Keith\'s first homebrew...

**keith** · 02-24-2007, 04:26 PM

OK - here we go.

I went to Home Brewing Depot in Wauwatosa today with Christian ("cakocinski" here at theBubbler). Christian's been home brewing for years. He picked up some ingredients, too, and said he'll be posting about it, and about a home brew recipe software.

Got a starter kit. I got a carboy, hydrometer, etc. Going to cook up the first batch tomorrow. I'll give you all a step-by-step on my first home brew, a German Weizenbier.

Wish me luck, folks!

Regards,
Keith

**j10asen** · 02-25-2007, 01:45 PM

Just remember clean equipment makes happy brew

scour power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**keith** · 02-25-2007, 04:23 PM

Well begun is half done.

Started at 2pm. 1 tablespoon of bleach to 5 gallons of water to sanitize the carboy and ale pail, funnel and stuff.

Actually started cooking about 3pm. I've got the wort cooking now. Brought 2 gallons of water to a boil. Added 2 quarts of malt extract and brought to boil again. Added bittering hops (1 oz. of Hallertau bittering hops) in a mesh bag. Boiling for 55 minutes. Then I'll be adding 0.5 oz. of Hallertau finishing hops and boiling 5 more minutes.

Then I'll put the pot in the snow bank (I've shoveled 3 times in the last 18 hours, plenty of snow bank) to cool the wort to 70 degrees fairly quickly. Probably have to use ice in the wheelbarrow in the summer.

I'll check back in then to let you know how the rest goes.

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 02-25-2007, 05:35 PM

Brewer's Best Weizenbier is what we're cooking. Thanks to my wife, Cindy, for helping me out.

Got the wort in the snow bank. Only let it cool to 125 degrees instead of 100 because our cold water (1 gallon in the carboy already) was pretty cold. The idea is to end up at 70 degrees.

So, got a little 'wintry mix' (snow and rain) in the wort.

Poured that in the carboy and added another gallon and a half of water. Shook and stirred the whole thing for about 45 seconds.

Now I've got a 1 inch tube in the carboy with the other end in a bucket to catch foam. It's sitting on the vanity in a half bath. Most constant temp in the house, no outside light, no fluorescents.

Wish me luck, people!

I'll keep you posted. A few more days till next post.

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 02-25-2007, 05:37 PM

By the way, I broke the hydrometer so I did not get a specific gravity reading. I'm supposed to get one later, to tell alcohol content I think. I'll have to pick one up.

>fingers crossed<

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 02-27-2007, 11:15 AM

The foam action has been good. Past the peak of foaming, I'd say. Now some patience. Recipe says wait till you're getting a bubble every 3 minutes or less.

Temperature is a bit of a concern. This inside bath has stayed at 73, even when the thermostat is at 68 and the bedrooms are perhaps 65 or 66. Recipe calls for 65 to 70 degrees.

I'll keep you posted.

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 02-28-2007, 09:50 AM

Put the airstop in last night. When it is quiet around here (not often, but it happens) it is fun to hear the gurgles.

Temp down to 72. Jammed a business card in the heat vent to keep it closed as much as possible. The fast start instructions said 65 to 70. This recipe actually says 68 to 72.

My question now: How in the heck to you clean a 4 foot length of 1 inch diameter tubing?

I'll be back in 4 or 5 days. When the bubbles get down to one every 3 minutes, it is time to clarify, add sugar and bottle.

>fingers crossed<

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 03-02-2007, 12:56 PM

Been reading more and learned you're supposed to keep the brew out of light and fluorescent light. We have one of those low watt, long life screw-in fluorescents in the guest bathroom where the brew is, but it is infrequently lit, and then for a short time.

The bubbles in the airstop sometimes go 8 to 12 seconds between percolations. Temp down to 68 to 70 now.

Should be ready in a couple more days for bottling....AND I NEED 53 BOTTLES!

Regards,
Keith

**j10asen** · 03-02-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith

Should be ready in a couple more days for bottling....AND I NEED 53 BOTTLES!

I would be willing to bet that it will be much easier to get 53 beer drinkers!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

**keith** · 03-04-2007, 09:09 PM

Still need to get bottles (53 of you beer drinkers have one each and drop off the bottle, ok?).

Bubbles (keep typing Bubblers out of habit

) coming every 18 seconds the last 24 hours. Next day or two, when they're at least 3 minutes apart.

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 03-07-2007, 12:04 AM

Tuesday night, 9 days after brewing, and still at 18 to 30 seconds.

Regards,
Keith

**cakocinski** · 03-08-2007, 01:09 PM

I am a busy guy, so I don't usually get a chance to bottle my brew the same day that it is suppose to be done. I usually wait another week after the directions say. The yeast will finish feeding off the beer and settle to the bottom, and it won't hurt it to wait a few extra days. So if you have to wait a few more days until you bottle won't hurt your brew...it might make it better even.

Happy Brewing!

Christian

**keith** · 03-09-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakocinski

I am a busy guy, so I don't usually get a chance to bottle my brew the same day that it is suppose to be done. I usually wait another week after the directions say. The yeast will finish feeding off the beer and settle to the bottom, and it won't hurt it to wait a few extra days. So if you have to wait a few more days until you bottle won't hurt your brew...it might make it better even.

Happy Brewing!

Christian

Thanks for the tip! Rather than being anxious, I know I can wait till the weekend (I need bottles anyhow) to start bottling...maybe even a week longer.

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 03-13-2007, 09:42 PM

We bottled the first batch tonight!

It worked out okay. Used the small hose to siphon from the carboy to the ale pail after figuring out the large one was too tight fitting in the mouth of the carboy to use it.

The brew has been darker than expected, but seemed a bit lighter when all was said and done. A very deep, rich honey color. The taste is great. Should be fine with carbonation.

Got bottles over the weekend at Frugal Home Brewer in Waukesha. $9.99 for a case of new bottles and $5.99 for a case of clean used bottles. A few more bucks for sanitizer. Cleaned the bottles Monday night. Bottled tonight.

Three weeks to go in a cool, dark place. The corner of the woodshop in the basement will do. I can hardly wait. If the flavors anything like the last half cup from the ale pail, I'll take it!

Got everything cleaned up right away. Hope to have my son's fiance get some bottles from Texas Roadhouse where she tends bar so we can make some root beer this coming weekend. I'll start another thread for that, and be back to report on the taste test of this first batch here!

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 03-13-2007, 09:52 PM

This batch came to 50 bottles (I'll top off the carboy a bit more next time, should yield another bottle, plus).

I bottled 48 in bottles that I capped. The last two were bottled in cleaned up screw tops. We screwed the tops back on, then crimped them on, too. I'll try to remember to let you know how that worked...or not.

Regards,
Keith