First Brew
28
Published 2017-04-25
If you already know about the equipment, or just don't care, skip to 15:10
For more information on brewing, in addition to American Homebrewer's tutorials, read up on:
Alpha Acid (AA) - www.midwestsupplies.com/what-are-alpha-acid-aau-hb…
Specific Gravity and using a Hydrometer (Original Gravity, Final Gravity) - learn.kegerator.com/specific-gravity/
Even a sneak peak of my four-legged companion, Mousse.
Summary:
I open the kit and walk through all the parts and chemicals, followed by the extract, yeast, and hops that I used.
Clean and sanitize EVERYTHING that will touch the beer.
Smack the yeast pack.
Bring 1 gallon (distilled) water to boil. Remove from heat.
Stir in 3.0 kg of wheat extract
Bring water/extract mixture back to boil.
Add hops, boil for 30 minutes. For this first batch I used Liberty Hops AA 4.0%.
Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Pour 1 gallon of cool water into bucket fermenter. Add extract/hop mixture.
Bring mixture up to 5 gallons by adding cool water.
Allow to cool (or give ice bath) until mixture is 70-75 degrees. Pitch activated yeast.
Seal fermenter and give a good shake.
Allow to sit for 3-4 weeks.
Check back in a few weeks for bottling day of this batch.
Things I learned (from mistakes):
Oxygen cleaner needs warm/hot water to dissolve.
Don't put the water bottle cap on the air lock.
My buddy, says he uses tap water run through a brita filter and then ph adjustment tablets from his local homebrew shop. He is a skilled brewer both professionally for AB and a home brewer.
My basement is about 63 degrees F.