First Kit Brew in 20yrs

[RobShamrock]

Hey All, so all my starter kit is at home and I'm rearing to go so I'll be tapping you all for some expert advice, spent the last couple weeks reading this and other forums, watching you tube etc in preperation.

So first question which kit to do first here's what I have
Craft Range Blonde Lager,
Bad Cat Imperial Red 4.7 Kg Beer Kit &
Coopers Brewmaster India Pale Ale 1.7kg Beer Kit (with Malt BH Light LME 1.5Kg Can)

would one be easier for a beginner over another ??

also my room temp is casuing me to loose sleep already, planning on using a room off the kitchen at the back of the house, been keeping an eye on its temperature the past week with a digital thermometer and its not too bad between 17 / 19 c, the kit I got came with a brew belt, will I be needing it, specailly at night with no heat on I'm guessing that room probably drops another couple of degrees, any advice   greatly appreciated

Rob

[LordEoin]

They should all be about as easy as each other but the coopers yeast will tolerate higher temperatures.
I'd say go for the IPA with the brewbelt so that you can just set and forget.
It will give you some time to think about how to maintain a constant 18-20C for the other 2

[gearoid]

While you're waiting for the first one to brew and if you're handy with wires and a screwdriver order up an STC-1000 online and rig it up using these great instructions

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,7491.0.html

I started brewing again after a long layoff and this has to be the best advance in equipment over brewing back in the 80s 

Be careful when ordering online to get exactly the right type, there's a bunch of variations, some work on DC and some only control a single power out relay.  For example have a look at this one and the third picture - it's 220V and has relays for both heating and cooling.

http://www.dx.com/p/stc-1000-1-7-lcd-microcomputer-temperature-controller-with-sensor-black-220v-259160

[RobShamrock]

Yea read about the stc looked on ebay a couple times but not pulled the trigger yet.

[RobShamrock]

So mixed the coopers ipa today all went well (I think) used the lme 1.5kg instead of dextrose so hoping I did right. temp was good when I pitched yeast 20c.  Took reading also. was just outside the red zone on hydrometer so hope I've done ok Also my kit was missing the airlock when it got delivered so I found someone online mention putting a baloon on it (sterilised it) with a pin hole  fingers crossed now

[RobShamrock]

sampled one today two weeks bottled was very impressed kept a nice head and was happy with carbonation a bit young alright but pleased knowing it will get better in next few weeks

[LordEoin]

Good stuff. Enjoy it

[johnrm]

How does the experience and result compare to 20 years ago Rob?

[RobShamrock]

Much improved from memory. I recall a sickly lager attempt probably made way too thin from attempting to make it hooch with tons of sugar.