I finally got my brew on!
I drove down to the Home Brew Shop in Farnborough. Right from the word go it went wrong, as when I asked if I could buy their "equipment only starter pack" in store he started making noises about not having one made up. Somehow he managed to talk me into getting a Coopers IPA kit instead. I blame the hangover.
I also forgot to get campden tablets, so I had to get bottled water. D'oh!
Anyway, it's in the FV, and I made damn sure everything was sanitised. I rehydrated the yeast with a little of the brew enhancer and pitched at about 22c.
OG was 1030, which seems a bit low. I had to add a litre of refrigerated water to bring the temp down a touch, so it's a little long, but not that long. I tried the hydrometer in tap water and it does seem to be badly calibrated; it was showing 0996.
I took a swallow from the trial jar, and it's very bitter at this stage. Hopefully that'll mellow out during the ferment.
So, I haven't exactly followed the plan which so many of you helped formulate. Sorry about that, I promise I'll do a Festival kit next time. I'll bottle this one directly from the FV, but intend to get a bottling bucket for next time too.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I drove down to the Home Brew Shop in Farnborough. Right from the word go it went wrong, as when I asked if I could buy their "equipment only starter pack" in store he started making noises about not having one made up. Somehow he managed to talk me into getting a Coopers IPA kit instead. I blame the hangover.
I also forgot to get campden tablets, so I had to get bottled water. D'oh!
Anyway, it's in the FV, and I made damn sure everything was sanitised. I rehydrated the yeast with a little of the brew enhancer and pitched at about 22c.
OG was 1030, which seems a bit low. I had to add a litre of refrigerated water to bring the temp down a touch, so it's a little long, but not that long. I tried the hydrometer in tap water and it does seem to be badly calibrated; it was showing 0996.
I took a swallow from the trial jar, and it's very bitter at this stage. Hopefully that'll mellow out during the ferment.
So, I haven't exactly followed the plan which so many of you helped formulate. Sorry about that, I promise I'll do a Festival kit next time. I'll bottle this one directly from the FV, but intend to get a bottling bucket for next time too.
I'll let you know how it goes.