First Kit Brew - Christmas Present

[BrightBrew]

I have brewed a few batches of TC, WOW and Cheeky Vimto over the past few months all in demi johns. However, for Christmas my mother-in-law bought me a Youngs Brew Buddy Lager kit and I wanted to ask for advice before I start it.

1. The instructions say to use 1kg of brewing sugar but should anything else be added to it to improve the taste? (i.e. brew enhancers etc)

2. The lid has no holes in it for an airlock and the instructions say just to fit the lid and watch for the bubbles rising......but wouldn't there be a risk of the lid blowing off if I don't drill a hole and fit an airlock?

3. Once fermentation is complete should I syphon off into a 2nd FV, as this is what I have done previously when using demi johns?

4. Should I use the yeast supplied or use a better quality one (or does it really matter?)?

I'm very aware that the kits supplied with these things are not the most amazing, but just want some advice on making it as good as possible.

Cheers.

 

[aneray]

Mother in laws buy such great presents for Christmas

The Youngs kits are not the best but can be improved with a little tinkering. Instead of using sugar, try adding light spraymalt. Even though its more expensive than sugar it will improve the taste of your brew.

The lids supplied with the fermenters rarely seal properly so just push it firmly all around and crack it open very slightly. Once the fermentation starts, a layer of co2 will form on the top of your brew protecting it from airborne nasties. Leave the brew for two weeks until you are ready for the next stage. I completely ignore mine, I don't remove the lid to check the hydrometer reading or for anything. This length of time is enough for the brew to fully ferment and it will also let the yeasties finish themselves off and it will drop a lot brighter.

When ready to bottle, dissolve your sugar (around 80g) in a little hot water and put it in another fermenter. Syphon your brew carefully into this and you will now be ready to bottle.

As far as the yeast goes, its up to you whether to change it or not. I have brewed Coopers lager kits in the past with Saflager yeast and had great results.

 

[abeyptfc]

if this is your first kit i would probably stick to the instructions. theres no harm in buying the brew enhancer or different yeast though as it would probably improve the brew. spraymalt or brew enhancer are better to use than normal sugar as its meant to give the beer more body whereas using sugar can leave it quite thin.
just leave a small section of your lid unclicked and the co2 will find a way out. once fermentation is complete most people still leave the beer in the bucket for 2 weeks, you can either syphon to another bucket or just bottle or keg straight away.

 

[BrightBrew]

Thanks guys.

It's looks like I'm going to buy another bucket anyway, so can anyone suggest a good quality one which is airtight and can be fitted with an airlock? Will be used as the second FV for this brew and would use it for larger batches of WOW and Cheeky Vimto so would like a decent quality one.

 

[BrewDan]

Hello there, up to you with the.brewing sugar, but spray malt or beer enhancer would improve it a little. Wouldn't worry too much about the yeast, its one of the budget kits anyway so no point spending loads of extra money on it, as its your first attempt I'd.roughly stick to the insructions to get a feel for brewing beer, then maybe on your next attempt tinker/buy a different beer kit.

Personally what I would do with this kit is just brew it with a light spraymalt, use the yeast provided and watch your temps. The bucket will be fine to brew In, as mentioned just leave a small section of it open to allow the gas to escape.

I know most kits say 7 days to ferment, but I personally leave mine in primary for 2 weeks, then either keg or bottle. to carbonate,If bottling ,you can either batch prime as mentioned, or add around a tablespoon of brewing sugar to each bottle ( assuming they are pint size) I find it easier to add per bottle rather than batch prime.

Once bottled I leave mine at room temp for a few weeks, then put somewhere cool and dark for a few months and forget about them. I have always been dissapointed with anything less than 3 months old, I tend to leave most 6 months to a year, but that's just me.

Just remember though you will have sediment in the bottles when you go to drink them, just needs a careful pour.

If kegging you may be lucky and it will run clear, but my first couple of pints have been cloudy most of the time. I have also found with kegging that its best to release a bit of pressure before pouring by undoing the top a little until it hisses, then screw it back up, otherwise you end up with a glass of foam.

Anyway I'm.sure it will all be fine however you brew it, enjoy it!

 

[BrewDan]

You could always buy one of he youngs wine fermenting barrels, you can stick an airlock on that, has handles so its easier to move. Cleaning can be a bit of a pain though as the hole for the lid is pretty small

 

[BrightBrew]

You mean like this here ?

 

[BrewDan]

You mean like this here ?

Yeah I have two of those, but I would rather of had a bucket with a lid and bung... was all I could find at the time. Does the job fine, can be awkward getting your arm in to clean though

Edit, you can also drill a hole in these to fit a tap. Have done this with one of them and bought a little bottler, to make bottling easier.

 

[Eric_S]

You mean like this here ?

I use those (I have 4 now) and vastly better than using buckets - you can then siphon off into a bucket for priming and bottling.

 

[SamWise72]

You don't need to leave the lid partly unsnapped, they are *not* airtight, and leaving it open increases the chances of flies or particles getting in. It will blanket itself with CO2, but that doesn't protect from airborne nasties, only from oxygenation. Snap the lid down all round, walk away and leave it.

 

[cumbrian brewer]

i got one of these kits but have not made the kits yet, I would take the advise and use spayed malt, I drilled a hole in the centre of mine as I use a themo heater in the winter and this makes it hang in the centre of it. I did a kit in the bucket before this and it not having a hole was not a problem.

Time is the best way to get results I leave it for 2 weeks then rack and leave for another 2 weeks then keg :thumb: