!
The fermentation got underway really quickly and was finished after about 6 days. So I dry hopped on day 7 and bottled on day 9. I propably should have waited, but like I said.... my first kit!
The bottling didn't go well. I tried to transfer into a bottling bin using a spigot and syphon hose. The hose didn't form a good seal around the spigot so a lot of air got into the beer. It was also a very hot day, so a little bit of sweat dripped in there too!
I drank the first bottle after about 5 days conditioning at room temp, and then 48 hours in the fridge. The beer was really hoppy, the best way I could define the flavours is that they were sharp with a bitterness that hit after swallowing. After a few more days conditioning and another 48 hours in the fridge the beer has mellowed somewhat and is much more rounded. It's still a very hoppy beer, but beginning to take on a less severe character.
I would recommend this to any hop heads out there, it's just about at the limit of bitterness for me. My girlfriend hates it!
