Brew UK Forum | Beer Kits
Brand new to brewing
Hello Everybody,
Just put my order in for the Micro brewing kit, been reading all the comments on the Forum and already have a question, if I want a good supply of beer should I get an extra barrel and should I think about any other equipment in order to keep a good rotation going.
Responses
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Yep get another barrel for definate....... and another beer kit to go in there of course
Another FV for fermenting/bottling (if you are gonna bottle) would be helpful. A good stock rotation is essential, I reckon about 3 barrels:- 1 ready to drink, 1 conditioning and one that you can transfer the next batch to.
People tend to just buy buy buy when you get into it. Im on 3 kegs, 4fvs, 45 bottles and loads of weird and wonderfull thingys as well!
Enjoy the first brew and remember to post the results (or questions or jokes or.....) on the forum!
Ta,
Nath
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Nath,
Thanks for the advice cant wait for the kit arrive and get the first brew on the go......and the next!!
Will keep you up to date with the way things are going and maybe pick your brain if it starts to go a bit pete tong.
Thanks
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Is it the woodfordes kit? Wherry is a belter of a pint.
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello Nath,
I did go for the Wherrey kit heard lots of good things about it so thought it would be a good place to start!
Got a question or two to ask, got me brew going nice for the first 24 hours (plenty of head in the FV) although the temp was 24 degrees. Then moved it somewhere cooler, now it seems to have slowed right down and not doing much, it's sitting around 20 degrees is it still good to go?
Also would like to get the hydrometer in to see whats happening but dont know the best way to draw the brew off to stop any infection and just how much do I need to get a good reading.
Last question, how do you work out the ABV using the hydrometer reading after secondary fermentation?
sorry I have been watching the golf hence the slow responce!!!!!
cheers
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Righty, here we go:-
20c is fine, because it started at 24c it would have gone faster to start with. The head will die down but dont worry there is still plenty of activity going on. I always found the yeast that comes with wherry is a quick one!
If you have a tap on your fv then draw off a a small sample, test gravity and then drink it! If not get a tap for next time and fit it to fv. Before I had a tap I used to sanitize my hydrometer and leave it in there, never caused a problem. If you want you could use a videne soloution (available from chemists/tescos etc) and then you camn just spray the hydrometer for 30sec and plonk it in and take it out if you want and repeat. Videne is a no-rinse sanitiser (see here - http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/vidine#post-1391 ).
Work out ABV like this OG - FG /7.36 - example - 1045 - 1010 /7.36= 4.75abv. All you need to remember is to drop the decimal point from for gravities. Or just use one of the many many online calculators or beer software.
Ta,
Nath
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Nath,
Thanks for all the info just wanted to make sure I was still on track will get me kit cleaned and have a go at taking a hydrometer reading today.
Will see what I can find on line for working out the ABV will post it if I find a good one as it could help other newbies like me.
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Right, got the brew into secondary furmentation last night all seems ok added the sugar and thats it for now,must say if it clears ok its going to be one fine brew after the samples were taken I took your advice and downed it.
When it comes to a beer calculator just put that into a search and take your pick!!!! either that or follow the formular that Nath put on.
Cheers
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Good work Minty, sounds like you have a good brew on the way there!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
So whats the outcome minty????? Is it there yet?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello Men,
Just tapped a glass off, Bugger she tastes gooood!!!!!! only been with the sugar for 4 days but showing signs of clearing well little bit on the foggy side, even at this stage it has a good head and the carbonation is very good sitting at a temprature of 20 degrees will leave it there for about another 5 to 6 days. I will of course be trying it while its doing its thing.
Anything else I should be doing right now apart from getting the next one going he he
Cheers
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Trying not to drink the one you have before it clears. It will get better if you can manage to leave it alone although its never easy.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Well done Minty, just keep an eye on the bottom of the barrel as they tend to bulge a bit and once mine bulged so much the tap thread got distorted!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Nath,
Just told the wife to watch out for bulge in her bottom!! Back to the doghouse for me then.
Greg that has got to be the worst form of torture you can come up with,I have 2 kids and they never got as much attention as the barrel of brown fizz in me under stair cupboard!If I stroke the barrel anymore the thing will start to purr.
PS Think I got the bug (if I could teach the barrel to cook and clean.......)SHHHHH She's coming!!!
Cheers Lads
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello Folks,
Tapped off a small glass of the beer last night, showing signs of clearing (only been with the sugar for 9 days) not sure if I should leave well alone for another week or so or run off and find some finnings!!
The biggest problem I have is keeping me mits off for another week, so far though all has gone well not too worried about it and all I can say is a big thank you to the Forum for all their help.
If your reading this thinking about brewing your own I would tell you to place your order now with Brew UK, the support that you will get from the guys will see you through any problems you may have. I have had so much fun mucking about with the beer I cant see me giving it up, the wife on the other hand is not happy that I will soon be taking over her shed to get the fridges in!!! (the cost of progress). Dont be shy join in, the Forum is a full of people like you and me just starting out and needing help,all you have to do is ask.
Cheers
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Good words minty .... yes indeed ... best service in the world in here ... and some wonderfully knowledgeable people too!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello Tony,
So what do you think leave the brew alone or go for the finnings not sure if its the done thing..if you know what I mean he he
Thanks
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Hi Minty, leave it alone and get the next brew on so you don't have to wait next time
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello Greg,
What luck!! an old mate of mine found out I was brewing and got me a kit for the Woodfordes Admirals Reserve so that will be started today and the Wherrey can sit there until its cleared.
Anybody had a go at the Admirals, Oh one other thing having a go at the Turbo cider as well(cant forget the wife) might calm her down about me taking over her shed!!!!!
Cheers
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello All,
Right then the end, the first brew I have ever made is FANTASTIC!!!!! the Wherrey is clear as a bell and the taste is to die for.
Since my last post I have just put the Admirals in to condition and ordered 2 more kits, the Turbo Cider is a headcracker!!!
The success I have had is due to the help of Nath,Greg,Tony and all the other guys here for that I thank you all. Best advice from me to you the newbie is GO FOR IT enjoy yourself and dont panic all the help you will ever need is just a click away.
Happy Brewing
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Well done with the Wherry. It was the first kit I did, followed by Admirals reserve, Great Eastern ale and santa's winter warmer for Xmas. After these I started to look into AG brewing (that seriously annoyed the missus with the amount of equipment I gathered in her garage) wise move brewing a cider for your missus - mines tee-total and is very anti alcohol
won't even try my beloved brews! well done and keep up the good work
Conditioning - Theakston Old Peculier
Conditioning - Christmas 2010 (Strong Xmas ale)
Maturing - Peach wine kit
Drinking - Summer Lightning, Summer Wit
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Well done chum! Wherry is a great kit, well pleased your happy with the result. So whats next on the agenda? More kits, extract, WORLD DOMINATION?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
World Beer Domination .... great plan nath!
Sorry Minty, I must have lost track of this post somewhere in the past couple of weeks! Yeah ... always leave it... a cloudy pint isn't the worst thing in the world - and its good for you! Most will clear by themsleves.. and wherry is famous for taking a lifetime to clear!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
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