Ok i've messed this up already.

[Cwrw Bach]

Just attempted my first brew of bitter.
Two errors i have made that i hope are not going to be too costly.

Firstly, i forgot to sanitize the fermenting bucket. Yes im the biggest fool going. It is a new kit and i washed everything thoroughly before i started. But then only found the small sanitizing tub at the bottom of the box after i finished all the preparations. Does anyone know if my first batch is already doomed before it has a chance?

Secondly, i'm not sure how serious this is but when adding the hop's i decided on just adding half the sachet as not to make it too bitter, but the mistake i made is i added it towards the end after the cold water had been added, and not at the point of the boiling water. This has made the hops a bit difficult to break up and even though i stirred well as directed in the instructions some of the hops have formed into tiny lumps and floating round the top.

Anyway i have given it all a good stir as instructed and then put lid on and put the bucket away. Came downstairs and searched on google for answers and help after realizing ive made a hash of things, and here i am.

 

[chrig]

You will not add bitterness unless you boil the hops in wort for around 60minutrs, so if your kit came with hops you should add them all.. But dont worry if you havnt. Which kit have you done?

By not steralising your kit you have increases risk of infection, but it is in no way a done deal that you have ruined it. Cleaning alone does help..

relax and give it lots of time to finish and become a decent drink, which may be longer than the kit says.

 

[GavH]

I did not sanitise my Coopers FV on first use. Instructions said it wasn't necessary. Everything was fine.

 

[mattyhall22]

I did not sanitise my Coopers FV on first use. Instructions said it wasn't necessary. Everything was fine.

Yup, if it has never been used and you washed it, it should be ok.

Relax and enjoy the wait for the beer :

 

[Cwrw Bach]

You will not add bitterness unless you boil the hops in wort for around 60minutrs, so if your kit came with hops you should add them all.. But dont worry if you havnt. Which kit have you done?

By not steralising your kit you have increases risk of infection, but it is in no way a done deal that you have ruined it. Cleaning alone does help..

relax and give it lots of time to finish and become a decent drink, which may be longer than the kit says.

ok cheers guys, i feel much better now.

the kit is a Tom Caxton Bitter kit,