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First Brew TODAY
Sounds like a relatively successful first day.
Congrats on the first batch.
I noticed in your initial written steps that you were turning off the heat to add the first hop addition. If you are doing a 3 gallon boil in a 5 gallon pot that isn't necessary. Just watch it for boil overs and stir the foam with your brew spoon.
As for when your ferment will kick off, what yeast did your kit supply? Every yeast is a little different, but depending on the strain and the amount you pitched I wouldn't be dissapointed if the brew doesn't start for 24-48 hours. Just relax and it should all come together.
Congrats again.
Now plan that second batch!
Thanks guys. Second batch is already planned...and will start it as soon as I move the first batch into the secondary. Planning on going with a Porter this time around. Figure if I can brew every 2-3 weeks, I should have a nice supply going in a couple of months.
I checked this morning right before I left the house for work, and just 9 hours later, I've got some bubbling in the airlock. About 4 bubbles per minute, and it's fermenting at roughly 68 degrees.
Can't wait to taste it! I'm sure I'll have tons more questions when it comes to bottling.
Thanks again for the help!
Glad all went well!
There is a seemingly endless supply of knowledge here, so take advantage!
Welcome to homebrewing!
brewchez wrote:
Sounds like a relatively successful first day.
Congrats on the first batch.
I noticed in your initial written steps that you were turning off the heat to add the first hop addition. If you are doing a 3 gallon boil in a 5 gallon pot that isn't necessary. Just watch it for boil overs and stir the foam with your brew spoon.
Funny thing is...I actually boiled 4 gallons and added the last gallon into the fermenter to bring it up to the full 5, and I never even came close to a boil over, and I had a nice boil going the whole time. Made me think that I was doing something wrong for a minute since it never got anywhere close to boiling over...didn't even really rise that much. I was using a 30qt pot, so I guess that gives me a little extra room. Next time I might just try to boil the full 5 gallons and see how that works.
Oh...and the yeast that was included in the recipe from my brew shop was Saflager S-23 I believe...still have the packet at home, but I'm pretty sure that was the one.
Ummmm.... 68F with saflager-23????
Recommended temperature range for that yeast is 49-59F. You should really be using it at 55F not 68F.
This is a lager and you are fermenting at an ale temp.
Did your homebrew shop give you those instructions?
If so this is another case of lame shop people either being clueless or just handing out bad advice.
brewchez wrote:
Ummmm.... 68F with saflager-23????
Recommended temperature range for that yeast is 49-59F. You should really be using it at 55F not 68F.
This is a lager and you are fermenting at an ale temp.
Did your homebrew shop give you those instructions?
If so this is another case of lame shop people either being clueless or just handing out bad advice.
I have to double check what the saflager# was, but I think it was 23. And yes, that's what they told me...they told me that I could ferment it at this temperature.
I did ask about that because all of the research I'd done instructed me to ferment lager at lower temps, but he said that with this brew, I could fement it like an ale? Being completely new to this, I figured he knew what he was talking about..Assuming it is saflager-23, what's the downside to fermenting at this temperature?
Don't know how accurate this is or not, but here's some info I found on this yeast regarding frementing temp:
"Saflager s-23 is widely used by Western European commercial breweries and will produce the best of its Lager flavors when fermented at low temperatures (51-59 deg. F) yet producing very good beers at room temperature. Genuine bottom fermenting commerical yeast for lager beer production. Sedimentaion is high, Final Gravity is medium. Use one 11.5 g package if pitching at room temperature into 5 gallons. Use two packs if pitching at lager (51-59 deg F) temperature into 5 gallons. 11.5 gram pack. "
Anyone used this yeast before? Any accuracy to this statement?
Ok..just got home and the yeast type is Saflager S-23.
According to the pitching instruction on the packet, it does say to pitch when wort is at room temp, so I'm hoping this will be ok.
On another note, I did purposely put my fermenter in the coolest closet I have in the house, and it's currently sitting at about 65 degrees. I'm guessing it will probably fluctuate between 65-68 during the day and night in that closet.
What do you guys think...should be ok? Also, because it is fermenting in a closet and can't absolutely control the temp to the same temp the whole time, what is the impact of this fluctuating temp? I'm actually purchasing a fridge this weekend that will allow me to control the temp for lagering, and it's going to be big enough to put two fermenters in, so this should help.
I'm telling you guys, but you probably had the same experience, I had so much fun just brewing my first batch (haven't even tasted it yet) that I know this is going to be a life long hobby. I can't wait to brew my next batch and I haven't even tasted my first yet. Just the excitement of being able to drink my own beer is worth it.
brewchez wrote:
Ummmm.... 68F with saflager-23????
If so this is another case of lame shop people either being clueless or just handing out bad advice.
I don't know if this is the case here or not, but I bet a lot of people go into LHBS and go to pick out there first beer and the clerk says "what do you like to drink the best?" Then many may say "I love Sam Adams" then the clerk throws them at a lager kit.
If you are going to have a fridge soon to control the temp I would say to definately take advantage of that and get it in there. A johnson controller can hold your temp to w/ in 3 deg or so of your desired (I fermented my last lager at 52) temp. As long as you know this is a lifetime hobby you may even want to spring for the digital controller that can shutoff for chill or heat. Just don't ask your LHBS for advice. (assumption)