1st Brew Kit & Equipment

[IrishBeerSnob]

Hey guys, i've talked about it enough at this stage but i'm finally biting the bullet and going to start home brewing.

I've been hoarding bottles for a while now and have a nice stash there.

I was fortunate enough to get vouchers from Homebrewcompany for christmas.

I'm looking at picking up the following;

Starter Kit with 2 x 33L Fermenters (this one from Homebrewcompany https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html )- One has airlock one doesn't - should i ask for both to have tap holes drilled and have airlock on the 2nd one?

As far as kits go, I was looking at the Coopers ESB. Myself and the missus both like this style and was thinking of maybe dry hopping this. Is it ok to Dry hop in the primary fermenter - as i was going to batch prime in the second.

Also i understand Spray Malt extract is the way to go not using brewing sugar etc.

Is there anything else you can suggest?

[Garry]

One has airlock one doesn't - should i ask for both to have tap holes drilled and have airlock on the 2nd one?

Yes, a tap would definitely be useful on both buckets. You will probably use the second bucket for bottling so no need for the lid to be drilled for an air lock.

Is it ok to Dry hop in the primary fermenter - as i was going to batch prime in the second.

It's fine to dry hop in the primary, just wait 7 days until the main fermentation has finished.

Also i understand Spray Malt extract is the way to go not using brewing sugar etc.

Correct. Liquid malt extract is good too but I prefer the spray malt at the moment. Use 1kg of DME or 1.5kg of LME. 200g ish of sugar won't do the beer any harm if you want to bump up the ABV a bit.

Is there anything else you can suggest?

A heat belt would be useful. It's kinda cold at the moment! You want the FV to be 18-20°C for the first week or so. A blanket around the fermenter will do the job too.

A hop bag is handy for dry hopping. The hops tend to clog the syphon/tap when bottling if you throw the hops in loose. I believe LordEoin uses his tights!

Keep asking questions and enjoy 

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/nylon-hop-boiling-bag-200-x-225mm-p-1943.html

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/brew-belt-universal-usage-p-81.html

[LordEoin]

Id go for a second one with a taphole too.
When transferring between containers you can hook a tube from one tap to the other and gravity feed it down.
It minimizes the amount of contact with air and gives things a good mix up too

LME vs DME - I prefer DME for lighter colour/flavour beers, it ferments out cleaner with less residual sweetness and colour. LME is good in darker/stronger beers.
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,681.msg6929.html#msg6929

[IrishBeerSnob]

Cheers for that lads - i'll get the two FV's tapped as it'll make my life easier come bottling time.

[IrishBeerSnob]

Garry and LordEoin, thanks for your help
Kit now ordered so hopefully have it in a few days! 

[LordEoin]

Great stuff. it'll be set up and bubbling away soon

Pick yourself up a bottle of thin bleach and a bottle of spirit vinegar from tesco too.
Diluted at 30ml bleach, 30ml vinegar, 20L water and it's a great sanitizer.
Just don't mix the bleach and vinegar neat, its poisonous.

[Will_D]

Great stuff. it'll be set up and bubbling away soon

Pick yourself up a bottle of thin bleach and a bottle of spirit vinegar from tesco too.
Diluted at 30ml bleach, 30ml vinegar, 20L water and it's a great sanitizer.
Just don't mix the bleach and vinegar neat, its poisonous.

What he means is:

Take 20 litres of water add 30ml bleach, stir, add 30ml vinegar and stir. Now you are done.

Mix the 2 together neat and you will release Chlorine gas! Not Good

[IrishBeerSnob]

Yeah i read that - lethal stuff

Is that a no rinse santizer? Or would I have to rinse off.

[irish_goat]

Yeah i read that - lethal stuff

Is that a no rinse santizer? Or would I have to rinse off.

No rinse.

[LordEoin]

only takes about 10-15 seconds to do the job too.
just as good as starsan.

[Dunkel]

Are you sure there's no need to rinse? That's what has been putting me off using the bleach/vinegar mix.

[irish_goat]

Remember your tap water isn't sterile, you could potentially undo all your hard work by rinsing with it.

If you were really worried you could use boiling water to rinse I suppose.

[DEMPSEY]

It's no rinse because the blend of these 2  added to the water changes the PH to a point that kills off any Lurgeebeans  . Once drained it leaves the surface area clean and sterile.

[Dunkel]

It's the possibility of getting some kind of chlorine or vinegar off-flavours that worry me. Reassure me!

[Ciderhead]

Don't do it Dunkel, their beer already tastes like vinegar, they can't tell the difference