First kit, should I brew short and associated questions.....

[stooby doo]

Hi everyone. I will shortly be brewing my first kit which is a Milestone Lion's pride. The instructions with the kit instruct to brew to 22.5 litres which will produce a beer with an abv of 3.8%.
I am a bit concerned that this might taste a bit on the weak side and I might have to drink the lot to notice I've had a drink!

As this is my first attempt at brewing should I just concentrate on getting everything in the process right, like temperatures etc and follow the instructions to the letter or should I brew it short to increase the strength a bit and hopefully enjoy the end result a bit more? If I do brew short, what liqour volume would you recommend?

Also, when brewing short, will this only affect the starting gravity point and the final gravity will be the same? i.e will FG still be around 1012 so that I know what value to expect when fermentation is complete?

 

[nobyipa]

temperature control whilst fermenting is ultra important try to keep your fermentation to as near 20c as possible

if you have heating control go for a constant 19C
and use spring water if you can or treat your water
you can brew short if you want to take a couple of litres off the set target
and the final gravity will up a bit too

 

[stooby doo]

Thanks for the advice :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

If you brew short you may will upset the hop bitterness and balance of the kit. If it is your first I would brew it as is just to see. :thumb:

 

[evanvine]

As Grays says, learn to walk before you trip up trying to run! :nono:

 

[calumscott]

I'm with the last two. It's your first one so go steady, make sure you get it right so you have 40 pints of drinkable beer.

Take a look at the "OMG!" How To in my sig for a few pointers to ease you though that first one. :thumb:

 

[evanvine]

Just re-read your post stooby doo, 3.8% ABV isn't exactly cats piss!

 

[stooby doo]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I'll play safe and stick to the instructions - cheers.