My first brew

Discuss making up beer kits - the simplest way to brew.
Incy
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My first brew

Post by Incy » Fri May 08, 2020 9:34 pm

For quite a few years I have toyed with the idea of brewing my own lager and cider, but never actually got round to it. Quite a few years ago I bought a Youngs Brew Buddy kit, but it got put under the stairs and forgot about.
Just after lock down I went shopping and saw there was very little, to no, beer on the shelves, which got me thinking that I really should brew my own. So I dragged the kit box out from under the stairs and started to see what I needed to do with it. The can went out of date in 2015, so didn't want to use that, although now reading a post on here, I might give it a try.
I order some Brewmakers Pilsner, and while I was at it, knowing that if it all went well I would want to keep a steady supply, I ordered another fermenting bucket and two pressure barrels.
Instructions were to leave it brewing for one week and then transfer to bottle/barrel.
After three days of being in the barrel my husband messaged me at work to tell me the barrel was hissing and brew was leaking out of the tap. I assumed it was because the pressure had built up too much, even though it is a pressure barrel, and while was trying to look into what to do, my husband tells me he has put the barrel on its side and opened the tap to let some air out.
When I got home I put the barrel upright, set it in a cooler place and left a bowl under the tap just in case it started to leak again. That was 3 days ago, and thankfully it hasn't leaked since.
I was worried the brew would be ruined, but earlier I poured a small amount into a glass to see what it was like. Happy to say that although it is obviously still cloudy, there was plenty of fizz and tastes ok. So fingers crossed it will be drinkable when it is ready.

The one thing I neglected to do was take a gravity reading at the start, the Youngs kit came with a hydrometer, but I don't have anything suitable to use as a sample jar.

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orlando
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Re: My first brew

Post by orlando » Sat May 09, 2020 7:31 am

How much sugar per litre did you use to prime the barrell? As long as you sanitise the hydrometer you can use it in the wort before fermenting and after. Plastic sample jars are cheap to buy and readily available though.
I am "The Little Red Brooster"

Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,

Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer

Incy
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Re: My first brew

Post by Incy » Sat May 09, 2020 9:24 am

The instructions said 80g, for the whole barrel.
Someone suggested that it was still fermenting.
Next batch I will be using the hydrometer.

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orlando
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Re: My first brew

Post by orlando » Sat May 09, 2020 10:11 am

80 is about right so it probably hadn't finished fermenting.
I am "The Little Red Brooster"

Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,

Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer

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wanus
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Re: My first brew

Post by wanus » Sun May 10, 2020 11:20 am

Welcome to JBK Incy.I hope your first brew turns out ok.Give it time and IMO always use a hydrometer.
May the brew gods be with you.
FV 1:Empty
FV 2:Empty
Demi 1&2:Empty
Demi 3&4:Empty
Maturing: Bastard builders brew
Bottle conditioning: Bastard builders brew
Drinking:McEwan's
Planning:More 🍺

Keep yer pecker hard and yer powder dry.

Incy
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Re: My first brew

Post by Incy » Thu May 14, 2020 7:45 pm

Brew has been in the barrel for nearly 2 weeks, drew some off to see how it was and although there was plenty of life when pouring, pretty much pure froth but did turn into liquid when left to sit. However, once in the glass it was pretty flat and doesn't look any clearer than when I drew some off last week.
Is this normal?

WalesAles
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Re: My first brew

Post by WalesAles » Thu May 14, 2020 8:46 pm

Incy,
Wincy spider etc,
Sorry, couldn`t resist! #-o
Where has the barrel been stored?
If it is somewhere warm, living room, kitchen, 18 - 20deg,
put it somewhere cooler for another 2 weeks, then try a drink.

WA

Happy Brewing! :D

Incy
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Re: My first brew

Post by Incy » Thu May 14, 2020 9:18 pm

Haha, the Incy Wincy thing has been said many times over the years, Incy is my nickname.
The barrel is in a cool room, spare bedroom with the radiator turned off, not sure of temp but probably warmer than it should be.
I have been thinking about getting a small fridge.

Incy
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Re: My first brew

Post by Incy » Sat May 16, 2020 5:55 pm

One day off two weeks in the barrel and today's sample was a lot clearer and tasted better.
Going to get myself a second hand fridge so I can put the barrel in.. I really shouldn't have got rid of my old fridge last year.

guypettigrew
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Re: My first brew

Post by guypettigrew » Sat May 16, 2020 6:04 pm

Incy wrote:
Sat May 16, 2020 5:55 pm
One day off two weeks in the barrel and today's sample was a lot clearer and tasted better.
Going to get myself a second hand fridge so I can put the barrel in.. I really shouldn't have got rid of my old fridge last year.
Isn't that always the way? You don't realise you need something until after you've chucked it out!

Guy

Incy
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Re: My first brew

Post by Incy » Sun May 17, 2020 8:19 pm

Been in the barrel for two weeks today.

Image

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bitter_dave
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Re: My first brew

Post by bitter_dave » Sun May 17, 2020 9:40 pm

Incy wrote:
Sun May 17, 2020 8:19 pm
Been in the barrel for two weeks today.

Image
Looks great! :)

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orlando
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Location: North Norfolk: Nearest breweries All Day Brewery, Salle. Panther, Reepham. Yetman's, Holt

Re: My first brew

Post by orlando » Sun May 17, 2020 9:48 pm

Now get another one on quick, that's not going to last long. :D
I am "The Little Red Brooster"

Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,

Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer

User avatar
wanus
Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
Posts: 715
Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:00 pm
Location: 70 mile from my favourite pub

Re: My first brew

Post by wanus » Mon May 18, 2020 10:02 am

I`ll second that Orlando.It looks better than my first ever brew Incy.Well done,get the outta date can on.What you got to lose!!!!
FV 1:Empty
FV 2:Empty
Demi 1&2:Empty
Demi 3&4:Empty
Maturing: Bastard builders brew
Bottle conditioning: Bastard builders brew
Drinking:McEwan's
Planning:More 🍺

Keep yer pecker hard and yer powder dry.

WalesAles
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Posts: 3899
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:07 pm
Location: South Wales UK.

Re: My first brew

Post by WalesAles » Mon May 18, 2020 10:52 am

Incy Wincey,
Looks BLM! =D>

WA

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