Another Hi from Yorkshire ( West ).

[chrisrelva]

Well, they do say folk from Yorkshire watch the pennies like the Scots judging by the last 2 members there might be something in it ? Edit - just realised its the same bloke posting twice , well I always say make mine a dbl...
Well I'm all for cheap beer but it looks like this could be fun - my first attempt as the kids got me a beer kit for my birthday. 50 btw. Anyway, salutations and all that, hope to learn from everyone on here as I know sod all about brewing other than I like drinking the stuff !

Will have a quick read of some posts before I start asking stuff.....

Cheers.

 

[aneray]

Welcome to the forum Chris.

Ask away with any questions you may have.

 

[Moley]

Edit - just realised its the same bloke posting twice

Thanks for that, I hadn't noticed, duplicate thread now deleted.

Happy birthday (probably belated now), what kit did they buy you?

Welcome to the forum :

 

[artyb]

welcome aboard ..

we have a couple of yorkies with short arms and long pockets on here..... :rofl:

 

[chrisrelva]

Welcome to the forum Chris.

Ask away with any questions you may have.

Thank you I do have a question...

I didn't take any gravity readings before I started the fermenting. Is there a way to check the % proof of the finished product ( other than how many I have to drink before I fall over ) ?

 

[chrisrelva]

Edit - just realised its the same bloke posting twice

Thanks for that, I hadn't noticed, duplicate thread now deleted.

Happy birthday (probably belated now), what kit did they buy you?

Welcome to the forum :

It was a VERY happy one :drink:
It is a Youngs 40 pint starter kit and had a free extra tin in there :thumb:

Checking on the tub every morning and evening for temp / gas and generally fussing round like a broody hen - is this normal ?

 

[chrisrelva]

welcome aboard ..

we have a couple of yorkies with short arms and long pockets on here..... :rofl:

I'll fit right in

 

[Thisledome]

Welcome mate

 

[carl_saint]

Hi and welcome from another west Yorkshire man!

 

[Moley]

It is a Youngs 40 pint starter kit and had a free extra tin in there :thumb:

Ah well, never mind, it's all good practice

Checking on the tub every morning and evening for temp / gas and generally fussing round like a broody hen - is this normal ?

Quite understandable, but really you should be mixing it up one day, checking it later that day or the next morning just to make sure it's working, and then leave it alone completely for at least a week, preferably longer. If that contradicts your kit's instructions, throw them away.

 

[chrisrelva]

It is a Youngs 40 pint starter kit and had a free extra tin in there :thumb:

Ah well, never mind, it's all good practice

Checking on the tub every morning and evening for temp / gas and generally fussing round like a broody hen - is this normal ?

Quite understandable, but really you should be mixing it up one day, checking it later that day or the next morning just to make sure it's working, and then leave it alone completely for at least a week, preferably longer. If that contradicts your kit's instructions, throw them away.

I pretty much am leaving the contents to their own devices - the lid keeps bulging with pent up gas so I peel an edge back and let it out then reseal, I do this twice daily. The thermometer sits on the lid so I check that reading is steady throughout the fermentation which seems to be slowing down 5 days after I started the kit off. Should it have some other means of venting ?
I take it you aren't over keen on the Youngs kits ?

Yes, the instructions said leave for 5 - 7 days then bottle up. Should I leave it longer even if it has stopped producing gas, and if so how long for and do I leave at the current temp or move somewhere cooler / warmer. It is basking in 78 deg F at present ? EDIT 68 deg F

 

[Moley]

Most bucket lids don't make an effective seal, I can snap mine on all the way around and the gas still escapes. If yours does seem to seal well, don't snap it down quite all the way around.

Your temperature is just a little bit on the high side but not excessive, 70°F would be better.

Most people on this forum will probably tell you to leave your beer for 10-14 days before bottling, then leave your bottles for 4-7 days at room temperature before storing somewhere cooler for a minimum of 3-4 weeks, and preferably longer. However, earlier ‘quality testing’ is almost obligatory.

And in my own personal opinion, the Young's starter sets are pretty good but the beers themselves are very much entry-level.


Edit: I've just seen your own edit, 68°F, 20°C is perfect :thumb:

 

[chrisrelva]

Thanks Moley, seems I'm not that far off the money - so far. :pray:

 

[Dr. B]

Welcome!
Like many, you might have got into it for cost reasons.
But hopefully you'll get the bug and realise you can make your own quality beers as well, then you do it more for that reason than cost!

 

[chrisrelva]

Welcome!
Like many, you might have got into it for cost reasons.
But hopefully you'll get the bug and realise you can make your own quality beers as well, then you do it more for that reason than cost!

Kind of....
I'm frugal by nature so the savings aspect DOES appeal, but the main reason I'm brewing was the kids, they wrapped a kit up for my b'day and I dont bike / fish much over winter. Beer tasting I do all year round :

and yes, I think I've caught a particularly virulent strain - already planning my next 4 brews :thumb:

 

[Phil_MG]

Another brewer from Leeds. Perhaps we should chip in and buy the Tetley site, and get that smell of malt wafting through the Headrow again :lol:

Where abouts in Leeds are you? I'm over in Birstall, about 2 mins drive from Ikea.

 

[chrisrelva]

Another brewer from Leeds. Perhaps we should chip in and buy the Tetley site, and get that smell of malt wafting through the Headrow again :lol:

Where abouts in Leeds are you? I'm over in Birstall, about 2 mins drive from Ikea.

Rothwell just off the M1 / M621 at Sturton. Other side of Leeds to you I think.
Know what you mean about the aroma from a brewery - I thought it was hops ? Just love it.

 

[carl_saint]

I'm over in Birstall, about 2 mins drive from Ikea.

And from Morley Home Brew Centre!!!

 

[daryl_crossley]

Hi Chris...... welcome to the forum

Just around the corner from you in Carlton :thumb: