so I finally started on my 1st kit, Murtons Connoisseur Export Stout.
All okish, final temp a little high. stick on thermometer says 28c but Im already on 23ltrs. Specific Gravity is 1045 w/correction.
Not sure how it will work, but cant cool it anymore so reckon Ill add the yeast & see how I get on.
oh, also noticed a slight leak @ the tap, Doh!!!
sure the 1st is always about learning what to do/ not to do
on a plus, the advice of heating the spray malt in a pan to stop clumping in the FV works a treat, althou I reckon thats where the extra temp came from as I didnt allow for the extra hot water Id be adding
Few pics,
All ready & hopes high
(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy155/CB_Phil/brew001_zps962ef214.jpg) (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/CB_Phil/media/brew001_zps962ef214.jpg.html)
mixing the ingredients & following the very good 'How to' offa here
(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy155/CB_Phil/brew002_zpsc54d7c93.jpg) (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/CB_Phil/media/brew002_zpsc54d7c93.jpg.html)
where it goes wrong, little high temp & a leak, maybe wrong location of the seal? Just wanted a little inside the FV as possible
(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy155/CB_Phil/brew004_zps000cce73.jpg) (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/CB_Phil/media/brew004_zps000cce73.jpg.html)
(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy155/CB_Phil/brew005_zps1145e232.jpg) (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/CB_Phil/media/brew005_zps1145e232.jpg.html)
Good man. If I took pictures on my first brew I would definitely have made a balls of it :)
The temperature will probably be ok. Next time you can just leave the bucket cool down by itself a few degrees with the lid on before pitching the yeast. I usually have a few 1 litre bottles of water in the freezer. You can strap them to the bucket to cool it down during fermentation if needed. The high temp is probably fine for the first 24hrs anyway, it will give the yeast a head start. When the krausen starts to form at the top it's best to get the temperature within the correct range then.
Try giving the whole tap assembly a turn 90° clockwise from the outside. It might be enough to stop the drip. I find that when the tap is turned at 90°, you can put the bucket straight down on the floor and not bang it off anything.
You've probably spotted it already, but there's a motorbike parked in your house ???
Quote from: Garry on June 10, 2013, 01:39:12 PM
You've probably spotted it already, but there's a motorbike parked in your house ???
Lots of us amatuer photographers do that ;D it is the policy here to look beyond the pic. :P
oh and congrats on your first brew.
Cheers lads, think a few colder bottles would be an idea for next time as they were all @ room temp
& yep, shes my 1st bike & 1st ever build too, couldnt part w/her but also too small for me now to ride, so what better than have her in the house ;D
If you need to keep temp down and using DME just put it and any other dry fermentables into the FV, then add the boiling water, pick up the FV and swirl, then add the goop.
The swirling action disolves dry malt better with no clumping :)
Well done on your first brew. I hope you get the tap sorted out.
Quote from: LordEoin on June 10, 2013, 03:45:31 PM
If you need to keep temp down and using DME just put it and any other dry fermentables into the FV, then add the boiling water, pick up the FV and swirl, then add the goop.
I think that's where I was going wrong. I threw the DME in on top of the boiling water :o You could stir it with a grout mixer and it wouldn't get the clumps out. Still fermented though :)
Managed to get it w/out clumps, but I boiled it in water before adding, so I reckon that would have upped the end temperature, didnt help either Id say the water I used was @ room temp, so not much cooling from that really. Live & learn I guess
Temp has come down to bout 23c now & looks like the leak has stopped or @ least reduced. I guess the pressure in the vessel is helping the seal.
did however find another problem in the shape of a nice circular mark the diameter of the FV on herselfs newly varnished dinner table, whoops
Quote from: CB_Phil on June 10, 2013, 04:44:44 PM
Temp has come down to bout 23c now & looks like the leak has stopped or @ least reduced. I guess the pressure in the vessel is helping the seal.
did however find another problem in the shape of a nice circular mark the diameter of the FV on herselfs newly varnished dinner table, whoops
You might want to put the bike outside before she does a revenge attack?
LOL, I thought her to ride w/that bike, so she has some attachment too, so hopefully the bikes safe. I did hoover & mop the floors. Sure she was meant to give the table another coat 8)
She sounds alright :) But this is probably the most important step in LordEoin's How-to:
Quote from: LordEoin on January 13, 2013, 11:43:42 PM
Clean up, or face the wrath of SWMBO...
I did spot that alright, definitely sound advice. I Should learn to pay more attention to instructions
I have found that when tightening the Spigot on buckets, resist the temptation of turning the easier-to-grip tap.
Tighten the nut on the INSIDE of the bucket.
If you tighten the tap from the outside, the gasket can move and you can end up if moving into the gap between the hole and the thread on the spigot.
You probably won't have a leak, but it can weep, the biggest concern being the risk of infection.
Quote from: johnrm on June 10, 2013, 09:38:47 PM
I have found that when tightening the Spigot on buckets, resist the temptation of turning the easier-to-grip tap.
Tighten the nut on the INSIDE of the bucket.
If you tighten the tap from the outside, the gasket can move and you can end up if moving into the gap between the hole and the thread on the spigot.
You probably won't have a leak, but it can weep, the biggest concern being the risk of infection.
I put the gasket on the inside and tighten from the tap side! Is this wrong! I assume the gasket is food safe? It made more sense to me to have the gasket on the inside?
I found it is very easy to over tighten those taps which causes a bad seal. This can cause a small leak like you've got. I also tried to fix it, not a good idea, I forgot I couldn't get at the nut on the inside without putting my hand into the beer. Luckily I had a second fermenter and just racked the whole thing into that loosing only a few pints and making a horrible mess. :P
Put the seal on the outside.
Put the tap in place and tighten both sides until you have contact.
Tighten from the inside only.
Rotate the Spigot ONLY thru' 90deg as Garry said, NOT the Spigot Body.
Liquid can and will work its way along the thread regardless of how tight it is if the seal is on the inside.
You need to make sure your hole inside and out is sanitised too.
I guessed a with all rubber gaskets, you just tighten & nip up a bit more. Sanitising now, never thought of the tap itself. We'll see how it works out, hopefully it'll be drinkable by the end of it
I'm sure it'll be fine Phil.
Make sure you have another kit lined up for when you've bottles off the first batch so you can immediately apply all you have learned!
Quote from: johnrm on June 10, 2013, 09:52:56 PM
You need to make sure your hole inside and out is sanitised too.
Anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? ;D
Well today its looking ok, leak has gone, temp is bout 21c & its got a bit of a head on it (viewed thru the vessel, not removing the lid & the bubbles happily bubbling away which I guess is a good sign. Giving off a good smell too, so hopefully I might actually have something drinkable @ the end of it all.
Quote from: Dunkel on June 11, 2013, 11:09:18 AM
Anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? ;D
Theres always one... ???
Quote from: johnrm on June 11, 2013, 12:09:44 PM
Quote from: Dunkel on June 11, 2013, 11:09:18 AM
Anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? ;D
Theres always one... ???
reminds me of something I read recently whilst looking up thoughts on whether or not to squeeze hop bags when finished.... the subject of star sanning your hands came up which prompted a reply that "you should never squeeze your sack with dirty hands" ???
Wise words if I ever heard them.
Quote from: johnrm on June 11, 2013, 12:09:44 PM
Quote from: Dunkel on June 11, 2013, 11:09:18 AM
Anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? ;D
Theres always one... ???
Make that two. I was about to quote the exact same bit. totally forgot what I was actually going to type now ;D
Ready to bottle I think, been sitting round 1016 for the last few days. Hydrometer however recommends to hang on till 1006 to stop over pressurizing. Should I leave it a few days before I start?
If you're getting the same reading for 2 or 3 days then it's probably gone as far as it will go. Although 1016 does sound a little on the high side? It might be worth calibrating your hydrometer. If you check what your hydrometer is reading in water at 20°C. It should read 1.000. If not, then just take a note of the difference, and add or subtract the difference from the reading your getting in future. My own hydrometer 2 or 3 points out.
Thanks again Garry, Ill check the hydrometer out. Im just taking the reading from a straight sample from the FV, should I be doing anything before Itake a reading?
Quote from: CB_Phil on June 20, 2013, 10:34:26 AM
Im just taking the reading from a straight sample from the FV, should I be doing anything before Itake a reading?
What your doing is fine. Ideally the beer should be at 20°C when you take the gravity but the variation is minimal for what we're doing. There's a correctional calculator here (http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/hydrometer.html?16198657) if you want to play around with it. Let's say the beer was at 25°C when you measured 1.016, then the actual gravity at 20°C would be 1.017. Not worth worrying about!
Ive got Brewzor app alright. Im @ 21c, so its pretty much the correct reading. The hydrometer is bout 1-2 points over, so I guess Im 1014, still a little high. Ill check tomorrow & see if its just reducing slowly. Be bit stupid for me to rush this bit I guess. sure its not @ the 2 weeks mark yet even
Stout kits usually have a higher FG than others.
Most of my stouts end up with an FG of about 1.012-1.016.
Nothing to be worried about.
I did a quick google and found this blog (http://windwardsailor.blogspot.ie/2008/03/muntons-export-stout-kit-5.html) who ended up at 1.019 with your kit and it was fine.
I'd say botle when you're ready, but go easy on the priming sugar or you'll end up with a fizzy stout.
Thanks for that Eoin, my original Gravity was pretty close to his too. Reckon Ill leave it a day just to see, mate who started his 1st kit dropping down tomorrow too & hes never seen the bottling process, so will do it /him
Im using the Coopers drops instead of the priming sugar. Plan to do some bottles w/a full lump & others w/half as Im not a fan of too much Fizz
Having help during bottling definitely takes the boredom out of it. I have to limit myself to 2 drinks while bottling or else I'll make a balls of it!
How do you plan on halving the carbonation drops? I've never tried it, they're hard bastards! I reckon they'd go in shite but I've heard of others doing it alright.
Chopping board, a big Sharp knife, Lean heavily.
The drops will shot in opposite directions, so you will need something to keep them off the floor.
Alternatively, you could make up a syrup - bring 100ml of water to the boil, pop in Dextrose/Table Sugar, dissolve and cool.
Use a syringe to administer the correct amount to each bottle (If not batch priming)
LOL, similarly I use to get quite drunk while working on bikes, had to call mates round a few times, like when drilling the handlebars for the controls ect, just too wobbly & blurry.
Was gona use the blade on my leatherman, nice & sharp, alternatively herself has a Claymore I could borrow! Maybe a blast in the microwave to soften them. Ill just play around w/them while Im sterilizing the bottles
I never heard of Microwaving to soften Sugar/sweets.
I'm not sure this is a good idea, but definitely do this and put it up on YouTube, it could be good for a laugh.
Have you got a second bucket? If not, get one, always very handy.
Pop syrup into this, syphon onto it (gently, with no aeration!) This will ensure the most consistent carbonation across your batch.
If you have to work around this, syrup/syringe is the best option IMO.
I got a 2nd one alright.
was thinking if it melts it, it may soften it. Probably wont bother w/that & just try use the leatherman
How well does your Leatherman deal with being sanitized?
Use the drops until they're all gone, then a batch or 2 down the road start using the second bucket.
Once you start bottling from the second bucket with syrup you'll find it much easier. I use this http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/carbonation.html to work out the quantities and it hasn't put me wrong yet.
Leatherman would be grad for sanitising, I see you poinr thou, never really thought bout that & the blade has been used on a varied amout of stuff.
How do you know how much CO2 your after w/that? Think I should probably get a book & read up a bit instead of just winging the whole thing
Quote from: CB_Phil on June 20, 2013, 08:15:10 PM
Leatherman would be grad for sanitising, I see you poinr thou, never really thought bout that & the blade has been used on a varied amout of stuff.
How do you know how much CO2 your after w/that? Think I should probably get a book & read up a bit instead of just winging the whole thing
The drop down menu gives the recommended vol CO2 for each style. Then just type in the corresponding value and it gives you the amount of fermentables needed.
Cheers man, will book mark that site for future use
according to that calculator, you'd need 5.2grams per liter.
1 card drop per 500ml is 6 grams per liter and would be fine. (they're 3 grams each)
I've used that in the past and it was enjoyable.
But if you want to split them, I find that s sterilzed wood chizel works great.
I'd not warm them though as it will make them sticky. It's easier to just split them clean,
Feckin chisel, wasnt expecting to have to go to that extent, love to see her face me hammering down on the work top w/my chisel.
will play around w/this batch & see how it goes.
Quote from: CB_Phil on June 21, 2013, 07:57:12 AM
Feckin chisel, wasnt expecting to have to go to that extent, love to see her face me hammering down on the work top w/my chisel.
will play around w/this batch & see how it goes.
Make sure you have a chopping board on the Granite... ???
a couple of A4 sheets does the job and makes cleanup much easier if you have them.
Cleaner than a chopping board and disposable ;D
wanna be quite a few sheets Id say?
so after 2days (maybe 3) sitting @ 1016 shes now down to 1014, so will hang on a day or 2 more, will be 2 weeks Monday anyway
Aim for the same reading 3 days in a row.
Check again in 2, same reading, you're done.
Almost had that >:( ah well, few more days wont hurt I guess :-\
Quote from: CB_Phil on June 21, 2013, 05:37:08 PMwanna be quite a few sheets Id say?
Not unless you're using a hammer... I generally use 1 folded in half.
I use the chisel because it's bulky and very sharp, so it will deliver a very precise strike with little force.
With a wood chisel, all you need to do is line it up and give it a firm tap with the end of a pintglass.
If you do it right you'll never touch the workop with the chisel and the drop will split in 2.
From personal experience, a knife (even a sharp one) leads to more counter-top damage.
Due to other stuff going on Ive only just gotten to bottle my brew now. only a 5days past when I should have. But in that time its gotten slightly bitter, not sure if thats good or bad.
So 32 bottles done, 8 of which are 1/2 Carbonation drops (chisel worked a treat) 1 is 1.5 drops & the rest is 1 per bottle. So now the wait to taste. I reckon I can go @ the half drop bottles a little sooner, althou I might just have the curious one & try let the rest sit for 3weeks before I touch them
Bottles are sitting in a blanket box that should keep them round 20c
Bitter smell or taste?
Taste, Just slightly
It'll be fine. After a while in the bottle it will mellow out.
Cheers man, only problem is having to play the waiting game. Dying to have a few
Keep yourself busy with the next brew ;D
Gona start looking into it now alright. Fancy doing a Porter I think
so 1.5 weeks after bottling I decided to give one of the 1/2 carbonated drop bottles a shot. not bad, but a little flat, hopefully the full tab bottles will be better. Not a huge 'alcohol' taste from it, but drinkable none the less
(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy155/CB_Phil/DSC_00892_zpsf641a6db.jpg) (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/CB_Phil/media/DSC_00892_zpsf641a6db.jpg.html)
Nice Job, looks great, 1.5 weeks is v early even though you have ambient temps at the moment time is the homebrewers friend.
Stick one in the very back of the cupboard and open on Christmas Day and you'll know what I am talking about.
Aye, the stout kit takes a bit longer to mature.
I know exactly what you mean about the carbonation, a half drop is missing something and a full drop is more enjoyable even though it makes an unusually carbonated stout :D
Well I have 1 w/ 1.5 drops, just to see. I had to give one a taste, the rest are still hidden away. will give them another few weeks before having @ them. As for Christmas, it all depends on work, been lucky the last 2-3 to be home, before that I was away for 3-4 of them.
Now I gotta look @ #2, no time this time home I dont think, but Im gona go for a Porter, after that I hope to start trying extract :)
Cheers for all the help during this one, I owe yis a few I reckon