First one down!!

[hyjak]

As title suggests i have put down my first brew!!!
Picked up my starter brewery from the HBS yesterday after work, spent an hour or so getting process set in head then jumped to it.
Only thing im annoyed about is my test tube for hydrometer testing was missing from my kit, about to go into HBS and get one.
Fermenter is in the spare room sitting at a stable 20c was 22c when i placed it in there last night, should be all good though.

jez

[svyturys]

Hyjack,

What did you put down?

Cheers

[warra48]

The tube the hydrometer comes in doubles as your test tube.

[hyjak]

I put down the Brewcraft Munich Lager that was in the starter pack!
Did think about changing it but thought if i did a basic K & K i would have a good base for improvement comparisons in future.

I did think about using the tube the hydrometer was in but it said on the kit box that it came with a test tube so i went back to shop and got one.
Didn't cost me so might as well take advantage.

Jez

[wrighty]

Hyjack ,
Started with same when i did first brew (same kit) if you used the kit yeast it should be fermented out at least in the 10-12c range.
Mistake i made was brewed at18-20c came out rather funky tasting by my notes .This was using s 23 larger yeast with brew booster and
some goldings hops .It still got drank but was dissapointing first brew looking back.Dont be to eager to drink to early as largers take time
to condition . Get a cube (plastic jerry etc) and bung it in that and cold condition it for at least 4+weeks. Then brew an ale much easier and
faster to get to drinking stage imo.!

[Bizier]

Good work Hyjak.

A suggestion is to use US05 until you get a decent feel for fermentation. She is an awesome yeast and will kiss and make up time and time again if you treat her a little rough.

[wrighty]

Good point Bizier she is a fav of mine also just so happened upon a brand new box of this at the local hbs ,supermarket.
Had no price on it so the checkout chick asks the other one 'dya now how much this is' bout 2 bucks came the reply.
had to go get the rest of the box

[chadjaja]

The Munich lager that comes with brewcraft kits has an ale yeast not a lager yeast. I wont do much if fermented at 12 degrees. Its an easy bastard lager for the novice thats why they chuck it in with the kit.

[hyjak]

All points duly noted into 'brew book'!
Didn't want to play around too much with the first few brews, so i'm just keeping it simple.
I wont be drinking it in a rush, well i'll be trying not to.

I've got a second fermenter now and have put down a second brew. (Damn this obsessive hobby)
Second brew is a Thomas Coopers Sparkling Ale with 500gm light malt, 500gm dextrose and 200gm dry corn syrup.
Am half thinking i might 'dry hop' it too but not sure if i should??
Would it be worth the effort or just leave it be??

Jez

[Pale_Ale]

That Thomas Coopers Sparkling Ale will come out a little low on alcohol methinks, maybe add another 500g of malt.
And there's no harm in dry-hopping, something like Amarillo would go nicely (coming from an amarillo fiend) but equally any hop with a fresh floral/zesty/fruity scent to it.

[Bizier]

Am half thinking i might 'dry hop' it too but not sure if i should??

Yes, dry hop

something like Amarillo would go nicely.

No, I reccomend against this hop for this kind of beer.
I suggest something ballpark English, East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, Challenger, Target, Willamette, and finally, yes... Pride of Ringwood.

[Bizier]

All points duly noted into 'brew book'!
200gm dry corn syrup.

Dry Corn Syrup
???

[Pale_Ale]

All points duly noted into 'brew book'!
200gm dry corn syrup.

Dry Corn Syrup
???

Maltodextrin...

[hyjak]

Can i just throw in the extra malt???
Has been fermenting for couple days now!!
If so will go grab some tomo from HBS, i also got some hops this evening.
Ending up getting some Amarillo as it was the only one that stuck in my mind for an ale brew.
Cheers
Jez

[svyturys]

Can i just throw in the extra malt???

I wouldn't do it. If your brew has been fermenting away then there will be a layer of CO2 which stops the infections from getting in. Then the malt would clump and really couldn't be stirred in.
If you are thinking of doing a boil with the extra malt, then chilling to 18C then it might be possible but I wouldn't be the person to guide you through anything that radical.
You got a kit and a kilo and a bit in your recipe...this'll give it about 4.something in ABV. A little light for Coopers Sparkling but it should turn out to be a nice beer. A good opportunity to experiment with dry hopping.
A couple of days before bottling would be a good time to add some hops.
Just use the "teabag" method.
if your temps and sanitation are right you'll get a lovely drinkeable beer.
Cheers

[hyjak]

Hmm okay then, shall leave it as it and just 'dry hop' it like i wanted to.
All i want is a nice, drinkable and hopefully tasty beer!
Mainly to show my sceptic mate that HB is not just cheap, nasty beer. (and coming from a VB fan )
I can live with having a tasty, slightly low ABV HB. I dont drink to get drunk, i just love beer!!!

Jez

[svyturys]

Hyjak,
If you've done the sanitation right and the brew temps right your mate will be impressed.
Went through this with a mate some time ago, and my recipe was not any where near the quality of yours. He was impressed.
Cheers

[hyjak]

Well the first one is done and dusted!
Just finished bottling half hour ago.
Now i just have the fun (not) of waiting till i can try it, going to crack one on the 24th of this month i reckon.
Its my birthday so what better way to celebrate then with my first HB!!
I shall be sure to let you know how it turns out.

Jez

[hyjak]

Sorry to drag up this old thread but thought id post an update on this one.
The lager turned out a little disappointing but i do still have about half of it put away to 'mature'.

However my second brew the 'Thomas Cooper Sparkling' is bloody nice!!
Just cracked the 3rd one, i was a bit eager on the first two and they were a bit fresh.
This one ended up being in fermenter for 4wks and has been in the bottle for 2wks tomorrow.
Made the change from 'carb drops' to castor sugar and must say it seems to have carbed up quicker and cleaner.

Whilst i'm typing, how would i go about making this a bit stronger in ABV?
Just increase the malt or dextrose a bit?
Recipe was;
Coopers Select Sparkling Ale Kit
Kit yeast
500gm dextrose
500gm light malt
200gm maltodextrin
25gm Amarillo 'tea bagged' one week into fermentation.
23lt mix

When i do this one again i am going to use an ale yeast and maybe reduce the volume to 21lt.
Thoughts?
Jez

[Bizier]

Get some US05 or S04 for a cleaner ferment, and add more DME to it. If you are going to add a fair whack of DME, maybe use a little dex to lighten it up a little. I would suggest getting your hands on some nice UK hops like goldings or bramling cross (boil with some malt for 10 mins) to get some fresher flavours to accompany the extra fermentables and balance the extra sweetness.