Page 1 of 2

My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:19 pm
by harvs
Hi

Firstly I'd like to say thanks to everyone on this forum - I don't think I'd have had enough courage to jump into the AG world if it wasn't for all the help and guidance found on this forum! (Only done a couple of beer kits before).

Here's the equipment I've made (mostly copied from this link)

Boiler...
Image

Mash tun...
Image

IC...
Image

Here's the plan I made for the day...
Image

(It might be easier to read it here, and clicking on the all sizes button at the top)

Setting up the night before...
Image

Getting the ingredients ready...
Image

Mash & draining...
Image

Weighing out the hops...
Image

The boil...
Image

Cooling...
Image

Cooled wort...
Image

I thoroughly enjoyed the brew, which went better than expected. I thought I'd have to deal with some disaster or another, but the biggest problem I had was leaving the mash tun value open when filling it with hot liquor (school boy error, I know...). I was impressed with the IC - boiling to 25 degrees in 10-15 mins. Nearly forgot the Irish Moss too, so only went into the boil for 5 mins.

Can't wait to try it :D

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:35 pm
by Grahame
Looks great mate, very smooth first brew day. When you taste it, you will never give it up!

G.

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:59 pm
by adm
Great result Harvs,

Looks like you had a nice easy brew with no problems - a perfect introduction to AG!

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:10 am
by DarloDave
Well done, it only gets easier from here! Your equipment looks really well made also. I too also have a checklist that I use on each brew, makes sure you dont forget anything!

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:18 am
by Talisman
someone else with mission accomplished today. well done mate. now you just have to be patient before you can sup it lol

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:54 am
by mixbrewery
One more AG cherry gone :D
Well done mate. Wicked wort cooler, how many miles of copper in there?

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:58 am
by Horden Hillbilly
Well done Harvs, looks like you cracked it on your 1st go! =D> Wait until you taste your brew, you are in for a well deserved treat by the looks of it. 8)

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:14 am
by kevthebootboy
Brilliant mate, well done, have your self a pint and pat on the back. =D>

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:39 am
by roger the dog
Well done that man, welcome to the dark side 8)

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:13 pm
by woodworm
looks groovy :D cant wait to start mine ,
like the idea of a check list

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:40 pm
by harvs
Cheers guys

Yep, I found the check list really useful. There are so many things to think about, I thought it helped to take some of the stress out of it and make it more enjoyable!
Wicked wort cooler, how many miles of copper in there?
It felt like miles when I was crawling around the floor trying to get the circles nice and tight! It's 25m @ 8mm.

The fermenter is bubbling away, so just a few days to bottling...!

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:03 pm
by Redbloke
... excellent set up, the check list is a sensible idea. You look well organised, ... you won't go far wrong in your brewdays =D>

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:27 pm
by Bru4u
Thanks for sharing that, put a smile on my face, lots of great beer in the future for you, well done

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:05 pm
by NickK
Congrats :) I have to say it's very satisfying - more so when you taste it :D

Just completed my second today - nowhere near as easy as the first.. more lessons learnt.. The taste of AG seems cleaner to me. Golden promise seems to have a bit of a reputation for not being a particularly good clearer even with Irish Moss. I think next time I'll be using Whirlfloc.

Re: My first AG brew day (in pics)

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:10 pm
by arturobandini
Looks good mate.

Nice copyrighting!