AG#1 in my sights...

[peelman]

The FV is empty and all my beer kits are used up. It's time to start to order in the grains and hops for my AG#1.
I started brewing in November 2012 and I am wondering if I'm starting to run before I can walk...
I have done about 8 kits and they have all been quite good and a couple have been fantastic! (Festival Golden Stag + Brewferm Christmas).

I bought myself a copy of Graham Wheeler's book and I was very pleased to see that it had one of my all time favourite beers in there, Robinsons Old Tom. So this is the one I plan to pop my cherry on (probably next weekend).

It looks pretty straight forward. Has anybody else on here brewed this one??

I am excited and nervous at the same time.
Wish me luck!
:pray:

 

[carl_saint]

If your confident then just do it! I went AG after doing kits for about 8 months! GW book is great and has some cracking recipes! Have a read through the AG how to in the how to section, its very useful!

 

[Vossy1]

As for Carls advice...just do it If you go the Old Tom recipe it'll also give you room for error due to the strength...if needed. You could always consider some of our sponsors AG kits which come complete with everything you need :thumb:

 

[wigwamheed]

DO IT!!!! Only ever done 1 kit and that was just to have summat to sup while was waiting for my ag brews to condition, you'll never look back

 

[peelman]

Thanks chaps. I will... Just do it!!
I will take a few snaps too if I remember...

Carl. Yes I have read the book cover to cover (and back again..lol) and as you say it is very useful. I have also been watching dozens of You tube video's on AG and they all are quite consistent. Apart from sparging. I fancy the fly sparging method myself...?

Vossy
Yes that is what I plan for AG#2. The SNPA clone kit I saw on one of their sites.

Wigwamheed
1 kit? I like your style! :

 

[wigwamheed]

I've just done the snpa clone last week except I added 50g of Amarillo at flame out.....shaping up to be a very nice pint, been tryin to escape though

 

[peelman]

SNPA another all time favourite of mine. If I can replicate that I will be a happy man!

You will have to let us know how it turns out.

 

[peelman]

Well its on for tomorrow!
:)

 

[PD]

Ooooh a sleepless night instore........

Take your time, keep an eye on your volumes and temperatures and you will be fine....and heres a little reminder......




Check your taps are closed when they should be !

 

[peelman]

Yes I will probably be up at the crack of dawn...

Cheers!

 

[danb]

good luck mate did my 1st last night after 2 kits wasn't too bad just wrote everything down in order and ticked off as went along.

 

[Asalpaws]

I've done the Old Tom clone from GWs book. It's a a great brew but be prepared to wait a long time for it to mature in the bottle.

I made mine last Sept, it's now only just getting drinkable.

Might be better to do the SNPA clone first, IPAs are best drunk young. You will want to drink your first AG as soon as possible. Best of luck T

 

[Asalpaws]

Sorry just realised your brewing tomorrow! Are you doing a sparge technique or BIAB?

The old Tom will be great but you should aim to get the SNAPA on next brew as you will be able to drink it well before OT.

Seems like a lot of people do Timothy Taylor landlord as their first brew. The version in GWs book is also very good, the best bitter I've made by a long stretch and drinkable after only a couple of weeks in the bottle. Cheers T

 

[peelman]

Doing the sparge technique. Just doing the 19ltr length.
Was going to Cornie keg it but if it takes that long to mature I may bung it in a pressure barrel and do the SNPA clone when the FV is free again, and chuck that in the empty cornie.

 

[peelman]

good luck mate did my 1st last night after 2 kits wasn't too bad just wrote everything down in order and ticked off as went along.

Cheers mate and thanks for that tip. I will do that for sure.

 

[Asalpaws]

I think that's a good idea, SNPA will benefit from higher carbonation you can get in a cornie. The old Tom just needs kegging and forgetting about for six months or longer. T