Im new to brewing

[Josef_w]

Hi, Im new to brewing so I was wondering if anyone has any tips for me so I don't completely mess up my first brew.

 

[Futureboy77]

Cleaning and sanitation are key. Don't rely on the airlock for signs of activity, use a hydrometer. The rest is about learning and your own experiences.

 

[Futureboy77]

....and patience!

 

[dwhite60]

You have an idea of what you want to make? Kit? Extract and hops? All-grain?

Could probably give you more detailed help if we knew what your plan was.

 

[Josef_w]

Im planning on making a lager, I found a recipe and was planning on using grain but I have had to opt for extract. The hops I'm using don't have a specific name, they were just the ones I could find given current circumstances as I don't really know which home brew websites can be trusted for ordering things from. All help would be appreciated, I'm hoping to make a honey flavoured beer in the future so if you know anything about that it would be much appreciated, cheers.

 

[dwhite60]

Where did you get the hops from? They should have an alpha acid rating on them. Could be the difference between dull beer and puckering beer.

If you've never done this before and/or don't have anyone to help you, I'd get a canned kit and run with it to get the very basics down. Coopers seem to get good reviews.

Few of VERY worthwhile links.

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/a-simple-guide-to-extract-brewing.75501/
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...de-to-brewing-your-own-beer-from-a-kit.57526/
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/have-a-go-at-simple-ag.51779/

 

[Josef_w]

Cheers for the links, it probably sounds stupid but I got them off amazon haha, do you know of any good home brewing websites where I can buy hops etc from in the future?

 

[dwhite60]

Making a true lager requires fermenting down in the 10-15*C range. You have a means of controlling this?

Also, "lagering" means storing the beer cold for at least a month close to 0C. This clears the beer and changes the flavor. You have a means of doing this too?

 

[dwhite60]

I know a LOT of good homebrew stores. It's just I'm in the states so shipping would be murder.

Not trying to disuade you from the lager. You just need to know what you're getting into.

 

[Josef_w]

The weather where I live rarely goes past the 15C range so I think I should be fine In that way, and I would be able to store the beer in my fridge which is around 0C if that would work? also thanks for all the advice.

 

[Lawrence22]

I'm from just outside Belfast which I would say has a very similar climate to Newcastle upon Tyne and you will need some sort of temperature control to do a lager well. You have to be able to keep the temperature constant at first and then have the ability to ramp it up for a Diacetyl rest. It is much easier when beginning to do a faux lager which can have surprisingly good results. Instead of lager yeast use a neutral ale yeast and ferment at room temperature. This way you will not need to lager for weeks either.

 

[dwhite60]

I have read some postings across the interwebs of people emulating lager fermentation at ale temps with Fermentis W-34/70 which is a lager yeast.

Never done it myself but it may give you at least part of the lager experience flavor wise without having to do an extended cold storage. W-34/70 seems to be rated as a pretty flocculant yeast so it should settle fast and clear well.

https://fermentis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SafLager-W-3470.pdf
Let us know what you do.

 

[Josef_w]

Cheers, I'll go for a faux lager instead then, I will let you know how I get on and what the end result is like. Thanks again guys

 

[dwhite60]

Cheers, I'll go for a faux lager instead then, I will let you know how I get on and what the end result is like. Thanks again guys

https://homebrewacademy.com/warm-fermented-lagers/

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Welcome to the forum thumb

 

[Gerryjo]

Hi and welcome to the forum..