1st Brew Kit & Equipment

[Ciderhead]

You are the only one that has tasted them
Are you coming to Hollands in a couple of weeks to share?
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,5252.0.html

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Go on then, you've twisted my arm, I'd better pop down so.
I presume its ok to just rock up to Hollands then, do I need to bring anything?

[Ciderhead]

Go on then, you've twisted my arm, I'd better pop down so.
I presume its ok to just rock up to Hollands then, do I need to bring anything?

You need to bring about 1-2 bottles of your beer and your wallet! only joking new members in Wicklow get a free pint.

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

cool, I'll bring some bottles of my first brew down so. 
Missus about to pop any day now so I'm on call and driving for the foreseable . . . I'm sure I'll manage to taste a beers otherwise I'll be on the alkoholfrei Erdingers!!   

[IrishBeerSnob]

My stuff has arrived!
Going to brew up this batch tomorrow - one other q - the airlock, when does that go on the FV?

[Ciderhead]

Wayne spend 30 mins watching early vids from craigtube on youtube, it will be time well spent.
To answer your question from the very start.

[IrishBeerSnob]

i've watched a fair few of his vids. They're very good.
itching to get cracking

[Ciderhead]

Don't use ordinary tap water in it use alcohol or starsan, that way if it gets sucked back in no damage done
Crack the lid if the bucket if moving it around to prevent same

[IrishBeerSnob]

Finally got to it today - now sitting in the FV in the corner of the living room.
OG was 1.053 (is that a little on the high side?) before I pitched the yeast. At 20C.
I also added 1KG of Light Dry Malt Extract, and 200G of Sugar to bump up ABV

[LordEoin]

That does sound a bit high alright. if it's a coopers kit that mix should be somewhere around 1.042.
Nevermind, it will be fine
Check your hydrometer in water at 20C, it should read 1.000. if not it might be a bum hydrometer.

Which kit did you go for in the end?

[IrishBeerSnob]

I went with the coopers English Bitter - going to dry hop it with cascade.
The hydro reading was 1.00 in water. It is also possible i misread it - it could have been 1.05 as i may have read it at the high point of the surface rather than the bottom.

Its currently snuggly wrapped in a blanket in the living room, at 20C hopefully come home to some bubbling this evening.

[LordEoin]

Good stuff, best of luck with it

[IrishBeerSnob]

Bubbling away nicely - was ticking along lovely this morning before i left the house.
The FV is currently on the floor, but i was going to put on a little foot stool so i can take samples when checking the readings, i've read i should crack it open as to not have the liquid from the airlock fall in is that true?

In terms of quantity for hops, its looking like leaf cascade or pellet summit, is 30G too much or be just right.

[Will_D]

..., i've read i should crack it open as to not have the liquid from the airlock fall in is that true?

Yes, this is where the 2 piece airlock is great - you just lift the lid up clear of the liquid so you can run out a test sample.

If its a one piece then either crack the lid slightly or just go very slowly!

[IrishBeerSnob]

Slowly and steady wins the race!