Have a go at simple AG

[Covrich]

i bottled a few to see if it improved and hada taster at the same time. it was also only 10litres in a 5 gallo fv so worried about the air inside.
so i transferred to gallon containers , im preparred to write it off as it didnt go to plan in the brew stage, but see what happens
ive got a 23l recipe waiting but reluctant to start it. i have purchased a grain bag after the first attempt. live and learn

You would have been better off just leaving it, I know there is extra headspace but it would still have been okay and it would have created a blanket.

If you're nervous just do another small batch even a 1 gallon just so you can tighten up your processes and getting used to it.

But whatever size batch I would leave it a minimum 2 weeks in the fermenter before bottling and then leave it to carb before drinking it..
I certainly wouldn't drink it 9 days after I pitched the yeast.

 

[kev192]

ok thanks for the advice

 

[jamesw]

where is the best place online to buy small volumes of grain and hops for delivery?

 

[clibit]

Online buying is not really ideal for small quantities due to delivery costs. I buy enough grain each time for a few brews. And I keep a variety of hops in the freezer, I buy a few packs at a time usually, at the same time that I get grain. My grain either comes from the Homebrew Company or the Malt Miller, or, sometimes, the Worcester Hop Shop. I can get up to 7 packs of hops from the WHS for £3 ish mail cost.

 

[jamesw]

ah cool, would local homebrew stores be ok with selling small volumes? is it sold in bags or per kg like pic-n-mix?
mmmm pic-n-mix

 

[clibit]

Yes local HBS's are usually very helpful. Cost more per kg but good service and no delivery costs.

 

[MartinHaworth]

You know that feeling when you do something for the first time? You're not quite sure what you are doing? You swing from excited hope to fears of failure?

After staying up until 2am getting my first all grain into the FV, I was knackered. What's the point....it takes too long.....probably won't work anyway....too many mistakes....

I've come home to a lovely thick krausen...and all is right with the world! Excited and positive once again!

Help me out here guys - tell me that I'm not alone in being a big kid.

 

[clibit]

You are not alone.

 

[Tony1951]

You know that feeling when you do something for the first time? You're not quite sure what you are doing? You swing from excited hope to fears of failure?

After staying up until 2am getting my first all grain into the FV, I was knackered. What's the point....it takes too long.....probably won't work anyway....too many mistakes....

I've come home to a lovely thick krausen...and all is right with the world! Excited and positive once again!

Help me out here guys - tell me that I'm not alone in being a big kid.

LOL - I know the feeling. My first AG took ages and when I looked into the stock pot after the boil and saw a horrible looking 'thing' in there, I thought, 'What the !!!! is that?. I've wasted all that time and trodden splashes of sticky stuff all over the kitchen and I've made some kind of horrible life form.'

No need to worry. It was just the protein from the hot break and it vanished into the trub.

:)

 

[Tony1951]

Just kegged my Cascade / Citra AG brew that I made on the Bank Holiday on 1st May. I used my new mini kegs (2 of) and managed to make a single 500ml bottle as well. I obviously could have got that into the little kegs, but I wanted a single bottle to see how it was clearing up and to compare the flavour of the beer when bottled and kegged.

The mini kegs were a very easy way to package the beer. Dead easy to clean and rinse and fill. Hopefully, the quality of the end product will be good and the use convenient. Time will tell....

 

[matt666]

After the boil, how do you transfer into the FV? Last couple of times I've put it through a sieve, and also run it through the BIAB bag I used, but I ended up having to squeeze it through with my bare hands which obviously isn't good for infections.

Are there any downsides to just pouring the lot in?

And what about aerating the wort?

 

[clibit]

After the boil, how do you transfer into the FV? Last couple of times I've put it through a sieve, and also run it through the BIAB bag I used, but I ended up having to squeeze it through with my bare hands which obviously isn't good for infections.

Are there any downsides to just pouring the lot in?

And what about aerating the wort?

I just pour through a sieve that I place in a colander that sits on the FV. This aerates it it to an extent, and I use a sanitised whisk to aerate it further in the FV. Some trub gets in, but it settles down and doesn't cause a problem.

 

[Tony1951]

Even that horrible looking 'thing' floating in the wort (see photo a few posts up) just disappeared and became trub. That picture is the wort which I poured straight into the fermentation vessel. 18 days later after about 9 days in a secondary FV, I kegged a really almost clear beer from it this morning. I sieve out hops and that's about it.

EDIT:

Of course I am talking about brew in a bag here, not free floating grain in the wort.

 

[Padawanrob]

My 1st AG after 2 weeks bottled, I just wanted to sample, the beer was nice to taste and also clear, will it carbonate more in the next 4 weeks as that was my only let down but overall Im pleased at this stage with my 1st small batch AG, I have 2 more batches in FVs and if they are like this I will be pleased, this was my MO and EKG.

Some pics to show, a big thanks to @clibit

 

[clibit]

Sometimes it takes longer than two weeks to carb up. Looks great. Hope it was worth the effort. Lots of recipes to try out now!

 

[GlentoranMark]

I'm having a go at this now and I'm addicted. I'm just sad now I'm only making 8 pints!

One mistake I have made is not keeping accurate quantities of water I'm using, I think it will be well over 6 litres when it comes to the boil. As I don't know how much I have I'll just have to guestimate.

I have a pot big enough for a 40 pint boil so I'll try that next week.

My ingredients are.

1Kg Maris Otter
100gCarapils
Pacific Jade for my Hops.

 

[clibit]

10L is a good amount to make, easy to handle on the cooker and a decent amount of beer.

 

[BeerCat]

Also now addicted to this after trying it last night. Gonna buy a variety of grain/hops start experimenting and this is the perfect way for me. The wort tasted really nice so i cant wait to do the next one.

 

[GlentoranMark]

I'm assuming if I've too much wort I'll just make a weaker beer?

I'm also using Youngs Wine and Beer Yeast, maybe not ideal but it's all an experiment for me.

I've most of the equipment to brew bigger batches, I've also a misplaced Cool Box that I will dig out to build myself a Mash Tun.

Looking for recipes now for next weeks Brew.

 

[clibit]

Yes you'll get a weaker beer, but if you are starting the boil with 6 litres you are likely to finish below 5 litres.