Homebrew Beer Howto

arse..biscuits · 06-12-2009 06:37PM

I bottled a brew about 2 months back and experimented with a few bottles. I put 3 dried red chillis in one bottle. Opened it last night, the beer was really spicy, it was strange but nice, I'll do it again but maybe just the one chilli next time

guildofevil · 07-12-2009 12:04PM

Did the beer fizz up when you opened the bottle? I have heard of that happening because of rough surfaces acting as nucleation points for the co2 coming out of solution.

arse..biscuits · 07-12-2009 01:08PM

No, just the normal amount of fizz, didn't over flow.

_blank_ · 08-12-2009 01:01PM

Hi everyone

I've just started my first foray into home brewing.

I got this for my birthday recently. The bitter kit.

I love the fact that everything is re-usable.

What are people's opinions on these kits?

I'm just making my first batch, and following the instructions to the letter, just to see what will happen.

I expect it to be a bit too hoppy for me, so if that is that case, I'll just add less of the hop mixture on the second batch.

It says it comes out at about% abv, would adding more sugar make it stronger? I won't be doing this on this batch anyway, as I said, to the letter.

Any tips/hints?

Thanks

oblivious · 08-12-2009 01:11PM

Des wrote: »

It says it comes out at about% abv, would adding more sugar make it stronger? I won't be doing this on this batch anyway, as I said, to the letter.

Any tips/hints?

Thanks

Welcome to the obsession

,

Bitter generally aren't really that bitter no more than a carlsberg in some cases

I would leave the kit as is, if you want it stronger add some spray dry malt extract. This is dry malt and will add flavor to the beer unlike just plain sugar

BeerNut · 08-12-2009 01:14PM

Des wrote: »

What are people's opinions on these kits?

Not something I'd consider myself, but there's an honest independent opinion here.

Des wrote: »

would adding more sugar make it stronger?

Yes, but putting table sugar in this type of beer is likely to give a nasty tang to it. Spraymalt (aka dry malt extract, DME) is much better for beefing up the fermentables.

Des wrote: »

Any tips/hints?

Buy a hydrometer: that way you can measure the ABV yourself.

Best of luck with it, and happy brewing!

_blank_ · 08-12-2009 01:57PM

oblivious wrote: »

Welcome to the obsession ,

Thanks!

oblivious wrote: »

Bitter generally aren't really that bitter no more than a carlsberg in some cases

OK, that's reassuring. However, for the second batch, if I did happen to find the first batch too hoppy, would adding less of the hop sachet be the answer.

I know it seems fairly obvious that it is the answer, but I'm curious.

oblivious wrote: »

I would leave the kit as is, if you want it stronger add some spray dry malt extract. This is dry malt and will add flavor to the beer unlike just plain sugar

Righto, I'll research that, but have you any recommendations on where to get such a thing?

BeerNut wrote: »

Not something I'd consider myself, but there's an honest independent opinion here.

I've read that link thanks, I should really sign up to that site I suppose.

I hope this doesn't sound bitchy or anything, really I don't.

I kind of was expecting that kind of answer from the more experienced people here, fair enough, you lads are well into your brewing, and it's something I hope to be in time also. I got it as a present, so I'm not going to just leave it in the attic, I may as well use it.

I see it as a "foot in the door" type of thing, I do want to keep this new hobby up, and I enjoyed the process this morning. Making beer, in my own house!

BeerNut wrote: »

Yes, but putting table sugar in this type of beer is likely to give a nasty tang to it. Spraymalt (aka dry malt extract, DME) is much better for beefing up the fermentables.

Ah, so ordinary sugar is a definite no-no then, thanks for that.

BeerNut wrote: »

Buy a hydrometer: that way you can measure the ABV yourself.

Going to ebay right now

BeerNut wrote: »

Best of luck with it, and happy brewing!

Thank you very much indeed.

And I do apologise again if I came across as a bit off above, I definitely wasn't meant to.

Maybe one day I can have one of them Irish Craft Brewer sigs too.

BeerNut · 08-12-2009 02:08PM

Des wrote: »

I kind of was expecting that kind of answer from the more experienced people here, fair enough, you lads are well into your brewing, and it's something I hope to be in time also. I got it as a present, so I'm not going to just leave it in the attic, I may as well use it.

You're absolutely right. I think the main question any experienced home brewer will ask is: "How much of this will still be of use when I want to do something more complicated?"

It's unlikely, I think, that someone will want to stick with a proprietary system like this for ever. I'd say, after doing a few of these, you'll either want some extra variation (and cheaper beer -- those iBrew refills are pricey), or else you'll shove it back in the attic. With all the free brewing experience knocking about the web these days, it's hopefully more likely to be the former, even if you're not happy with what's coming out of your iBrew taps.

_blank_ · 08-12-2009 02:12PM

Ha! I thought the refills were cheap, just goes to show how much I actually know about this. I will get the stout one though, I just know she's going to buy it for me for xmas.

Wow, if you think they are pricey, then getting away from the kit is something I'll definitely be doing.

Thanks man, that's very encouraging.

BeerNut · 08-12-2009 02:22PM

Des wrote: »

Wow, if you think they are pricey, then getting away from the kit is something I'll definitely be doing.

Even staying with kits, you can get a top-quality all-malt (i.e. no need for added sugar or spraymalt) kit that will produce double the amount of beer for just a fiver more.

(Edit: or if cheap booze is all you're after, there are 40-pint kits for under a tenner; at your own risk, of course.)

But then you'll need a bigger bucket to ferment it in, and a bigger serving capacity -- bottles are cheapest, though then you'll likely need bottling gear and if you don't have access to swingtops, you're looking at buying a capper and caps.

Hopefully that goes some way toward showing why experienced home brewers would lean towards recommending a full starter set-up rather than a proprietary system. When one has the choice, of course.

oblivious · 08-12-2009 02:57PM

Des wrote: »

Wow, if you think they are pricey, then getting away from the kit is something I'll definitely be doing..

An all grain is cheaper again;)

oblivious · 08-12-2009 02:59PM

BeerNut wrote: »

Even staying with kits, you can get a top-quality all-malt (i.e. no need for added sugar or spraymalt) kit that will produce double the amount of beer for just a fiver more.

Second the wherry kits ,they produce some good beer

Saruman · 09-12-2009 02:42PM

oblivious wrote: »

An all grain is cheaper again;)

And the results are astounding since All grain is the same method commercial brewers use.

I have never looked back since going all grain, I even enjoy the fact it takes a full day to brew as many a weekend I have nothing better to do

RebelButtMunch · 10-12-2009 07:34PM

Anyone know how much I should be charged (roughly) for buying empty large bottles from the local bar. They said I could have some tomorrow.

Thanks!

BeerNut · 10-12-2009 11:40PM

If they're Guinness/Bulmer's pint bottles, there's about 20c deposit on them. If they're not pint bottles, they're gouging you.

Saruman · 11-12-2009 11:41AM

No need to buy regular bottles, get them from friends, drink beer and build up a collection.
Check on the ICB website in Market square and ask if anyone has bottles you can have.
I probably have some left that I do not need for instance.

RebelButtMunch · 11-12-2009 11:48AM

BeerNut wrote: »

If they're Guinness/Bulmer's pint bottles, there's about 20c deposit on them. If they're not pint bottles, they're gouging you.

Gouging, a nice old fashioned word. The fecking gougers!

oblivious · 11-12-2009 11:57AM

RebelButtMunch wrote: »

Gouging, a nice old fashioned word. The fecking gougers!

+1

ManFromAtlantis · 11-12-2009 02:04PM

BeerNut wrote: »

If they're Guinness/Bulmer's pint bottles, there's about 20c deposit on them. If they're not pint bottles, they're gouging you.

are you my grandmother ?

BeerNut · 11-12-2009 03:41PM

I'm not. But if she's a lady who doesn't care to pay for things which are already free, then we certainly have something in common.

My local charges about 50c extra for a pint bottle of Guinness in the lounge where I'd normally be buying them. So I feel no guilt whatsoever about nicking them, wholesale.

Lgray · 15-12-2009 10:34AM

Hi Guys,

I'm brewing my first kit- youngs lager, and the hydrometer reading has been 1.08 for the past 2 days. Is it ready to bottle?

Thanks,
Lorna

BeerNut · 15-12-2009 10:39AM

Sounds like it.

BaZmO* · 15-12-2009 10:40AM

What was the estimated reading when you started?

It does sound like it's ready though.

Lgray · 15-12-2009 03:38PM

Thanks guys, didn't want to bottle before it's ready. it started at aprox 1.042? I didn't take the first reading until after i put in the yeast- clever i know!

_blank_ · 15-12-2009 07:37PM

I'm back

You may remember I'm using an iBrew Kit.

Well, it was a week ago today that I started, I left the beer doing it's thing in the fermenter box, wrapped in a duvet, near a radiator.

Today was siphoning day, which went pretty well. But I have a few questions.

It didn't seem to be "fizzy". Will it get fizzy in the sealed containers?

There is a greeny-brown layer at the bottom of the fermenter box, which I take to be yeast or something. Do I just feck this out?

I got two 10 Litre containers/bottled in the kit, and had the fermenter box filled to 20 litres, but there was little over 15 Litres of beer siphoned off. Could a whole five litres have evaporated off?

Have to leave it two weeks in the sealed containers, should I also wrap these in the duvet and put them near a radiator, or just leave them someplace where they won't be disturbed (as per the instructions)?

Thanks!

BeerNut · 15-12-2009 07:59PM

Des wrote: »

Will it get fizzy in the sealed containers?

Yes, the seal traps the gas and that's what makes it fizzy.

Des wrote: »

There is a greeny-brown layer at the bottom of the fermenter box, which I take to be yeast or something. Do I just feck this out?

Yes, you're siphoning the beer off the top of it.

Des wrote: »

Could a whole five litres have evaporated off?

The dead yeast in the bottom of your fermenter will account for some of it, evaporation more. But 5L does sound like a lot.

Des wrote: »

should I also wrap these in the duvet and put them near a radiator, or just leave them someplace where they won't be disturbed

Depends on the temperature of the room. You want them at about 18-20 degrees ideally. If the room is already there, no need for the duvet.

Lgray · 16-12-2009 03:39PM

arghhh- I can't find the post that let me work out how much sugar to boil for the bottle conditioning. can someone please help. I have the youngs lager kit. the batch is just under 5 gallons in the fermenter. I know it's best to have a second bucket, but i didn't get one for my first brew(will get one for the next one) but I read somewhere that I can add the sugar syrup to the first bucket anyway, and that this is better than adding spoons of sugar to the bottle direct. How do I know how much to add??

Thanks

Lorna

BeerNut · 16-12-2009 03:47PM

The site is here -- Googling "carbonation calculator" will bring it up.

So, 22.5L of "lager" at 2.5 vols. of CO2. I'm guessing your beer's at about 18C -- you can check that yourself. That would be 136g of table sugar.

Lgray · 16-12-2009 10:50PM

Thanks a mil BeerNut, was starting to panic a bit! so for future- how do I know what the volume of CO2 should be? and are all lager kits American lager? and does it matter when bottling if it's brown or white sugar- I used the brewing suger for the initial stage.?
sorry for all the questions

Thanks

Lorna

BeerNut · 17-12-2009 12:15AM

Lgray wrote: »

how do I know what the volume of CO2 should be?

Use the dropdown in the link above to pick a style.

Lgray wrote: »

and are all lager kits American lager?

Doesn't matter. You'll see that pretty much all the lagers are in the narrow 2.5-2.7 range.

Lgray wrote: »

and does it matter when bottling if it's brown or white sugar

Don't think so.

Lgray wrote: »

sorry for all the questions

No worries. I think all start-up brewers do this.

Homebrew Beer Howto

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