So, after reading so many other beer day threads, thought I'd add my own.
I'm back in the game relatively recently after too many years of not brewing! I think life got in the way and things stopped. Previously I had made kits and progressed to extract brewing with some good success. I also used to make wine kits, even being bold enough to make white and red wine for my wedding (exported to the Netherlands for the big bash!). My wife was stuck for a b'day present this year and suggested a wine kit.....the kick that finally got me back in to this, I mean, how could I go to a home brew shop and not check out the kits
So, my first problem was where to brew. I love the smells associated to brewing, but my wife doesn't, thus quickly ruling out the kitchen (and generally anywhere in the house). My only refuge was the shed....
A bit of work was needed!! After 4 months of pottering (and fitting a new kitchen/complete redecoration of the downstairs area) I have a workable space (just)!
As others will agree, you don't need a big space for good beer
So, having started on a couple of kits, I found the excellent AG thread on here and I was inspired. I can't believe I didn't make the transition to this when I brewed many moons ago.
My first brew was a simple golden ale (Goldings hops, MO and Crystal malt; 18 x 500ml bottles). I bottled it on the 22/6 and resisted touching it until last night. It has carbonated but lacks a satisfying Psssss when opened, plus no head to be seen. The taste was good, so it's gone away again for a couple more weeks. It's getting moved somewhere cold(er) next week. I may have to slightly up the priming sugar for my next batch?
My second brew was a Big Lamp Bitter clone (from the Graham Wheeler book - 1998 edition). I previously made the malt extract version (c.20 yrs ago) and remember it being very nice. Before starting I googled and search here to see if anyone else had made this. The only thread I found (another site) had used the same hops but in different quantities, thus I was a little unsure how to go. I opted for GW and used 41 g Fuggles and 8g Goldings (13L batch). The other recipe I found suggested mainly using Goldings with Fuggles as the lower quantity. After boiling and cooling, a taste left me wondering if I'd picked the wrong option as it was very bitter (GW noted a bitterness of 30, i presume 30IBU, whilst Brewfather suggested my brew will be 53IBU). Thankfully, on day 8 (today) it has mellowed nicely (and nearly hit FG). I will dry hop with Fuggles (8g) 3 days prior to bottling (not as per GW, but another post).
Am looking forward to this bitter. Planning a stout next....can't wait till next brew day.
I'm back in the game relatively recently after too many years of not brewing! I think life got in the way and things stopped. Previously I had made kits and progressed to extract brewing with some good success. I also used to make wine kits, even being bold enough to make white and red wine for my wedding (exported to the Netherlands for the big bash!). My wife was stuck for a b'day present this year and suggested a wine kit.....the kick that finally got me back in to this, I mean, how could I go to a home brew shop and not check out the kits
So, my first problem was where to brew. I love the smells associated to brewing, but my wife doesn't, thus quickly ruling out the kitchen (and generally anywhere in the house). My only refuge was the shed....
A bit of work was needed!! After 4 months of pottering (and fitting a new kitchen/complete redecoration of the downstairs area) I have a workable space (just)!
As others will agree, you don't need a big space for good beer
So, having started on a couple of kits, I found the excellent AG thread on here and I was inspired. I can't believe I didn't make the transition to this when I brewed many moons ago.
My first brew was a simple golden ale (Goldings hops, MO and Crystal malt; 18 x 500ml bottles). I bottled it on the 22/6 and resisted touching it until last night. It has carbonated but lacks a satisfying Psssss when opened, plus no head to be seen. The taste was good, so it's gone away again for a couple more weeks. It's getting moved somewhere cold(er) next week. I may have to slightly up the priming sugar for my next batch?
My second brew was a Big Lamp Bitter clone (from the Graham Wheeler book - 1998 edition). I previously made the malt extract version (c.20 yrs ago) and remember it being very nice. Before starting I googled and search here to see if anyone else had made this. The only thread I found (another site) had used the same hops but in different quantities, thus I was a little unsure how to go. I opted for GW and used 41 g Fuggles and 8g Goldings (13L batch). The other recipe I found suggested mainly using Goldings with Fuggles as the lower quantity. After boiling and cooling, a taste left me wondering if I'd picked the wrong option as it was very bitter (GW noted a bitterness of 30, i presume 30IBU, whilst Brewfather suggested my brew will be 53IBU). Thankfully, on day 8 (today) it has mellowed nicely (and nearly hit FG). I will dry hop with Fuggles (8g) 3 days prior to bottling (not as per GW, but another post).
Am looking forward to this bitter. Planning a stout next....can't wait till next brew day.