I am currently 5 days into my first fermentation - a St Peters IPA kit. This is my story so far. Mostly good with a couple of glaring errors;
I did my research! Forums such as this and the Wheeler book meant I knew what equipment I needed (more than I thought natch) but took my time assembling it before starting. The world of internet ordering of course helps.
Did all the sterilization stuff with the required paranoia I think. Did the "Wherry tweak" on the St Peters - I know it seems like running before walking but seemed so sensible and straightforward - so boiled the empty kit can washes with half Citra and half Challenger hops (good job I like it hoppy) and brewed it to about 17.5L (Kit is a 19L)
used Tesco Ashbeck water - 5l for a quid
Mistake number one - didnt use my hydrometer to get an OG reading in my excitement
Mistake number two - pitched the yeast a bit hot - 27-28 degrees but I think I got away with it...
...and the wort/hops mix was well aerated and I got it in a 19 degree room.
Next morning...WOW a magnificent Krausen really squirty cream like. Fermentation seems to be going well. I have an airlock that hasn't bubbled once but the FV is constantly swelled with what I hope is Co2.
So today I read the gravity and it is 1020 - a bit to go but progressing well.The taste however was amazing - it was beer! Not yeasty homebrew of yore, actual nice beer so I am doubly excited.
Next steps and advice needed...going to leave it until probably day 10 and then transfer to a second fermenter with the addition of a few more dry hops (in a boiled muslin bag weighed down with a steralised shot glass) then leave that another 5 days or so
Q - Do I need to "steralise" the hops - perhaps just leave in boiling water for a couple of mins before adding?
Then after 2 weeks and if SG is ok will bottle. Have a little bottler and carbonation drops and plenty of brown 500ml bottles clean but not yet steralized.
Any other advice welcome and I will report back at bottling and drinking
This appears to be a fantastic hobby - I plan a couple more 2 can kits and then on to extract so boiler is being saved up for.
I did my research! Forums such as this and the Wheeler book meant I knew what equipment I needed (more than I thought natch) but took my time assembling it before starting. The world of internet ordering of course helps.
Did all the sterilization stuff with the required paranoia I think. Did the "Wherry tweak" on the St Peters - I know it seems like running before walking but seemed so sensible and straightforward - so boiled the empty kit can washes with half Citra and half Challenger hops (good job I like it hoppy) and brewed it to about 17.5L (Kit is a 19L)
used Tesco Ashbeck water - 5l for a quid
Mistake number one - didnt use my hydrometer to get an OG reading in my excitement
Mistake number two - pitched the yeast a bit hot - 27-28 degrees but I think I got away with it...
...and the wort/hops mix was well aerated and I got it in a 19 degree room.
Next morning...WOW a magnificent Krausen really squirty cream like. Fermentation seems to be going well. I have an airlock that hasn't bubbled once but the FV is constantly swelled with what I hope is Co2.
So today I read the gravity and it is 1020 - a bit to go but progressing well.The taste however was amazing - it was beer! Not yeasty homebrew of yore, actual nice beer so I am doubly excited.
Next steps and advice needed...going to leave it until probably day 10 and then transfer to a second fermenter with the addition of a few more dry hops (in a boiled muslin bag weighed down with a steralised shot glass) then leave that another 5 days or so
Q - Do I need to "steralise" the hops - perhaps just leave in boiling water for a couple of mins before adding?
Then after 2 weeks and if SG is ok will bottle. Have a little bottler and carbonation drops and plenty of brown 500ml bottles clean but not yet steralized.
Any other advice welcome and I will report back at bottling and drinking
This appears to be a fantastic hobby - I plan a couple more 2 can kits and then on to extract so boiler is being saved up for.
Looks like you got off to a good start.
