Just ordered my first kit - what now?

[Jerry Cornelius]

Well I've just ordered my first kit (and equipment). I bought the H&G quality kit with the Colne Valley Bitter. I am excitedly awaiting its arrival.

I thought that I'd try a few kits first and learn about fermentation, bottling etc. before I made the move into AG. However, if the beer I brew is a disappointment, I will probably be put off and chuck it all in. To avoid this happening, what tips would the experienced amongst you suggest in order for the kits to inspire me to greater things?

I understand the need for scrupulous cleaning/sanitising, but are there other things, not provided in the kit, that would make a significant difference to the outcome? For instance, do I need to do anything to the water I use? I'm not even sure of the questions I need to ask!

[Invalid Stout]

I think it would be best to persevere even if it does turn out disappointing. My first brew certainly was. Do you expect to get anything spot on the first time?

[clatters69]

Now that I'm a few kits in and ready to move upwards, something I have found out is that if you're in any sense of doubt then just post a question here. The brewers are all very friendly and knowledgable, so even the most basic questions will receive positive responses. Alternatively, have a good look through the FAQ and previous posts.

As regards the water, chuck in half a crushed Camden tablet to neutralise any nasties.

A few months in, I still see home brew as the hobby that just keeps on giving.

[WishboneBrewery]

I'm just starting to drink what I've brewed since late January, my first two brews...

Woodfordes Wherry - tasted rough straight away, but now its into its second week after bottling I can see its going to get better with age.
Coopers Stout - Tasted pretty drinkable right away, but after about 3 days of bottle conditioning its pretty damn good with plenty of room for getting better

Next I'll be doing a Geordie Yorkshire bitter kit with extra hops and either light or medium Spray malt

You can't just stop at one brew, better to try a few things so you get a feel for what you are doing!

[randomdave]

Do the first kit by the book, Follow the instructions to the letter. (except ignore the part where it tells you what gravity it will end at)

If you do this you then have a benchmark on which to base your future endevours and believe me once you have got one kit under your belt an you see how easy it is you will want to get another.

If you are bottling it up allow it time to mature otherwise you might be put off without giving it a fair chance.

Other than that good luck with your brew!

[martyn142]

The two things I would offer up are:

1 Take heed of the advice about cleanliness.
2 After you've added the yeast, avoid getting air into the brew. It's fine to open up the lid on the FV and check it. But, for example, whether bottling or barrelling, make sure your syphon tube is at the bottom of the bottle/barrel and the brew doesn't splash everywhere. I had a few bad brews early doors and I'm pretty sure it was one or other of these which was to blame.

But with a little care it is easy and good fun.

[Jerry Cornelius]

I'm being a saddo here I know, but this is my first brew and here are my notes of this propitious occasion! Can anyone see any glaring mistakes or things I should do differently? All criticisms and advice are welcomed and encouraged...
I know it's only kit - but hey, you gotta learn somewhere...

Date: 21 Feb 09
Kit Name: Brupaks Colne Valley Bitter
Kit Type: 3 kg LME – 2 cans
Brew Qty: 40 pints/5 gallons
Beer Style: Bitter
Hops: Not specified, as supplied with kit
Yeast: NAB 6G, as supplied with kit – made into starter with 4 tbsp light spray malt
Water treatment: 1 campden tablet in 5 gallons (left for about 45 mins before used)
OG: 1042 @ 21 C FG:
Fermentation temperature: 18 – 22 °C
Fermentation time in primary:
Time in secondary fermenter: N/A
Priming sugar: Muntons light spray malt (when I do it)
Bottle conditioning time:
Bottle conditioning temperature: °C °F
Bottle storage time:

Notes: Made up yeast starter with 4 tbsp light spraymalt. Seemed to bubble up well…
This brew day was a bit hectic, juggling sterilising and water treatment. At this early stage I'm worrying about my rinsing (did I rinse all sterilised utensils completely?) and also about sanitising effectiveness (I left water in open saucepans – drawn from the treated water in the FV, which I then used to top up the FV at the end).
I followed (sort of - as closely as I could) the instructions given in 18000 ft for Brupaks. Boiled the wort for 10 mins and boiled some drawn off (boiling wort) with the hop bag for 10 mins. Poured the hoppy mixture into the cold water already in the FV. Let the boiled wort cool (in the sink surrounded by cold water) to 25 °C and then poured into the FV.
The started yeast was pitched when the wort in the FV was at 22 °C – which was pretty much straight away.
Put FV in my study, temperature indicated by LCD thermometer is varying between 18 – 22 C. It's a sunny day, the windows and patio doors are open in the afternoon, closed in the evening. My greenhouse heater (thermostatically controlled) is switched on to try and maintain ambient temperature at approx 20 C.
Lessons learnt:
Two 25 l bins are a good idea. Clean and sanitise 1st bin for use as an FV, and fill with 5 gallons of water; treat with campden tablet and use this as the brewing liquor; draw this off for use in boiling. Use FV 2 as a sanitised container for utensils.
Is it necessary to sanitise the hydrometer and trial jar? I don't think so; they don't actually come into contact with the wort in the FV.
Sanitising FV lids seems a bit difficult… how do you get them in the sanitising solution?

[Ditch]

Jerry; " Invalid Stout " pretty much took the words right out of my mouth when he kicked off with:

" I think it would be best to persevere even if it does turn out disappointing. My first brew certainly was. Do you expect to get anything spot on the first time? "

Glancing over what ye've done? Campden Tab; Only need Half a tab for five gallons. Cut it with a knife. Crush the half between two spoons. Sling it in and crash on. Go for a pee or something. Certainly no need to stand about for forty five minutes.

Beyond that? I pretty much just walk away and get on with my life, once the yeast goes in. It works, or it doesn't.

If it works? Take a week off. If it doesn't? Take a week off. Don't bother sniffing it and tasting it! It may smell like acid and taste like hell. Why shouldn't it? It's fermenting wort; Not a pint of Best ~ yet.

Just carry on and see what happens in the death. Ye'll most likely be chuffed as hell

IF it turns out as five gallons of rats piss? Shit happens! I'll bet Every jet pilot flying today once grazed their knee, coming off their first push bike. Did that stop them?

[Benson_JV]

As ye can see, Ditch says it like a true man

Hope all goes well!

My first kit way back when, i just bunged it all together and hoped for the best, and now I'm proper stuck in.

[Jerry Cornelius]

Time to relax then and just keep buying bottles for my next brew I guess