A couple of MYO brews

[ChrisD123]

So took the plunge.
Thought i would start with the American IPA and a Yorkshire Bitter from MYO (Range).
Have followed all instructions, added hops on Saturday (as stated after 7 days).

Tested using Hydrometer yesterday, IPA came out at 1.012 and Bitter at 1.010. Bitter still has broken down hops on the surface whilst IPA looks like hop soup...hoping this will drop out??? had a little taste, both seemed okay nothing nasty both had as light fizz. Does this all sound reasonable? Will test again this evening

 

[Skittlersteve]

Hi, i did an MYO american IPA, As you said "hop soup" this got no better with secondary ferment & i even added some beer brite! Been in bottles now for 2 weeks & is clear about half way down, putting somewhere cooler tomorrow, see how that goes!

 

[ChrisD123]

Was getting worried that something had gone wrong...did you prime with the recommended amount out of interest?

 

[Skittlersteve]

No, i used less & used brewing sugar, as when i put in sugar at start it went mad, erupted everwhere & i had to split into 2fv s for a few days, plus i like less fizz, but even so the pet bottles are rock hard! Not sure whether too release some pressure or not!!

 

[ChrisD123]

I thought the instructions seemed a bit much not that I am an expert ( not even a novice yet haha) , don't like it overly fizzy either so will go for less.

 

[Skittlersteve]

Too true, only a novice myself, i actually bought another AIPA as it seemed good value as it has 2.5 kgs of lme! I'm sure thats why it went mad at start. "Good" kits have 3 kgs and no need to add ANY sugar at start! I'm hoping a more experienced brewer on here can give me a decent recipe to use the other lme with!

 

[ChrisD123]

Am sure one will come along soon....still getting to grips with everything, so much to learn but its fascinating

 

[Skittlersteve]

True! I've made my own (off & on) for years! I've now retired (ish) so started again, kits are MUCH better than they used to be, i can't be faffed with all grain(can't understand half of the lingo) lol!

 

[ChrisD123]

Just tested again, both sitting at 1.010, IPA not looking as soupy, hops obviously sinking...bitter pretty much the same as yesterday.

 

[Skittlersteve]

As long as its drinkable, lol. Mind you at £14.99 not bad value, it certainly seems like it will be quite strong! I forgot to take an og so not sure what strength it will be!

 

[Scottyburto]

Two priceless tips:-

1)
Use the 2/2/2 rule minimum no mater what the des'tructions say:

2 weeks fermentation,
2 weeks prime,
2 weeks condition

2)
After fermentation "cold crash" basically leave it somewhere for a few days that's really cold. This will cause the yeast, hops and other debris to sink.

Both of these tips I picked up on this forum! Search around, it's mostly gold.

 

[terrym]

You may all possibly find this useful even you have got a brew or two on the go.
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...de-to-brewing-your-own-beer-from-a-kit.57526/
Floating hop debris in the FV which doesn't sink even after a day or two in the cold can be a pita. The easiest ssolution is to put the hops into a sanitised or preboiled nylon or muslin bag with or without weights, or if you use a siphon tube put a small nylon 'sock' over the end of the siphon cane (the end thats in the FV). More on dry hopping here
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/a-newbies-guide-to-dry-hopping-your-beer.61045/
And be extra careful about adding too much priming sugar to your beer and also ensuring your primary is finished before you bottle. If you use 500ml bottles one half tsp table sugar is normally fine for most beer styles. Rock hard PET bottles are a sign that your beer may be overcarbed. So open with care, perhaps put in the fridge first.
Finally I agree kits are much much better than years ago and there now is a good range to cover most tastes and budgets. In general you can make perfectly good beer with a few tweaks to most kits without having to go the extra mile and brew all grain if thats what you dont want to do.

 

[Skittlersteve]

Thanks for help, will try ine!

 

[Skittlersteve]

I thought the instructions seemed a bit much not that I am an expert ( not even a novice yet haha) , don't like it overly fizzy either so will go for less.

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...de-to-brewing-your-own-beer-from-a-kit.57526/ someone sent me this link (helps with abbreviations)

 

[Skittlersteve]

Two priceless tips:-

1)
Use the 2/2/2 rule minimum no mater what the des'tructions say:

2 weeks fermentation,
2 weeks prime,
2 weeks condition

2)
After fermentation "cold crash" basically leave it somewhere for a few days that's really cold. This will cause the yeast, hops and other debris to sink.

Both of these tips I picked up on this forum! Search around, it's mostly gold.

Thanks

 

[Skittlersteve]

Two priceless tips:-

1)
Use the 2/2/2 rule minimum no mater what the des'tructions say:

2 weeks fermentation,
2 weeks prime,
2 weeks condition

2)
After fermentation "cold crash" basically leave it somewhere for a few days that's really cold. This will cause the yeast, hops and other debris to sink.

Both of these tips I picked up on this forum! Search around, it's mostly gold.

Ah! Now i know what cold crash means lol. So much to learn!

 

[ChrisD123]

Thanks for all the advice...things are much clearer now....including the brews!!