After some newbie advice

[gibbiem]

Hi all,

Just after some extract brewing advice. Just started brewing my own and so far only done a couple of Coopers kits. One just on its own and a second one I added some hops.

Wanna get away from kits and start with extract (and maybe progress to WG one day).

I've tried to read up as much as I can from different forums and web articles etc. but there are still some things puzzling me.

First off, where is the best place online to buy ingredients (I'm from the UK)? I'm looking for some crystal 40l for steeping but get confused when looking at online shops at the different grains and malts etc. I cant seem to find crystal 40l?

Also, when bottling my last batch I squeezed one last bottle out that literally just looks like the yeast from the bottom of the FV. Can I use this as a yeast starter? its in a sterile bottle.

Also, do you HAVE to rack to a a secondary FV? My last two batches I've just left in primary until its bottled. The first (Coopers APA) is pretty decent. Quite bland but its not bad for a first attempt. Second batch was just bottled last night.

Thanks in advance for any help, sorry if these questions have been answered a million times before...

[Billb]

On the secondary FV question:
I think popular thinking has shifted a bit on this. Secondary used to be THE recommended practice, but I'm not so sure it is now. When I started out I did it, because I'd read that it was necessary. Now I don't do it at all. I just leave the beer on the yeast until it has completely finished fermenting, then rack to keg or bottling bucket. The way I see it, anything you can do to cut down on "messing" with the beer will reduce the chances of contamination and oxidation. I don't think commercial breweries do it (of the craft breweries I've seen anyway).
Jamil Zainasheff is pretty outspoken on this viewpoint on his podcasts.
Just my 2p.
Bill.

[jaroporter]

i don't brew extract but can probably help with a couple of your questions. in the UK malts tend to be rated by EBC rather than L, and the conversion can be approximated at around 2:1. so if you're after crystal 40L it'd be about 80EBC, which works out closest to probably pale crystal from rob at themaltmiller. you can get malt at other places like worcesterhopshop, though the maltsters and therefore EBC/L values may vary.
also, i never use a secondary unless i'm lagering/long term aging. it's more effort and risk of oxidation/infection. you can go in the primary until bottling happily (within reasonable practise obviously!). good luck with the extract brews!

[Billb]

On the Crystal 40L question:
When I buy online rather than at my local shop, I go the The Malt Miller.
Their Crystal malt is 120 - 140 EBC http://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/index.ph ... oductId=26
This is about 50L, so is pretty close. I always consider "standard" British crystal to be about 40-50L. It's always worked for me.
They also have light, dark and extra dark. I've got a bit of all of them in store just in case.
I found a colour converter here: http://www.brewtoad.com/tools/color-converter
Bill.

[sbond10]

Try brewuk for extract kits for your first extract brew well worth it in my opinion

[gibbiem]

Hi all, thanks for the advice. Reckon I will skip a secondary bucket. @sbond10 - you think I could use an extract kit but then add my own hops? I'm addicted to Brewdog. Tried their Jackhammer the other day and it was like an Angel urinating in my mouth! That's the sort of style I'm aiming for

[gibbiem]

Also, anyone know about the yeast starter? I've got some Wyeast 1056 for my next batch so wondering how is best to use it

[sbond10]

Dunno all I know is they various different kits covering all tastes from all different brewwerys gonna be something you like in there

[Clibit]

About using that yeasty bottle as a starter - I don't think I would. There's an element of risk. Depends what the yeast is perhaps, and the cost/difficulty of replacement.

[gibbiem]

Clibit - I've decided to give it a miss and follow a guide on here for making a proper starter. Thanks for you input