First Brew (since Uni days...)

Orkney_Rob · Post by **Orkney_Rob** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:19 pm

Hello

I have been wanting to have a go at home brewing again for a long while, but never had the space, until we moved to a large gaff 6 weeks ago! The brew kit is ordered (Art of Brewing starter kit, keg and Art of Brewing Yorkshire Bitter kit)... now the only question is how good a brew will this give me? My last attempt was... erm... highly alcoholic - but nasty - so I am hoping to move up to something better than a can of special brew on this one

Any tips/tricks or just encouragement gratefully recieved!!!

nicktherockstar · Post by **nicktherockstar** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:36 pm

all i would say is read the forum like mad, read all the questions other people have had and before you know it you will be an expert without any experience needed!

if you follow the instructions and brew with a passion you will get fantastic results. not sure about that exact kit however you can expect commercial quality if not better if you get it right!

p.s. from my experience generally you get what you pay for with kits, the more pricey 14-18 quid ones are normally very good. they cheaper ones 7-10 pounds are hit and miss. Thats just from my experience though others may tell you otherwise

delboy · Post by **delboy** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:27 pm

A few quick pointers.
If this is a one tin kit don't make the kit up using sugar (it will be nasty), instead add a kilo of dried Malt extract (get this from your Local Homebrew Shop LHBS).
The yeast that comes with the kit will likely be crap, get a good dry yeast from the LHBS.
Treat your tap water before mixing with the kit with 1/2 a crushed campden table (LHBS) which will get rid of chlorine and chloramine which is added to the water (if you don't treat it you end up with beer that tastes of TCP).
Also when sanitising your fermentor etc don't use thick bleach its an absolute nightmare to rinse it off (likely you'll end up with TCP beer again).
Don't put to much store in the instructions on the can (they lie to you) if it says leave it a week, leave it a fortnight etc.

These are just some of the things i wished i had know when i first started.

DaaBs how to website
Check out this link to DaaB's (resident brewing expert) website, lots of nice piccies and excellently described.

Good Luck

Orkney_Rob · Post by **Orkney_Rob** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:31 pm

Cheers!

I have been spurred on by my mate - emmigrated to Australia and was telling me that home brew is very much part of the culture over there since beer costs quite a bit! He swears by his Coopers kits - so figured that it was worth a shot

I've been lurking about for a couple of days, and trying to find out as much as possible! I never knew about customisation of kits - back in my Uni days it was a boots kit, and a LOT of Tate and Lyle's finest... and usually liberal applications of Turbo yeast just to make sure it had kick!!! I am feeling a bit more refined these days....

I'm quite interested in getting into the full beer making from scratch idea - but I think the kits are probably going to be a very good place to start!

Anyone know if there is anything available in kit for that tastes like Jennings Cumberland - but if there is I could be a very happy man indeed!

nicktherockstar · Post by **nicktherockstar** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:51 pm

I think you will find some quality kits for more british beers than the coopers. I have never done a coopers myself, tried the results of a few and while all good, are not a patch on some of the really great kits from woodfordes etc

Orkney_Rob · Post by **Orkney_Rob** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:16 pm

Aye - there look to be a lot of kits out there to try, looks like it could be a fun wee adventure!

Oh aye - my starter kit seems to include something called Brewing Sugar - what's this all about? Patience will probably get the better of me ordering up some spray malt for my first batch (promise to order some along with the kit next time! May indulge in a second barrel as well so I can get a bit of a production line going... but I am getting ahead of myself here!)

(Alas there are no home brew shops local to me, no idea where the nearest is - but I suspect Edinburgh, and I only go there once or twice a year at most!)

delboy · Post by **delboy** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:03 pm

brewing sugar is dextrose which is better than ordianry sugar but still not a patch on spray malt.
Its very handy though for priming (ie small amount used), or it can be employed in a brew to lighten the body. IIRC you should avoid using it at more than 10 % of your fermentables, if you ever need to find out what that is ask someone on here and they will help you work it out

)

nicktherockstar · Post by **nicktherockstar** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:09 am

yea its funny that because muntons beer kit enhancer is 50/50 spraymalt and dex.

nicktherockstar · Post by **nicktherockstar** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:42 am

haha I am not that froogle!

but i wont use it next time its called for, i will make my own, with more of a lean towards the spraymalt i think!

delboy · Post by **delboy** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:52 am

nicktherockstar wrote:haha I am not that froogle!

but i wont use it next time its called for, i will make my own, with more of a lean towards the spraymalt i think!

Something like 750g malt to 250g dextrose is supposed to be good for light ales.

nicktherockstar · Post by **nicktherockstar** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:54 am

cheers guys, yes it wont be called for at the moment because i am starting my ales ready for winter in the coming weeks (they are no sugar required) but when i start my lagers for spring again ill defiantly be making my own

Orkney_Rob · Post by **Orkney_Rob** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:46 pm

Cheers all - that clarified the sugars bit!

Due to sloooowww delivery from the GPO my gear has still failed to turn up, and due to the Ã‚Â£5 postage I am going to have to crack on for my first go without the Spraymalt... however next time it shall be included with the order! Hopefully it won't be rancid muck this kit when made with the Brewing Sugar... or am I really just wishing for miracles here

Orkney_Rob · Post by **Orkney_Rob** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:07 pm

All the gear arrived, and the wort is just cooling down a few more degrees ready for the yeast to go in....

Its just the basic kit make up this time, but the first batch is always going to be an experiment anyway! So long as it is at least the standard of canned muck like Boddies I will be more than happy enough

oxford brewer · Post by **oxford brewer** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:00 pm

It should be ok and it also gives you some more knowledge for next time!
I should imagine your beer will be better than Boddies

so good luck and keep us informed of how it turns out

Orkney_Rob · Post by **Orkney_Rob** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:42 pm

I really do hope so!

Drinkable - that is my first goal, second lot should hopefully then achieve the heady status of "reasonable" to "quite good actually" depending on how lucky I get

No action in the fermenting bin as yet, but it has only been on the go for a little over an hour

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First Brew (since Uni days...)

First Brew (since Uni days...)