My first effort - Milestone IPA

[Naitch1982]

As a Christmas treat, I bought myself the Milestone home brewing kit from a local brew shop in Leeds.

It came with the fermenting tub, a barrel, hydrometer, thermometor, CO2 capsules, steriliser and a kit for the IPA.

My main aim of this first brew was to really get my head around the process. I've been on loads of brewery tours but I probably learnt more in an hour of playing with this kit than I did in all the tours put together!

The IPA kit was pre-hopped malt extract so it literally was add water and yeast and see what happens. It's currently on day four of fermenting and it's smells amazing.

I'll post some pics when I do the siphoning, but so far I've really enjoyed doing this and for the next brew I'm planning to move onto something a little more technical than pre-hopped malt extract!

Mike

 

[LeedsBrewer]

Good to see another homebrewer from Leeds :thumb:

I've heard the Milestone kits are very good. Other kits you may want to try:
Woodforde's Wherry from wilkinsons £18 - a very tasty pint but again a 2 can kit that you just add water to.
Coopers Stout is a one can kit so you 'll need to add 500g dark DME and a tin of treacle. Also very nice.

Or buy some hops from kirskstall or morley homebrew stores and start dry hopping your kits. This adds a new depth to your brews.

www.howtobrew.com is a good site with lots of info on the basic science behind brewing - be aware however that this site is from an american viewpoint, but most of it is accurate.

Then look into BIAB. This is what i have just started with. It means you can brew All Grain beers without the expensive set up costs. All you need is one large pot and a net curtain. :thumb: http://chompchomp.co.uk/?p=141508066

 

[PD]

IMHO you have done right in starting your brewing with a kit. They have many advantages for the novice, and allow you to get to know what you are doing.
The 2 can kits make fine beers. St Peters Red Ruby,Woodfordes Wherry etc and the Coopers 1 can dark ale and stout are very good and tasty.
Take your brewing lessons nice and slow stick to the instruction and only make alterations when you understand what your doing, and you will make beers to be proud of and are enjoyable to drink.
When you have some experience under your belt is the time to look at the extract brewing BIAB and all grain methods

 

[Dieseljockey]

Well done....hope everything goes ok for you. :thumb:

 

[Naitch1982]

Thanks for the advice folks. Seems to be coming along nicely and I did promise to post a picture:

I'm hoping I can barrel this tomorrow or Wednesday but will have to see.

 

[matthew_pullin]

Hi mate

Looks good cant wait to sample it, ill bring some bottles of mine in work tomorrow for you to try. Here is my brew day after taking the next step and adding to a kit. viewtopic.php?f=21&t=33127

I doubt we will find a Jaipur in a can (how ace would that be) but we can only hope.

Happy Brewing

Matt

 

[alanywiseman.]

Thanks for the advice folks. Seems to be coming along nicely and I did promise to post a picture:

I'm hoping I can barrel this tomorrow or Wednesday but will have to see.

Have you kegged this? What was your OG?

 

[Naitch1982]

Have you kegged this? What was your OG?

The keg is currently cleaning, will do it either later today or tomorrow.

OG was 1045

 

[bottler]

Have you kegged this? What was your OG?

The keg is currently cleaning, will do it either later today or tomorrow.

OG was 1045

Bet you do it today

 

[Kinleycat]

Good to see another homebrewer from Leeds :thumb:

I've heard the Milestone kits are very good. Other kits you may want to try:
Woodforde's Wherry from wilkinsons £18 - a very tasty pint but again a 2 can kit that you just add water to.
Coopers Stout is a one can kit so you 'll need to add 500g dark DME and a tin of treacle. Also very nice.

Or buy some hops from kirskstall or morley homebrew stores and start dry hopping your kits. This adds a new depth to your brews.
is a good site with lots of info on the basic science behind brewing - be aware however that this site is from an american viewpoint, but most of it is accurate.

Then look into BIAB. This is what i have just started with. It means you can brew All Grain beers without the expensive set up costs. All you need is one large pot and a net curtain. :thumb:

I like this BIAB approach, I have most of the kit already and it will take me a step on from the planned kits I am going to do. :thumb:
Are there plenty of recipes?

 

[alanywiseman.]

Have you kegged this? What was your OG?

The keg is currently cleaning, will do it either later today or tomorrow.

OG was 1045

Oop I meant FG as the pic looked like it was still active but it has had plenty of time to finish now. Get it kegged :thumb:

Happy drinking when it comes :

 

[Naitch1982]

And there she is:

According to the instructions after adding the priming sugars I should leave it in 17-23 degree environment until priming has finished at which stage it can be moved to a 13 degree environment to condition.

Any ideas how long that takes?

 

[alanywiseman.]

I normally go with 2 weeks (3 in winter) the another 2 weeks, but the more the better, at 13C.