plain thin metal ones that don't really seal that well. Also, when you go to brew whatever ingredient kit you have, DO NOT pay attention to the time frame it shows for fermentation and conditioning. The beer will tell you when it's done. I personally recommend letting it be for at least 2 full weeks. Seriously, Just Walk Away. Don't be tempted to opening it up to see how things are going every couple days. That way leads to oxidation. When you do open it, be as gentle as possible, keep it open as little as possible to get the amount needed for sampling. Then seal it back up and come back a couple days later to sample again. It the readings are the same, you're ready to bottle.
Watch your wort closely as it comes to a boil! Also watch it closely when adding hop additions. It's easy to boil over if you're not careful. Get some Starsan. It's one of the greatest inventions ever. Watch lots of youtube vids. There is plenty of really really good insight from homebrewers on on youtube, plus it's fun to watch! There is a video on just about every aspect of brewing. And like everyone else said... How to Brew is a fantastic book.
I started brewing about 6 months ago, and I completely agree with all the advice above. I read Palmer's book first and completely recommend it. Check out some typical starter kits to get an idea of the stuff that you will need (I use Better Bottles): http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/.../big-mouth-bubbler-deluxe-brewing-starter-kit This is a fantastic hobby. I would suggest starting with a straightforward pale ale. Focus on cleaning, sanitation, and fermentation temps. With continued interest, I think you could be brewing drinkable DIPAs in no time.
Completely agree with what was said above. When you first start out take your time. Taste all of your ingredients just a pinch so you can get an idea of what each ingredient is doing. Yes I have eaten a hop pellet, its so gross but hey now I know. For the first couple batches sanitation is key. Eventually you will learn steps to skip and mold your own technique.
Seriously appreciating all the insight. Going to pick up Palmers How to Brew today after work. I did read already that leaving it for two weeks is the best bet no matter what the directions say haha. I've also been watching YouTube videos for some time. That's what really got me interested. On a side note I have also eaten a hop pellet lol
Love the BFM Picture, Welcome to the addiction of making liquid addiction. Just a couple pointers, use this forum often, these guys have a ton of knowledge and experience on brewing, I have gained a lot of know how by reading previous posts here. Take notes while you brew, be patient and have fun. Remember this: Making a good beer is easy, making a great beer is difficult, but being able to reproduce a great beer is the goal of all brewers! I also am in the hop pellet eating club, live and learn....
If you are watching Youtube I highly suggest these channels. BrewingTV is the youtube channel for NorthernBrewer.com and was mostly ran by Mike Dawson and Jake Keeler. They left a few years ago and the videos went downhill from there. So start with the early ones first. Chip Walton was the cameraman and he left NorthernBrewer at the same time and now runs Chop and Brew. Don Osborn is a local friend of all of them and runs his own channel. All channels have a wealth of info about home brewing and are highly entertaining. Chop and Brew https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClrkGLCF6WyNt5X8Rw3ew_w Don O https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0O8gwFuWOsdI8h2pOWYtw BrewingTV https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrSfJztggg8KhgBgNILORg
I did not see an starsan, or iodophore in your kit @Pmkelly44 . You will need one of them. If you read How to Brew, it will explain the difference between cleaning (with PBW, or the B-brite in your kit), and sanitizing (I think most will agree star san is probably best but others are good too). See if there are any brew clubs in your area, and do a search for a LHBS (local home brew shop). I know my shop has better prices for ingredients than anything offered online, and they are in the know about brew clubs. Other than sanitation, temperature is probably the next most important thing. Since you live in CT, not such a big deal for you. Especially in the next 3 or so months. But, generally speaking, most yeast need to ferment at 65-68 F. There are different ways to accomplish this. But you have time to kill, read up.
I also did not see a real thermometer in the kit. A thermometer is cheap and very useful when it comes to things like checking the temp of your wort before pitching your yeast.
Completely agree. I'd recommend one similar to http://goo.gl/i4FKKd it has magnets, temp alarm (save you from boil overs), and long probe. Plus its basically hands free so you can take care of other things while it continues reading.
I don't think a temp alarm will necessarily save you from boil overs. The only thing that is guaranteed to save you from a boil over is a watchful eye. I do like temp probes such as these for other things, but I've never used mine in brewing because I was afraid of getting wort trapped inside the probe. I don't trust the crimping on the wire to be water tight. Just my humble opinion here: Get a sealed thermometer. Either a floating type, a lab thermometer, or a digital type. The nice thing about the floating one is that you can stick it in your bucket when waiting for the temp to come down. The nice think about the clip on is that, well, it clips on and just sits there.
Yes poor wording. I set it to 195 and then don't leave the kettle's side to watch for boil over. I also see your point with the crimp but I let that part side on the wall of the kettle. To each their own, OP as you see many people can have different yet similar ways to do things. Once you brew a couple times you will find your own little ways of doing things. Key thing is have fun and drink beer.
