Finally got a kit & got some questions

[CB_Phil]

so finally home from work, 4 long months of mulling over what beer Id like too get started on. Got home & the missus had bought me this kit http://www.homebrew.ie/complete-premium-starter-kit-for-beer-or-cider-155-p.asp for my birthday

2 Fermentation Vessels (33 litre)
2 Bubblers
1 Little Bottler Complete
1 Steriliser 100 grm
1 Syphon
45 Coopers Ox-Bar 500 ml PET Bottles
1 kg Sugar
1 Coopers Carbonation Drops

now I know Im missing the Hydrometer, but what else do I need?
Also, whats the craic w/2 Fermentation jobbies, can I get 2 brews on the go @ once? Im guessing the choice of bottler or syphon is just a personal preference?
wheres the best place round Dublin to pick up the Hydrometer, 2nd bottle (if I can get 2 on the go) ect?

oh & she got me this kit to kick things off

http://www.homebrew.ie/muntons-connoisseurs-export-stout-346-p.asp

any advice on any of the about would be greatly appreciated

cheers folks

[imark]

Not familiar with that particular kit but I suspect one of the buckets is to be used as a bottling bucket. The little bottler + tap would go into a hole on the side of it near the bottom.

You need a trial jar and hydrometer and you should be good to go on your first brew. Good luck!   

[DEMPSEY]

Don't see a thermometer on your list. They come in 300mm lengths

[Garry]

Some use the 2nd fermenter as a bottling bucket, some use it for secondary fermentation and some use it to have 2 brews on at the same time. For your first brew I'd just use the one fermenter for fermenting and bottling and forget about secondary fermentation / bottling bucket for the moment.


Yes, syphon or bottle stick is a personal choice. I prefer the bottle stick myself and I know that some bottle straight from the tap!


I think there are a few Tescos in Dublin that do home brew stuff so you might get a hydrometer there. Maybe someone else will post some more info for this?


I'd recommend a stick-on thermometer for the side of your fermentor if one didn't come with the kit. You can get them in most pet shops.


I've never done that stout kit but I assume you just need to add the 1kg of sugar and ferment at 19 to 22°C for 2 weeks. Have a look at LordEoin's instructions for more detail.

[CB_Phil]

Cheers lads, I sent her a link way back bout Brew Smart kit, but she lost it & went on a recommendation from one of the lads.
Im guessing by bottling bucket its used to pour in & then go to the bottles from there, seems overly complicated to me. 2nd fermentation seems far to risky for me right now. so I guess @ best I have a 2nd vessel for getting a 2nd on the go when I get into it.

main thing Im worried bout w/the home brew kits, they all seem to produce low alcohol content. Id like bout 6-7%, but I guess I should get the 1st under my belt before worrying bout that

[Garry]

A bottling bucket is usually used so you can batch prime the beer before bottling. You calculate how much sugar you need for the carbonation level you require and then boil the sugar in 100 -200ml of water. Then add the sugar solution to the bottling bucket before transferring the beer on top of it. The sugar should evenly mix into the beer as it's transferring.


Your kit came with carbonation drops so you can skip the bottling bucket and just add the drops to the bottles.


If you want a higher ABV; instead of topping up the kit to 23L like the instructions say, top it up to 20L. You'll get a better tasting beer this way too.


You could add more sugar too but don't expect it to taste of quality!

[CB_Phil]

Thanks Garry, was thinking less water, but wasnt sure if Id just make a balls of it. not too into a fizzy beer either way. thinking of using half drop per bottle.
Will try get the rest of the kit tomorrow & get cracking, gona check out the Next Door Offie on D12, would rather support a small buissness that supports home brew as opposed to Tesco,

[Garry]

You can experiment with the carbonation drops if you want. Maybe add 1 drop to half the bottles and ½ a drop to the rest? You can then judge what's right for the next batch.


Personally I think 1 drop per 500ml bottle would be about right for a stout but no harm in going less if that's to your taste. It's your beer after all 

[ColinC]

I'd go for 1kg of Dry Malt Extract (DME) or a 1.7 litre can of Liquid Malt Extract (LME) instead of using sugar. Sugar will fully ferment out & leave a thin body to your beer. Malt Extract will leave a bit of body behind it. Dark DME or LME if you can get it would make a far better beer - just make sure you mix it all properly. And if you can get your hands on some molases or treacle add that too. About 300 grams of it will go lovely in your stout & boost your final alcohol too. Sugar is fine for priming the bottles though. 

And as for the beer kit - Munton's are not a bad quality kit but I've had problems with their yeast not finishing properly. If I was you & you have access to it I'd try a different yeast. Maybe a US-05 or a Nottingham dry yeast would go well & they only cost about €3. Just sprinkle on top of the beer in the fermenting bucket when you have your temperature around 20c & leave it be for 2 weeks. Leave it somewhere warm for a week or so after you bottle it to let it carb up & you're good to go.

But if its your first kit I'd just go for the kit & a kilo of DME & the standard yeast. Get used to the process & sanitising your kit & then go wild on your next one! 

[CB_Phil]

Will probably do the half & half w/the bottles alright.
Will try get some different yeast when Im picking up the rest of what I need, cheers for that, also like the soundof the extract, looks like i wont be rushing into this so

[Garry]

If you use dry malt extract, it's a whoor for clumping up when you add it to water. Add it very slowly and stir while adding it.


I think you're better off sticking with the sugar if it's your first brew though. You will get a better beer with extract but the sugar is much easier to dissolve and one less thing to worry about.


The kit yeast should be fine too, especially with the warm temperatures we have at the moment (typical leaving cert. weather!).


I'm not trying to undermine ColinC, everything he says is correct, but for your first brew I think you should keep it simple. Kit + 1kg sugar + kit yeast. Can't get any simpler than that 

[Dunkel]

I think there are a few Tescos in Dublin that do home brew stuff so you might get a hydrometer there. Maybe someone else will post some more info for this?

Tesco Clearwater in Finglas had the Richie (I think) hydrometer and trial jars last week - but they tend to be dearer than the online homwbrew shops. €20 for a Cooper's kit! 

[Damofto]

If you use dry malt extract, it's a whoor for clumping up when you add it to water. Add it very slowly and stir while adding it.

If you put it in the saucepan on the hob on a mid-high heat and give it a stir, the clumps will dissolve in seconds.  I always do it this way now and for the dextrose too, so much easier

[johnrm]

Re:BrewSmart kit, this is an 'own brand' for Homebrew West, mention it to the opposition and they will shrug their shoulders or look at you funny.

Get 2 LCD-Thermometers, one for each bucket. They're cheap and handy.
A proper thermometer is useful but not necessary at this stage.

You will need the Hydrometer and Trial Jar to know your gravities.

As for getting another yeast to replace the kit yeast, I would be inclined to go with the kit yeast the first time around. Keep it Simple!
It is matched to the kit and assuming it has not been left out in the Sun this past few days, it should be fine.

Best of Luck!

[CB_Phil]

Cheers lads, picked up the last of the kit yesterday from the Next Door Offie in Kimmage. Plan to get started today or possibly over the weekend, will get a thread up & keep ye updated.
I picked up a Dark spray malt (cant make it too easy, ha!), but no yeast as I couldnt find it, but sure if this one doesnt work right, once I learn from it, its all good