Spraentart
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Messages
- 1,465
- Reaction score
- 900
Today was brew day! I have to say that it was an enjoyable experience. I purchased an extract kit from my LHBS and the necessary equipment to start brewing. The kit I purchased was a Brewer's Best American Pale Ale. The experience of brewing was quite like that of drinking beer. The aroma of the entire kitchen was of Cascade hops as I added them. (LOVE THIS SMELL!) After obtaining my hydrometer reading, I took a tiny swig of the beer and I imagined the beer carbonated and chilled. I'm pretty sure this stuff is going to be good.
I think any new brewer has a multitude of questions as they are going through. There was a frantic moment between my wife and I trying to figure out when to take the hydrometer reading. So that leads into my first question, before or after the yeast is added? My reading was at 1.050 before adding the yeast. The Brewer's Best instructions seemed to insinuate that they be taken before the yeast is added.
The next question I have is concerning the blow off valve. I have attached pictures below of my setup. I looked up on YouTube how to do this and I think I have it right but I am not 100% sure. Also, do I need a bigger container than this one gallon jug that has some water in it. My biggest worry is creating a big mess in my basement while brewing.
As I was pouring the beer through the strainer I was clogging the strainer from the sediment coming through. I think some of the residue got into the batch. I know this probably isn't that big of a deal but I imagine it will affect the way the beer looks in the end. What can I do to avoid this in the future? I'm also quite paranoid about sanitation, I think I had everything sanitized well.
Last but not least, I know someone is going to come in here and tell me to Relax. I'm your typical frantic noob making sure he did everything right. I understand that beer is resilient and that everything should be okay. I'm excited to prep my bottles, create a logo, and a label for my beer! Now I just have to come up with a name for my little Homebrew organization.
Thanks in advance, I've already seen the greatness that this community has to offer in the many threads that I've read.
I think any new brewer has a multitude of questions as they are going through. There was a frantic moment between my wife and I trying to figure out when to take the hydrometer reading. So that leads into my first question, before or after the yeast is added? My reading was at 1.050 before adding the yeast. The Brewer's Best instructions seemed to insinuate that they be taken before the yeast is added.
The next question I have is concerning the blow off valve. I have attached pictures below of my setup. I looked up on YouTube how to do this and I think I have it right but I am not 100% sure. Also, do I need a bigger container than this one gallon jug that has some water in it. My biggest worry is creating a big mess in my basement while brewing.
As I was pouring the beer through the strainer I was clogging the strainer from the sediment coming through. I think some of the residue got into the batch. I know this probably isn't that big of a deal but I imagine it will affect the way the beer looks in the end. What can I do to avoid this in the future? I'm also quite paranoid about sanitation, I think I had everything sanitized well.
Last but not least, I know someone is going to come in here and tell me to Relax. I'm your typical frantic noob making sure he did everything right. I understand that beer is resilient and that everything should be okay. I'm excited to prep my bottles, create a logo, and a label for my beer! Now I just have to come up with a name for my little Homebrew organization.
Thanks in advance, I've already seen the greatness that this community has to offer in the many threads that I've read.