New guy - need abit of advice.

[slayer71]

Hi guys just let me first of all say hi & well done on a very informative forum.
I have to admit I only stumbled on this site the other day but am glad I did.
I've just started brewing after been given a kit, my first brew I've decided to do is Leffe Belgain monk beer.

My contents & instructions were according to the recipe,

Muntons Premium Lager
24gms Saaz Hops - teabag type
Safale Yeast
1.5 Kg Black Rock Light Liquid Malt
500G Glucose

First was to mix the lager & malt & glucose into 3 litres of boiling water then let simmer for 15 mins then add the hops for the last minute of this process to mix in then put the whole lot into the fermenter, less the hops bag.

I'm abit confused in regards of how to use the hops, according to the recipe I'm following do I just let the hops bag mix into the simmering mixture for a minute then take it out, or on the hops packet it says you put the hops bag into boiling water for 10 mins then let stand then add this to the fermenter.
But this is different to the recipe I'm following, can anyone help a novice out ?

Couple of more questions too please, Finings should I use it ?
Racking from the intial fermenter to another do I let it ferment for 2 weeks then move to the next fermenter and then let sit for another week then bottle ?

Cheers all apprecaite any help, may be asking some other questions too later on.
Thanks.

[Tipsy]

You can rip open the hop bag and just chuck them in the fermenter or pot at the end of the boil and then not worry about them any more.

If you're after a Leffe you would want to change that yeast for t-58 to get the funky flavour

[slayer71]

I've already followed there instructions of just letting it mix in the simmering mixture for 1 minute only, will this greatly affect the taste ?

[warra48]

Nope, you'll be right, just chuck it all into the fermenter, including the hop bag, either as is, or ripped open.

Don't complicate your life with finings for now. I never use them, and so long as you leave your brew for long enough in the fermenter, the beer should fall clear and be OK. It will fall even clearer after bottle conditioning.

Also, don't complicate life with talk of racking or moving to another fermenter for now. Your best bet is to control your fermentation temperature to 18 to 20ºC if you can, and leave it in the primary fermenter for 2 weeks. You can bottle straight from there.

I brew AG, and only ever rack if there is a logical reason for doing it, such as lagering a Pils or cold conditioning a weizenbock etc. Otherwise, 2 weeks in primary and then bottle. My beer is clear as can be, and no problems.

All these fancy procedures are not strictly necessary, but you can incorporate into your regime later once you become used to your brewing regime, if you feel the need at that time.

One easy tip is to lean your fermenter about 10 to 20º back from the vertical and away from the tap, so your yeast and other residue will fall away from the tap. This will also help to make bottling easier and prevents a clogged tap.

[svyturys]

One easy tip is to lean your fermenter about 10 to 20º back from the vertical and away from the tap, so your yeast and other residue will fall away from the tap. This will also help to make bottling easier and prevents a clogged tap.

Nice one, Warra.
Thanks.
I must add that going straight to the bottle without racking has not hurt my brews at all. None of the freeloaders have complained...the first glass is crystal clear and the second one looks like Coopers...but what the heck...it's about flavour.
I have some Crownies that the missus got through her wine club, available to anyone who doesn't like the brew. Not a single Crownie has been sampled...what more can be said??
Cheers

[slayer71]

Thanks for the advice,

I'm still confused as to whether I've stuffed the brew as I only used the hops as per the instructions, for the 1 minute only with the rest of the mixture when it was all simmering.

I then drained all this into the fermenter, and threw away the hops bag, sorry my main concern is was this 1 minute long enough for the hops to mix or react ?
Does this procedure seem correct to just let the hops mix for the 1 minute, do different recipes each have there own way of using the hops ?

If you leave the hops in the fermenter in the bag or loose how does this affect the taste or flavour, the shorter or longer it is in with the mixture will it give a dramatic difference in taste or flavour ?

Sorry, just trying to get a grip on the hops procedure and useage ?

Cheers.

[Trough Lolly]

Thanks for the advice,

I'm still confused as to whether I've stuffed the brew as I only used the hops as per the instructions, for the 1 minute only with the rest of the mixture when it was all simmering.

No, you haven't stuffed it, but you didn't give the hops all that much time in contact with the wort...

I then drained all this into the fermenter, and threw away the hops bag, sorry my main concern is was this 1 minute long enough for the hops to mix or react ?
Does this procedure seem correct to just let the hops mix for the 1 minute, do different recipes each have there own way of using the hops ?

We use hops at different times during a typical 60 to 90 minute boil to provide bittering, flavour and aroma properties to the beer. The teabags are mainly used to provide flavouring and aroma to the brew. Have a search for boiling with hops to learn more about their use - howtobrew is a good reference to kick things off...When I did small boils and kits, I used to do a 20 minute boil and add the teabag for at least 15 minutes of that boiltime depending on what hop sachet I was using. Goldings were good for 20 mins, cascade for 5 mins etc etc

If you leave the hops in the fermenter in the bag or loose how does this affect the taste or flavour, the shorter or longer it is in with the mixture will it give a dramatic difference in taste or flavour ?

You can safely leave the contents of the hopbag in the fermenter for the duration. Toss it out after you've racked / bottled the beer. Generally, the longer you leave it, the more pronounced the effect - like leaving a teabag in a cuppa. The difference is that these hops are a relatively small quantity and won't have as big an impact as fresh hop flowers, plugs or pellets will...They are a nice aside but to get real hop flavour, you need to buy some fresh hops from your local brewshop.

Sorry, just trying to get a grip on the hops procedure and useage ?

Cheers.

No probs - welcome to the forum...

Cheers,
TL

[slayer71]

Thanks for the info, apprecaite it.